There is different categories travelers - some prefer comfortable conditions and paved tourist routes, others love hitchhiking and adventure, and someone believes that acquaintance with the culture of another country must necessarily include disinterested help and work for the good of society. It is for these people that such a topic as volunteering abroad is very relevant. After all, to be a voluntary participant in one of the many volunteer programs that exist today means to be a person ready to spend their time and energy on making this world a better place, without counting on financial reward.

Who are volunteers

Volunteers have long been assistants in social and many other spheres of society in different parts of the planet, who initially join a project not for the sake of material gain, but solely to provide assistance and perform work duties on a voluntary and selfless basis.

People become volunteers for various reasons, often it is the moral factor that matters - charity and helping those in need. But for many, volunteering abroad is also a good opportunity:

• It is cheap and purposeful to visit the countries of interest to them.
• Immerse yourself in a new cultural environment.
• Learn the language.
• Get the experience you want.
• Make friends from all over the world.
• Show yourself as a person who benefits society.
• Pass the strength test.
• Break out of your comfort zone.

The most demanded areas of volunteering abroad

There are several basic activities where extra hands are always needed. Volunteer programs abroad in 2019 are divided into the following areas:

1. Social programs to combat dangerous diseases.
2. Restoration projects.
3. Activities related to the protection of the environment.
4. Organization of cultural events in order to highlight and draw attention to a particular problem.
5. Archaeological excavations.
6. Work with children.

Steps before starting volunteering

Those who have decided to become a volunteer and are ready to work for free for a certain period of time need to go through several important stages before starting to implement their intention and go abroad.

• The most important point is the selection of a program and a volunteer organization, through which the whole process will take place in the future.
• Register on the official website of the center.
• Visit the volunteer center of the selected organization in your country at the address indicated on the website.
• Leave an application and resume for a project in which the applicant is interested in working as a volunteer.
• Fill out a questionnaire indicating the required information and confirmation of compliance with the criteria for the participants in this project.
• Pass an interview with a representative of the organization to confirm the goal of working as a free volunteer abroad.

Gift: 2100 rubles for housing!

1. The average age for most programs is 18-32 years old.
2. Knowledge of languages ​​increases the chances of a positive decision by the host organization, a basic level of English is mandatory.
3. No heavy addictions and bad habits.
4. No criminal record.
5. Stress tolerance.
6. Absence of psychological disorders.
7. Good personal qualities:
   1. Goodwill.
   2. Friendliness.
   3. Positive thinking.
   4. Composure in critical situations.
   5. Organization.
   6. Adequacy.
   7. Activity and initiative.
   8. Sociability.
   9. Understanding the meaning and main idea of ​​volunteering.

Depending on the program, it may be important physical qualities volunteers, health status, basic knowledge of first aid.

Documents for participation in the volunteer program

The main list of documents includes:

1. A future volunteer must have an international passport.
2. Absence of serious, it can be a deportation in the past or a serious infectious disease. The list of required visa documents for a particular country must be specified directly at the consulate.
3. You will also need medical insurance with a policy that covers the entire period of stay in the territory of another state.
4. A well-formed and well-written resume.
5. Application form.

Some programs may require additional references and confirmation, about past experience or special skills.

Where volunteers are needed

Volunteer programs in 2019 exist in almost 193 countries around the world. Most major centers work throughout Europe and America and their main areas are ecology and environmental protection, a fairly powerful volunteer movement to save children and adults with cancer exists in Russia and other CIS countries.

Volunteer programs

Today, there are various paid and free volunteer programs, so those who believe that being a volunteer is their way should just choose the one that suits them and leave an application. This is a small list of popular projects in 2019:

• Turtle Teams is a great destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The project aims to save sea turtles and other endangered species that live in the depths of water. Volunteer groups work all over the world in countries with seas or oceans.

• Conservation Volunteers is an Australian environmental volunteer program. The project participants work in national reserves in the country and in the coastal zones of Australia. They help the development of ecotourism.

• Help Exchange is an online exchange for people who want to find volunteers for guesthouses, farms, rural areas or for the construction of social facilities. destination.

• Sudan Volunteer Program is a popular international program aimed at helping children of Sudan to get education, learn the language and establish interethnic and cultural interaction between residents of the country.

• UN Volunteers are groups of people who are ready to help in emergency situations, in case of natural disasters or environmental disasters, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods. Those who have basic first aid skills and good physical fitness can get into the program.

