A great way to travel the world is to join an international volunteer movement. There are many volunteer organizations and communities, as well as charities and independent companies helping in this endeavor. In this article, we will describe the main volunteer programs abroad in 2017, and at the end we will provide resources for finding volunteer work.

There are a number of programs that have existed for decades, hundreds and thousands of people take part in them. Let's look at them in more detail.

Appalachian Trail

Work and Travel

This is the most ambitious project, working in many directions, from caring for the ecology of the planet to helping civilians in hot spots. Not everyone will be able to qualify for this volunteer program, but if you can, you will receive a large number of benefits, ranging from a settlement grant to severance pay upon completion of work. In order to take part in the program, you need to register on the official website using this link: https://ereta.unv.org/html/index.php?module=myprofile.

The organization's name stands for Worldwide Opportunity on Organic Farms. Under its terms, volunteers work several hours a day on farms growing organic products, for which they receive food and housing. Official website of the volunteer program: http://www.wwoof.net.

Trip Leader for HF Holidays

Read also: Work and Travel USA 2017 – tips, prices and reviews

The organization recruits volunteers to organize and accompany hiking trips around Europe. As a reward, you will be provided with housing and food. You can register and apply for the free volunteer program here: https://www.hfholidays.co.uk

Other volunteer programs for 2017

In the age of information technology, volunteering has undergone certain changes. If previously there were several large organizations working in one direction, now they act differently.

Instead of recruiting a few hundred people and distributing them around the world or within one country, organizations operate differently. They recruit volunteers into small groups of up to 10 people and send them to a specific location. For example, three volunteers could be sent to teach poor people in India or China - there is no need for more people in one place.

In English-speaking countries, volunteer projects are called Adventure projects, since this area of ​​programs provides the opportunity to get acquainted with anywhere in the world on a budget through adventure, language practice and new acquaintances with young people from different countries peace. International volunteering is a program accessible to absolutely everyone, both in terms of age and financially. This is a unique opportunity to explore the country from the inside, improve your foreign language and just have a great time with people from different parts of the world.

Age

Program date

all year round

Duration

from 2 weeks

Price

What is international volunteering?

• Budget travel.
• An alternative version of tourism.
• Intercultural exchange.
• Language practice.
• Professional experience.

The main idea of ​​volunteering is to unite people from different countries with common interests to spread ideas of peace and national tolerance through intercultural exchange.

The motivation for volunteering is different for everyone. For some, this is an opportunity to see Europe or Asia, gain international work experience and make new acquaintances. For others, it is an opportunity to realize their ideas and ambitions, contribute to the development of society and help other people. For others, it’s practicing a foreign language and self-development.

Maria Kolenikina, senior coordinator of the TravelWorks International Volunteering program for Russia and the CIS countries.

History of creation

The international volunteer movement began in the 20th century on the initiative of young people full of energy and desire to restore the destruction after the First World War. Currently, more than 3,000 volunteer projects operate annually in 107 countries around the world.

The number of people who took part in volunteering from 1987 to 2018 increased from 80 to 320 million.

What is a volunteer project?

An international volunteer project is an international team of 10-20 people who voluntarily come together to accomplish a useful task - for example, organizing a festival for children, restoring an ancient castle, or planting flowers in a national park.

During the project, participants are provided with free food and accommodation, entertainment activities and excursions. Each project has one or more camp leaders—curators of program participants.

A camp leader is a project participant with volunteer experience, often a citizen of the country where the project takes place. He oversees volunteer activities and the cultural and entertainment component of the program, and is the link between the foreign volunteer and the host organization.

Types of projects

Work in a volunteer project is prerequisite and the voluntary initiative of everyone. The type of employment in the project can be different - from organizing a world music festival and working with children and animals to archaeological research and restoration work of an 18th century castle.

An international volunteer is not free labor. A project participant’s work usually starts in the morning and lasts 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Since the main goal of the program is to obtain intercultural exchange, volunteers devote all their free time to entertainment, excursions, cooking national cuisine and international communication.

After finishing the project, 93% of our participants share their emotions with us and say that participation in the volunteer project changed their outlook on life, perception of the world and awakened a desire to develop and travel.

Who is the program suitable for?

• Looking for options for an interesting holiday.
• For those looking for budget travel options.
• Those wishing to practice the language and improve its level.
• Tired of standard tourist trips.

