Volunteer, Teach, Intern in Europe: Over 30 projects in 13 countries

(Updated for 2022)

While Europe may be the world’s second-smallest continent, it is certainly rich in culture and diversity. With more than 250 different languages, 730 million people, and incredibly varied landscapes such as beaches, mountains, cities, and small towns, Europe is an excellent place not just to visit, but also to volunteer, teach, or intern abroad.

Europe offers so many amazing opportunities for the travelers at heart. If you are looking to volunteer abroad in wide range of cultures, Europe is the place for you. With 50 individual countries, the possibilities are endless: you can help children expand their knowledge and realize their potential, build communities for families to thrive, help refugees assimilate to a new lifestyle, study marine animals and environments, help to conserve and protect wildlife, and so much more.

With Europe facing a major rise in immigration, there are many residents – both recent and long-time – in need of assistance adjusting to a new lifestyle. Refugees need assistance adapting to a new lifestyle, customs, and socio-political climate after fleeing from unstable nations, while many Europeans are in need of assistance adjusting to and learning how to support and live alongside an influx of new residents. Together, and with your aid, these groups can work to build a successful and productive life for themselves and for future generations.

Like in any region, local wildlife and marine life play a key role in the life of Europeans, so it is important keep up to date on the data and migration patterns of these magnificent creatures. You will learn all you can during your time in Europe about the various local cultures and animal life that the locals live with every year. Consider an amazing and affordable wildlife conservation program in sunny Spain, or a marine conservation program in Portugal.

When you are assisting local communities, getting paid to teach English, or helping conserve Europe’s beautiful environments, there will be ample time for you to explore and learn about the different cultures of Europe’s many nations. With so many different inexpensive and adventurous travel opportunities, you can travel not only throughout the country in which you’re volunteering, but also the surrounding ones.

So are you ready to take the leap? If you think Europe is the right choice for you to volunteer and explore, then check out some of these amazing opportunities!

Great Volunteer, Teach, and Intern Abroad Programs in Europe

International TEFL Academy

Do you want to get paid to live abroad as a professional English teacher in a country like Spain, Italy, or the Czech Republic? Are you looking for the best TEFL training and job services? If so, you’ve come to the right place! 

Founded in 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) offers the gold standard in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad & teaching English online. We are proud to provide the finest internationally accredited TEFL courses both online and in-person in 20+ locations across the globe. ITA certifies 5,000 people per year, and our graduates are teaching in over 80 countries & online. Our #1 commitment is to provide the highest quality training and services to our students to help you achieve your goal of getting a great job and enjoying the experience of a lifetime teaching English abroad and online.  

All ITA TEFL courses – including online TEFL classes –  include live practice teaching & employ a state-of-the-art curriculum taught by highly credentialed and experienced instructors. In addition, all ITA students receive lifetime job search assistance that includes personalized guidance from our team of expert advisors. To learn more & begin your journey, download your free TEFL Guide now.

Teach English in the Czech Republic

Providing a quintessential blend of modern and classic Europe, the Czech Republic is a great destination if you wish to teach English abroad. Demand for qualified native English teachers is high, especially in cities such as Prague. English teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree, plus TEFL certification, to teach in the Czech Republic. Pay is about $1,000 – $1,800+ per month and work hours average around 20-25 hours per week.

Teach English in Spain

ITA can assist with job placement in Spain, one of the most popular destinations in the world for teaching English. You need a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate, which you can get through International TEFL Academy. Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona offer the most options for English teachers, and teaching jobs are usually a part of a government program such as the Cultural Ambassadors Program. Pay ranges from $1,800 – $3,000+ per month.

Teach English in Italy

From grand Roman monuments and Renaissance art to sun-kissed Mediterranean shores and delicious cuisine, Italy offers teachers the chance to experience incredible natural beauty and cultural richness. ITA can help you find an English teaching job in a city like Milan, Rome or Naples, with salaries ranging from $1,500 – $2,500+ per month. You must be a native English speaker and have TEFL certification, and preferably a 4-year degree.