Expenses

When the decision on the choice of volunteer activity has been made and all the stages have been passed, you need to prepare for the fact that in case of a positive answer about admission to the program, you will need to independently take care of the costs of air tickets and visa processing. Volunteers usually pay for their own meals, flights and other personal expenses. The host organization provides housing and a facility for work.

Payment options are different, sometimes the host organization reimburses all costs after the end of the project, sometimes volunteers, on the contrary, pay additional membership fee for participating in programs.

The average cost to join a volunteer organization is around 400 euros. For this amount, the organization helps in collecting and preparing the necessary package of documents and assists in finding a project suitable for housing and other conditions.

Any person who seeks to take care of the welfare of society can become a volunteer. It is not difficult to find something to do for yourself, because in every business you need proactive and purposeful enthusiasts who understand that happiness is not about making money as much as possible. more money, but in making life meaningful and influencing the improvement of the surrounding world.

In English-speaking countries, volunteer projects are called Adventure projects, since it is this direction of the programs that provides an opportunity for budgetary acquaintance with any part of the globe through adventure, language practice and new acquaintances with young people from around the world. International volunteering is a program that is accessible to absolutely everyone, both in terms of age and financially. This is a unique opportunity to explore the country from the inside, improve foreign language and just have a great time with people from all over the world.

Age

Program date

year-round

Duration

from 2 weeks

Price

What is International Volunteering?

• Budget travel.
• Alternative version of tourism.
• Intercultural exchange.
• Language practice.
• Professional experience.

The main idea of ​​volunteering is to unite people from different countries with common interests to spread ideas of peace and national tolerance through intercultural exchange.

The motivation for participating in volunteering is different for everyone. For some, this is an opportunity to see Europe or Asia, to get international experience work and make new acquaintances. For others, it is an opportunity to realize their ideas and ambitions, to contribute to the development of society and help other people. For others, this is the practice of a foreign language and self-development.

Maria Kolenikina, Senior Coordinator of the International Volunteering Program at TravelWorks for Russia and the CIS.

History of creation

The international volunteer movement was born in the 20th century on the initiative of young people full of energy and desire to rebuild the destruction after the First World War. Currently, over 3,000 volunteer projects operate annually in 107 countries around the world.

The number of people who took part in the volunteer movement from 1987 to 2018 increased from 80 million to 320 million.

What is a volunteer project?

International in an olontera project is an international team of 10-20 people who voluntarily come together to accomplish a useful cause - for example, organize a festival for children, restore an ancient castle or plant flowers in a national park.

During the project, participants are provided with free food and accommodation, entertainment activities and excursions. Each project has one or several camp leaders - the curators of the program participants.

Camp leader is a participant in a project with volunteer experience, often a citizen of the country where the project is taking place. He oversees volunteering and the cultural and entertainment component of the program, is a link between the foreign volunteer and the host organization.

Project types

Labor in a volunteer project is a prerequisite and a voluntary initiative of everyone. The type of employment in the project can be different - from organizing a world music festival and working with children and animals to archaeological research and restoration work of an 18th century castle.

An international volunteer is not a free labor force. Employment of a project participant usually starts in the morning and lasts 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Since the main goal of the program is to receive intercultural exchange, all free time volunteers devote to entertainment, excursions, cooking of national cuisine and international communication.

After the end of the project, 93% of our participants share their emotions with us and say that participation in a volunteer project has changed their outlook on life, perception of the world and awakened the desire to develop and travel.

Who is the program for?

• Looking for options for an interesting vacation.
• For those looking for budget travel options.
• Those wishing to practice the language and improve its level.
• Tired of standard tourist travel.

Requirements for participants:

1. Age: 16-99 years old.
2. Basic spoken foreign language and above.

For those who want to know more:

Leave a request for the program below, or call 8 800 3333 915 - we will be happy to help you go on an unforgettable journey.

Agree - most people around think that traveling the world is always very expensive. However, there is a great way to travel for almost free - this is volunteer work... Although you need to make a reservation - this option is not suitable for everyone, but only for positive and non-lazy people.

On the picture: volunteers saving turtles is an interesting and difficult task

Turtle Teams are scattered in dozens of countries, and members of volunteer teams are constantly moving around the world as part of their projects. People are joining forces to help sea turtles and other critically endangered sea animals. Good diving skills are a must volunteers this direction.