Requirements for participants:

1. Age: 16-99 years.
2. Basic spoken foreign language and higher.

For those who want to know more:

Leave a request for the program below, or call 8 800 3333 915 - we will be happy to help you go on an unforgettable journey.

Volunteering as an idea of ​​serving society is as old a concept as “society”. In all centuries, those who realized themselves in communication and helping their community. We'll look at what volunteers do these days in this article.

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is an activity that is aimed at providing free services to a person or group of people who are not relatives of the volunteer, without relying on monetary compensation. This formulation most accurately defines the meaning of volunteer activity.

Unfortunately, at the moment there is no legal definition of the concept of “volunteer”. And very often this word is used in the most different situations. For example, volunteers are people who participate in government projects and receive monetary compensation for this. Many argue that it is not volunteer work, but has the form of ordinary hired labor. According to the above formulation, volunteers can be called workers who work for well-known enterprises without payment for the sake of gaining experience. However, such people are not considered volunteers.

Volunteering in Russia

IN Russian Federation originated in the late 80s of the last century. Historians argue that the volunteer movement has always existed, it just did not have an official name.

In Russia, volunteering is controlled by higher authorities and regulated by legislative acts. Thus, in 1995, the State Duma adopted a law on volunteer activities, which is called “On public associations" It defines the rights and opportunities of voluntary groups. In the same year, the law “On Charitable Activities and charitable organizations", which also regulates the activities of volunteers.

At the moment, the Russian government is providing volunteers with state support. Thus, tax and other benefits are provided for voluntary organizations.

Nowadays volunteering is very popular and even fashionable. Voluntary organizations existing in Russia are mainly focused on young people who are not busy with family responsibilities and permanent work. Most often, volunteer groups are organized at universities. Thus, Russian volunteers have the opportunity to put their acquired knowledge into practice.

Problems of volunteering in Russia

IN Lately Volunteer activities in the Russian Federation are gaining new momentum. But, despite the positive trends, there are problems that hinder the development of volunteering. Yes, the current situation economic situation countries makes it difficult to use unpaid labor. Even in Soviet times, volunteering had a voluntary-compulsory form. Participation in community service was mandatory for everyone. This approach violated the principle of voluntariness. For this reason, most Russians have a negative attitude towards such types of activities and are in no hurry to sign up as Russian volunteers.

Today it is based on young initiative people, in whose minds thoughts of supporting and helping those in need appear.

Areas of volunteer activity

Volunteers play an important role in the life of society. In the modern world there are many problems that cannot be solved without the help of volunteers. Thus, volunteer activity can manifest itself in such main areas as:

• AIDS prevention;
• nature protection and cleanliness environment;
• prevention and control of smoking, alcohol and drug addiction;
• providing assistance to the elderly, disabled people, orphans, the poor, migrants, refugees, homeless people and other people who need material and moral support;
• improvement of streets, houses, green areas;
• helping animals, maintaining nature reserves and zoos;
• conducting educational conversations with young people in order to prevent free sexual relations and teenage prostitution;
• online volunteering, exemplified by Wikipedia;
• assistance in organizing charity concerts and various festivals;
• providing assistance to law enforcement agencies, doctors, rescuers; for example, conducting a population survey or searching for a person lost in an unfamiliar area;
• technical support.

Principles of volunteering

Any volunteer activity is based on ideology. Various promotions, programs and all kinds of events are often accompanied by surroundings. Typically, volunteers wear clothes and hats with the symbols of the volunteer organization. You can also recognize a volunteer by their badges. Such an ideology and adherence to principles makes the participants of the organization feel their importance. Thus, volunteers must adhere to the following principles:

1. Always respect the rights, dignity, national and cultural characteristics of other people.
2. Promotion of healthy lifestyles. Volunteers do not smoke or drink alcohol.
3. Always show kindness. You must not use words or expressions that may offend or harm another person.
4. Volunteering is a legitimate way to participate in society.
5. A volunteer always has the right to choose.

Types of volunteering

There is a classification according to which the following types of volunteer activities are distinguished:

1. In the areas of sports, virtual, environmental, construction, agricultural, concert, cultural, educational, office volunteering.
2. At the location of the participant of the voluntary organization: city, non-resident and international volunteers.
3. By type of services provided and work performed: escort, transportation, communication with the blind and deaf-mute, care for bedridden patients, meeting at the train station or at the airport, serving spectators, telephone duty.
4. By event name: festival, Olympic and Paralympic volunteers.
5. By the number of people involved: individual, joint or group volunteering.
6. According to the volunteer’s affiliation with the organization: school, church, corporate, university, organizing committee volunteers.
7. Depending on the type of financing: self-sufficiency and subsidized.

