Volunteer Programs in Spain
Spain is one of the countries where you can combine all your skills while discovering every corner. Discover the needs of each of our projects and come with the illusion of sharing and living fascinating experiences. Do not miss the experience of volunteering in Spain in the cities of Valencia, Bilbao and Catalonia, you will collaborate in projects while you know some of the main cities of Spain, you can enjoy its beaches, culture, language, and at the same time create positive impacts through your solidarity travel.
Being part of one of the volunteer projects in Spain is a great opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice.
ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN CATALONIA
We are looking for the active participation of volunteers to collaborate in this wonderful place. You will be able to help in the first animal sanctuary in Spain. The main objective is to rescue and recover animals that are victims of exploitation. This objective is complemented, in addition, with the promotion of veganism, the fight for the recognition of Animal Rights and the fight against speciesism.
Your daily life will be in a natural space in contact with a great variety of animals. Most of the animals are rescued from situations of oppression and mistreatment, and saved from certain death at the hands of their exploiters. Come, share, help and contribute with your ideas.
SOUP KITCHEN IN VALENCIA
The Dining Room is located in the Benimaclet neighborhood of Valencia. It began operating in March 1994, meeting the needs of people who came to Caritas asking for different types of help.
During these years it has served a multitude of people (between 15 and 25 daily, depending on the time). In the last two years, the Comedor Social San José has taken a qualitative turn, there have been necessary changes to favor the daily life of the beneficiaries, increasing the quality of the services, to improve the work of the volunteers and to consolidate its validity. The number of beneficiaries served has increased to 50.
In this project as a volunteer you will be able to help many of the people in need to cover their meals.
AGRICULTURE WITH SCHOOLS IN VALENCIA
In this program you will meet both wonderful people and nature. You will help people with intellectual disabilities in the realization of ecological vegetable baskets, you will also help them in their future job placement. You will be a very important part of giving them tools and skills that will help them professionally and personally.
VOLUNTEERING IN BILBAO
Through the volunteer programs in Bilbao, we seek to collaborate in the protection of the environment, art diffusion, animal preservation, social collaboration and therapy in the city of Bilbao while you take a Spanish course.
What are the requirements for volunteering in Spain?
- You must be of legal age to participate in volunteer projects in Spain.
- Present a criminal record certificate if required by the volunteer program.
- Volunteers must be tolerant, enthusiastic and open-minded.
- Knowledge of the Spanish language.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
- Not consume or wear any animal products in the Vegan Sanctuary Program.
Where will I be while volunteering in Spain?
All volunteer projects in Spain take place in Valencia, Catalonia and Bilbao. Depending on where you stay, you can enjoy the cities on foot or by subway.
When can I volunteer in Spain?
You can participate all year round in the volunteer programs in Spain.
See specifications of schedules and arrival dates in each program.
For more information, questions or assistance with a colleague of our team you can contact us via phone or Whatsapp here.
The steps to follow to register are as follows:
- Fill out the form to reserve your volunteering.
- Wait for our confirmation of availability.
- Make a 1st donation for the registration to the Adventure Volunteer association.
- You will receive an email with the volunteer agreement to be completed by you.
- You will return to us by email all the requested information and you will be able to purchase the flight.
- A few weeks before you start you will receive information from the local organization.
- Now you only have to pack your suitcase, you have a whole team that will make everything easier for you and you will be in contact at all times, so you don’t have to worry.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
To be part of the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, it is not necessary any specific training and it is only required:
- To be of legal age (possibility minor with guardian or parents).
- To be a participative and committed person.
- Be respectful of people, culture and customs.
- To know how to adapt and work in a team.
- Criminal record certificate for social work.
- Sign cooperation agreement and interview with our team.
- Appropriate clothing for the destination.
- Knowledge of Spanish.
ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK IN SPAIN
Volunteers participating in volunteer programs in Spain have the following accommodation options.
- In Bilbao and Cataluña you have accommodation in the form of a volunteer house with shared bathrooms and shared rooms. Use of common areas.
- In Valencia, the volunteer must find his own accommodation, we can help you and recommend places. If your idea is to look for a hostel or hotel accommodation we leave you these data of possible accommodations: Urban Youth Hostel, Center Valencia Youth Hostel, Stay in Vibrant Russafa, Red Nest Hostel Valencia,The River Hostel.