2. Volunteers through the Help Exchange

In the photo: volunteers choose the place and type of work themselves

The Help Exchange site lists all hosts around the world seeking additional labor. As a result, the volunteer will be able to live in a new unusual place, well, and leisurely work on construction, in hotel business or in agriculture. It is worth negotiating with European hosts in advance.

3. Conservation Volunteers: Australian volunteers

In the photo: volunteers are looking after the cleanliness of the coast of Australia

Australia's volunteer conservationists are making a real difference in improving the green continent. The scope of volunteers' tasks is to work on the protection of nature (coast, islands, parks), as well as the development of ecotourism, mainly in Australia. The British version of the fund is BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), www.btcv.org.uk.

4. Volunteers - teachers from the Sudan Volunteer Program

(www.svp-uk.com)
Do you know English? Then you can arrange a very unusual trip for yourself. The volunteer program is focused on teaching children and students of Sudan a foreign language.

5. Appalachian Helpers: Appalachian Trail Conference Center

Photo: Keeping the famous Appalachian Trail in order is challenging and exciting.

Volunteers America has been working for years on a project to conserve 250,000 acres of green land in the Appalachian Mountains, from Maine to Georgia. A lot of work in the fresh air - volunteers become builders, guides, gamekeepers, help ecologists, etc. :)

6. Versatile Peace Corps Volunteer Soldiers

(www.peacecorps.gov)

In the photo: volunteers are not afraid of any work

Peace Corps volunteers - an analogue of the Soviet "construction brigades". For many young Europeans, this is an interesting opportunity to live and work in a new country, in unusual conditions for themselves. Volunteers participate in projects, working in various fields - from healthcare to saving the environment, etc. In addition to this organization, there is also an American project VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) www.vso.org.uk.

7. Emergency Volunteers from United Nations Volunteers

Pictured: UN Volunteers Helping in Indonesia

These UN Volunteers specialize in emergencies and extreme events. Volunteers are the first to respond to natural disasters, social events and various non-standard situations, rescuing people and providing assistance in different ones. Work for the most fearless and caring people.

8. Volunteers or agrotourists from WWOOF

Photo: Volunteers work on a farm in Greece

There is a sort of townspeople who from time to time are drawn closer “to the ground”. There is always the opportunity for them to work on the farms. Farmers who request volunteer helpers provide them with housing and food in return. The site has a directory of countries and farmers. An agritourist volunteer needs to choose a place and agree on the terms and conditions of stay. The WWOOF exchange today cooperates with farmers from 53 countries. However, registration in wwoof is paid.

Have you tried “volunteer style” travel?

New: “Volunteers Club”!

All news, applications and suggestions for volunteer work, please post in the community "Volunteers Club" here

Volunteer projects

The cost of a short-term program (from 5 to 23 days) exists in 2 options:

	Economy package	Package Standard
Manager's consultation
Access to the complete project base
Registration of an invitation from the host
Accommodation and meals
Individual selection of projects (up to 5 projects are selected according to your wishes)	❌
Assistance in obtaining visa documents	❌
Assistance in booking and purchasing air tickets	❌
Coordinator support throughout the project 24/7	❌
Price	RUB 9900	RUB 18,900

The price does not include:

• airfare
• medical insurance

And also:

• Duration of the program: short-term projects last 2 - 3 weeks, long-term - up to 1 year. Programs start all year round.
• Accommodation for volunteers provided completely free of charge. These can be hostels, campgrounds, bungalows or apartments.
• Out of duty usually there are sporting events, meetings with locals, and excursions to local attractions are organized on weekends.
• Volunteers abroad get acquainted with the national cuisine, participate in local festivals and holidays, learn about the traditions and customs of other nations.

What are volunteer projects?

Volunteer projects abroad are divided into areas: historical projects, environmental volunteering abroad, restoration projects, assistance in organizing festivals and others:

