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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 country, a chance to work with people from around the world, and unparalleled experiences.

Volunteering in the Czech Republic

There are many volunteer opportunities in the Czech Republic, from working in nature to working with the city's children. Volunteering has a complicated history in the Czech Republic where a post-communist society can be wary of effort without compensation.

Some programs may charge fees to cover lodging, meals, travel, language classes, and airfare. Fees not only facilitate your stay, they progress the program. Scholarships may be available through the organization. Programs last from one week to several months and the cost varies.Investigate programs carefully to find out what exactly is covered.

Application depends 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.

Project Volunteer.cz is a wonderful resource of information for all facets of volunteering in the Czech Republic.

Volunteers for Prosperity is another helpful search site.

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

Programs

INEX Czech Republic National Center
This group offers about 40 projects lasting 14-21 days for international volunteers in social, cultural, and environmental fields.
Address: Senovazne Namesti 24, 116 47 Prague 1
Tel: 011-420-234-621527
E-mail: inexsda@inexsda.cz

Volunteer Action for Peace (VAP)
A UK based charity organization, this group works towards creating and preserving international peace, justice and human solidarity for people and their communities. Jobs available in the Czech Republic for 1-6 months.

Concordia
A non-profit making youth organization and registered charity offering international volunteer opportunities in the Czech Republic.
Address: 19 North Street, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1DH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 422218
E-mail: info@concordiavolunteers.org.uk

Volunteers for Peace
Offers over 2400 affordable short-term volunteer opportunities abroad in 90+ countries including the Czech Republic.
Address: 7 Kilburn St., Suite 31, Burlington VT USA 05401
Telephone: 802-540-3060
E-mail: info@vfp.org

Earthwatch Institute
An international non-profit organization supporting scientific field research and offering members of the public the opportunity to volunteer in the Czech Republic with distinguished field scientists.

Insurance Abroad

Travel insurance is one of the best protections a traveller can purchase. Investigate coverage, rates, and compare companies.

You might also look at our other articles on Summer Jobs and Internship abroad on the left column of this page.