Offre de l'Agence Nationale pour l'Information des Jeunes
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Volunteering

Getting involved in a cause you care about while discovering a new country and its culture is an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you to explore a professional field, develop new skills, and practice a foreign language.

If you’re in a transitional phase between studies and work and not sure what to do next, volunteering could be a fantastic opportunity for you.

🇪🇺 Europe

Junior international work camps

An international work camp brings together volunteers from different countries to work on a project organized by a local association. The projects cover a wide range of themes, from environmental protection to social, cultural, or educational activities.

Junior international work camps are exclusively for minors. They take place only in Europe and only during the summer holidays. During the stay, the group of volunteers also participates in shared recreational and cultural activities.

Conditions

  • Be between 13 and 17 years old for workcamps in France,
  • Be at least 14 years old for other European countries,
  • Attend preparation and evaluation sessions before and after the work camp.
  • Cover all costs except accommodation, meals, and transportation during the stay,
  • Work an average of 20 hours per week,
  • No specific skills or professional qualifications required.

Participation in an international workcamp is arranged through an organization that recruits volunteers for a service fee. Here is a selection of organizations:

For any additional information, contact the organization of your choice directly, or reach out to the Agence nationale pour l’information des jeunes.

European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps is a program by the European Union that allows you to live in another European country for a period of 2 to 12 months (or 2 weeks to 2 months for individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds) while actively contributing to a public service project.

Your project can take place in a variety of fields, such as: Education, health, youth work, refugee assistance, environmental protection, species conservation.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Be between 18 and 30 years old,
  • be a legal resident of Luxembourg or another Member State of the European Union.

Details

  • Costs covered: Travel, accommodation, meals, local transport, language courses, insurance, and pocket money.
  • Timeline: Between registration and departure, a waiting period of 1 to 2 months may apply.
  • Working hours: Between 30 and 38 hours per week.
  • Support: Includes pre-departure training, on-site mentoring during your voluntary service, and a post-project evaluation.
  • Recognition: At the end of your project, you will receive a certificate of participation in the European Solidarity Corps.
  • Legal framework: Luxembourg has established a supportive framework for this program.

European Solidarity Corps projects operate as a partnership between a sending organization and a host organization. If you are interested, the first step is to contact a sending organization, such as the Agence nationale pour l’information des jeunes, or the Service national de la jeunesse.

To explore available projects, you can consult :

Humanitarian Aid Volunteering

The European Solidarity Corps program offers cross-border volunteering opportunities outside the European Union. These missions allow you to support populations in need while developing your skills and immersing yourself in new cultures.

Projects cover a wide range of aid operations, including:

  • Disaster preparedness and response,
  • Promoting gender equality,
  • Protecting women, children, refugees, displaced persons, and undocumented migrants,
  • Reducing the effects of climate change,
  • Improving food security.

You can choose between individual volunteering or team volunteering. The conditions for both options are the same:

  • Reside in an EU member state or a program-associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey, North Macedonia) and be registered with the European Solidarity Corps,
  • Travel to a cross-border country (other than your country of residence),
  • Contribute to activities supporting the aid organization,
  • Ensure the organization is active in humanitarian aid,
  • Work between 30 and 38 hours,
  • Be between 18 and 35 years old,
  • Complete an online or in-person self-assessment.

The duration depends on the type of volunteering:

  • Individual volunteering lasts between 2 and 12 months ; while team volunteering lasts between 2 weeks and 2 months. In addition, for team volunteering, the group must be made up of at least 5 and no more than 40 volunteers from at least 2 different countries.

As a volunteer, you are entitled to:

  • Coverage by supplementary insurance,
  • Access to a range of support services,
  • Coverage of basic expenses (round-trip travel, accommodation, and meals),
  • A small allowance for personal expenses,
  • Coverage of specific needs-related costs (e.g., for disabilities).

More info: Visit the section on humanitarian aid volunteering. Note: Being registered with the European Solidarity Corps does not guarantee participation in a mission!

🌍 International

International Work camps

An international work camp brings together volunteers from different countries to collaborate on a project led by a local organization. Projects can cover a wide range of topics, including environmental protection, social activities, cultural events, or educational programs.

International work camps take place all over the world and typically last between two and four weeks, though some may be longer. Most work camps are held during the summer holidays, but opportunities are also available outside this period. During their stay, volunteers participate in shared recreational and cultural activities.

Conditions

  • Be at least 18 years old (except for Junior Work camps),
  • Participate in preparation and evaluation sessions before and after the workcamp,
  • Cover all costs except accommodation, meals, and transportation during the stay,
  • Work between 20 and 35 hours per week,
  • No specific skills or professional qualifications are required, except a good command of English.

Participation in an international workcamp is arranged through an organization that recruits volunteers for a service fee. Here is a selection of organizations:

For more information, contact the organization of your choice directly or reach out to the Agence Nationale pour l’Information des Jeunes.