• It is also taking care of environment: cleaning the territory, cleaning rivers, protecting animals, planting trees, building eco-villages, etc.
• Social volunteering of students abroad in different countries peace - are you outgoing and active? Do you like helping people and always being in the center of events? Then social volunteering is for you! This is the implementation social projects, assistance in organizing services, leisure and creativity, as well as various social work
• Sports volunteering - suitable for people who practice an active lifestyle and love everything related to sports given view volunteering, where you can participate in the organization sporting events, conduct sports games and coordinate project participants
• International volunteering - volunteering travel for people who speak several languages ​​and who want to gain tremendous experience in the practice of their knowledge, it will be a great pleasure to help people from all over the world in organizing international volunteer projects, to participate in social activities and a wide variety of events
• Environmental Volunteering - If you are a nature lover and enjoy working outdoors, environmental volunteering abroad is the way to go. It includes landscaping, garbage collection in reserves, participation in excursions and landscaping
• Pedagogical volunteering - everyone who wants to gain new knowledge and apply it in pedagogical practice will do well to work in schools and kindergartens, where leisure activities, games and various activities for children are organized
• Student volunteering - what could be more interesting than attending an event, visiting a festival or having fun at a concert? Only the organization of all of the above! Become a member of event volunteering and attend the most exciting events as an organizer
• Cultural volunteering - cultural volunteering is becoming more and more popular every year. After all, this is a chance to touch history, participate in the restoration of architectural monuments and see with your own eyes beautiful places culture
• Medical volunteering is one of the most responsible types of volunteering, which includes assistance in medical organizations, cooperation with medical staff, work with people, as well as gaining invaluable experience in the medical field
• Art volunteering - created specifically for creative and active project participants. It includes work in museums, theaters, houses of culture, exhibitions and galleries
• Travel and student volunteering at school - if you love children and want to spend as much time with them as possible - welcome to school! Volunteering in schools is a very responsible, but fun and interesting project, which includes organizing leisure activities for schoolchildren, holding events, hikes and various games

Do you like to travel a lot, meet new people and work for the good of society? Do you dream of distant and mysterious countries? Do you want to know someone else's culture and learn something new? If you are tired of everyday life and you need to change your environment, then the international volunteering abroad program is an excellent choice!

We have prepared for you a list of volunteer programs around the world.
You can contact the organizers of the projects and help an important and necessary business.

Volunteer programs in Russia

Place: Russia, Lake Baikal

The main goal of the GBT is the construction of ecological paths in the Baikal region. What is realized through the implementation of a variety of projects.

The Great Baikal Trail (BBT) organization is actively developing ecotourism, including a special type of it - “volunteer vacations”.

During the creation of the project, residents of more than 30 countries of the world have become its participants, more than 500 km of trails have been reconstructed and built.

The average project duration is 14 days.

Participation in the project: Volunteers buy tickets on their own and come to the meeting place, pay the registration fee. The organizers provide all the necessary equipment (tents, awnings, tools, gloves, campfire equipment, first aid kit, repellents, etc.), prepare foremen and translators, and purchase food.

Eco-marathon "360 minutes"

Location: Lake Baikal, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Khakassia, Primorsky Territory

The all-Russian volunteer ecological marathon of En + Group “360 minutes” grew out of the campaign “360 minutes for the sake of Baikal”. In 2015, it turned into a full-fledged ecological marathon, which includes, in addition to garbage collection, also the improvement of the tourist environment, scientific and educational lectures, excursions, competitions and the organization of information and educational programs.
Since 2016, the eco-marathon project has significantly expanded its scale and geography: volunteer events are held not only on the coast of Lake Baikal, but also in specially protected areas: in the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve (Primorsky Territory), the Stolby Nature Reserve (Krasnoyarsk Territory), the Khakassky "(Republic of Khakassia) and other protected areas.

Inventory (gloves, bags, shovels, etc.) and garbage disposal to an authorized dump is provided by the organizer.

Expenses: round trip and 360 minutes of your time.

Location: Moscow region, Ruzsky district, der. Sumarokovo

Association "Garrison" invites volunteers to participate in the creation of the park of living history "Forpost" - the reconstruction of a medieval settlement of the second half of the 12th - mid-13th century.

In the future, it is planned to hold events in the format of "living history" and experimental archeology (maneuvers, historical festivals, role-playing games and forums) without the usual red tape associated with the peculiarities of registration and approval of such events.

Every weekend we come to the site and build and build and build)
People who are interested in getting acquainted with the technologies of building buildings, housekeeping and agriculture in the Middle Ages are invited.

We fully provide the road from Moscow to the landfill and back, as well as three meals a day. Overnight in civilized houses, it is advisable to have sleeping bags with you. Trip bonus - exchange of experience, great mood, evening gatherings by the fire and sincere conversations over a cup of coffee / tea / cocoa.

Discover for yourself wonderful world Middle Ages!

Expenses: travel to Moscow and back.

