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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