Projects Abroad

For more than 25 years, Projects Abroad has provided volunteer abroad programs and internships overseas for travelers all over the world. As one of the world’s largest volunteer travel organizations, Projects Abroad sends more than 10,000 volunteers on high-quality programs each year to support refugees, teach English and other subjects, provide medical care, and so much more.

Projects Abroad is dedicated to helping volunteers and interns fulfill their potential and make the world a better place. It provides the gold standard of international volunteering and internships, so you can make a real impact on one projects from Europe to Africa.

If travel and the opportunity to make a positive change in Europe is something that interests you, then take a look at the volunteer projects and internships offered by Projects Abroad in Romania.

Work with children in Brasov

Support the work of teachers and caregivers at overcrowded kindergartens and care centers on a children’s project in Brasov. You’ll focus on improving early childhood development, literacy, and English skills. You can achieve this through activities like:

1. Teaching the ABCs and 123s through song
2. Running dance classes to improve balance and coordination
3. Getting creative and colorful with art and crafts
4. Building puzzles to develop problem-solving skills

What Volunteers Say: Review from Lucy

“I feel that my experience has been, overall, very rewarding although emotional at times and highly beneficial for the children. The time we were able to devote to them and the sort of activities we did with them were so well received, and would not have been available to them had we not been there. I loved my time at the care center. I found it to be as rewarding an experience as I had hoped.”

Volunteer on an Excavation Site in Alba Iulia

Discover and preserve Romania’s history alongside experienced archaeologists in Alba Iulia. Work at excavation sites and get hands-on with history as you dig up artifacts from the era of the Roman Empire. You can help to preserve these historically and culturally significant sites for future generations. You’ll get your hands dirty as you:

1. Carry out fieldwork such as excavations
2. Assess restoration sites
3. Clean and reconstruct artifacts
4. Analyze your findings
5. Educate the public on the importance of archaeological work

What volunteers say: Review from Hannah

“I’d spent two years of college learning the theory of archaeology and seeing the end results in museums and in class, but now I got to fully experience the physical work of what I’d learnt all about. The feeling was amazing. I find myself randomly just wanting to shovel and dig all the time now!”

To learn more about volunteering in Europe and worldwide with Projects Abroad, visit: www.projects-abroad.org

International TEFL Academy (ITA)

Since 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) has provided internationally accredited online and in-person TEFL courses in 25 worldwide locations, which open you up to English teaching jobs all over the world. This year, ITA will certify over 5,000 people to be paid English teachers around the world. To make sure you’re matched with the best program for your background and interests, ITA provides extensive pre-enrollment guidance from expert advisors, after which you’ll receive TEFL training from a university-level professor. ITA also has lots of resources available for students and alumni (their alumni teach in over 80 countries around the world), including a job search manual, cover letter and resume workshops, contact information for more than 20,000 schools and employers worldwide, and lifetime job search assistance. Check out this free brochure to learn all about teaching English abroad and to compare salaries and hiring requirements around the world.

Barcelona TEFL Class

One of ITA’s wonderful TEFL certification programs invites you to Barcelona, where you can earn your English teaching certificate while exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Through this program, you’ll take on four weeks of intensive, full-time training each weekday, plus live classroom teaching practice with local ESL students. Topics covered during your course sessions include principles of teaching, classroom management, lesson planning, and much more. During your trip, you will have the opportunity to take Spanish language courses, embark on wine tasting tours, or go on Barcelona city tours. Learn more here!

