Youth Development Volunteer Programs

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

Volunteer for the Visayans places volunteers in several orphanages around the city and surrounding towns. Each orphanage is home to around 45 and over 100 abandoned and unwanted children, many of whom come from impoverished families and have suffered from malnutrition or neglect. Living with just the necessities and few toys, these children only have a limited staff to care for them. Caregivers appreciate the extra help our volunteers can offer them, like tutoring the children, organizing arts and crafts or sports activities, and helping with basic chores such as feeding the kids and folding laundry. This is a meaningful way to learn firsthand the hardship most children face and give back to the underprivileged children growing up in a Third World country. Volunteers don't necessarily need caregiving experience. All we ask is that you come with energy, enthusiasm, an open mind, and an open heart. With little staff, we ask the volunteers to organize recreational activities such as sports, educational exercises, or arts and crafts. With few resources at the orphanages, it helps if the volunteer can bring educational resources, art supplies, or tapes with children's songs.

Make a positive impact in Mexico! Adelante Abroad offers affordable volunteer programs in a wide variety of fields and sectors in Oaxaca, Mexico. Put your time towards helping those in need. Volunteer in sectors such as ecology, social work, arts, or NGO, just to name a few. Oaxaca is one of the most biodiverse areas in Mexico, known for the craftwork of local artisans. It is also home to warm-spirited people, and there are plenty of opportunities to give to the community. If you're looking to make a difference, volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico, with Adelante is the perfect opportunity! Volunteers can choose to go abroad for 1 to 6 months. Programs are offered year-round with customization options. You'll be paired with organizations in need of specific skills while allowing you to reach your volunteer goals. Eligibility for this program is: * 18 years of age or older and possess a desire to learn about and live in another culture * Some Spanish is helpful, although we can place beginner Spanish speakers * Applicants can be Gap Year students, enrolled in a university, or college graduates. Visit our website for more information.

GoEco offers a wide variety of social work volunteer opportunities and internships worldwide. These programs provide support to children and adults in need, especially those facing one or more layers of disadvantage in society. Our programs aim to support these children and adults, as well as the local communities overall. A few examples of our social work programs include our Girl Empowerment in Cape Town, South Africa, our Community Aid in Rajasthan program in India and our Social Work Internships program in San Jose, Costa Rica. We also offer programs that help those with special needs, in both Israel and Chile. No matter which program you choose, your social work will make a difference both to these individuals and in these communities.

Join in the Sports Volunteering Community project in Swaziland with Kaya Responsible Travel. Volunteers will assist the locally-led team in providing access to sports, exercise, and games for children aged under 6. As a sports volunteer, you will participate in the activities, supporting and encouraging children who are on the shy side, or who are struggling with following the rules of games. During weekends, volunteers have the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains, see the wildlife at Mkhaya Reserve, visit the cultural markets, relax in a spa, or watch a film in the local cinema! Volunteers are not required to have any specific skills, but a lot of energy and enthusiasm to help them keep up with energetic youngsters are a must. Volunteers must be interested in sports and those who are knowledgeable about the rules of games are welcome. Volunteers with sports coaching experience will be a great asset.

Step into London, one of the world’s leading business, finance, and cultural capitals, with an international internship designed to accelerate your career. This program blends hands-on professional experience, global networking, and cultural immersion, equipping students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals with the skills and connections to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Internships are available across sectors including business, marketing, finance, PR, technology, entrepreneurship, and NGOs, with placements tailored to your career goals. Through partnerships with 3,000+ leading companies, start-ups, and NGOs, you’ll gain meaningful experience that strengthens your résumé and prepares you for future opportunities. Alongside your internship, you’ll benefit from mentorship, professional development workshops, and networking events. Please note: If you solely hold a UK passport and have lived only in England & Wales for the past five years, you must join a program outside the UK. Whether you’re exploring your path, taking a gap year, or advancing your career, our London program offers an unmatched blend of growth and global experience.

The Real Uganda's volunteers assist our partners with a variety of empowering community-based activities. Volunteers split their time between these locally requested interventions: Public health and clinical work: Volunteers work in rural clinics providing testing, treatment, counseling services, and prevention education. Nutrition, vegetable gardening, and community sanitation programs are also ongoing. We aim to support rural public health in Uganda. Teaching and childcare: Volunteers work in rural classrooms, choosing what ages and topics to teach. Art and sport are the most popular. Traditional teaching in Uganda is rote learning and memorization. We aim to encourage teamwork, fun, creativity, literacy, and general knowledge in primary schools. Organic farming: Volunteers work alongside women and community members to maintain gardens. Depending on the season, volunteers prepare the soil, plant seeds, spread mulch, weed, harvest, and chase birds and other pests. Learn from Ugandan farmers, and share your ideas as well. We aim to teach efficient land use, organic pest control, and nutrition.

Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experience that allows you to take part in different projects, equip yourself with new skills, create lasting change with the communities we work with and take urgent action on environmental issues. Work with local initiatives and organisations to help preserve Costa Rica's natural resources, as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You will improve access to national parks by working with park rangers. On the Community project you will work with local indigenous communities to improve access to education for some of Costa Rica’s most marginalised children by improving educational infrastructure. Lastly, build your skills on the adventure leadership trek. Challenge yourself on trek and help lead your team through a variety of stunning routes.

The Pamoja Project focuses on teaching and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS for community members and schoolchildren. Most of your time will be spent teaching, lesson planning, and training peer educators. You will also be involved in community assessment work within villages. Peer-to-peer learning has proven to be an effective model for behavior change communication among adolescents. Peer education is a particularly powerful method for reaching young people. This educational program targets both government and private primary and secondary schools. Educators are nominated and elected by teachers and fellow students, and they are among the brightest, most outgoing students in their class. Volunteers and program officers provide training for peer leaders and a three-day seminar for peer education teachers. Our partner and field officers stay in touch with schools and different community project stakeholders, helping peer educators organize special events such as sports days, exchange learning visits, and competitions within and among schools. These students use dynamic education techniques such as songs, drama, debates, and poetry to engage other youths.

Gain practical social work experience during this exciting internship program in Cape Town, South Africa. You'll be part of a community center in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of the city that provides a safe and stimulating space for up to a hundred children every afternoon. Many of these children have experienced different levels of trauma, and as an intern, you'll assist the program in providing stimulating activities and counseling sessions for groups of children when needed. This internship is a great opportunity for getting practical experience in social work while supporting an important social development program. Your tasks will include offering individual or group counseling sessions to children with troubled backgrounds; helping create stimulating, educative, and fun activities for the children in the aftercare program; and helping cook for and feed the children at the center, among others. Preferably you'll have an academic background or experience in sociology, social work, community development, education, pedagogy, or something similar.

Mente Argentina's International Volunteer Program in Buenos Aires has been thoughtfully designed to promote change in the communities of Buenos Aires as well as in the individuals who participant in the program. Throughout the course of the program, participants will be giving the opportunity to work on locally run projects, which will improve the environment and lifestyle of community. They will also have the chance to live like a local, build relationships with the people, and dive into the rich Argentinean culture. Marte Argentina has partnered with volunteer organizations and NGO's in order to give volunteers a variety of different opportunities. Among some of those opportunities are: working with children, education, HIV/AIDS counseling, and medical/health volunteering. No matter what program volunteers choose, they will have the opportunity to engage with the people and language of the beautiful country of Argentina and be changed by the experience.

Volunteer abroad in India and help deprived, underprivileged children living in the worst conditions on the streets of Jaipur. These kids suffer from abuse and lack of health care. Join Volunteering With India and help them gain self-respect and dignity while growing up healthy and educated. Project activities: - Teach English at a local school - Support and help teachers improve their methods - Work on the pronunciation and communication skills of children - Encourage families regarding their children's regular attendance in class - Promote basic hygiene awareness to children and their families

Join our Best Seller Program! Combine immersive Spanish lessons with Surf or Yoga classes and meaningful volunteer work at our home base in beautiful Santa Teresa—one of the top surf spots in the country. Make a real impact through purposeful volunteering, help with sea turtle conservation, assist in the nursery and hatchery, join night patrols, participate in beach cleanups, and more. Cap off your experience with an unforgettable week in the lush Monteverde Rainforest, where adventure and adrenaline await!

This meaningful program was created to hone the English-speaking abilities of some of Phnom Penh's poorest residents. Education is key to breaking this seemingly endless poverty cycle, yet sadly, having access to native-speaking teachers is (more often than not) a luxury only available to children of wealthy parents. In collaboration with our local partner agency and international participants, Love Volunteers aims to change that by giving access to English-speaking teachers and classroom assistants. This project works with schools to reach over 1,000 children ages 6 to 12, hoping they ultimately take the first step toward a life free of poverty. Volunteers share their English knowledge and skills, making a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of some of Cambodia’s poorest youth.

Camp Europe offers a volunteering opportunity as a Summer Camp Counselor in Europe. This program is designed to allow university students to travel to Europe, meet like-minded people from different countries, benefit from intense first-class Outdoor Education training, and acquire a few certifications along the way. Camp Europe will provide you with an intense training through which you can obtain professional instruction in many outdoor education fields, from canoeing, kayaking, swimming, archery, climbing, and high ropes, passing through field sports and creative activities to language coaching and team building. You will also obtain a bronze cross and first aid certification. Volunteers travel, enjoy, and relax, and then show up at their designated campsite to act as role models, spend time playing outdoors like children, experience working in a team-based environment, and have the time of their lives.

Volunteers taking part in short-term volunteer projects in Germany will be responsible for teaching one-to-one conversational English courses to students at the Center, as well as instructing small groups (anywhere from 2 – 5 students). Students come from a plethora of backgrounds, with ages ranging anywhere from 12 – 70 years old. However, most students will be migrants or the children of migrants, hailing from various Arab countries. Volunteers will not only serve as teachers, but also as cultural diplomats who represent their home country to the community in Halle (Saale). They play an important role in helping with communal activities meant to increase cross-cultural exchanges. In addition to teaching, volunteers will enroll in German language courses (3 hours a week). The advent of additional language courses is meant to further immerse them in local Arabic/German culture, allowing them to better communicate with their students, as well as locals in Halle. The Volunteer to Teach English and Learn German language program spans anywhere from 1 – 12 weeks, with volunteers staying with local host families during their time in Halle (Saale).

Thailand offers more than just picture-perfect beaches and flavorful cuisine. Behind the tourist hotspots, many communities are in need of hands-on support, particularly in education, conservation, and community development. As a volunteer with World Endeavors, you'll get to contribute meaningfully to grassroots efforts while learning what daily life is truly like in Thai communities. Programs are based in Hua Hin and other select areas and are open year-round with flexible durations from 1 to 12 weeks. Whether you’re planting mangroves, assisting in classrooms, or helping local organizations grow, you’ll receive personal support every step of the way. With affordable weekly rates and shared housing provided, this is a great opportunity to create impact while growing personally and professionally in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic countries.

Volunteer Projects In Palestine In 2025: The Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine offers short-term volunteer programs for 2025 in Hebron, Palestine. Volunteers will work with Palestinian children, refugees, women, youth, university students, and families, helping them practice conversational English, organize workshops, and teach within the vibrant community. These programs are designed to be immersive, authentic, and comprehensive. In addition to language teaching, the Center offers programs focused on human rights, women's rights, Palestinian refugees, Palestinian culture and politics, the Palestinian legal system, and the political history and current situation of Palestine and Israel. These volunteer and internship opportunities are ideal for students and individuals seeking meaningful experiences in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the wider Middle East. The programs provide a unique chance to engage with local communities, learn about the region’s complex political landscape, and contribute to social causes, especially during the summer months. Whether you seek cultural immersion or to support human rights efforts, these programs offer a deeply enriching experience.

Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and Medicine to Animal and Wildlife Conservation to Language Immersion and everything in between. GLA's offerings include: - Animal Rescue & Veterinary Project - Beachside Service Adventure - Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition™ - The Ultimate Adventure - Medicine & Healthcare Discovery - Middle School Service Adventure - Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure™ - Sea Turtle Initiative™ - Spanish Service Adventure - Surf, Sports & Sustainability ™ - The Initiative for Children ™ - Spring Break Service Adventure - Costa Rica Internship: Career Exploration In Environmental Stewardship Costa Rica is known for its serene tropical surroundings and leading ecological conservation efforts. It comprises five percent of the world's biodiversity, making it Central America’s "crown jewel" and an unbeatable location for natural and cultural exploration.