0
0
Are you thinking of helping out outside of Europe? Considering humanitarian aid? Love people and discovering new cultures? These websites will open your eyes to the many international opportunities for volunteering around the world.
Volunteering introduces you to new people, cultures and skills while helping others. The international experience gained from volunteering abroad can also lead to career opportunities that will take you all over the world!
Saving lives with EU Aid Volunteers
Millions of people around the world are affected by crises and natural disasters. The EU and its Member States is among the leading donors of humanitarian aid in the world.
Humanitarian assistance is provided to the people hit by man-made and natural disasters with particular attention to the most vulnerable victims.
Where crises erupt, the European Commission’s Directorate for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) funds humanitarian aid to address the basic needs of affected populations and provides food, shelter, medicine or clean water. This support is a clear expression of the EU’s solidarity with people in need around the world.
You can join those actions by becoming an EU Aid Volunteer! This programme offers EU citizens opportunities to contribute to humanitarian action. It is open to a variety of profiles, from newcomers to experienced humanitarian experts. Find out more about the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and vacancies.
Make a difference with the United Nations
The UN has launched a specific volunteering programme for young people, the UN Youth Volunteers. Volunteers are young people between 18 and 29 years old who want to engage in development and peace initiatives worldwide; you may work in human rights, climate change adaptation, primary health care, disaster management, peacebuilding, youth engagement or many other areas.
As a UN Youth Volunteer, you will help advance peace and sustainable development either in your own country or in another country around the globe. You may work directly in a UN agency or be assigned to one of its partner organisations, a university or the government. Most assignments last from 6 to 24 months. Volunteers receive a basic living allowance. If you volunteer outside of your home area, transport and some other basic costs are paid by the host agency.
If you are 25 years of age or older and have several years of work experience in a specific area of expertise, you may want to register for the UNV Global Talent Pool. You could also be interested in volunteering online with the UNV Online Volunteering service.
More ideas…
Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) is an international network in charge of the coordination of international voluntary service (IVS) worldwide. It does not recruit volunteers but you will find the contact of volunteering organisations in your country of residence or in a neighboring country.
Additionally, you can explore the site of Service Civil International, which is an organisation dedicated to volunteering for peace since 1920. SCI organisations create quality short and long-term volunteering opportunities worldwide which are open to people of all ages. Volunteers can participate in projects in their own country or abroad.
You can also have a look at the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations. Its member organisations run international voluntary projects in their own country and exchange volunteers with each other. They follow the Alliance Quality Charter that stresses on the added value of volunteering, its educational aspect and on following quality standards agreed by members.