Toulouse TEFL Class

If you have always dreamed of visiting France, ITA has an amazing trip to Toulouse, where you can earn your TEFL certification and train to teach English in France and around the world. As with ITA’s Barcelona trip, this program includes four weeks of full-time training, plus the opportunity to practice teaching with local ESL learners. Course topics include:

1. Basic principles of teaching
2. Grammar
3. Classroom management
4. Error correction
5. Lesson planning
6. Use of visual and audio aids
7. Teaching group classes: beginner, pre-intermediate, intermediate, advanced
8. Conversational English
9. Teaching grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation
10. Language awareness
11. Private tutoring
12. Teaching business English

During your stay in France, you will have weekends free to explore or relax. You also can take an optional course add-on, which will open you up to more paid teaching opportunities in France: through this program, you will stay for two months with a local host family for 400 Euros per month plus five hours of English language tutoring per week. Learn more and register here!

Cerca Abroad

Founded in 2016, Cerca Abroad is a European-based travel company and international internship provider. The organization has a wide variety of high-quality internships in Greece, including programs in medicine, engineering, wildlife conservation, social work, art and more.

For each internship, Cerca Abroad has a personalized approach, allowing you to choose your dates and tailor the program to suit your needs, budget and career goals. Each placement offers fully furnished accommodation and an English-speaking coordinator so you have all the support necessary. 

Even better, each internship gives you the opportunity to earn university credit as Cerca Abroad cooperates with Webster University (Athens Campus). Read more here. 

Learn about three of Cerca Abroad’s internships in Europe below:

Dental Internship in Greece

Gain hands-on dental experience as you work side-by-side with dentists, nurses, and other medical staff in the city of Athens. This program caters to all dental specialties and will boost your resume whether you want to be a general dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon. 

Interested to learn more about this internship in Europe? Fees begin at $1,900. Click here to apply.  

Agriculture Internship in Greece

If you study agriculture or viticulture, if you’re a winemaking enthusiast, or if you just want to learn how to grow olives, this internship in Greece is for you. During this internship in Europe, you’ll learn first hand how grapes and olivers are cultivated and how wine and olive oil is made. It’s truly a wonderful farm experience. 

Interested in this agricultural internship in Greece? Fees begin at $1,900. Click here to apply. 

Biomedical Engineering Internship in Greece

Seeking a career in biomedical engineering? Cerca Abroad has an intern program in Europe for you. Hosted at Hellenic University, this program in Thessaloniki allows you to choose between two career paths: Genetics and Rehabilitation. In Genetics, you’ll perform tasks such as DNA extraction from tissues, purification of DNA, and PCR analysis. In Rehabilitation, you’ll perform tasks such as design and assembling rehab equipment systems.

Interested in this biomedical engineering internship in Greece? Fees begin at $1,900. Click here to apply.

 

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

If you’re on a tight budget, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is one of the best volunteer programs you can sign up for. Since 2007, IVHQ has placed more than 80,000 volunteers all over the world on impactful, affordable programs including child care, medical care, teaching, conservation, and so much more. In Europe, IVHQ offers many different volunteer opportunities starting from just $180 in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Romania.

Volunteer in Italy

One of the many European volunteering opportunities through IVHQ is their conservation program in Italy, where you’ll have the opportunity to help preserve historical spaces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout Naples. The types of tasks you’ll take on will vary, but always have a focus on environmental preservation and awareness, as well as the preservation of archaeological ruins or protected marine life. A few of your projects can include:

1. Picking up litter
2. Cleaning monuments
3. Protecting restricted areas of national parks
4. Planning events
5. Assisting administration
6. Farming

During your stay in Italy, you’ll live with fellow volunteers in dormitory-style apartments, and will have three meals provided each day – and in your free time over evenings and weekends, you’re invited to explore the beautiful city of Naples, as well as its surrounding towns. To sign up, you must be able to stay four weeks or longer, in good health, and if you’d like to be considered for the marine preservation portion of this volunteer opportunity, you must be a good swimmer.

Volunteer in Spain

If you have always dreamed of visiting Spain, now is your chance: IVHQ offers a multitude of Spanish volunteer opportunities, including an after-school support program. As a volunteer, you’ll play games and plan activities for disadvantaged children aged 7 to 17 – you also will be able to help with educational support through homework assistance, teaching English, and helping to run workshops. This is an excellent opportunity for creative volunteers who want to have fun and make a positive impact – you can expect to work in afternoons and evenings, with your mornings free for relaxation or even Spanish language lessons.