Forms of volunteering

The following forms of volunteer activity are distinguished:

1. Individual volunteering.
2. Volunteering as part of a group of volunteers.
3. Volunteering through a volunteer organization.

Why do people become volunteers?

People become volunteers for different reasons. The main ones:

1. A noble idea - it reflects the principles and importance of the activity.
2. Psychological need - many people want to do something useful for society. While participating in volunteer programs, they gain self-esteem and job satisfaction.
3. The need for communication - for this reason, very often people look for work in voluntary organizations.
4. Search for new opportunities and interests - volunteering is often associated with non-standard approaches and new areas of activity.
5. Opportunity to earn money - a lot of people volunteer for financial gain. Although volunteering is considered free of charge, the volunteer still receives something, be it moral pleasure or material reward, if this is provided by the organization.
6. Self-realization is an opportunity to improve your career. By volunteering, you can make new connections and gain respect in the community. Also, during volunteering you can develop new
7. A desire to share their own experience - people who have experienced a financial crisis, alcoholism, drug addiction can predict and help prevent situations that happened to them.
8. Access to resources - as a rule, volunteers have the opportunity to travel a lot, use the Internet, books, etc.

Volunteering as a type of activity has been known since ancient times. It is not aimed at obtaining material benefits and focuses on providing assistance to those who need it. The law of the Russian Federation defines volunteers as individuals who carry out free of charge charitable activities. Volunteering is developed throughout the world; there are many programs that cover a wide range of tasks. Russians and residents of the CIS countries often participate in volunteer programs not only to provide voluntary assistance to those who need it, but also with the goal of going abroad, traveling and seeing the world.

Volunteering: benefits not only for people, but also for yourself

If we do not take into account the moral factor (voluntary help has always indicated a person with best side), then participation in a volunteer program is a very successful and cheap way to travel abroad. This is also an opportunity to make new friends, deepen your knowledge of a foreign language and express yourself in a socially important cause.

The first step is to visit the volunteer center. It is necessary to leave an application for participation in a specific project. Together with her, you need to fill out a form in which you indicate all your personal data. You also need to undergo a short interview with the center’s staff, during which they will try to find out the purpose of the person’s participation in the volunteer program. A big plus for a candidate will be friendliness, a selfless attitude towards responsibilities, communication skills and a desire to work. The fact is that in many volunteer programs the number of vacancies is small, and the number of candidates is simply off the charts. Knowledge of one of the common foreign languages ​​(English, Spanish, German or French) will be a big plus.

Is it possible to emigrate through volunteering?

Participation in a volunteer program can be considered as a method of immigration, since participants in international humanitarian missions have the right to obtain resident status of the country in which they are engaged in volunteer activities. As a rule, a residence permit is issued for the period of stay in a given mission on the basis official letter from her leadership to the country's immigration service. If the volunteer subsequently wants to stay in this state, then the period of temporary resident status while working in the mission will be counted in the naturalization process.

As a way to move to another country, participation in a volunteer program is ideal for young people who have not yet accumulated sufficient funds and professional experience to emigrate in another way. This point also includes the fact that some countries are extremely closed to foreigners. And it is much easier for a volunteer to get there if he is part of a volunteer organization accredited in these states.

Paid and free volunteer programs abroad

Programs can be paid or free. Paid ones require the volunteer to purchase tickets and pay for certain administrative services when preparing documents, while only food and accommodation are free. The second type of volunteer programs assumes that all expenses are borne entirely by the organizer, and the volunteer travels abroad absolutely free of charge.

The most popular volunteer programs abroad in 2019

"Turtle Teams" is a volunteer program whose main task is to save sea turtles and other endangered inhabitants of the deep sea. Participation in the program (Turtle Teams is its English name) requires that the volunteer must be familiar with diving and have certain scuba diving skills and experience. Small groups of volunteers of this program are scattered across many countries of the world that are washed by seas and oceans.

Conservation Volunteers is an environmental conservation program. It operates in Australia. The scope of activity of voluntary conservationists is the Australian coast, national parks of the Green Continent, as well as support for ecotourism. A British version of this volunteer program has recently been created.

