Click to find a volunteer project!
What is IVS?
The International Voluntary Service is a network of programs aimed at encouraging people to volunteer abroad. The projects are always organized in close cooperation with local communities, and are driven by local needs – you could teach in schools, work with animals, care for the elderly, restore old castles, learn farming techniques, and so much more.
IVS motivates people from different countries and cultures to come together, so they can share their skills to make a positive impact, while gaining valuable experiences and cultural insights.
Where can I go?
Rescuing sea turtles in Mexico, harvesting grapes in the Nemea River valley, and joining amateur performers in a donkey caravan in Spain. Egyesek is part of the Alliance network and CCIVS so we have partners from all over the world! That means that you can participate in workcamps hosted not only in Europe, but also in Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply! Most camps are open for people over 18, with no upper age limit. But there are also plenty of camps for teenagers aged 15-17, and family workcamps for families to participate in!
There are many camps supported by the European Union, the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Solidarity Corps. These projects are available for youth form 18 to 30 years only. You can filter for these prograseparately for the "Only project with no fee".
If you have Hungarian residency (official permit to stay in Hungary e.g. lakcímkártya), then Egyesek can support your participation in a program. But everyone is welcome to apply!
If you are not a resident of Hungary but want to join an IVS project, start by reaching out to a sending organization in your country – you can find these organizations through Alliance or CCIVS members.
If you're interested in an Egyesek program, let your sending organization know, and they'll guide you through the application process. Check out our work camp offers on our website! If you can't find an organization in your country, feel free to email us at outgoing@egyesek.hu, and we'll help you find a way to join.
Can I travel with a friend?
You can participate with a friend in the same project, but a maximum of 2 people from one country can attend a camp. Please indicate your partner’s name on your application form so that your application will be processed together.
What are the requirements?
Usually, camps do not require specific knowledge or skills. Sometimes, you will need previous experience in a particular field, but that will be clearly stated in the description. In this case, you may be asked to write a motivational letter introducing yourself, usually no longer than 1 page.
The language of the camps is usually English, but basic knowledge is enough: to understand
what’s going on around you, and of course to communicate with the other volunteers and the
camp leader. For some camps, you may be required to speak another language, but that will be clearly indicated in the description.
How long are these volunteering projects?
Camps’ length varies, but we can distinguish between:
- Short-term camps (2-3 weeks), generally called workcamps
- Medium-term projects (1-6 months)
- Long-term projects (more than 6 months)
Voluntary service projects can be group projects, where individuals or small groups from different backgrounds work together as a larger mixed group. This is usually the case in work camps.
What are the costs?
Travels
You will be responsible for your own travel costs to the camp, which means you are free to organize your trip as you wish!
Participation contribution
Most camps do not charge a fee. If they do, you will find it in the description under “additional host fee”. In this case, a fee is charged because the activity needs specific equipment or professional supervision, or because the community you will be volunteering for has no resources to provide accommodation and meals.
Registration fee
The registration fee supports the activities of Egyesek (maintaining the work camp activities within the organization, financing our network membership, and covering the communication costs). Please pay it during the registration via credit card. Once we receive the payment, your registration will then be forwarded to the organization running the camp you have applied for.
The amounts are:
- 18.000 HUF for short-term camps (max. 1 month)
- 29.000 HUF for medium and long-term camps (from 1 month + 1 day)
If we are unable to place you in a camp you have applied for, you can claim a refund of the registration fee, or you can choose to have your registration credited for a later application. But if you cancel after your application has already been accepted, you will not get a refund.
Insurance
You can arrange your insurance through us. All you have to do is indicate this when paying the camp registration fee. You can read the terms and conditions here and we will send you the policy by e-mail.
How do the accommodation and meals work?
Your accommodation and meals will be provided. Your accommodation can also be very varied, depending on where the camp is: youth hostel, dormitory, hostel, gym mattresses, tent, etc. Meals can be similarly varied, often with volunteers, for example, preparing meals for the group together. Living together, „collective life”, is an important element of camps, as it creates a real group spirit, giving you the opportunity to get to know each other and each other’s cultures, for example by cooking together. According to the campers, these are some of the most memorable moments of the camp!
The camp always has a technical leader who has the necessary expertise for the activity, so he or she will be there to help you during your work. You’ll also have a camp leader who will be with the group at all times, making sure everyone is settled and comfortable, and who you can turn to with any problems you may have.
What are the steps to apply?
- Browse the database of camps
- What you like, „add to backpack”
- Click Apply and fill in the application form with your details, and if they ask for a cover letter, upload that too
- In the end, prioritise the camps you have chosen. In one application you can apply for more camps and you will be selected to one based on this priority list. If you would like to participate in more camps one after the other, please apply separately.
- You can pay the camp registration fee by credit card (in the case of ESC financed camp, please skip that payment).
Once we receive your application we will forward it to the partner organising the camp you
choose for the first place on your priority list. They will get back to you within 2-3 days to let
you know if your application has been accepted (which usually depends on whether there are still places available). If not, we will forward your application to the next camp, and so on until your application is accepted. Once this happens, you will be notified immediately. If there are no spaces left at any of the camps, we will help you find additional camps that fit your needs. - You will receive an email notification when your application is accepted
- An information letter will be sent from the host organisation with the details you need to
organise your trip at least 1 month before the camp starts (location, date, meeting point, visa arrangements, exchange rate, etc.)
What happens if I have to cancel my participation?
The local communities supported by the camps rely on volunteers to help them achieve their goals. To make a successful camp, it is essential that they know the number of volunteers as soon as possible. Therefore, please do not cancel your participation once you have been selected. If you are unable to participate under any circumstances, you may in some cases be able to use the registration fee already paid to apply for another camp.
