Opportunities for volunteering abroad this year

If you’re looking for a way to fill your time over the coming months, Voluntary Service International (VSI) have over 500 volunteer abroad opportunities available in over 70 countries.

VSI are the Irish branch of Service Civil International, carrying out voluntary and community work across Ireland and internationally.

Volunteering abroad

VSI run the European Voluntary Service, which gives young people aged 18-30 the opportunity to volunteer in another country, either within or outside the EU.

The European Voluntary Service provides young people with an opportunity to volunteer for projects that last anywhere from two weeks to 12 months.

The volunteering positions are funded but the European Union as part of their Youth Programme.

Aims of the European Union Youth Programme

• Develop solidarity
• Mutual understanding and tolerance among young people
• Promote active citizenship

Funded positions

According to VSI, funding covers the following:

• Travel expenses to and from the project
• Accommodation
• Food
• A small personal allowance
• Insurance
• Language training
• Local transport during the project

Varied opportunities

There are many different volunteering opportunities in a wide range of fields:

• Youth
• Children
• Disability
• Environment
• Arts and culture
• Development cooperation

Teach English to adults and young children in Slovakia

One of the volunteering opportunities that is currently taking applications is a project with KERIC, a non-profit non-governmental organisation in Slovakia.

KERIC work with children and young people in the Kysuce region of Slovakia, and they are looking for volunteers to teach English for ten to twelve months starting in September 2018.

The aim of the project is to “motivate children and adults alike to speak English, experience the culture of the volunteer and have fun while speaking another language”.

The closing date for applications for this project is 10th June 2018.

For more information about this volunteering opportunity, click here.

History of Madeira project in Portugal

Another one of the current volunteering opportunities available with VSI is to work with The University of Madeira Students’ Union (AAUMa) in Portugal starting on 2nd July.

The “A walk through the History of Madeira” project “intends to present the culture, history and heritage of Madeira through guided tours and other cultural activities such as exhibitions or fado concerts”.

Volunteers will perform guided tours and assist visitors, as well as helping to research articles, and assisting with the translation of scientific documents.

The closing date for applications for this project is 15th June 2018.

For more information about this volunteering opportunity, click here.

If you would like more information about the European Voluntary Service Programme, click here.