"Volunteer Helpers" is a program for volunteers who help people around the world with housekeeping, hotel business, during the construction of social premises. The main supplier of orders in this case is the international Help Exchange. A special feature of this program is the need to enter into preliminary agreements with hosts around the world so that they can prepare to receive volunteers.

“Volunteers in Sudan” is the name most often given to the well-known international program Sudan Volunteer Programme. If the applicant is fluent in English, then the road to Sudan is open to him, where volunteers work who teach English to children and students of this exotic African country, and also strive to establish positive interethnic and cultural communication between the residents of Sudan, where the issue of national hatred has been acute for many years in a row .

The accommodation conditions, of course, are not the most favorable, but you won’t have to walk far after work: you can sleep peacefully at school or university. Project participants only pay for the air ticket; other costs are covered. Newly appointed teachers receive a small monthly stipend.

Marina Eroshkinahttp://hochutur.ru/book/export/html/84

Volunteer programs 2019 in Russia

In Russia, the volunteer movement is only at the stage of active development, therefore there are not many programs for participation. If in countries Western Europe and the United States, the most popular projects are related to charity, rescuing rare animals and helping the disadvantaged; for Russians, programs related to numerous domestic reserves are of greatest interest.

In 2019, anyone can take part in the following volunteer projects:

1. Nature Park "Volcanoes of Kamchatka" The program for volunteers lasts from June to October 2019. The responsibilities of program participants will include developing tourist trails and routes, conducting educational activities and working with visitors. The project organizers will be especially happy to have volunteers who can take photos and videos at a professional level.

   To participate in this program, you must undergo training on safety precautions and rules of conduct in the protected area. In addition, the volunteer must be an adult and have health insurance.

2. “Baikal Project” This volunteer program is organized in the format of a reality show from July to September 2019. Participants will recreate the Great Tea Route project on Lake Baikal and clear garbage from tourist sites. All actions of volunteers will be recorded on camera, and at the end of the shift, each volunteer will receive a memorable film about their participation in the project.

   Preference will be given to applicants who have good physical abilities (the program includes a lot of trekking), have experience in landscape design, or are willing to learn something new.

3. National Park "Yugyd-Va" One of the largest natural reserves in the world, the "Yugyd Va" park, located in Komi, organizes a special program for volunteers from all over the world from July to September. The responsibilities of project participants will include cleaning tourist sites, collecting and separating garbage, building gazebos, installing information stands, and conducting excursion tours.

   When accepting an application, preference is given to organized groups (minimum 2 volunteers), persons who know how to use gardening tools with construction skills. Possession of terrain navigation skills will be an advantage.

   For volunteers who have professional photography and video shooting skills, a special tour of the reserve will be organized, related to the creation of educational materials and information resources.

4. Muravyovsky Park Muravyovsky Park attracts volunteers from all over the world throughout the year. The park requires the help of volunteers in cleaning and clearing the park area of ​​debris and pollution, caring for rare animals and birds, and clearing firebreaks of leaves and dead wood. In addition, the park needs volunteers who are fluent in English and French. Their task will be to translate the park's advertising materials into foreign languages in order to attract tourists from all over the world.

   The park administration offers about a dozen different programs. When studying them, you need to pay attention to the requirements for candidates. Some will require a good knowledge of the biology and physiology of animals and birds.

Video: how to become a participant in a volunteer program abroad and go as a volunteer

“Appalachian Helpers” is a volunteer activity in the area of ​​the mountains of the same name in America, where a large area from Georgia to Maine requires special care. Volunteers’ responsibilities include working as rangers, environmental assistance, building the necessary supporting infrastructure, and planting trees.

UN Volunteers provides assistance in emergency situations in countries that have experienced a natural or environmental disaster. To participate in this program, you must have at least basic skills in providing assistance to victims during natural disasters, and experience working in relevant organizations in the countries of your citizenship is welcome. This program is one of the most popular, since many earthquakes, floods and other manifestations of natural disasters occur in the world every year.

Willingness to work in remote and not the most comfortable places at the UN is always welcome. As it turns out, there are not so few exotic lovers and altruists who want to help starving children in Africa. But not everyone clearly understands the realities of everyday life and work in, say, the Central African Republic, South Sudan or other hot spots.

Nastya Krasilnikovahttp://www.the-village.ru/village/people/howtobe/142605-sotrudnik-oon

“Universal Volunteer” (Peace Corps) is a program somewhat similar to work in Soviet student construction brigades. Its participants can work in any country in the world in the field of social construction, environmental protection, and provide assistance to healthcare employees of a certain state. It’s not for nothing that the volunteers of this program are called universal.

