What is a Volunteer Job?

Volunteer service contributes to the well-being of an individual and the community, and is usually coordinated by a non-profit or public sector organization. These positions rarely offer any salary or wage. Volunteering internationally offers a native's perspective into a Spain, a chance to work with people from around the world, and unparalleled experiences.

Volunteering in Spain

There are a plethora of opportunities to volunteer. Applications depend on the organization. Most groups require a formal application, a personal statement, and some kind of deposit. There are periodic deadlines, so check the organization's sites to find out the deadline.

Programs

• Abbey Road Overseas Programs - International teenage students volunteer as Resident Advisors, Program Coordinators, and Program Directors for educational and travel programs in Western Europe.
• Pueblo Ingles - Native English speakers are sponsored to stay in a resort with Spanish professionals who want to improve their English. Short programs.
• COINED Spain Volunteer Abroad Program - Offers a variety of programs in social, health care, and environmental fields.
• Recovery of high mountain meadows at Esterri de Cardos - Work to recover the grasslands in Esterri de Cardós
• Conversation Corps in Spain - Volunteer 15 hours each week in exchange for free room and board. Offers cultural exchange and fostering international relations.
• Atlantic Whale Foundation - Volunteers work 2 to 6 weeks on whale and dolphin projects based in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS)

The European Voluntary Service is a European Union program that offers young people (between 18 and 25) the opportunity to work as a volunteer for six to twelve months in a non-profit project abroad. Three partners are the key partners of an EVS project: the volunteer, the sending organization and the host organization.
The European Commission take in charge the travel costs for the young, the insurance (health, accident, public liability) and provides a monthly allowance from 140 to 220 euros.

How to proceed: Find a sending organization that will assist you individually along the procedure (you can find contacts through you National Agency, your National Coordinator or international volunteer organizations). Start contacting potential host organizations through your sending organization. Keep your fingers crossed and persevere in your search as the difficulty is not to find a suitable project, but to find a project ready to host you within the time limit you have planned.
You can have a look at the European database on accredited host organizations and the Youth organizations.

More information also on the website http://www.britishcouncil.org