Community Development Volunteer Programs in Rio de Janeiro

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.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Eco Caminhos is a sustainable eco farm that follows the principles of permaculture and works to produce our own food, energy, and building materials. Our international community in Brazil is located in the peaceful and stunning mountains of Nova Friburgo, Rio Janeiro. Here, we learn to co-live, co-work, evolve, and resolve our problems together. This program is meant for those who have a limited amount of time and still want to experience a sustainable and community life, and learn about bioconstruction (natural building), agroforestry (syntrophic farming), and renewable energy through hands on training. Throughout the week volunteers have free time to go sightseeing, relax, and deepen their connection with nature. Volunteers can choose to focus on permaculture or bioconstruction or have a wider experience participating in all the projects we run. It's generally a hands-on experience for three days each week and plenty of organized activities to choose from (such as Portuguese classes, outdoor activities, trekking, and mountain biking) on other days. This program doesn’t require any experience; only the motivation to learn, enjoy, and get your hands dirty.

Volunteering in Brazil is the perfect opportunity to explore the country that is famous for the Copacabana, the Amazon rainforest and the colorful carnival in Rio de Janeiro. You don't just want to be a tourist but give back to your host country? Great! In the favelas of Rio and Sao Paulo, the need for help is immense and you can work for construction and teaching projects. Animals are your passion? The range of exotic animals and plants in Brazil makes it a paradise for researchers and biologists. Help and support reforestation efforts or work at a wildlife sanctuary.