Accommodation for volunteers in Catalonia
WHAT WILL THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION BE LIKE?
Upon arrival at Valencia Manises Airport (VLC), Bilbao Airport (BIO), or Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport for your selected volunteer program, the coordinator will give you directions to the program, or help you arrange a low-cost pick-up.
For programs in Bilbao, the coordinator will pick you up and take you to the project.
Depending on the time you arrive, you will be given an orientation. You will be given an overview of the activities and basic rules of the project. Additionally you will be oriented about places you can visit in your free time.
VISA IN SPAIN
- Depending on the country of origin, a visa is not required for stays between 30 and 90 days.
- Passport in order and valid for at least six months.
- Economic solvency (depending on the country of origin).
SECURITY IN SPAIN
The organization makes every effort to ensure that our volunteers remain safe.
You can behave as you would if you were moving to a new city anywhere:
- Be cautious.
- Check things out.
- Ask questions.
- Learn about your neighborhood.
- Know where the riskiest places are.
- Use common sense and be aware.
The financial contribution is divided into two parts:
- The registration that you will give as a donation to the Adventure Volunteer association. This contribution has a tax benefit of 80% that you will be able to deduct in your income tax return.
- The remaining part of the cost of the program will go to the partner organization that we will send on your behalf as a substitute or you can deliver it directly to the project.
| WEEKS | VALENCIA SOUP KITCHEN | VALENCIA AGRICULTURE | BILBAO | CATALUÑA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 260€ | – | 610€ | 260€ |
| 2 | 310€ | – | 1010€ | 310€ |
| 3 | 360€ | – | 1410€ (without language course)/ 1580€ (with course) | 360€ |
| 4 | 410€ | 410€ | 1810 (without course) / 2150 (with course) | 410€ |
| Additional | 50€ | 50€ | 400€ without language course / 570€ with language course | 50€ |
WHAT IS PROVIDED IN VOLUNTEERING IN SPAIN?
- Pick up at the airport in Bilbao Program
- Accommodation during your volunteering in Catalonia and Bilbao (in Valencia you must find your own accommodation).
- 3 meals per day in Catalonia, not included in the rest of the volunteer programs.
- 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
- Monitoring and evaluation of the program
- Orientation and induction to the program
- Certificate of weeks volunteered
- Volunteer and liability insurance
- Guidance, advice and management in choosing the program
- Spanish language course during your first 2 weeks of volunteering in Bilbao.
WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED IN VOLUNTEERING IN SPAIN?
- Flight to the country
- Meals in Valencia and Bilbao
- Airport pick up in Catalonia
- Visa, if required
- Travel medical insurance
- Vaccinations, if necessary
- Internal transportation or excursions
- Beverages or special diets or meals
- Travel within or outside the country
How to get involved in volunteering in Spain?
STEP 1
Once you fill out the program form, we will verify everything and confirm your place within 24 hours.
STEP 2
You pay the registration before 7 days, then your place will be guaranteed and you will be formally part of the family.
STEP 3
We send you the volunteer guide, course, mandatory insurance and the international volunteer agreement.
SPANISH CLIMATE
The average temperature regularly averages 17 degrees Celsius all year round.
- May to September you can enjoy the heat and the beach between 25 and 30 degrees.
- August is the warmest month of the year and the coldest month of the year is February.
CURRENCY
The official currency is the Euro. If you do not have euros in your country of origin, you can exchange them before coming to your bank or withdraw money by credit card or go to a money exchange office.
FLIGHTS TO SPAIN
For your volunteering in Spain, the final destination of your flight must be Valencia Manises Airport (VLC), Bilbao-Loiu Airport (BIO), or Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, depending on your volunteering destination, and whether you arrive in Spain by plane.
- Flights range between 50€ and 500€ approximately.
- You can find good flight deals on google flights or skyscanner.
Some airlines of reference for your volunteering in Spain are: Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, German Wings and other airlines that you will find in your European or American city.
TOURIST SITES IN SPAIN
In Spain you will find many places you can visit, here we tell you some that you can not miss if you travel to Spain.
ALBUFERA NATURAL PARK
One of the largest lakes in Spain, with great ecological and cultural importance. It is easy to get there, if you are very adventurous, you just have to take the line 25 of the public buses. This line takes you from the center of Valencia to the Palmar and Perellonet, just for 1.50 € the route. In the place you can take boat rides on the lake. The other option to visit the park is to take the Albufera Bus turistic.
