Are you wondering what the age requirement are of a specific volunteer program? This article will answer all your questions concerning the minimum and maximum age requirements of our volunteer programs.
It’s usually the organizations on our platform that decide about the age requirement for their volunteer programs. You will find out if there’s a minimum age requirement for the program on the volunteer program's page underneath the "Program Requirements" subcategory.
If you have any doubts about the age requirements for a particular program, it's always a good idea to contact the program coordinator directly. Use the "Contact Coordinator" button available on each program's page for assistance.
Volunteer World, however, developed its own age requirements based on legal and ethical standards. Please note that volunteer programs with an educational or childcare focus have always a minimum age requirement of 18 years. No exemptions are granted in these cases.
Minimum age restrictions
We recently introduced the option to filter programs by selecting your age if you are a minor. You can do so by clicking on the blue "More filter" button in the top right corner of the program overview and moving the slider to your age (at the time of travel).
If you are under 16 years old
We offer a limited number of volunteer programs for under 16-year-olds on our platform. If you meet the program requirements, you will need the permission of your legal guardians. Some countries enforce stricter age requirements. For example, in Bolivia, all volunteer programs require participants to be at least 18 years old, meaning that 15-year-olds cannot currently participate in volunteer programs there. Always review the specific age criteria for the program's country when planning your application.
Moreover, we strongly advise that the legal guardian accompanies the minor in this situation. Remember that some programs may make exceptions for minors younger than 16 if accompanied by a parent or gu It’s also important to recognize that exceptions might vary significantly depending on the volunteer program or activity. Programs abroad could impose extra restrictions or consider country-specific laws when determining eligibility for younger individuals.ardian, but these exceptions vary by program and country. Always contact the program coordinator for confirmation.
If you are under 18 years old
If you are under 18, and meet the program requirements, you are more than welcome to apply for volunteer programs on our platform. Please keep in mind that you will need permission from your legal guardian to volunteer abroad.
We advise the legal guardians to genuinely consider whether the minor is prepared to volunteer abroad alone and if in doubt, to accompany the minor.
There are many programs on our platform that accept minors. Some welcome volunteers with a minimum age of 16, while others primarily accept over 17-year-olds. Additionally, roles involving teaching, heavy physical labor, or working directly with children may not be available for participants under 18. It’s important to review these restrictions carefully to ensure the selected program is suitable. For safety and suitability reasons, minors under 18 are typically not allowed to undertake roles like teaching, physically demanding tasks, or those requiring direct interaction with young children. While exceptions might exist for volunteers accompanied by a parent or guardian, these activities are generally restricted. Always verify the program's activity constraints before applying.
If you are over 18 years old
The majority of our programs have a minimum age of 18 or older. If you are at least 18 years old, you don't need permission from your legal guardian or need to be accompanied by them. Remember, to participate in education and childcare volunteer programs, you need to be at least 18 years old. Also, programs that require high physical work are only possible if you are over 18 years old.
Maximum age restrictions
Our volunteer programs do not have a maximum age limit. We only recommend working abroad if you feel physically strong and highly motivated to do volunteer work. We recently introduced the category 50+ to indicate programs that are suitable for more mature volunteers (over 50 years). You can select this category by clicking on the blue "More filter" button at the top of the program overview and tick the box "50+" in the "Suitable for" section. The project coordinator can give you detailed information about the average age of their volunteer program.
If you are volunteering with your family
Many programs are happy to welcome volunteering families. However, this raises also the question of the age requirements. When minor volunteers are accompanied by a legal guardian, the minimum age is often flexible and you often have the possibility to volunteer with your children starting at a certain age. There is a large category of volunteering opportunities suitable for volunteering families. However, please ask the project coordinator for more details on this possibility. If your children are quite young (mainly under 12 years old), you can find programs that are specifically suitable for volunteering families with young kids. For minors accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, minimum age restrictions may often be bypassed. It’s recommended to contact the project coordinator for confirmation.
Contacting Program Coordinators
For specific questions about age-related eligibility, the best course of action is to reach out directly to the volunteer program coordinator. They can provide personalized assistance and help clarify any conditions regarding age requirements.