You also may be interested in IVHQ’s special needs program in Spain, where you’ll be able to provide care and support to individuals who need extra assistance. A few of your tasks can include:

1. Vocational skills development
2. Providing companionship to children
3. Working with youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities
4. Playing games and making arts and crafts with people who have special needs

Volunteer in Portugal

Heed the call of the wild and volunteer for IVHQ’s Wolf Conservation program in Portugal! You’ll work at a conservation center outside of Lisbon that provides community education and environmental preservation for wolves, many of which come from zoos and cannot be released. Direct contact with the animals is limited, however, you’ll help with animal feeding and replacing water, wolf behavior observation, visiting school group assistance, building maintenance, fire prevention, reforestation, and monitoring of visitors. You’ll stay for two weeks, and work up to five hours per day during the week, with weekends off. Use this time to relax or explore the art, history, and culture of Portugal. This program starts from $595 for two weeks – click here to learn more about the Wolf Conservation volunteer program.

Volunteer in Greece

Like to cook? Learn about the concept of the “Social Kitchen” when you volunteer in Greece with the IVHQ Food Outreach program. Work in a local kitchen and help feed hundreds of people every day. Your duties include cooking, cleaning, and preparing meals in the morning, and then helping to deliver meals to distribution centers, such as churches and community centers. The people you’ll help support with this project include the elderly, the ill, and families living in poverty. No experience is necessary, since you’ll be working alongside local staff. Accommodations are in an apartment in Katarraktis with other IVHQ volunteers, and shared bedrooms (same gender). Wifi is provided, and private rooms are available with an upgrade. Program fees begin at $340 for the first week. Read more about IVHQ’s programs in Greece!

Volunteer in Belgium

Travel to Brussels and provide support to disadvantaged youth, young adults, and refugees seeking temporary asylum in Belgium. Right now, IVHQ offers several different volunteer programs to choose from in Belgium. As a volunteer for the Educational Support project, you will provide much-needed assistance to local teachers, with an emphasis on instruction in basic English and math. IVHQ’s Food Outreach project places volunteers in soup kitchens, preparing and serving meals, and cooking and cleaning. As well, a Mobile Library travels throughout Brussels, serving the homeless and refugee population with books and coffee, and a chance to receive informal education through loaner books. Volunteers with the library manage the checking-in and checking-out of books and resources, stocking inventory, maintaining order in the library van and helping with informal educational workshops. This program starts from $495 for one week – learn more here!

For more information about volunteering in Europe with IVHQ, please visit: www.volunteerhq.org

What Volunteers Say: Review from Courtney

My experience volunteering through IVHQ was awesome. When I first started getting an itch to volunteer, I didn’t know where to start. I started researching different organizations through the world wide web and came across IVHQ’s website. They were the most affordable and very reputable with the different blog stories and reviews from past volunteers…I had to change my program dates a few times–but they were extremely accommodating and helpful with all of the changes…Everything that was said would be available and done, was available and done. There were no hiccups during my trip, and I’ve already recommended IVHQ to a few friends who are planning a trip as I type. It was an amazing experience being able to go abroad and do something that I have a passion for–which is working with kids. I couldn’t have made it without IVHQ. They made a trip that seemed impossible sometimes because of my circumstances, become reality and I’m so thankful for that! I can’t wait to embark on my next trip to impact the world even more.

Love Volunteers

As one of the fastest-growing volunteer abroad programs in the world, Love Volunteers has placed more than 20,000 travelers on service projects and internships throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. They currently host more than 120 different projects around the world, with programs focusing on environmental conservation, community building, child care, healthcare, and much more. A few of Love Volunteers’ popular locations include:

• Nepal
• Peru
• South Africa
• Kenya
• Ecuador
• Costa Rica
• Thailand
• Bali
• Zambia
• Tanzania

In Europe, Love Volunteers is currently offering meaningful volunteer programs in Bosnia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania.

