Money Matters

Why pay to volunteer?

Projects Abroad projects cost from £895 (see our Prices section for the cost of the programme you are interested in). We do not receive any government financial support or outside funding of any kind so volunteers have to fund their projects themselves. The money you pay allows us to provide you with unrivalled, first-class support and service. We have built our reputation on this and we believe it is this that makes our projects work for volunteers and recipients alike. You will be working in places where you are genuinely needed and, in addition, we ensure that our partner organisations, schools and institutions across the world don't have to pay for the help of our volunteers.

Where does the money go?

Projects Abroad is an entirely independent organisation which does not receive any funding from governments, religious bodies, political parties, development organisations or other sources. And of course, we don’t request money from our partner organisations in the developing world. All our work is 100% funded through your contributions as a volunteer.

It is this financial independence that gives us the freedom to set up projects wherever we think it may be useful and in all domains where we think that our volunteers can make a valuable contribution.

Your project price, therefore, not only covers the costs that are directly linked to your presence on the ground, but also a share of all the other costs that setting up our high quality volunteering projects requires.

The precise use of your particular payment you personally made to Projects Abroad cannot be accounted for specifically, but we really want to be as open as possible. Therefore we have set out here the average percentages of our expenditure and some clear explanations!

Caption of pie chart: The percentages represent the average of all our projects. Depending on the country of origin, the destination, the time of year, the type of project and other factors, these figures will vary from project to project.

Implementation and monitoring of projects: 19% average

Our first objective is to make a difference through work worth doing. Our local teams and our managers around the world are always on the lookout for new worthwhile projects and for new partners to facilitate them. The set-up of new countries of operation requires significant investment before the first volunteer arrives. We monitor all our projects constantly. We are always looking for ways to improve what we are doing, to achieve more, and to make a difference.

Support for volunteers from before start to finish: 23% average

Projects Abroad is the only volunteer organisation which has permanent and directly employed staff in countries of origin and in every country of operation. From the first contact to the end of your time with us, or even afterwards if you join our alumni network, you have assistance available from qualified and knowledgeable people. For us, you are not a name on a list but an individual, and our most important job is to match your objectives, skills and personality to projects, opportunities and needs in our destinations.

Five hundred colleagues in our teams around the world ensure that all the tiresome problems encountered when working in developing countries, such as visas and permits, food and health matters, and transfers and travel, are all taken care of, so you can just get on with your project.

We also provide a 24/7 emergency service for you and your family back home.

Operating and administrative costs: 17% average

Our individualized programmes with choices of dates, project-type and destination country, require a sophisticated system of administration both in countries of origin and in countries of operation. For each volunteer, there are numerous exchanges between you, our office in your home-country and our office in your destination-country. Each project, host-family and flight involves administration and organisation. Our teams worldwide are always available to answer your questions and to give advice on visas, transport, and any other matter.

Direct costs on the ground: 22% average

Costs which are directly related to your presence in the field include accommodation and meals for the whole time you are with Projects Abroad, as well as transfers from the international airport to your final destination and other expenses that may vary from country to country. We also arrange meetings for volunteers and workshops for volunteers, partners and staff, which really help to improve the work we undertake.

While you are with us, from the day when you pay for your project until the day you return home, you are covered by first-class travel insurance.

Awareness, communications and advice: 19% average

The offices in the volunteers’ countries of origin have the job of making individuals and organisations aware of Projects Abroad and its work to help the developing world. Then, when people apply to join us, our job is to explain to them in as much detail as possible what they can expect when they’re working as a volunteer with Projects Abroad.

Whatever your interests, motivation, experience or special requests, we will take the time to advise you on the best and most appropriate project, personally for you.