10 no-fee volunteer programs to kickstart your development career

10no-fee

volunter programs

to kickstart

your development career

Recruiters agree that volunteering is one of the best ways to break into global development. But finding a reputable organization where your particular skills will be best utilized is a challenge in itself. Here are 10 no-fee programs where you can gain experience while doing good. (Some even pay!)

A faith-based organization that supports food storage, farming and social entrepreneurship in Uganda, JENGA’s acceptance of volunteers depends on their current projects and the help they need.

Email to introduce yourself and inquire about potential opportunities.

JENGA Community Development Outreach#1

Tostan’s Africa Volunteer Program offers full-time, competitive volunteer placements for a minimum commitment of one year. Volunteers receive a stipend to help support education, health, environment, governance and economic growth in communities throughout West Africa.

Email volunteer@tostan.org for more information.

#2 Tostan#2

Challenges is looking for people with a minimum of 10 years business experience who are willing to give their time and expertise to help businesses in low and middle-income countries flourish. They will usually cover a volunteer’s return travel costs, accommodation while in-country and provide a daily stipend. Apply here

#3 Challenges Worldwide#3

An interdenominational Christian organization with a goal of establishing nurturing churches, AIM works in the fields of leadership development, youth ministry, medical ministry, community development and community health. You are expected to raise money for your short or long-term stay.

Express your interest here

#4 African Inland Mission#4

Kiva is a nonprofit that connects people through lending to alleviate poverty. They have intern and volunteer opportunities in their San Francisco headquarters as well as a Kiva Fellow Program, where a volunteer will live in the host country of one of their partner microfinance institutions.

Check here for current openings

#5 Kiva#5

Bankers without Borders is a global reserve of business professionals who support social enterprise, microfinance, and technology sector initiatives throughout the developing world. Volunteers can contribute via virtual assignments, projects at their headquarters in Washington D.C., their technology center in Seattle or with on-site work in emerging markets.

Check here for opportunities

#6 Bankers without Borders#6

HEDON focuses on sustainable energy at household and community level to improve the lives of people living in poverty while combating climate change. You can volunteer from wherever you are by offering your services as a translator, copy editor, event speaker, website developer and more.

See where you fit

#7 HEDON Household Energy Network#7

VSO's work revolves around several development areas: health, HIV and AIDS, participation and governance, secure livelihoods and education. Depending on your professional experience and skills, you will be matched with a suitable overseas placement to help local professionals become more effective in their work.

Check here for current openings

#8 VSO International#8

VEGA boasts a network of more than 65,000 volunteers that it taps for projects aimed at fighting poverty and promoting economic growth in emerging markets. Volunteers are usually placed with partner organizations such as Winrock International, International Executive Service Corps, ACDI/VOCA and Financial Services Volunteer Corps.

Submit your interest and CV here

#9 Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance#9

The United Nations volunteering arm has been in operation since 1971. It deploys more than 7,700 peace and development volunteers every year and works in 130 countries. To volunteer, you have to be at least 25, have a university degree or higher technical diploma, two years’ relevant working experience and a good working knowledge of any of the three UNV languages: English, French or Spanish.

Register here

#10 United Nations Volunteers#10

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