Volunteer with Children and Young People in Albania

Right now, Love Volunteers is offering several different volunteer programs in Albania, including one that invites you to support children and young people in need. Through this placement, you’ll work in a local center that provides educational and social support to disadvantaged children who are suffering from racial segregation and neglect. Most of these children are from Roma communities, and they are often discriminated against, resulting in lack of quality education and healthcare. As a volunteer, a few ways you can help include:

1. Teaching basic English
2. Helping students build their computer skills
3. Arranging lessons in art, music, or crafts
4. Organizing sports activities
5. Planning games and excursions

Without the aid of volunteers like yourself, this program cannot be successful: through your help in building their confidence and skills, the youth of Albania will have a better chance of a successful future. To apply, you must be willing to stay three weeks or longer, and speak fluent English – it’s also helpful if you learn some Albanian phrases before traveling.

Community Development in Moldova

Through this program, you’ll work closely with a local youth group in Causeni, Moldova to organize and facilitate events, seminars, and workshops focusing on cultural diversity, human rights, healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, and more. This youth club is host to more than 200 young people, who you’ll encourage to take an active role in their community and effect positive change for years to come. A few events volunteers have helped plan recently include a children’s fair, volunteer action groups, youth talent festivals, sports events, and fun runs. This is an excellent opportunity for creative, active volunteers who want to meet like-minded people from all over the world while helping build stronger communities.

Community Development in Bosnia

This unique volunteer program aims to build connections and friendships between the children of conflicting ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a vitally important program that works to break down deep-seated racial prejudices and encourage compassion between a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds. Through your volunteer work, you can help with team building activities and youth projects, supporting and encouraging youth through a variety of discussions and activities, organizing games and mentoring children, and helping program staff with administrative work and other projects as needed. This is a great project for travelers interested in careers in anthropology, social work, social entrepreneurship, and economics.

Childcare and Development in Ukraine

On this program, you will provide essential services to orphaned, abandoned, and impoverished children in Ukraine. The community center that you will volunteer at is understaffed and underfunded, meaning that your volunteer efforts can make a true difference. A few ways that you can help include interacting with the children through games and crafts, assisting the center’s staff with feeding and caring for the children, and creating interactive activities to help the children build their social skills and confidence. Well you do not need background experience in childcare or education to sign up, volunteers with qualifications important to the project are highly sought-after.

For more information about Love Volunteers and the amazing programs they offer in Europe and beyond, please visit: www.lovevolunteers.org

What Volunteers Say: Review from Samantha

My time volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded any expectations I could have had. I highly recommend Love Volunteers and the volunteer program in Bosnia. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer!

Global Nomadic

If you’re interested in building your career through a volunteer program or internship abroad, check out Global Nomadic. Global Nomadic partners with community-based NGOs worldwide to provide degree- and career-related programs that teach you new skills while letting you make a positive impact on your host community. Global Nomadic also is an affordable option if you’re on a budget, keeping costs as minimal as possible for students, gap year travelers, or career break travelers. In Europe, Global Nomadic offers programs in Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Dolphin Research Internship in Greece

Right now, Global Nomadic is offering a marine conservation internship in Alonissos, Greece, where you can gain hands-on experience in cetacean conservation work and research. Through this one-week placement, you’ll assist with the first study of its kind in the area by helping estimate the approximate population of the common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin, as well as areas of importance to each species. As a member of the team, you will learn about:

1. Cetacean life history, behavior, and identification
2. Threats faced by marine animals
3. Photo-identification techniques
4. Fisheries/marine mammal interactions
5. The importance and storage of research data
6. How to use the necessary equipment for this program

Throughout your stay, you’ll work alongside local researchers, helping them to build their data on dolphins as well as any other endangered marine life that you may encounter. To apply, you must be able to speak English, be a good swimmer, be physically fit, adaptable to working on a boat, and willing to share a coed room at the volunteer house.

