Volunteer Programs in Europe

Vacations and Service Projects from Restoring Medieval Castles to Organic Farming to Teaching

Article and photo by Volker Poelzl
Resources updated 9/1/2019 by Transitions Abroad

Volunteers are needed to help preserve Europe's heritage, including many projects restoring castles.

Europe remains the world’s wealthiest continent and the need for international volunteers is different in kind from the world’s poorer regions in Africa or Latin America. But even with well-developed welfare, education, and health programs, there are communities all across Europe that are in need of volunteers, whether for teaching English, child care, conservation, or preservation work on the many castles and other monuments that are scattered all over the countryside. A volunteer vacation in Europe is not only a great way to help people and communities in need, but it is also a transformational opportunity to get to know local Europeans while immersing yourself in their respective cultures, learn a new language, and experience Europe in a different way than most short-term travel allows.

Where Can You Volunteer in Europe?

东欧已经成为国际志愿者的主要目的地，因为它是欧洲最贫穷，最不发达的地区。共产主义的堕落继续留下忽视社区的遗产，资源较少，以在其国家的新资本主义经济体中自负。东欧的志愿者工作主要集中在社会发展项目，儿童保育和教育上，主要是罗马尼亚，波罗的海国家，波兰，匈牙利，甚至俄罗斯。从英国到希腊，从葡萄牙到德国，都可以在西欧找到志愿者的工作。机会范围从恢复项目和环境保护到教学，农业和社会服务（主要是与儿童，残疾人和老年人一起工作）。欧洲各地都有长期和短期志愿者的机会，从两周到一年不等。无论您有很多时间，您都可以放心，您会找到适合您日程安排的志愿职位。

Volunteer vacations in dolphin and marine research are offered in Italy and Greece.

Volunteer Workcamps

Workcamps are a lot more enjoyable than they sound, as they allow collaboration and engagement with locals and people from around the world on a variety of projects and at a low cost. There are workcamps all over Europe, often involving construction, maintenance and restoration work of historically or culturally important sites, or even archaeological excavations. Workcamps are usually short-term volunteer projects that are geared toward young people and students. Most take place during the summer, usually between two and four weeks. Since participants work under local supervision, no previous experience is necessary. In general, workcamps do not pay their participants, but room and board is usually provided for the duration of the program. Imagine helping to rebuild a 1,000-year-old castle in approximately the same way it was originally built! Participants usually volunteer during the week and have the weekends off for leisure and cultural activities.

Volunteers usually work with local groups and under local supervision who provide technical expertise, which makes such projects a great opportunity to learn about the local culture and way of life. Also, as the name camp suggests, accommodations and living arrangements are camp-like and very group-oriented. Accommodations are often dormitory style, sometimes allowing you to sneak off to sleep in haylofts or other creative locations, and food may be prepared collectively and served in large dining tents. The social aspect of workcamps is perhaps its best-known quality, as locals often work with volunteers from dozens of different countries, allowing for deep language and cultural immersion as well as lifelong friendships. Since volunteers come from a variety of different countries, working knowledge of the local language is not necessary, although it is helpful, but you will likely pick up some knowledge. Several international organizations offer workcamps in Europe, among them the huge network that isVolunteers for Peace (VFP)。也有出色的国家组织，例如REMPARTin France.

和平志愿者直接与世界各地的非政府组织合作，提供非常合理的利率。VFP在欧洲的项目仅需要500美元的注册费来参加许多志愿者项目之一。通常包括共享住房，但不包括食物。通常，工作坎普斯提供最便宜的志愿者机会，尽管您有责任为航班和签证，旅行保险和休闲活动安排。此外，可能不会进行任何前部培训或国内介绍和支持。不过，如果您不介意采取更独立的志愿者度假方法，那么在工作训练营中志愿服务可能是您的正确选择。

Volunteering on Organic Farms in Europe

Another activity similar to workcamps, and with many options is countries across Europe, involves volunteering on organic farms. There is a great deal of emphasis on communal living, shared activities and responsibilities. Organic farms usually offer room and board in exchange for your work. You may also be paid a small stipend. The work may not always be easy, but the rewards are often great if you enjoy working with the earth and with people from around the world. Volunteering on organic farms is also a great way to extend your travel to Europe as long as your visa allows (normally three months at a time, maximum). The best way to find an organic farm for volunteer work is throughWWOOF, a fantastic worldwide network that connects organic farmers and volunteers.

