Volunteer Programs in Eastern Europe & Russia

While volunteer work in Eastern Europe and Russia covers a massive area, most placements will be found in Russia, Romania, Poland, and Croatia specifically.

Russia. This enormous country has over 160 ethnic groups and 142 million people, with most of them living in urban centers, like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Demand for volunteers in Russia is high in the cities, in orphanages and the fields of education, medicine, and community outreach. There are also opportunities to volunteer in Russia which allow volunteers to experience the wilder side of Russia, through working in conservation, animal rehabilitation, and archaeology.

Romania. Romania has long enticed foreigners with its incredible and romantic landscape, language, and rich cultural history. The capital city of Bucharest offers many volunteer opportunities, but so do the less populated cities of Brasov, Sibiu, and the infamous Transylvanian region. Those looking to volunteer in Romania in orphanages or engage in service projects and community outreach will find plenty of programs options.

Poland. Six countries border this nation, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine, not to mention Denmark and Sweden just across the Baltic Sea. Those looking to combine volunteering in Europe with traveling will appreciate the central location. Volunteer programs in Poland tend to be most prevalent in Krakow or Warsaw.

Croatia. Located on the Northeast side of Italy across the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is the land of 1,000 islands. It’s a great place to get involved with conservation efforts and wildlife rehabilitation, including working with brown bears, elephants, monkeys, or even bottlenose dolphins. There is also a high demand for improving infrastructure through construction and renovation projects.