Volunteer Programs in Western Europe

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.

Choose between two volunteer options helping children and developing the community in Valencia, Spain. Volunteers will work in community centers working closely with the locals. The programs are designed to offer assistance to underprivileged children and adults through tutoring and teaching. The first program focuses primarily on children. Volunteers help them during after school programs and can help create a variety of activities. The second option places participants with young adults and adults and helps them develop life skills. Common areas of education include computer skills, teaching English, and general social interactions. The second takes place in a community center in a suburb of Valencia. An intermediate level of Spanish is required.

Step into London, one of the world’s leading business, finance, and cultural capitals, with an international internship that elevates your career. This program combines hands-on professional experience, global networking, and cultural immersion, giving students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals the skills and connections to excel in the global job market. Internships span a variety of sectors, including business, marketing, finance, PR, technology, entrepreneurship, and NGOs, with placements tailored to your career goals. Partnering with 3,000+ top companies, start-ups, and NGOs, we ensure you gain meaningful experience that enhances your résumé and prepares you for future career opportunities. In addition to your internship, you’ll receive mentorship, development workshops, and networking events, helping you grow both professionally and personally while living in London. Whether you’re exploring your career path, completing a gap year, or seeking to advance your professional journey, our London program provides the perfect combination of career growth, international experience, and cultural immersion in one of the world’s most energetic cities.

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.

The volunteer program at Instituto Hemingway is a unique opportunity to live and work in Spain from the perspective of locals. At the same time, you will build a cultural bridge between Spain and your country of origin while giving back to a community. Beach Cleanup Support this project by setting a good example and encouraging people to get involved in protecting the local environment through simple actions, such as collecting their rubbish after a day on the beach. Work together to keep the waters healthy and nature green! Animal Shelter Contribute in a number of ways to stop the abuse and neglect of animals. At the same time, provide hands-on care to animals in need. The need for adequate care and education among the public in and around the area is huge. Social Entrepreneurship This project offers volunteers hands-on experience as well as the opportunity to help behind the scenes with administrative tasks including social media, fundraising and promotional efforts, sourcing new alliances, and drafting maps. Teaching English to Disadvantaged Children You can contribute to the education of growing children. Make a significant impact in their lives.

Join the ranks of forward-thinking healthcare professionals through International Medical Aid's (IMA) Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships. Our program, rooted in the educational standards of Johns Hopkins University, is designed to propel undergraduate students, PA school attendees, certified PAs, and high school students into the heart of global health care. IMA, a non-profit entity, extends beyond traditional borders to bring essential medical aid and education to underserved regions in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. The internship, underscored by an ethics-based approach to care, enhances clinical skills and lets you explore the cultural and societal nuances of healthcare, facilitated by our seasoned mentors. IMA's commitment to improving global health while also enriching the educational journey of each intern is evident in our comprehensive support system. From day one, interns receive personalized guidance, from field-specific orientation to admissions consulting for PA school, ensuring a seamless transition into international medical settings.

Join a team of passionate vets and veterinary nurses to support neglected, abandoned, or vulnerable animals. As a veterinary intern, you’ll spend your time caring for the animals at the sanctuary, enabling them to have happy, healthy lives. With over 100 animals across ten different species, your work will be varied, interesting, and dynamic. You’ll have a range of tasks to do, from diagnosing unwell animals, giving physical exams, administering injections, treating wounds, as well as offering guidance and advice for possible treatments. If an animal needs surgeries or has more complex problems, you may accompany and monitor it at the central clinic in Lisbon.

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.

Join conservation efforts along the west coast of Greece, where GVI partners with a local organisation to protect loggerhead turtles and their breeding sites. You will monitor nests and turtles, build protective structures, and collect data. With your assistance, the growing awareness of these turtles will lead to better protection for them, ensuring more hatchlings join the population each year. Combine your conservation efforts with learning about the arts and culture of the country. Traverse archaeological sites, medieval ruins, fortresses, and learn about ancient olympic history. Or, develop your palate with local dishes before exploring nearby mountain terrain and heading back to your beachside campsite for the night’s nesting activities. With short- and mid-term contributions, you are supporting the long-term goal of the project, and assisting in measuring our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including: Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life On Land, Goal 17: Partnerships For Goals, and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities And Communities.

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).