Marine Biology Course in Italy

Based in Ischia, Italy, this one-week marine biology course is perfect for students who want to pursue a career in marine biology, environmental studies, or animal science. Throughout your stay, you’ll contribute to important research by investigating declining dolphin populations in the Italian Mediterranean with a local NGO. You’ll gain hands-on experience monitoring and observing marine animals while searching for marine life, conducting research, and even attending seminars from seasoned scientists while working aboard a sailboat. To sign up, you must be 18 or older, physically fit, and have full travel and medical insurance as well as necessary vaccinations.

To learn more about volunteering and interning abroad with Global Nomadic, please visit: http://globalnomadic.com.

Global Leadership Adventures

Founded in 2004, Global Leadership Adventures offers programs abroad for teens and high school students – these programs combine community service with experiential learning and adventure. With an emphasis on safety, outlined in Global Leadership Adventures’ five-point safety system, this organization sends thousands of travelers to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America each year. And as a leader in youth development, Global Leadership Adventures’ co-founder was recently recognized by President Obama for making a positive impact in Africa. Right now, GLA is offering one program in Europe for students who want to embark on the trip of a lifetime: their 14- to 21-day Spanish Service Adventure.

Spanish Service Adventure

Through GLA’s Spanish Service Adventure, you’ll spend two to three weeks traveling, volunteering, and learning all about Spanish culture and history. For the community service portion of your trip, you’ll focus on programs that promote intercultural understanding and respect for diversity – an important and timely issue due to the current immigration and refugee situation throughout Europe. You’ll work with a local organization that helps immigrants assimilate into Spanish culture through a summer camp that plans games and activities for children and young people. In addition, you’ll boost your Spanish language skills, take part in a culinary workshop, and learn local dances and so much more. To top it all off, you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to explore Barcelona, take a street life tour, go rafting through class III rapids, and spend time on a Mediterranean beach.

To learn more about service-learning programs in Europe and beyond with Global Leadership Adventures, please visit: www.experiencegla.com

What Volunteers Say: Review from Krista

This was my daughter’s longest time away from home, and she had an amazing time. The GLA program offers great experiences in leadership, service and travel. Our daughter was one of the youngest in her group, and she felt comfortable as well very safe throughout. The program coordinators were helpful from beginning to end, available and thoughtful. I recommend GLA.

GoEco

GoEco, a top-rated volunteer abroad organization, offers you a choice from more than 150 community, environment, and wildlife initiatives throughout the world, including many great programs in Europe. Founded in 2006 by experienced volunteers, GoEco placed more than 15,000 volunteers abroad in their first 12 years. Whether you want to volunteer for turtle conservation in Greece or help local artists achieve success in Ireland, GoEco has a variety of volunteer projects across the continent. With many affordable offerings, you’re certain to find something that suits your budget.

Education and Development in Valencia, Spain

This is a great volunteer abroad project if you want to teach children or adults. If you wish to be placed at a primary or high school, you’ll teach English, organize cultural activities, and serve as a role model to the students. If you want to volunteer in the community development program, you’ll assist adults with English language learning, computer skills training, and social awareness development, as well as help out in a soup kitchen.

Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia is a beautiful city with deep historical roots. You’ll have plenty to do and see when you’re free. Interested? Project fees begin at $1,580 for three weeks. Register here!

Hospitality Internship in York, England or Lisbon, Portugal or Barcelona, Spain

Looking to gain experience in the hospitality and tourism industry? GoEco has three great internship programs: one in York, one in Lisbon, and one in Barcelona. For both programs, fees are only $350 for six weeks!

For the York hospitality internship, you’ll work at a renowned hostel in one of England’s most historically-fascinating cities. Your duties will include interacting with and helping guests, bartending, assisting at reception, and general clean-up. Interested? Apply here!

For the Lisbon hospitality internship, you’ll work at a hostel located near the cobbled streets of bohemian Bairro Alto. You’ll get to know the local area quite well as you talk with and serve guests. Sound exciting? Apply here!

