Volunteer in Europe in 2023 - Top Recommendations with IVHQ

Europe Volunteer Abroad Programs 2023 - IVHQ

Are you thinking about taking a trip to volunteer in Europe? International Volunteer HQ offers affordable and trusted volunteer trips to Italy, Portugal, Romania, Croatia, Greece and Spain. Keep reading to find out more about volunteering in Europe in 2023 with IVHQ.

VOLUNTEER IN ROMANIA

Nestled among historic castles and majestic mountains, Romania is a hidden gem. It’s an up-and-coming tourist destination with plenty of culture and sightseeing for the traveler that likes to explore. The IVHQ Romania program is based in the east of Romania in Miercurea Ciuc. Romania is the ideal destination for hard-working volunteers who want to support either Teaching, Special Needs Care, Agriculture, NGO Support, Animal Care or After School Support projects within the local community.

There are plenty of adventures available to keep you busy on the weekends. Visit Bran Castle - known as the home of Dracula - or if you want to explore a bit further, jump on a train and head to Bucharest or Budapest for an extended weekend.

Looking for something a bit more physical? There are endless options for hiking, kayaking, climbing, rafting and even skiing or snowboarding in the winter months. The local food is cheap and delicious, so there are always opportunities to socialize - with a mixture of cultures making communicating a fun challenge!

Program Highlights:

The program is based in Miercurea Ciuc, a four hour drive north of the capital, Bucharest
Flexible program durations from 1 week to 24 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the first and third Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$330 for one week
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support
Weekends are free to get lost in local markets or mountains, with plenty of adventure activities such as rafting, hiking, climbing and biking available. You can also read more about Romania travel and tours here.

I stayed in Romania for two months with the Special Needs Support project. It’s hard to put my experience into words, but to start it was incredible, enlightening and life changing. The people I met, the staff and children I worked with - I’ll truly never forget them. Romania is a beautiful country and fairly undiscovered by hordes of tourists so it’s a lot of fun to travel around. Olivia Martin-Spisak, IVHQ volunteer in Romania

VOLUNTEER IN ITALY - ROME

One of the world’s great ancient cities is also home to four meaningful IVHQ volunteer projects. Rome is one of the most popular tourist cities in Europe, if not the world, and is home to some of the best culture, art and food available anywhere on the planet.

Volunteers on the IVHQ Italy - Rome program can provide valuable assistance to meaningful initiatives on NGO Support, Animal Care, Special Needs Support or Sports projects. There’s something for everyone! Not only that, but as one of Europe’s premier tourist cities, Rome has plenty to offer in your spare time.

See iconic attractions including the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican, dine out on pizza, pasta and gelato or get lost exploring the cobblestone streets - there’s plenty to find if you just want to wander.

Program Highlights:

The program is based in the Italian capital, Rome
Flexible program durations from 2 weeks to 12 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the second and fourth Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$855 for one week
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support
Weekends are free to explore one of the world’s top tourist cities. Take in world-renowned tourist sites including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel and the Trevi Fountain. Enjoy all the pizza and pasta you can eat, take in some of the world’s best art or spend time in popular regions including Tuscany, Amalfi, Monaco and more. You can also read more about Italy travel and tours here.

VOLUNTEER IN SPAIN - BARCELONA

Barcelona is as iconic as it is captivating, and now it’s an increasingly popular base for IVHQ volunteers. This elegant city is known worldwide for its bustling boulevards, stunning architecture, European art and of course, tapas! Volunteers on the Spain - Barcelona program can assist on meaningful projects such as Youth Support, Marine Conservation, Animal Care, Creative Technologies and Special Needs Support.

Barcelona is full to the brim with diverse flavors and cuisines. Experience the yum with a walking tour of the city, stopping to taste the homemade delights from several of the hundreds of family-run eateries. Around the city there is no end to the worthwhile attractions, from the Sagrada Familia to the magic fountain show, Picasso Museum and iconic Las Ramblas. If you love the idea of combining big city life with giving back to the local community, and have a soft spot for amazing cuisine, then it’s safe to say that you will enjoy volunteering in Spain!

Program Highlights:

The program is based in Barcelona, on Spain’s east coast
Flexible program durations from 1 week to 12 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the second and fourth Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$625 for one week
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support. It also entitles you to discounted language lessons
Weekends are free to roam the city and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Take in Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the effervescent main street Las Ramblas or any of the many other sites of historical and cultural significance. If you’d rather take things a little easier, there’s a handful of popular beaches nearby. You can also read more about Spain travel and tours here.

