FAQs - International Volunteer Projects
An International Volunteer Project is a short term project (2-4 weeks) bringing together a group of young people from many different countries. The group lives and works together on a specific project in a particular community. These can range from looking after turtle eggs in Mexico to helping prepare Buddhist festivals in Asia. The main categories of project are: Social, Environmental, Cultural, Renovation, Youth Work, Art and Construction.
£200 + transport to the project.
The £200 is the project contribution that goes to the sending organisation (Xchange Scotland). Then you have to get yourself to the project.
Food and accommodation at the project is covered.
Some projects in the global South ask for an Extra Fee. This can vary from £50-£150. This is because these countries do not send many volunteers on projects, and this Extra Fee means that they can keep offering projects to come on.
Groups round the world can vary in size from 8 up to 30 at the very most. A typical project in Europe tends to have around 12 participants and at least one group leader.
Main Programme:
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Greenland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- USA
- Wales
North-South Programme:
Participants on an IVP in the North-South Programme may be required to attend a short Training Course before they go.
- Argentina
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- China
- Ecuador
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- India
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Uganda
The accommodation varies project to project. It really depends on where the project is. All accommodation will have cooking facilities and, of course, suitable access to washing and toilet facilities. Some have internet access. You could be staying in wigwams in the Romanian mountains or sleeping in beds outside in the Moroccan desert. It really depends where the project is being hosted.
No. Participants require enthusiasm, energy and a commitment to the project, but no need for specific skills. Throughout the duration of the project you will certainly be introduced to many new skills.
Yes. All volunteers attending an IVP require travel insurance. Also, if you are going on a project in Europe, it is advised that you have a with you. These are free and easy to get - just follow the link.
This depends on where the project is being hosted. Each project will have one agreed common language for the duration of the project. In most cases, this tends to be English. However, it is important that you check this before picking a project.
It is worth bearing in mind that an IVP is a great place to pick up another language.
Unlike other organisations that offer international volunteering opportunities, Xchange Scotland is not a business. We are not run by shareholders, but by an Executive Committee of volunteers. The Project Contribution you give us goes entirely to the running and development of the organisation - not into someone else’s pocket.
There are over 1600 projects in over 50 countries, but if you can't find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us -
There are many opportunities to go on projects nearly anywhere in the world through our partner organisations. Just send us an email and we will endeavour to help you out.
We will be continuously adding new projects and opportunities to the website as they come along.