For the Eco-friendly Hospitality Internship in Barcelona you will work right in the bustling, artistic city of Barcelona! Interns will be working at a hostel that focuses heavily on recycling and Catalan culture. Sound exciting? Apply here!

Ireland – Sustainable Farming and Cafe Experience

Assist in the hills of Ireland to contribute to a family-owned farm that is working with sustainable farming techniques! In addition to farming tasks, volunteers will also be assisting in the farm’s cafe, which is located in the city of Cork. Turn your volunteer experience into a meaningful internship by staying up to 6 months on this program! Learn more here.

Italy – Liveaboard Dolphin Research Expedition

Live aboard a famous, historic boat and set sail to collect data on the current population of dolphins in Ischia! Sail along the Italian coastline, measure the impacts of sea traffic on dolphins and experience life on a boat! Learn more and sign up here.

Frontier

For more than 25 years, Frontier has provided adventurous travel programs that combine community development, capacity building, ecosystem protection, economic growth, and development of civil society through collaboration between communities, researchers, and volunteers. Since their beginnings with a single marine park in Tanzania – which is still in operation today – Frontier has grown to more than 400 projects in 72 countries worldwide. In Europe, Frontier offers trips to France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.

Community Development and Restoration in Portugal

Through Frontier’s community development and restoration program in Portugal, not only will you get to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture, but you’ll also make a great impact on the communities you’ll work with. As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside local staff and fellow volunteers to paint houses, help with reconstruction and remodeling of homes and social organizations, assist with landscaping, and lend a hand on other construction tasks. You’ll make a positive difference for some of Lisbon’s poorest people – and with a goal of remodeling 130 homes and 60 social organizations within the next 5 years, there’s a lot of work to be done!

Whale and Dolphin Conservation in Spain

Another excellent volunteer opportunity through Frontier is their whale and dolphin conservation program in the Canary Islands of Spain. During this project, you will help spread awareness of environmental issues while helping to conserve areas where whales and dolphins thrive. As a volunteer, your role will cover three different areas, including:

1. Monitoring work, taking photos, cataloguing whales, and observing these animals’ behavior
2. Acting as a whale watching boat guide for tourists and raising awareness about the cetacean population
3. Going on coastal expeditions to search for dolphins, feed fish farms, and record data

To learn more about Frontier and the many volunteer opportunities they offer in Europe and worldwide, please visit: https://frontiergap.com

Global Vision International (GVI)

Global Vision International (GVI) is an excellent volunteer organization you should check out if you’d like to volunteer in Europe. Founded in 1997, GVI is committed to conservation and community development, and each year sends more than 2,000 volunteers abroad. With a huge number of volunteer programs, internships, group trips, and under-18 travel experiences to choose from all over the world, GVI offers adventurous, meaningful trips for travelers of all ages and backgrounds.

Volunteer in Greece

Right now, GVI is offering the wonderful opportunity to volunteer with sea turtles in the beautiful Mediterranean area of Mavrovouni, Greece. For 2 weeks to 3 months, you will be able to contribute to conservation efforts for one of the world’s most endangered species. A few of your tasks as a volunteer may include:

1. Patrolling beaches for turtle tracks and nests
2. Recording data and measuring sea turtles
3. Installing protective nest grids
4. Relocating nests to secure areas
5. Helping hatchlings make their way to the sea
6. Participating in environmental education programs for locals and tourists

This is a great program for volunteers who are physically fit and want to be active – you should be prepared for long days in a hot climate, and can expect to walk at least 5km during surveys. Outside of your volunteer hours, you’ll have plenty of time on weekends to explore the area or relax on the beach.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering in Europe or worldwide with Global Vision International, please visit: www.gviusa.com

What Volunteers Say: Review from Emma

I have volunteered twice with GVI and in both cases the experiences are still very much with me. I had a fantastic time, got to meet some amazing people and see some really beautiful parts of the world. I felt entirely safe and looked after, right up from the moment that I booked to the point where GVI put me (sadly) on the plane to come back to the UK. I would recommend GVI as a voluntary organisation to anyone and everyone – just make sure you don’t book for too short a while because once you get out there you won’t want to come back.

