Volunteering abroad used to be a long term commitment for people with solid professional qualifications. These days you’ll find placements across the world for people of all ages and skill levels, with commitments from as little as five days. It’s not just far flung developing countries that welcome volunteers either. Europe has lots of exciting opportunities, from marine conservation in Greece to managing food waste in Portugal to volunteering with rescued bears in Romania.
Anyone with a passion for the environment, animals, or helping disadvantaged communities can volunteer in Europe; you don’t need to be an expert to make a positive impact.
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With the vast number of placements now available, it’s crucial that you fully research your trip, to find a reputable and responsible company. You should also be aware of the work involved. You’ll be joining genuine wildlife or community projects and working with dedicated scientists, conservationists and park rangers, and while you’ll certainly have fun in the process, be aware that volunteering breaks are more about making a positive contribution than having a glorified holiday that’ll look good on your CV.