"Agritourists" (WWOOF) is an international volunteer program that provides the opportunity for volunteers from many countries to work in agriculture. Volunteers will be able to provide all possible assistance to farmers in depressed and environmentally problematic areas in 53 countries where this volunteer program is accredited.

EVS is the European Voluntary Service, which is an international project funded by the European Commission. It is very popular among young people in the CIS countries. Young people aged 18 to 30 are allowed to participate in EVS volunteer programs. As a rule, 90% of organizational costs are borne by the founder. Within the framework of this project there is an opportunity to visit all countries European Union, as well as in many African countries, Latin America and Asia. Volunteer programs have a broad focus, from participation in cultural events and media support to assistance in work government organizations countries cooperating with EVS.

There are also many different volunteer programs that are active all over the world. Their voluntary participants today include tens of thousands of residents from all continents of the planet.

For some, volunteering is an opportunity to travel for the benefit of themselves and others, for others it is an opportunity for self-realization, while others use participation in a volunteer program to move to another country.

Video: Volunteering in Europe

Conditions for applicants

For participants in international volunteer programs, there are several criteria that they must meet. First, the candidate must be an adult. This is an indispensable condition for participation in any international program. Secondly, he must know English at a basic level; knowledge of other languages ​​is also welcome. Thirdly, the volunteer should not have bad habits (alcoholism, drug addiction) and not have an outstanding criminal record. For participants in humanitarian missions to provide assistance in emergencies and natural disasters, there are several more conditions for participation in the volunteer program: good health, first aid skills and psychological stability in stressful situations. It is necessary to have a valid passport and no obstacles to obtaining a visa to a specific country where you plan to engage in volunteer activities (for example, deportations in the recent past).

There is no official upper age limit for a volunteer. But as a rule, candidates over 30–32 years of age are rarely approved for participation in programs. This rule does not apply when participating in UN humanitarian missions, where specialized experience is often required.

How to go abroad as a volunteer

If you want to become a volunteer, you should select the program you are interested in, visit the appropriate website and register on it. The second option would be to go to the nearest volunteer center, the address of which is indicated on the program website. In both the first and second cases, you should register by filling out the proposed application form, and also leave your contact information. It is advisable to write a motivation letter in which you talk about the reasons that prompted you to participate in this volunteer program.

In any case, you should understand that the probability of refusal is high, since there are many candidates. At the same time, the volunteer organization is responsible for its participants, so they take the selection of candidates very seriously.

Upon receiving a positive response and after agreeing on all organizational issues (tickets, visas, time and method of departure, etc.), you should begin to pack your bags. We must remember that participation in many volunteer programs requires obtaining visas and purchasing tickets on your own. Therefore, it is important to have a sufficient amount both for these actions and for purchasing tickets home, which is important.

All information about future activities as part of a volunteer organization must be indicated in the contract concluded with the selected candidate. It has legal force, so violation of its terms can be challenged in court.

An official invitation from a volunteer organization includes a “green light” for applying for a visa on your own if you present it to the consulate of the country you plan to travel to. Also, many states issue free visas for volunteers.

It should be remembered that volunteering is a purely voluntary matter. Therefore, a volunteer can at any time refuse to carry out the mission assigned to him (although, in this case, the organization will have to reimburse the funds spent on him). In the same way, an organization that has accepted a volunteer into its ranks can part with him at its own discretion.

Pitfalls of volunteering

Even such a noble activity as volunteering has its pitfalls. You should know them so as not to get into trouble (at the same time - abroad and without money for a ticket home).

An extremely important point when choosing a volunteer program is its reliability.. It is advisable that one of your friends or acquaintances has already completed the volunteer journey as part of it and can thus confirm the reliability of the organization. There are cases when volunteers end up in labor slavery abroad, without the right or opportunity to return home. There are scammers operating in the CIS who, masquerading as official volunteer centers, actually supply free labor. Not falling for their bait is the volunteer’s primary task.

When concluding an agreement with volunteer organizations You should check the correctness of the data entered into it. No penalties disciplinary action etc. cannot be provided for in a contract for a volunteer by definition. It is also advisable to check all travel documents before departure. The volunteer has the right to know everything necessary information about the type of future activity, the place and conditions where it will be carried out, as well as about all the potential risks with which it is associated.

