Volunteer Programs in Norway

Prepare for Volunteering

Set goals

As you prepare for your time in Norway and one of their volunteer programs, it’s not a bad idea to set a few goals. Having a handful (professional or personal) can help you get the most out of your time there! A few basics are:

• Gauge and keep note of what you like best about the experience. See how you can incorporate that into your personal or professional life post-travel.
• Decide what skills or tools you’d like to specifically refine, learn, or continue to explore. Take the extra time to work with what you’d like to work on.
• Note a larger, more substantial gain you’d like to make while in Norway to aid in your life. Find a specific part of the program that’s a bit more complicated and volunteer to help if allowed, connect with people you align with, and foster a relationship that goes beyond the time you’re there together, etc.

Understand the benefits

With the country being volunteer-minded, there are plenty of cool things to learn about and from. A few highlights are:

• Work experience. Yes, even if the volunteer experience doesn’t directly correlate with your intended career path, you’re still gaining professional experience. The basics of showing up, being a constructive part of a team, and specific hard and soft skills are all used regularly in any program.
• Great relationships. Meeting, working, and just socializing with anyone in or out of the volunteer program can lead to wonderful international friendships! They are special, unforgettable ones at that, too.
• Personal Growth. Between meeting new people and working, there’s plenty of material there to make you grow personally. On top of all that, coordinating how to get there and travel within a different country also builds great personal resilience and mindset. It can be intimidating, but it’s incredibly rewarding and not much else is like it.

Things to know

Regardless of where you are within Norway's borders, there are plenty of basics to know and consider before landing. Here are a few major things to consider.

• Visa and paperwork requirements. You can volunteer in Norway for up to 90 days without a visa, but it’s essential to verify the latest regulations with your consulate to ensure compliance with your specific program. Make sure to have all necessary documents, such as background checks or certificates, ready as required.
• Housing and money. Many volunteer programs in Norway offer accommodation, typically shared with other volunteers, in exchange for work. If housing isn’t provided, you can arrange your own, though hotels are expensive. Consider youth hostels as a budget-friendly alternative, and plan a budget to manage costs in Norway’s high-cost economy.
• Cultural sensitivity. In Norway, it's common to greet others with a handshake, even on hiking trails, where a friendly "hi" is also customary. As one of the happiest countries, Norway is known for its friendliness, so take the time to appreciate its culture and people.

Choose a Location

Figuring out where to volunteer can be an interesting challenge outside of cities but anywhere in Norway offers exciting opportunities. Here are some popular options:

Oslo

Oslo is Norway’s capital city on the southeastern edge of the country, where you will find a large number of international tourists and numerous tourist attractions. Oslo is a great place for volunteer work in Norway, specifically in the tourism industry. As Norway’s largest city, there are also several opportunities for community involvement, including various volunteer centers throughout the city that you can come in contact with, such as MIRA Ressurssenter, a shelter for women and immigrants, as well as the local chapter of the Salvation Army, known as Frelsessarmeen.

Bergen

Known as the gateway to the fjords, Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, located on the western edge of the country at the foot of Mount Fløyen. Since it is a major city, there will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer in the tourism industry here, too. Like opportunities for volunteering in Oslo, there are plenty of opportunities for civic engagement in Bergen, such as at the Human Rights House, providing services for local NGOs as well as advocating for human rights. HRH is partially supported by the government but relies largely on the work of local and international volunteers.

Rural areas

Rural areas can offer various causes that may not be available reliably. Regardless, they all welcome the help! There are farms throughout the country, which provide ample opportunities for those who wish to volunteer on small organic farms and other local agricultural projects, such as park landscape maintenance. If you’re there around this time of year and interested, the city of Stavanger is home to the annual Chamber Music Festival, a week-long event that takes place every summer and welcomes volunteers from all over the world, regardless of their level of knowledge in classical music.

Choose a Cause

Due to Norway’s wide variety of landscapes and recreational activities, volunteers have a myriad of service opportunities to choose from.

Agricultural Volunteer

You could find yourself planting, harvesting, or tending to livestock at an organic farm run by a Norwegian family, developing your knowledge of living off the land for a few weeks or a few months. If you have always wanted to work with

Animals

If you’re excited to work with wildlife, then venture north of the Arctic Circle. You could assist with the operations of a guest lodge or equipment maintenance or join an expedition to help gather information about whale behavior and sightings, which is important in developing guidelines for their protection.

Tourism and Hospitality

With Norway’s high quality of life, tourism and hospitality opportunities are a great place to volunteer. Whether you opt for time in the bigger cities or head outward to nature-oriented options, it’ll make for an unforgettable experience.

Figuring out how to volunteer in Norway can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. Here’s a simple 6-step guide to help you get started and make a difference.

1. Get matched

If you’re looking to get started, check out our Online Advisor! It can match you with Norwegian volunteer leads right now. Matches are sent to your inbox!

2. Choose a program

Log in to or sign up for a MyGoAbroad account to research, bookmark, and compare programs side-by-side you’re interested in.

3. Decide when to go

Deciding when to volunteer is completely personal—it’ll look a little different for everyone. Make sure to take the time to figure out what works for you.

• Summer. An obvious and popular choice, summer is great for any opportunity with more flexible schedules and more options to choose from. Not to mention, the amount of outdoor activities and travel excursions that are possible! Remember, though, snow is always possible in Norway, so pack accordingly.
• Fall. If you’re looking for a quieter option but not the dead of winter, fall is an excellent time of the year. Beyond the chiller environment, there are plenty of natural transitions happening—leaves changing colors and the beginning of a more reliable season of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
• Winter. Before most of you hop over winter, don’t! Norway has a whole other beautiful side to it, which happens to involve cold weather and snow. It’s the season for the Aurora Borealis, incredible yearly festivals, and of course, all the winter sports you can dream of! Not to mention the extra magical spirit that comes along with their Christmas season, it’s something not to miss!
• Spring. Finally, if you’re interested in seeing a renewed and fresh Norway, spring is the answer for you! With new blooms, seasonal festivals, and activities picking up or starting up, it’s a fun and bright time to volunteer in the country.

4. Funding & scholarships

Fill out our scholarship and deals application if you’re looking for a bit of support while in Norway.

5. Apply

After applying to some volunteer positions that excite you, a program coordinator will be in touch.

6. Get your essentials

Finally, once you’ve gotten approved and are in the process of heading to Norway, it’s time to apply for your passport and visa, book your flight, and buy travel insurance.