Volunteer service is open to young people aged 18–30 who are citizens or legal residents of the European Union.

Volunteering might be right for you if you want to:

• take a break from your studies
• figure out what to do next
• gain experience living abroad
• learn to be independent
• acquire new knowledge and develop skills

This is an opportunity to:

• get to know new cultures
• gain valuable work and life experience
• develop yourself both personally and professionally
• make new friends
• do something useful for the community

The following are not important for participation:

• level of education
• previous work experience
• language skills
• health status

Individual Volunteering in your home country

• takes place in the home country
• full-time
• duration: either short-term (2 weeks – 2 months) or long-term (2 – 12 months)

Individual Volunteering abroad

• takes place abroad
• full-time
• duration: either short-term (2 weeks – 2 months) or long-term (2 – 12 months)

Team volunteering

• takes place at home or abroad
• duration: 2 weeks – 2 months
• participants work together (in a group of at least 5 members)

Participating in voluntary service does not require spending large sums of money, as young people are guaranteed a number of benefits during their service.

• Food allowance
  Each month, participants are guaranteed a meal allowance, which they can use at their discretion.*
• Pocket money
  A monthly allowance for personal expenses.*
• Transportation costs
  Transportation costs (plane, train, bus, ship, etc.) to the country of service and back home are reimbursed based on the distance traveled.
• Accommodation
  Volunteers are provided with free housing for the entire duration of their service.
• Health insurance
  Volunteers are insured through Henner Insurance. This applies to both previously insured and uninsured young people.

* The amount varies by country. You can clarify the amounts with the host organization before the start of your service.

In addition to the volunteer, several key parties are involved in volunteer service projects, and their cooperation ensures the smooth operation of the project.

Coordinating Organisation
• Responsible for the overall implementation of the project.
• Coordinates cooperation with partners and handles administrative tasks, such as applying for funding and reporting.

Support Organisation
• Located in the volunteer’s home country, it supports the young person before and after the service.
• Assists with preparation and supports readjustment to daily life upon return.

Host Organisation
• The place where the volunteer carries out their activities.
• Provides work assignments, a tutor, and helps the young person settle into the local environment.
• In addition, the host organisation provides you with a mentor who supports your adjustment to new circumstances (e.g., introduces you to daily life, shows you necessary places, and offers practical advice).

Each party has a specific role and responsibility, which helps ensure that the volunteer service is a high-quality and supportive experience.

Additional Support
The program is open to all young people, and the following are offered as needed:
• a support person
• enhanced mentoring
• a personalized action plan

Training

• Pre-departure training – takes place before your service begins and helps you clarify your goals and expectations
• On-arrival training – usually within the first 1–2 months, helps you adapt and understand the local culture
• Mid-term seminar – if your service lasts longer than 6 months, you can reflect on your experience and set new goals
• Volunteer meeting – after your service, where you can share your experiences and hear others’

Language learning

• Access to the OLS online language learning platform, which helps you learn the local language to better cope with daily life

Youthpass

• an official certificate of participation in the program
• helps you reflect on and articulate your learning experience
• useful for the future (e.g., when applying for a job or further education)

• Total volunteer service: maximum of 12 months
• You may not participate in multiple projects at the same time
• You can usually participate in a long-term international project only once
• You may participate in multiple short-term projects
• Solidarity projects do not count toward the 12-month limit