Service Civil International (SCI)

Service Civil International (SCI) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes a culture of peace by organizing volunteer projects for people of all ages around the world.  

SCI offers:

  • Short-term international work camps in various fields. Participation fees are affordable, making them accessible even to young people with fewer opportunities. You can browse the list of short-term projects directly on the SCI website.  
  • Long-term volunteer projects lasting between 1 and 12 months in several fields. To participate, you must be aged 16 to 25 years old. For people with disabilities, participation is possible until the age of 31. For detailed descriptions of the various long-term projects, check the database on the SCI website.

Service volontaire de coopération (SVC)

The Cooperative Voluntary Service (SVC), offered by the National Youth Service (SNJ), allows you to live an enriching experience of 6 to 12 months in a developing country.

This program provides a structured framework to invest your time and energy in creating a fairer world. If you’re looking for a change of scenery and new experiences, it’s a great way to learn and broaden your horizons.

Eligibility conditions:

  • Be aged 18 to under 30,
  • Be available for at least 6 months, up to one year,
  • Reside legally in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Steps to become a cooperative volunteer:

  • 1. Sign up for a preparation course. This training will prepare you for the context, challenges, and opportunities of a voluntary mission abroad.
  • 2. Find your sending organization. The Cercle de coopĂ©ration des ONGD in Luxembourg can provide information and connect you with development cooperation organizations. You can contact this phone number: 26 02 09 11.
  • 3. Make an appointment with the SNJ.

Benefits of the Cooperative Voluntary Service:

  • Preparation and guidance: Training before departure and support throughout the mission,
  • Financial support: Pocket money, a subsistence allowance, help with housing costs, and social security coverage,
  • State-funded monthly allowance (condition: continuous and effective residence in Luxembourg for at least one year prior to the start of the service).

A list of projects available under the cooperative service is provided on

If you want to actively contribute to world peace, you can join the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) program. You have the option to volunteer abroad, in your own country, or online.

Volunteering abroad

As a United Nations Volunteer abroad, you work with a local host organization and receive some allowances to help finance your stay.

Conditions 

  • Be at least 18 years old (there is no upper age limit),
  • Hold a university degree or a higher technical diploma,
  • Have at least two years of professional experience,
  • Have a good command of at least one of the three working languages: English, French, or Spanish.

More information on the official UNV website.

Volunteering in your own country

Even without traveling, you can become a United Nations Volunteer and collaborate with people from all over the world.

Conditions

  • Be at least 22 years old (there is no upper age limit),
  • Have a minimum level of higher education and professional skills.
  • Be able to write, read and speak on one ore more local languages and on the working language.

More information on the official UNV website.

Online volunteering

If you cannot commit to a full-time program, you can occasionally volunteer from the comfort of your home.

Online volunteering allows you to contribute based on your availability, with tasks such as translation or proofreading. More information on the website.  

Volunteer with WWF

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offers a volunteer program for young adults who wish to engage in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

A volunteering mission can last between 3 to 6 months in locations such as Bolivia, Madagascar, or the Pacific region.

Conditions

  • Be of age,
  • Be motivated, flexible, and open-minded.

Find a mission that matches your skills and apply through the WWF volunteer website.

HelpX

HelpX is a platform that allows you to work abroad for a host in exchange for food and accommodation during a specified period. The platform lists organic farms, hobby farms, private homes, ranches, guesthouses, hostels, and even sailboats that welcome volunteers.

HelpX primarily connects volunteers who want to travel abroad and stay with local hosts. Typically, volunteers work between 2 to 8 hours per day, and in return, hosts provide food and accommodation.

Conditions, working hours, and compensation vary depending on the host.

Conditions

  • Be at least 18 years old ( people under 18 years have to be accompanied by a parent),
  • Be registered on the HelpX platform,
  • you must cover all expenses.
  • Cover all potential expenses on your own,

Attention

The platform offers two types of memberships. Free membership, with limited access to features. Premium membership, costing €20 for 2 years, which gives full access to the site’s features.

HelpX operates worldwide, including in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe, particularly in France.

More information: Visit the HelpXwebsite.

WWOOF : Volunteering on an organic farm

The World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a global network of organic farmers who host international volunteers on their farms. This gives you the chance to experience everyday life on a farm, learn about organic farming practices and take part in a cultural exchange. Your volunteering can last from a few days to a few months.

Conditions

  • You must be at least 18 years old,
  • you must cover all expenses.

During your stay on the farm, you will receive free board and lodging in exchange for several hours’ work a day. The exact workload is to be agreed with your host. More information on the network portal.

International volunteer on own initiative

Everyone can be a volunteer. All it takes to become a volunteer is motivation. Your reasons might vary: committing to a good cause, gaining new skills, helping others, or trying out a new professional field.

One thing is certain: your voluntary engagement will be a valuable experience, both personally and professionally.

To become an international volunteer, you can either join a volunteering program or find a project on your own. Here’s a brief selection of websites to help you get started: