Volunteering Gap Year Programs in Western Europe

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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 147,000 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.

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Step beyond the classroom and into the world with EF Language Abroad. Our immersive programs combine academic excellence with life-changing cultural experiences in 11 stunning global destinations across 8 countries and 7 languages. Whether you’re a high school student eager to explore the world, a college student preparing for international studies, or simply seeking global fluency, EF offers customizable programs that meet your goals and fit your schedule. Spend up to a year living, learning, and thriving abroad with EF’s long-term language programs. Whether you aim to achieve true fluency, prepare for university, boost your career, or experience multiple cultures, EF’s Language Year Abroad offers an immersive journey designed around your goals. Choose from flexible start dates, tailor your experience with academic, professional, or multi-destination tracks, and return home with confidence, credentials, and unforgettable memories. You’ll return home significantly more confident, linguistically proficient, and culturally savvy—with credentials, career edge, and life-changing memories. Ready to embark on the journey that transforms your future?

Spend a gap semester exploring rich traditions and modern cultural identity in Italy and Greece. These two nations significantly influence how the Western world thinks about philosophy, art, religion, economics, and politics. Throughout their histories, they have shown resilience in adapting to social, political, and environmental change, and today, they continue to maintain a connection with traditional ways of living while also proactively addressing modern challenges associated with climate change's environmental and economic consequences. Italy and Greece provide rich historical context as to how societies have evolved to meet the demands of the modern era while remaining deeply rooted in cultural identity, tradition, and heritage. Carpe Diem Education takes you to Italy and Greece to engage with communities proactively addressing climate change through the lens of resilience and regeneration.

It is said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, and the country’s history is almost tangible. In terms of Ireland’s landscape, the gentle rainfall, called “soft weather” by the locals, really creates 40 shades of green and quite a few rainbows, too. Ancient moss-covered ring forts crouch in lush valleys, while stone-strewn monastic ruins and lone castle turrets brave the wind on nearby hilltops. Many come to Ireland with high expectations of its romantic scenery, a blend of the raw and rugged with mist-covered verdancy, and seldom return home disillusioned. Dublin is arguably the most well-known Irish city, famous for its pubs and beautiful scenery. As a student in Dublin, you will have access to all aspects of Irish culture and community.

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Our summer program is designed for teens from all academic backgrounds who are excited about immersing themselves in Italian culture and lifestyle. This pre-college program offers various course study options, including Art History, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Photography, Architecture, Italian language, and Tuscan Cuisine. Students can choose a major course for daily focus (Monday to Friday) in the mornings for three hours. Then, they attend elective classes, each lasting two hours, three times a week in the afternoons. On weekends, they go on day trips around Italy to explore cultural differences from city to city. Locations vary yearly; previous participants have visited Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa, and Venice!

What makes a great gap year in Spain? Adventure, new culture, exploring new places, making amazing friends, and knowing you're in a safe environment. If you want to boost your Spanish and improve your academic standing before university, our gap year program in Sevilla is perfect for you! Spain has everything for the ideal gap year, with Centro MundoLengua’s program and our partner EUSA (associated with the University of Seville). Our gap year in Spain immerses you in Spanish life with cultural activities, semester seminars (up to 5), language classes (4h/week), community work, and the chance to live authentically in one of Europe’s most magical cities. In Sevilla, you'll be surrounded by beauty, culture, and history. Our activity program includes trips to other cities in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. There’s never been a better time for a gap year in Spain, and with Centro MundoLengua, it’s never been easier. You'll also develop new life skills and give your college application a boost with international experience, including language study, educational travel, volunteer service, and full cultural immersion! Program dates | January 21st - May 16th, 2026 Price | $12,100

Are you looking for a chance to volunteer abroad while gaining valuable personal skills? Our Volunteer and Experiential Learning program allows you to get involved with local initiatives assisting underdeveloped communities, contributing to community service work, collaborating with local NGOs, and working with populations at risk of social exclusion, such as youth and elderly communities. It's an experience that will benefit the lives of the less fortunate and develop your skills and personal opportunities! Take your gap year further by combining volunteer work with an immersion experience. Our immersion activities include Spanish language courses to help you improve your level of Spanish in a practical learning environment. What's more, we put on cultural activities so you get a feel for the Spanish culture, enabling you to practice your language skills and experience the Spanish way of life.

