A Japanese volunteer teaches the alphabet to children in Tanzania

Volunteer Abroad: Your guide to responsible travel

Volunteering abroad from Ireland

Are you looking for a way to travel the world, make a difference, and gain valuable experience? An overseas volunteering programme could be perfect for you. 

Volunteering abroad with us is safe, sustainable, and unforgettable. All our international volunteer opportunities are designed for individuals of all experience levels at any stage of life, so youโ€™re sure to find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.

You could get involved with thrilling animal conservation or marine conservation volunteering abroad, volunteer with children overseas, and much more.

Looking to get experience in specific fields like medicine, journalism, or human rights? Visit our intern abroad page instead!

Why do volunteering overseas?

Volunteer work abroad programmes offer a unique way to:

  • Make a difference: contribute to meaningful projects that address health, social, environmental, or economic challenges.
  • Explore a new culture: live in a different country, discover local customs, and expand your worldview.
  • Learn new skills: get hands-on experience in your area of interest. Improve your communication and leadership skills and add new skills and experiences to your university application and CV.
  • Grow your global network: make new friends as you meet like-minded people from around the world and become part of a global community.

Choose a volunteer abroad programme

Learn more about international volunteering

What will I do on a volunteer abroad programme?

As an overseas volunteer, youโ€™ll contribute towards local initiatives designed to aid the long term development of the community you work in. These initiatives are shaped and guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Our volunteer abroad programmes are also designed to contribute towards your development. Youโ€™ll learn new skills for your CV, immerse in a new culture, increase your confidence, and make new friends to last a lifetime. Weโ€™ll focus on your safety so you can focus on your work.

As champions of Responsible Volunteer Travel, all our overseas volunteer placements have 24-hour volunteer support and meet strict ethical standards. This has helped us to build exceptional levels of trust since 1992.

How can I start volunteering abroad?

It can seem a little daunting, but volunteering abroad with us is actually really simple. All you need to do is:

  1. Find the perfect volunteer programme for you, or speak with a Project Expert to talk through your options
  2. Pay your deposit to secure your place, which is taken off the final cost of the project
  3. Start getting ready for your adventure, with comprehensive support from our pre-departure team
  4. Pay the final balance in a way that suits you at least three months before you travel
  5. Enjoy your life-changing experience with 24-hour support from our staff in destination
Where can I do volunteer projects abroad?

Projects Abroad operate in more than 20 destinations around the world, each offering their own unique volunteering programmes.

Every country we work in offers different projects to choose from. For example, the Galapagos Islands and Fiji are great destinations for the conservation of unique species, while Cambodia and Tanzania are great for childcare and cultural immersion.

So think about what you want to do or where you want to go, then reach out to our Project Experts who can walk you through all your options in detail!

Do you do summer volunteering abroad?

Many of our volunteer opportunities abroad operate year-round, but they are a great fit for anyone who wants to make the most of their summer holiday.

Our dedicated volunteer opportunities for teens, High School Programmes, run exclusively in the school holidays, with the summer being the most popular time to travel. These programmes have 24/7 supervision, a fully curated itinerary, and provide an unmatched opportunity to make lifelong friends.

Christmas Volunteering Abroad

With Projects Abroad, you can volunteer overseas over Christmas and New Year.

Our projects take place throughout the year, and several have dates over Christmas and New Year. Learn more about our Christmas volunteering opportunities.

Can I arrange a group volunteer trip based around a particular project you offer?

Yes. We regularly run international volunteer trips for groups of five or more, including conservation projects. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Overseas voluntary work caters to people from all walks of life with various motivations for volunteering abroad. No matter your age, level of experience, or where youโ€™re from, you can make a difference with Projects Abroad!

Ready to make a contribution?

Join the thousands of volunteers who have contributed to real change through Projects Abroad. Start your volunteer abroad journey today and discover the power of international volunteering. Get in touch with a Project Expert to discuss your options!

Our trusted accreditations

British Youth Travel Award 2025, Best Experience of the Year (Silver) Award
Go Overseas Rating
SDG Contribution finalist
Go Abroad Winner
Learning outside the classroom badge
GoOverseas community choice award
Sustainable tour operator finalist
GoAbroad Rating
Volunteer Forever award