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.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Camp Europe specializes in language teaching and adventure sports camps for children and youth throughout Europe. We offer various positions, including Language Coach, Camp Counselor, Program Area Director, and Group Leader. Camp Europe offers intensive training, providing professional instruction in various outdoor education fields – from canoeing, kayaking, and swimming to climbing, high ropes, and creative activities, as well as language coaching. Plus, you will obtain a bronze cross and first aid certification. You will earn a well-reputed diploma at the end of the training, setting you up for a memorable summer in Europe. You'll have fun in the outdoors while serving as a role model for younger generations.

Volunteer 15 hours each week in exchange for free room and board in the south of France. Participating in this programme implies sharing daily life with a French family, learning their language and culture, and adopting it as their own for a period of time. At the same time, share your own language and culture with the members of the local family. Your main duty is to help the family, usually the kids, with their English studies for up to 15 hours per week. Lessons can be more or less formal, depending upon their needs. The family offers full board and private accommodation. Facilities are shared with the family. Each family is interviewed and carefully selected, taking into account their genuine desire to learn a new language and share their culture with the participants. Eligibility for this program includes: - Be a native English speaker - Have finished High School - Be flexible, open-minded, and willing to adapt quickly to your new environment - Respect the host family's rules - Have some knowledge of French; the programme is not suitable for total beginners in French - Previous teaching experience is not a requirement but is highly recommended

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Protect endangered sea turtles while basking in the sun on the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia. Get an in-depth look at conservation efforts, both on land and water. Snorkel in crystal clear waters and explore white sand beaches as you learn how to save turtles amid growing manmade and natural threats. Our Greek Island Turtle Conservation takes students to a part of Kefalonia Island, where endangered loggerhead turtles migrate every spring for food, mating, and nesting. You’ll work with survey teams that regularly walk along the beaches to protect nests while monitoring vulnerable seagrass meadows and dunes that are important for the turtles. It’s a unique opportunity for students interested in environmental science and nature. Combine the popular Northern Italy Adventure and Greece Island Turtle Conservation programs for one epic experience! Start your journey exploring the highlights of Northern Italy: the sights, the foods, the history, and more. Then jump to the Greek Island of Kefalonia and dive into the life of a marine conservationist as you help protect endangered sea turtles.

Are you interested in collaborating with a local community, focusing on the development of a permaculture initiative as well as protection of biodiversity in an off-the-beaten location known for its global importance? In that case, sign up for a Sustainable Development Program - a field volunteer program that aims to help educate and inspire people from around the world about sustainability and nature conservation. It is based in the Kalamos Island biological field station, and you will work according to a pre-agreed plan. Throughout the program, you will immerse in one of the few grassroots biodiversity conservation projects in Greece, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. You will gain hands-on experience in monitoring wildlife and plant populations as well as in the field of permaculture and sustainability in a Mediterranean but also international context.You will also get to see how it is like to be part of an organization working towards achieving a variety of sustainability goals and be part of a multicultural environment and at the same time be a member of the local community of our islands.

Spend a week on the Greek island paradise of Corfu, where we will spend our mornings working at a local farm and helping out the community and local orphanage. Projects vary and are based on need but you may find yourself working at a food bank or clothing donation store and helping out with the animals on the farm. In addition to your service work, we will experience everything Corfu has to offer! Explore castles, try your hand at watersports, snorkel the bright blue sea, learn a thing or two about creating your own Greek feast, and hit the best boutiques for shopping! So join us this summer for a spectacular island service project and Italian adventure in Greece and Italy!

Are you interested in learning about whales and dolphins and observing them in their natural habitat while contributing to our conservation efforts? Join our unique conservation program in Lanzarote, where you can actively contribute to our mission of making whale-watching trips completely noise and emission-free. Over 1 to 6 weeks, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of whale and dolphin species, raise awareness about the challenges they face, and gain hands-on experience working alongside the dedicated WeWhale team. Be part of a movement that creates a better future for marine life — while making memories to last a lifetime!

Doing your medical and healthcare internship abroad with Projects Abroad can provide a number of benefits, including: * Gaining hands-on experience in a global healthcare setting * Developing essential medical skills * Witnessing healthcare challenges and solutions first-hand * Contributing to community health outreach programs Internships are also designed to be tailored to your interests so you can focus on a particular area of medicine or healthcare. Additionally, you may be able to shadow experienced doctors and nurses. These experiences can help you decide if a medical career is right for you and strengthen your resume or medical school application. Visit our website now or get in touch to learn more.