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Long Term Volunteering

Antonia Barcelona El CasalAntonia Karpova, VSI EVS Volunteer with a childrens projects in Barcelona.The VSI Long Term Volunteering Programme enables people to volunteer from 3-12 months on a variety of voluntary work projects. The projects are of benefit to local communities and voluntary organisations in Europe and North America. There are two different programmes for this: the SCI Long Term Volunteering that is open to experienced volunteers over 18 and the EU-funded European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme for people between 18 and 30.
There are a wide variety of projects each year, e. g.

  • Working in a centre for refugees in Switzerland
  • Helping with activities at a centre for young deaf people near Warsaw
  • Working in a centre for learning disabled adults in Vermont
  • Working in a youth centre in Paris for disadvantaged youth
  • Working in an environmental / conservation project near Milan

Why Long Term Volunteering?

Volunteers contribute to the projects in a variety of ways:

  • Through their skills and practical help at the project
  • Through their support and solidarity
  • Through the sharing of knowledge and cultural exchange

Benefits of Volunteering

A volunteer can benefit enormously from their time as a long term volunteer, through:

  • Experience of a new situation, culture, language, people etc.
  • Learning new skills (practical, social, language)
  • Exposure to new ideas and approaches to voluntary and community work
  • Satisfaction in seeing your contribution being useful

"My time in Kosovo has been incredibly happy, rich and fulfilling. I have learned a huge amount about the region, the conflict, international development and so on. I have also met some really amazing people here and have made friends who I know I will keep for life, no matter where in the world we live. This voluntary placement was the best experience of my life."
Long Term Volunteer in Kosovo

SCI Long Term Volunteering

Every 2/3 months, we publish a vacancy list of projects from SCI branches and partner organisations, which require volunteers mainly in Europe and North America but occasionally projects are in other regions. Some of the projects come under the EVS programme (see below) but many are open to all volunteers.

1. May 08 SCI LTV List

2. May 08 SCI EVS Vacancy list

Terms and conditions

Although no two projects are the same, the volunteer can expect the following:

  • A contract with a detailed job description, working hours, free time etc
  • Useful work and special training where necessary
  • Food and accommodation will be provided
  • Insurance cover
  • Some projects offer pocket money
  • Volunteers cover travel costs to/from the project

We ask volunteers to become a member of VSI and to pay a project fee of €50.00 with their application.

European Voluntary Service Programme

EVS is an EU funded programme for people aged 18-30 years. Information on the programme can be viewed on the European Commission Youth website.

There is a database on this site which lists all the approved EVS projects. VSI is a recognised sending organisation under the EVS scheme. There are quarterly deadlines for funding applications and the process usually takes several months as it requires the volunteer, the hosting and the sending organisation to jointly submit an application for funding.

Terms and Conditions

  • Travel costs, food and accommodation, pocket money, insurance provided by the EU.
  • We ask volunteers to become a member of VSI.

Preparation

Our staff will meet with each volunteer, and together with the volunteer they will organise an appropriate preparation and orientation programme for all aspects of their volunteer project. This includes

  • meeting with former long term volunteers
  • visits to similar projects in their locality
  • learning the local language of the project
  • practical issues - insurance, finances, visas, health etc

In addition, EVS Volunteers join in pre-departure and on-arrival training in the country they are going to.

How to Apply

  • For SCI Long Term Volunteer Projects get a copy of the latest vacancy list (click here) or contact the VSI office to send you a copy. Download the Long Term Volunteering application form and send it to our office.
  • EVS Projects - Contact the VSI office for more details.

Volunteer stories from the Long Term Volunteer & European Voluntary Service Programmes