May-September

Place: Republic of Altai, Altai nature reserve

The reserve has no permanent volunteer projects, but they can always arise. Moreover, in addition to physical assistance on the territory of the reserve, volunteer intellectual assistance is always needed (translations of texts into other foreign languages, graphic design, design of booklets, brochures and other electronic publications, support of the site and official pages reserve in social networks).

April - October
Baikalsky Nature Reserve: Station of bird ringing "Baikalskaya"

Location: Russia, Lake Baikal, Baikal Nature Reserve

The Baikalskaya Bird Ringing Station invites volunteers who study or are interested in birds, as well as enthusiasts who want to help preserve the nature of the Baikal region.

People with experience in ringing are engaged in birds - they take them out of the nets, ring, measure. Volunteers who have not worked with poultry before equip the hospital, make the necessary furniture, paint, install and repair spider webs and canvases of the Rybachin trap.

The length of stay of volunteers at the station is different, but there are minimum periods: for people with experience in ringing - 2 weeks, for people who have not previously worked with a bird - 1 month.

Expenses: round trip and meals at own expense, accommodation free of charge.

Summer (June-July)

The Arctic Floating University is an innovative educational project, during which young scientists - researchers of the Arctic receive knowledge and skills in the real conditions of the northern seas. For the duration of the project, the research vessel of the Northern Roshydromet "Professor Molchanov" becomes a floating university - a ship that combines a unique laboratory for scientific research and a practical base for the training of research specialists. The expeditionary team has three laboratories at its disposal, equipment necessary for carrying out meteorological and oceanographic measurements, if necessary, it is possible to accommodate additional equipment and mobile laboratories.

Students, postgraduates, researchers of Russian and foreign scientific, scientific and educational institutions are invited to participate in the expedition.

Place: Crimea, Kerch Peninsula

The Archeology Foundation and the leadership of the Eastern Bosporus Archaeological Expedition regularly recruit volunteers to participate in the excavations. In the process of working with the volunteers, there are experienced archaeological instructors who not only answer all questions, but also teach the primary techniques of archaeological excavations.
The program includes: lectures on archeology and history of ancient monuments of Crimea and Krasnodar Territory, sports grounds, field cinema, beach rest.

Minimum duration of participation: 1 week.

Expenses: round trip travel, maintenance fee.

Volunteering in the "Reserved Pribaikalye"

Location: Pribaikalsky National Park

Becoming a volunteer in a specially protected natural area is a great opportunity to combine the pleasant and the interesting with the useful. In the "Reserved Pribaikalye" volunteers traditionally participate in the improvement of trails, the creation and repair of infrastructure for educational tourism, garbage collection, observe nature under the guidance of scientific staff, and even work with tourists - they conduct sociological research, tell the visitors of protected areas about nature conservation and do many other important things, contributing to the preservation of the unique natural heritage of the region.

In return, volunteers get the opportunity to get acquainted with the beautiful Baikal nature - the richest flora and fauna, admire the picturesque landscapes of the Baikal region, learn a lot about nature conservation and the work of specially protected natural areas and take with them valuable experience, many vivid impressions, new knowledge and acquaintances.

Expenses: food and travel to Irkutsk and back.

Place: Republic of Altai, Shebalinsky district, with. Kamlak

Three groups of 10 people will be recruited: the first from 17 to 26 June, the second from 15 to 24 July and the third from 5 to 14 August 2019. The age of volunteers is from 23 years old. In the botanical garden there are expositions with plants of the Altai Mountains, Europe, the Far East and North America. The 6-hour work includes weeding the exhibits and collecting medicinal herbs. Saturday and Sunday - free days... Accommodation and meals are free.

Expenses: registration fee 1300 rubles, round trip. Details by e-mail: [email protected] and tel. 8-962-790-45-75 (researcher Yamtyrov Maxim Borisovich).

Location: Daursky Reserve, Trans-Baikal Territory

Volunteers are invited to arrange the courtyard of the central estate of the reserve, to install information boards on the territory and for other work. Accommodation at the cordon and in the hotel, excursions for assistants.

Expenses: round trip, meals at your own expense.

Camps of the ecological and educational center "Zapovedniki"
Center website

Conditions for participation in volunteer programs in Russia: at least 18 years of age, motivation “to live and work in a team”, basic English. Accommodation, meals, excursions are provided.

