We are often asked why volunteers need to pay to volunteer abroad. True, it does seem odd at first, but if you think about it the question is answered very quickly:
The social projects on Volunteer World are usually Non-Profit Organisations (NPO). Thus, they hardly earn enough money to cover their costs. This is also the main reason, why they need your help. They cannot afford to bear all the costs by themselves. This is why they depend on donations and on the volunteer's fees.
Fees for the volunteers arise because a volunteer program causes expenses for the social project that runs the program.
Program fees are charges levied by organizations running volunteer programs to finance their operational costs. Volunteer positions are unpaid; as such, these fees are not salaries but crucial contributions to sustaining social projects.
What expenses does a social project have?
There are basically two main types of expenses:
1. Fees associated with a volunteer program
The social project is coordinating, organizing and processing your stay. Therefore they need to have a proper administration office. Furthermore, they help and guide you once you are on site. In exchange, many of the projects provide accommodation, food, drink, and airport pickup. All these expenses need to be covered.
Specifically, program fees commonly cover basic housing facilities, meals and beverages, in-country logistical support services, and contribute to the success of the social or environmental projects operated by the organization.
These typically include: accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, and basic utilities like electricity and Wi-Fi.
2. General Expenses
These expenses emerge in order to run the social project and can include office-items, salaries of local staff, insurances, trainings, telecommunication, office rent, transportation etc.
Therefore, fees can vary. However, all these fees can be associated directly with the social project. The fees help the social project to operate and to improve their community. We make sure that our social projects state their social impact so that you know what the local contribution of this project is.
Social projects need help with IT, Business Administration and Fund Raising, as well. Volunteer World helps them to improve their IT infrastructure by offering them an easy-to-use platform. But overall, your time and your financial contribution is the key to make their social impact work!
To illustrate for what your fees are used for here are two examples:
E.g. an elephant conservation program needs to feed its animals or a marine conservation program needs to provide diving equipment for the volunteers.
Why do the fees vary?
To help you find and understand the costs of programs, check the following sections:
Program Overview Page: Look for the average weekly program costs on the overview page, usually found under the main image.
Dates & Fees Section: View specific dates and a comprehensive cost breakdown at the "Dates & Fees" section provided at the bottom of program pages.
Not all social projects are operating in the same way. Some are non-profit, some are profit organizations and others are supported by the government, so-called governmental organizations. The difference of the fees depends on what the organization offers. Have a close look at what the social project charges for. You can also ask the social project itself, what the fees are charged for. The average weekly fees are calculated from the costs of the volunteer program. Weekly fees can vary depending on the length of your stay. Sometimes the weekly fees decrease over time as there are no initial fees anymore. In other words, the longer you stay at the program site, the cheaper the fees. Costs are influenced by fixed and operational expenses such as logistics, staff salaries, and facilities. For shorter stays, these fixed costs are distributed across fewer days, resulting in higher per-week costs. Conversely, programs often incentivize longer stays with multi-week discounts, making the overall expense more economical.For instance, many programs use a tiered pricing model, where shorter stays are often priced at higher per-week rates due to additional administrative and operational efforts required. Conversely, programs may lower the per-week pricing for extended stays as they spread fixed costs over a longer period, making longer programs more financially appealing.
Programs often set minimum stay durations, typically ranging between two to four weeks, and the associated costs scale with the length of your stay. Be sure to check specific program guidelines regarding deposit deadlines and potential savings through early payments. For example, shorter stays tend to have a higher per-week cost because the fixed costs are less spread out, while longer stays often offer better value with reduced per-week pricing.Always check specific program policies and guidelines regarding deposit requirements, notice of early payments, or multi-week discounts that could influence your final calculated pricing.Additionally, tiered pricing adjustments often make shorter stays disproportionately expensive, as they must cover both fixed operational costs and the heightened administrative and setup efforts required for relatively brief durations.
To estimate your total expenses, you can input your planned dates to get a complete breakdown "Add dates for prices" on the right hand side. Additionally, volunteers can use the "Add dates for prices" feature available in the Dates & Fees section for an exact cost breakdown. This step ensures precise planning by detailing cost inclusions and meeting individual needs. To view fees in your preferred currency, utilize the currency selection tool at the top right corner of the website to convert prices conveniently.It’s also crucial to understand discrepancies between the initial previewed weekly rates and the final total cost after dates are selected, as these often account for program-specific pricing adjustments.As a step-by-step guide, start by visiting the program's page to view the average weekly cost, navigate to the 'Dates & Fees' section towards the page's bottom, and select specific dates to see detailed total costs, ensuring clarity in planning your expenses.
Payment structures for program fees often vary by organization and program. Some programs require an upfront deposit followed by the remaining payment closer to the program's start date, while others offer weekly or flexible payment schedules depending on the duration of the program.
To plan your budget more effectively, use the free application inquiry option available on the program's webpage to identify detailed costs for selected dates and program duration. Making an inquiry does not commit you to the program.
To confirm participation in a program, a deposit often amounting to about 20% of the total cost is required, paid through the Volunteer World platform. The remaining fee is coordinated directly with the project organizer following their instructions. Payments are split to ensure the funds are appropriately allocated: a deposit secures your place, and the final payment directly supports the operational needs of the social project.
Below you can see an example of a volunteer program's fees. Typically, program fees do not include certain expenses such as travel costs, visa fees, vaccinations, or personal pocket money, so volunteers need to budget for these separately.
While program fees cover essentials, some significant costs must be budgeted separately, including flights, visa application fees, vaccination expenses, medical travel preparation, and personal spending for leisure or extras.
Notes for Dutch-Speaking Volunteers
For Dutch-speaking volunteers, the concept of "program fees" translates to “vergoedingen voor vrijwilligerswerk.” These fees usually cover accommodation, meals, and aspects like airport pick-ups in alignment with practices across other organizations.