The basic principle of a volunteer: do no harm. More precisely, do not harm either yourself or people. There are often cases when a person who came as a volunteer begins to engage in non-volunteer activities. This is harshly suppressed by the organization itself, and then the would-be volunteer goes home. Sometimes a person cannot, for some reason, fulfill the duties assigned to him. He does not get along with the team, cannot work, and is terrified of any risks. In this case, the person has every right to interrupt his volunteer activities and go home.

Volunteers often have to work in difficult natural and climatic conditions. In Africa, these can be multiple infectious diseases, in mountainous areas - the danger of earthquakes, mudflows and avalanches. When communicating with marine life, there is a chance of becoming a victim of their aggression. There are many risks, and you should understand this even before registering on the official website of the organization or going to the volunteer center.

Volunteering is a state of mind. Not everyone can become one. At the same time, we can talk about participation in international volunteer projects as a very effective and inexpensive way to move abroad. After all, yesterday’s volunteer can remain in the country he loves and one day become its citizen, since the naturalization process began precisely as part of a volunteer organization.

Abroad - great way see the world, change the environment and do some good. They also have one more undeniable advantage - you don’t need money to participate in many of them.

What do volunteer programs provide, and what are they?

There are a huge variety of similar programs in the world - from multifunctional ones, like the Peace Corps, to small one-time projects somewhere in Nepal or Peru. Anyone can become a volunteer abroad - there is always a program suitable for any combination of age/knowledge/preferences. By areas/characteristics they can be divided into the following:

1. Programs for which you don’t have to pay to participate.
2. Those for which you need to pay (we are not talking about the services of intermediary agencies, but directly about the programs themselves).
3. abroad, in which the participant covers the cost of flights, meals, accommodation (all of the above or just some) at his own expense.
4. Those where most of the costs are covered by the organization or host.

All this can be combined in various variations, in addition, volunteer programs abroad work in various fields and directions. These include educational projects, work in nature reserves, medical care, business and construction, and so on. Among the most famous are Au Pair, Work & Study in USA, Peace Corps and EVS volunteer programs.

Work & Study USA and Au Pair

A fairly large number of organizations are aimed at working with young people - Work & Study USA and Au Pair are among them. The latter allows you to spend from several months to one or two years in another country, learning its language, living with a local family and helping with housework and children.

The program assumes that the participant receives free room and board, some pocket money, does not do any hard work and has a lot of free time, including weekends every week. Participation in the program is paid, or rather, you will have to pay for the services of the agency, in addition, you need to pay for a visa and travel expenses to the destination country and back.

Work & Study USA - summer program for students of universities and secondary special education educational institutions, which allows you to travel to the USA during the summer holidays for work and travel.

There are other programs with a similar name that exploit the idea of ​​work and study, such as Work & Study Canada or Work & Study Australia. Here, just as in the case of an Au Pair, you need to pay for the program and travel expenses with a visa.

AIESEC

Volunteer programs and internships abroad are offered by AIESEC, an international youth organization existing in many countries. Its stated goal is to unlock the leadership and professional potential of young people.

AIESEC is entirely administered and run by students and alumni, and offers not only work experience within the organization itself, but also international internships in several fields and volunteer opportunities. social programs Worldwide.

Work in various positions in AIESEC itself is not paid in money, but the worker himself does not have to pay anything. But members of the organization have access to high-quality trainings and educational seminars for a purely nominal fee. Participation in AIESEC internships or volunteer projects also costs very little, especially compared to previous programs, however the participant will have to pay for the visa and travel expenses themselves.

Peace Corps and EVS

The Peace Corps is an American organization that conducts volunteer programs abroad in many countries and corners of the planet. Peace Corps is looking for the right person for the right job, meaning almost any adult has a chance to participate. However, 90% of positions in this organization require some kind of education or specialized knowledge.

It's not easy to get into the Peace Corps, but for most jobs they promise funding at a level that roughly matches the local standard of living.

You can become a volunteer abroad through EVS (European Voluntary Service), part of the European Commission's Youth in Action project. They offer a wide variety of jobs and positions for periods ranging from two months to two years, and cover accommodation, food, health insurance and a participant visa. In addition, EVS covers 90% of travel expenses.

Less known and unofficial

Free volunteer programs abroad do not stop there - there are also various projects that are not widely known (for example, from the organization Lanta Animal Welfare, which cares for dogs and cats in Thailand) and not even very official (like the position of an assistant in a small yoga center ). Many volunteer opportunities for every taste can be found on specialized websites.