Denmark is a small country (approximately 5.4 million people) that has a lot to offer within easy reach: beautiful landscapes, informal culture, modern cities, and a large physical presence - its easily recognizable peninsula juts straight into the North Sea, serving as a literal bridge between Scandinavia and continental Europe! A continuous stream of cultures have gone back and forth over this land bridge for hundreds of years (including the Vikings), making the country an integral part of European history. Today, it is a member of the European Union and prides itself on its highly developed public schools, higher education, and health services. The climate is temperate with mild summers and snowy winters.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Adventure, Culture, and Purpose: Grow, Connect, and Explore the Mediterranean Sail the Aegean, wander ancient cobblestone streets, and awaken your sense of purpose on this six-week journey through Greece and Croatia. Island-hop among sun-soaked shores, explore ruins that tell the stories of ancient civilizations, kayak hidden coves, and immerse yourself in vibrant local cultures. Learn traditional crafts and cuisine alongside locals, practice teamwork while sailing between islands, and reflect on your growth with a close-knit group of like-minded peers. This program blends adventure, cultural immersion, and hands-on learning to build confidence, resilience, and clarity about your path forward. Whether you’re taking a gap year, seeking an alternative to study abroad, prioritizing ethical travel, building skills and leadership, or craving authentic cultural experiences, this journey meets you where you are—helping you grow, connect, and discover meaning. This isn’t just travel—it’s a transformative experience that shapes your story.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is a leading Spanish public university, known for academic excellence, international focus, and a diverse student body from over 100 countries. 70% of our bachelor’s degrees are taught in English across a wide range of fields. Gap Year CIS-UC3M is a joint program between CIS University and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, offering a unique four-month experience in Spain focused on culture, personal growth, and academic development. From February to May 2026, students will study in Madrid and Getafe, join workshops, volunteering, and trips, and build their soft skills with personalized mentoring. Fee: €8,500. Optional Camino de Santiago experience available!

We’re thrilled to introduce our new 12-week Hybrid Spain by Train x Future Leaders program, launched in March 2025! This immersive program packs all the best elements of our Spain by Train and Future Leaders courses into three incredible months, perfect for students looking for adventure, cultural exploration, language immersion, entrepreneurship, internships, and so much more. Travel across Madrid, Granada, Salamanca, San Sebastián, and Barcelona while building your future. This 12-week program combines Spanish language classes, internships, and entrepreneurship training, with 24/7 support throughout. You’ll take part in university-level business workshops, develop a startup idea with your team, and pitch it to real investors in a Shark Tank-style competition. Alongside this, enjoy immersive cultural experiences, like cookery classes, flamenco shows, surfing, and outdoor adventures. Plus, it's eligible for the 529 plan, making it a valuable and accessible option for those seeking international experience. It’s the perfect blend of travel, learning, and personal growth—all in one unforgettable semester.

Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are killed by the trash found in our oceans. This project aims to tackle ocean pollution off the coast of Portugal through diving. Volunteers complete daily dives in various dive sites near Lisbon, with the aim of removing debris from the reef and ocean bed. Volunteers to date have helped to remove almost 3000kg of fishing nets, as well as tyres, fridges, laptops, cell phones and of course, plastic. This project has been running since 2016, and since then a noticeable increase in biodiversity has been seen in the ocean around the dive sites. Volunteers can take part for one week to four weeks. You are provided with full training once in Portugal. We recommend a minimum stay of two weeks for people without prior dive experience. Volunteers live in an eco-guest house in Lisbon with other volunteers. Three meals per day are provided.

What’s the purpose of your gap year? Do you want to go on an adventure and explore new places? Do you hope to learn more about local cultures and the people behind them? Do you want to go on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth? Whether it’s expanding your global perspective or expanding your knowledge, Franklin University Switzerland (FUS) offers the perfect gap year or semester programs. Ranking 6th among the most appealing experiences in the 2020 Gap Year Association Alumni Survey, Franklin has three Experiential Gap Year Tracks: - Academic and related Travel Track with transferable college credits, wherein you benefit from FUS' dual accreditation in the U.S. and Switzerland - Global Community Service Track with preparatory classes related to your choice of service - Language Intensive Track, which focuses on gaining proficiency in French, Italian, or German A gap year abroad opens doors to numerous opportunities. You gain knowledge and skills, which greatly boost your résumé. Most importantly, you’re able to build confidence for the next chapter of your life. Contact us today for more information about our gap year programs.

Travel to magnificent Portugal, make an active contribution to endangered species conservation, and support the mission of a dedicated wolf sanctuary as a volunteer. Due to human persecution and habitat loss, European wolves were almost exterminated within the past few decades. Whereas populations of the wolf are slowly recovering naturally in several European countries, the populations in Portugal are still extremely limited. Our partner’s wolf conservation project created a safe sanctuary for rescued Iberian wolves that were born and/or kept in captivity under illegal circumstances and are therefore no longer able to live in the wild. Volunteers help care for the animals finding refuge here by feeding them, performing monitoring activities, helping with the forest maintenance where the center is located, and assisting in maintaining the infrastructure of this precious shelter. Become part of a committed conservation team, actively participating in protecting Portugal’s last big carnivore and experiencing the nature and wildlife of the southwestern European country in an incomparable way.

Spend 6 or 12 months soaking in the stunning beauty of Switzerland while volunteering with United Planet. Located right in the heart of Europe, Switzerland lies landlocked between Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and Lichtenstein. The beautiful Alps fill the lower two-thirds of the country, creating an attraction for millions each year. Become amazed at its majesty, as it soars up an incredible 15,782 feet! This program is for citizens or residents of the United States and Canada aged 18 – 30. United Planet is the US and Canadian partner of the International Cultural Youth Exchange or ICYE. As a volunteer in Switzerland, you will be hosted by ICYE Switzerland, ICYE’s Swiss partner organization. Get ready to be “more than a tourist” as part of Switzerland’s volunteer exchange program.