Fronteering

If you’re looking for an adventurous experience volunteering with wildlife in exotic, unspoiled locations, you should definitely check out Fronteering. Fronteering offers unique volunteer abroad trips and internships like no other: from working on a ranch in the Amazon, to rehabilitating bears and eagles in Canada, to conserving lemur habitats in Madagascar, and so much more, there’s no shortage of impactful, fun ways you can make a difference overseas. Right now, Fronteering is offering one volunteer program in Europe: a highland conservation project in Scotland.

Highland Conservation in Scotland

With Fronteering, you can have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands while protecting animals such as European wild cats, otters, ospreys, and many more. This is a long-term program, starting at 24 weeks, so this is perfect for volunteers who are interested in gaining a hands-on, deeper perspective of conservation and wildlife. During your stay, you’ll work alongside a small team performing a range of conservation tasks, including:

1. Felling non-native trees
2. Researching and monitoring wildlife
3. Removing invasive plants
4. Maintaining footpaths
5. Constructing fences
6. Installing reserve signs
7. Building boardwalks
8. Repairing bird hides

You can expect to work 5 days per week for 8 hours each day, depending on the time of year, and you’ll be joined by 2 to 8 other volunteers. For your first 2 weeks, you will be staying in a local hostel as you learn the ropes of your placement, after which you’ll have assistance in finding your own accommodation for the rest of your stay.

To learn more about volunteering in Europe and other places around the world with Fronteering, please visit: www.fronteering.com

Connect-123

For more than 10 years, Connect-123 has offered tailor-made international internships, volunteer placements, and study abroad opportunities in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, and Shanghai. Through Connect-123’s customized trips, you can focus on a wide variety of topics, from healthcare, to human rights, social work, education, sustainable development, and beyond.

No matter where you travel, you will work side-by-side with a local organization – whether it’s a school, NGO, community group, or hospital – and with flexible start and end dates, you can apply at any time. Connect-123 also offers housing support, orientation, weekly events and socials with fellow travelers, and emergency support, ensuring that you have the best travel experience possible.

Volunteer or Intern in Ireland

Looking for a great way to enhance your resume? Check out Connect-123’s Dublin volunteer and internship programs, where you can get involved with local organizations, businesses, community groups, and more to lend a hand on a variety of projects while learning new skills.

If you’d like to volunteer, you can help with wildlife and conservation campaigns, green community efforts, children’s literacy workshops, domestic violence centers, sports associations, and many others. If an internship is what you’re looking for, Connect-123 offers lots of hands-on opportunities in Dublin, where you can focus on public policy, journalism, human rights, medical and healthcare, tourism and hospitality, and many other fields. Click here to sign up!

Volunteer or Intern in Spain

Connect-123 also offers wonderful opportunities to volunteer or take on an internship in Barcelona, Spain. Volunteering programs include participating in public health campaigns, helping to implement eco-friendly policies throughout the city, feeding and cleaning animals at a shelter, and much more.

If you’re looking for an internship, there are tons to choose from in Barcelona, including education and teaching, entrepreneurship, human rights, project management, marketing, and many others – plus you’re invited to customize your placement based on your background, skills, and interests. Learn more and register here!

Are You Ready to Travel?

Europe has so many amazing opportunities for volunteers like you. From supporting immigrant children, to exploring the depths of the ocean, to preserving historic landmarks, there are so many ways for volunteers of all ages, skill levels, and interests to get involved and make a difference while exploring amazing countries and immersing yourself in the culture. What better way to spend a European vacation?

For more information on volunteer abroad excursions, check out these articles:

2017 Best Volunteer Abroad Programs, Organizations & Projects

Volunteer Abroad Opportunities for First-Time Travelers

Summer Abroad Internships for Students