I was really satisfied with volunteering through IVHQ. It has been such a great experience, and I have nothing I would change. All in all it was an amazing experience. Ines Wulff Heitmann, IVHQ volunteer in Spain

VOLUNTEER IN PORTUGAL

With the beautiful North Atlantic coast on your doorstep, buzzing cafe culture and plenty of weekend adventures to be had, basing yourself in Lisbon as a volunteer traveler is an amazing idea!

Portugal’s hilly capital, Lisbon, is the home base of the IVHQ Portugal program, where you can give back to the Portuguese community by participating on Construction and Renovation, Food Rescue, Homeless Support and Youth Support projects. IVHQers on the Wolf Conservation project are based in Mafra, while Environmental Scuba Diving volunteers are based in Albufeira.

There is no shortage of activities to keep your weekends bursting with adventure. Check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, the Moon Hill, stroll the streets of Cascais and enjoy a beverage at one of the many outdoor cafes along the way, or get amongst the surf in Ericeira, the first surfing reserve in Europe. If you like the mellow nature of coastal life and being in touch with culture and history, then the Portugal program is perfect for you.

Program Highlights:

The program is mostly based in Lisbon, with the Wolf Conservation project in nearby Mafra and the Environmental Scuba Diving project three hours away in Albufeira.
Flexible program durations from 1 week to 12 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the first and third Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$375 for one week
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support. It also entitles you to discounted language lessons.
Volunteers in Portugal have weekends free to explore the unique local history, art, food, culture and natural beauty. Portugal is a popular country for surfers with a number of good surf beaches, and it also boasts a number of historical sites and attractions for the more casual volunteer. You can also read more about Portugal travel and tours here.

My experience at IVHQ was truly memorable and beyond any expectations I had before I reached Portugal. The program coordinators went above and beyond their duties to make sure that we were safe and comfortable during our stay. The program gave us a great insight to an amazing organization that helps to eradicate food wastage while simultaneously helping the community. The people were hospitable and friendly, and not for one moment did I feel that I was not making a difference in the community. All of my experiences with IVHQ are memorable and enjoyable. If I ever get an opportunity to volunteer abroad again, I will most definitely choose IVHQ. Basmah Azmi, IVHQ volunteer in Portugal

VOLUNTEER IN GREECE

Many people dream of holidays on a Greek island; basking in the sun, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and enjoying a day on the beach. Now, you can do all that AND give back on the IVHQ - Greece volunteer program.

The program offers four impactful projects including Food Outreach, Kindergarten, School Support and Special Needs Care. Based on the island of Chios, volunteers can enjoy a perfect blend of rewarding volunteering and a Mediterranean lifestyle.

If the historical sites, golden beaches, stunning hikes and natural beauty of Chios isn’t enough, volunteers can choose of dozens of other islands to explore, not to mention mainland Greece and Turkey. Chios enjoys a mild climate and an easy pace of life year-round, offering volunteers a relaxing time abroad while making a genuine difference in the community.

Program Highlights:

The program is based on the island of Chios, the fifth biggest island in Greece
Flexible program dates from 2 to 12 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the second and fourth Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$740 for two weeks
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support. It also entitles you to discounted language lessons
Weekends are free to relax at the beach, walk through the hills or explore the dozens of small, eclectic villages on Chios. The island is also home to a number of museums and monasteries that date back hundreds of years. For those wanting to adventure beyond Chios, the coast ofTurkey is a short boat ride away, as are a host of other Greek islands, and mainland Greece itself. You can read more about Greece travel and tours here.

VOLUNTEER IN CROATIA

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, you don’t have to look far to understand why people from all over the world love Croatia. The ancient coastal city of Split has a stunning setting over the Mediterranean, with cobbled streets, clay-tiled roofs and stone architecture creating an authentic, historic feel.

Volunteers on the IVHQ Croatia program can choose from four projects, with Youth Support, Teaching, Special Needs Support and Creative Technologies offering a variety of impactful ways to benefit the community.

Popular with young travelers, Split is a buzzing city with a fantastic social scene and an array of areas of historical and cultural significance to explore in days off.

Program Highlights:

The program is based in the city of Split, in southern coastal Croatia
Flexible program dates from 1 to 12 weeks
The program is available year-round and starts on the first and third Monday of every month
Affordable program fees from US$549 for one week
Program fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country volunteer support. It also entitles you to discounted language lessons
Weekends are free to take in the unique city setting, from beaches and sparkling ocean water to ancient stone castles and the historic Old Town of Split. Enjoy the many UNESCO World Heritage sites, check out the city view from Marjan Hill and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Further afield, Croatia offers proximity to many areas of the Mediterranean and is a gateway to other cultural eastern European countries.