The center works in constant close contact with many green areas of our country, which allows it to find interesting and important work for volunteers. Protected natural areas need the disinterested practical help of volunteers - after all, they perform that necessary work, for which employees often do not have enough energy, money, or time. Over the years of work of the volunteer center, volunteer camps have been organized in many natural areas in the Altai, Ural, Caucasus, Karelia, Siberia, Central Russia and other places. Very often, the entrance to these territories is closed to visitors, only volunteers are allowed to visit places untouched by civilization in order to help preserve the living heritage of our land with a good deed.

Expenses: travel back and forth at the expense of the participants.

May - September
Volunteer camps of the Kenozersky National Park
Location: Kenozersky National Park, Arkhangelsk Region

The volunteer camp is not only a significant help to the protected area, but also an opportunity to get acquainted with interesting people, improve your foreign language, learn something new, see the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Russian North!

Accommodation, meals, excursion program of volunteers - at the expense of the Park.

Expenses: volunteers pay their own travel to the Plesetskaya railway station (Plesetsk sector of the Park) or Nyandoma (Kargopol sector of the Park) and back.

Location: Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka

Volunteers in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve are involved in all spheres of activity: security, scientific and environmental education. They help the researchers of the reserve in collecting field materials, participate in repair and construction work on the cordons of the reserve and the South Kamchatka Federal Reserve, implement design projects, perform professional photo and video filming in the protected area, and much more.

Duration of assistance: at least a month.

Expenses: round trip flight to Kamchatka, meals with you.

April - October 2019

Location: Nizhne-Svirsky State Natural Reserve, Leningrad Region

Volunteer work: assistance to employees in observing, catching and ringing birds (ringing is directly carried out only by station employees), as well as various kinds of economic activity aimed at maintaining the stable operation of the station (sewing bird traps, repairing traps and outbuildings, etc.).

Requirements: age 18+, tick-borne encephalitis vaccination.
Accommodation in small houses with stove heating. Minimum term: at least 10 days.

Costs: travel to the village of Kovkenitsy and back, 250 rubles. per day for meals.

Location: Reserve "Wrangel Island", Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

It is almost impossible to get to Wrangel Island on your own, so this is a great opportunity to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your own eyes, as well as help preserve it for posterity. Volunteers are invited for a period of at least 2 months.

We need help in cleaning the territory, repairing hospitals and cordons, observing animals. You need to have food, overalls and a sleeping bag with you.

Expenses: round trip, meals.

Volunteering in Polistovsky Reserve

Location: Pskov region, pos. Bezhanitsy

Volunteers are required for the spring / summer season. A range of useful activities: helping the reserve staff in conducting geobotanical descriptions and monitoring, conducting excursions for tourists, repairing eco-trails and cleaning up garbage.

Accommodation - at the expense of the reserve, cooking on your own. During their stay, volunteers can visit the reserve's excursions and original excursions of local residents for free, take part in master classes on traditional crafts, get acquainted with the amazing nature of raised bogs and the history of the Polistovsky region.

Expenses: round trip, meals.

Volunteer ecological and educational camp "Prosvet"
(canceled in 2019)

Every year there is a new place, new jobs and volunteer friends who have already become family and friends.

In the first half of the day, volunteer work awaits the participants, and in the second - master classes, seminars, lectures, trainings, excursions and much more.

Participants can be adults, organized groups, including with children (9+).

Expenses: registration fee, travel there and back at your own expense.

Volunteering in the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve

Location: Moscow region, Serpukhov district, Danki town

Volunteers help to clean up the territory, clear the corrals of the bison nursery, plant young trees, and take part in the registration work.

Here you can not only find new friends and usefully spend time in the fresh air, but also get acquainted with the unique places of the reserve that are not included in the excursion program.

Volunteer days are held in the reserve several times a month. For volunteers there is a bus from the railway station of Serpukhov to the reserve and back and lunch in the fresh air.

Volunteering in the Russian Arctic National Park

Location: Russian Arctic National Park, Novaya Zemlya archipelago

Volunteering here is not only a significant help to the protected area, but also an opportunity to meet interesting people, test yourself in the most severe climatic conditions, learn something new, and also see the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Russian Arctic.

Work for volunteers of the "Russian Arctic": repair, household and construction works, elimination of environmental damage, organization of ecological paths, professional photo and video filming in the protected area and much more.

Applications are accepted all year round. Duration of the project: Typically three summer months.

Expenses: transfer to Arkhangelsk / Murmansk. Delivery to the territory, accommodation and meals at the expense of the national park.