Volunteer Teaching Opportunities

尽管整个欧洲的英语都广泛教授，但仍然有农村社区和小镇，尤其是在较贫穷的东欧国家，需要志愿英语教师来教孩子，青少年和成人。但是，在西欧（意大利，西班牙，葡萄牙，希腊和其他项目）中，志愿者与儿童合作并提供英语课程。在共产主义时代，在东欧，英语并未得到广泛的教导，而且仍然需要熟练的英语教师，尤其是由于欧盟的东方扩张以及东部国家与世界其他地区的贸易不断扩大。许多这些志愿者英语教学机会的重点是让当地人有机会与母语人士学习和练习英语，这在农村和偏远地区通常很难，而没有讲英语的大型外籍社区。通常在小学和中学的教室和小组的社区中心进行课程。通常不需要专业的教学经验。在大多数情况下，您的英语说话技巧就足够了。

Working with Children and Youth

欧洲有很多机会，有兴趣与儿童合作的志愿者，其中包括在意大利一个有趣的机会A.C.L.E.A number of organizations work in impoverished countries in Eastern Europe, where volunteers can work in childcare and with needy children of all ages. Summer and day camps are another popular volunteer opportunity in Europe. In contrast to workcamps, which focus on manual labor, a camp counselor focuses on supervising the daily activities of the participating children. Most volunteering camp counselors are either high school students, recent high school graduates, or college students. Participants can expect to meet counselors from a large variety of different countries, making these volunteer positions a truly international experience. Depending upon the location, some knowledge of the local language may be required.

Helping the Disabled and Elderly

美国的许多志愿者安置组织都与欧洲的当地项目合作，以支持社会发展，并为处境不利的社区和人口提供援助。无论您最有哪个欧洲国家的利益，您很可能会找到一个合适的援助项目，您可以在其中自愿和帮助。在需要和欢迎志愿者的许多领域中，与残疾人和有心理挑战的人一起工作，以及与老年人一起工作，无论是在团体房屋，学校，社区还是一日游中心。大部分工作集中在教授日常生活技能和提供各种教育和休闲活动。

环境保护

Stricter environmental regulations by the EU have been a boon to the protection of threatened ecosystems and wildlife in Europe. Where once many species were extirpated or nearly extinct, there has been a comeback of native ecosystems and wildlife in many areas across Europe thanks to the work of wildlife and conservation organizations as well as government agencies. Although opportunities in preservation are not as abundant as other types of volunteer work, there are still numerous projects where volunteers are welcome to lend a hand or share their expertise. Volunteer work for the environment is among the most expensive volunteer options.

Among the many opportunities to work withwildlife and environmental preservationare wildlife sanctuaries for wolves in Portugal and bearded vultures in Spain, as well as dolphin, whale and turtle research projects in Spain, Italy, and Greece. If you are interested in volunteering in the U.K., you could volunteer with theNational Trust(which administrates the U.K.’s natural, cultural, and historical heritage) and work in conservation and restoration projects. As the National Trust’s site states: “Whether you fancy carrying out a survey of moorland plants or herding goats to drystone walling or organic gardening we will have something to suit you and all in stunning countryside or coastal locations.”

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

Prices vary widely between organizations, countries, and programs. In general, volunteer placements in Eastern Europe are cheaper than in Western Europe, and your daily expenditures will also be less due to the lower cost of living. Wildlife preservation projects are amongst the most expensive, but program cost depends largely on the placement organization and their overseas program partners. Keep in mind that many volunteer organizations handle a variety of logistics, and may provide food, accommodations, transportation, health insurance, etc. which may be difficult for individuals to arrange in Europe by themselves.

Full Service Volunteer Programs

While no-frills workcamps are cheap, the costs of all of the following programs reflect significant services provided which make life as a volunteer easier, safer, and more fun. There is often an emphasis on finding a variety of activities outside of your volunteer work while allowing cultural immersion. Here are a few examples you may check out to see what is included along with the fees:

• International Volunteers HQ在意大利提供志愿者计划，其中涉及向青年和成人教对话英语
• GVIhas a Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Program in Greece
• Global Volunteersoffers a program for those interested in teaching English in Portugal
• United Planethas social and educational volunteer opportunities in several European countries
• 查看我们的流行清单volunteer programs in Europefor many more options

签证还是没有签证？

Before making serious plans for a volunteer vacation in Europe, check with the consulate of the country of your interest and make sure that you will be able to get the appropriate visa, if required. In the past, volunteers used to come to Europe and perform volunteer work as tourists, but for longer-term periods (usually greater than 90 days) new visa requirements in some countries now require volunteers to obtain special visas. If a visa is required, you need to make sure that your volunteer project or organization in Europe is willing to be your sponsor.

For other articles about volunteering in Europe and for more extensive program listings, please visit our欧洲的志愿者page.

Volker Poelzlis a Living Abroad Contributing Editor for TransitionsAbroad.com.他曾在几个欧洲国家自愿参加，发现这是一种值得且丰富的经验。