Volunteer on Valaam

The “Volunteer to Valaam” program is a three-week summer-autumn camps in which Russian and foreign volunteers participate.

The united forces of the volunteer movement is recovering Agriculture Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery. Anyone over 18 years old, without bad habits and addictions, healthy enough to engage in rural work are invited.

Costs: round trip travel.

May - October
Creative farm "Heavenly beavers" near Tarusa

Location: Kaluga region, Tarusa district.

You can take part in creating an eco-farm and creative space. Volunteers will need to work 5-6 hours a day (Sunday is a day off): in the garden, at the construction site, collecting herbs for tea, preparing firewood, etc.

Accommodation in a guest house and tents in the forest on the river bank. Meals 3 times a day without fish and meat.

In addition to work, various joint activities - contact improvisation, massage, sauna, film screenings and much more. Here you can do everything that is interesting and that you always wanted to try - be it a garden bed, a homemade table, an earthen oven, an art installation or a short film about dancing in nature ...

Costs: round trip.

Working with children in Valdai at the summer camp

Charitable public organization The Center for Curative Pedagogy organizes and runs a summer tent camp where children with autism are taught to communicate. Children combine outdoor recreation with educational activities and games with peers.

Volunteer help: work as counselors, accompanying children, attendants and other very necessary and important matters.

Project duration: from several days to several months.

August 2019
Summer volunteer camp "Baikal Coastal Service"
Location: Irkutsk region, Republic of Buryatia

"Baikal Coastal Service"(BBS) is an environmental, patrol and educational service working on the shores of Lake Baikal during the active tourist season.

On the basis of the BBS, work is being carried out to improve the territory; various cleansing, agitation, educational and research activities aimed at long-term preservation of beauty and purity, as well as prevention of violations in the field of environmental management on the shores of the great lake.

Accommodation in a stationary tent camp on the picturesque coast, three meals a day, transfer from Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, an extensive cultural and entertainment program. Limited number of seats.

Expenses: registration fee (depends on the term of participation), travel to the meeting place (Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude) and back.

Volunteer programs abroad

On the official website of volunteer programs in Thailand, you can choose a business to your liking: from agricultural work and caring for animals to teaching English.

Volunteering in Thailand is a great opportunity to get to know the country, its traditions, flora and fauna, and at the same time get a sunburn that pleases the eye.

The duration of assistance is from 4 days to a year.

Expenses: round trip, pocket money, the rest - depending on the project. Sometimes they even pay a little for their work.

Health & Help - Clinic at the End of the Earth in Guatemala and Nicaragua

The “Health & Help” project began as a dream of one person - doctor Viktoria Valikova. The goal of the project is to open a free clinic in the town of Chuinakhtahuyup for residents who are deprived of any medical care.

Medical facilities are very far away. No and public transport: patients have to walk half a day to reach the municipality, from where they have to drive to the hospital for a few more hours. The creators of the project want to change this and provide local residents with free qualified medical and surgical care. The population of the territory, including the adjacent villages, is 15 thousand people.

Russian citizens do not need a visa to Guatemala for up to 3 months. When going on a trip, you must definitely bring a first aid kit for emergency treatment. In addition, it is recommended to check for all routine and hepatitis B vaccinations. Prior to departure, it is necessary to vaccinate against hepatitis A, typhoid fever and rabies.

Stay time - at least a month.

Expenses: round trip, for everyone except (medical graduates, photographers / videographers, journalists, teachers, translators and builders) - $ 600 fee for the purchase of medicines, Supplies for the clinic and medical teams.

An international volunteer camp is 10-20 people from different parts of the world who do something useful together. Work time is usually 4-5 hours on weekdays. The average project time is 2-3 weeks.

Volunteers pay: a fee for participation in the project, a visa (the sending party draws up an invitation), insurance, travel to the site and an extra fee (if any). The host organization pays for food and accommodation for the volunteer (sometimes excursions and language lessons are additionally provided).

Volunteer organizations do not cooperate directly with individuals, so you can fill out a request through partners - non-profit organizations... The sending party and contributions are a guarantee that the volunteer will definitely come to the chosen project.

You can choose a suitable program in the international system e-vet.
In Russia, at least 3 non-profit partner organizations will help you arrange your trip:

Volunteer center "Burunduk" (Moscow) - search form

Youth movement "SPHERE" ( Nizhny Novgorod) - search form

Photos provided by the organizers of the projects