HISTORY AND ITS NEIGHBORHOODS
If you would like to know a little more about the history of Valencia, we recommend the Old Town where you can find 4 very nice neighborhoods with so much history such as: El Pilar, El Mercat and Sant Francesc.
Nor can you miss the fishing district of El Cabañal where you will arrive with the streetcar or rental bikes to explore its large and white beaches of the Malvarrosa.
If nightlife is your thing, your neighborhood is Ruzafa, full of charming bars, making it one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Europe.
In all the neighborhoods of Valencia you can access with electric bikes, Tram, Bus, Bicycles. In its neighborhoods you will find tapas routes, mini theaters and places to make Spanish-English tandems.
EL CARMEN IN VALENCIA
You will find an incredible gastronomic variety, cultural and leisure activities, which make this neighborhood one of the most charming. It is one of the neighborhoods where you can go out to dinner, take a walk and why not party too. Through its ancient streets you can walk through centuries of history, from the Serrano towers, the entrance monument to the city of Valencia, to the Quart towers.
THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Among the buildings that we can appreciate are: L’Hemisfèric, El Oceanográfico, Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía, El Puente de l’Assut de l’Or and El Ágora.
BEACHES IN VALENCIA
From Castellón Valencia and Alicante, all no more than an hour you can see a myriad of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, very close to Valencia can go by bike or bus to the beach, you can visit the beaches of Saler and the Albufera de Valencia, are also very famous Beach alcocebre, Javea Calpe Altea and Benidorm, in Peñiscola Peñiscola beach, besides enjoying you can also see the castle of Pope Luna where fragments of Game of Thrones.
NEAR VALENCIA
Valencia is in the east of Spain with Barcelona to the north, Malaga to the south, Madrid to the west and the Balearic Islands to the east. All these cities can be reached in about three hours by car, from Alicante you can take a ferry to the island of Ibiza, where you can spend the weekend.
MAIN CITIES IN SPAIN
Through BlaBlaCar transportation, or if you prefer by train, you can visit the main cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, very Cosmopolitan cities full of history that will make you feel like in the seventeenth century.
You can also enjoy some of the following places in Bilbao.
MUSEO GUGGENHEIM
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a contemporary art museum designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry and located in the town of Bilbao (Basque Country), Spain.
The most striking feature of the museum is the innovative building in which it is located, consisting of curvilinear and twisted shapes, covered with limestone, glass curtains and titanium plates. It has a total surface area of 24,000 m², of which 10,540 m² are reserved for exhibitions, distributed in 19 galleries, making it the museum with the largest exhibition area in Spain.
SANTIAGO CATHEDRAL
The main protagonist of the old town of Bilbao is the Cathedral of Santiago, named after the patron saint of Bilbao: Santiago el Mayor. Although its size is not extraordinary, it is one of the best examples of Gothic churches in the Basque Country.
BILBAO RIVER
Another perfect place to disconnect is the Ría de Bilbao. Its atmosphere at sunset is really cool and strolling along the estuary is not only good for your health (if you don’t stop for an ice cream in one of the many kiosks scattered around the city), but it will allow you to breathe the Bilbao life mingling with locals and enjoying great views (it passes next to the Guggenheim).
Another great plan that you can do here is to get on board of a boat and sail along the estuary.
Finally, we show you some of the fantastic places to see if you volunteer at the Animal Sanctuary, in Catalonia in L’Esquirol.
LA GARROCHA VOLCANIC AREA NATURAL PARK
The Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrocha, is a Spanish protected natural area located in the eastern Pyrenees, in the region of La Garrocha, in the province of Gerona, Catalonia. It is the best example of volcanic landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. It has 40 volcanic cones of an age between 100,000 years, 10 craters, 23 well preserved cones and more than 20 basaltic lava flows.
YOU CAN ALSO SPEND THE DAY ON THE COAST
The Costa del Maresme, one of the many beaches you can visit, is located on the coast of the region of the same name that extends from the town of Montgat to the river La Tordera. Located a few kilometers north of Barcelona, you will enjoy the sea, the typical food and the good people.
How does the volunteer transfer to the program in Spain?
The local coordinator will show you how to get to the program. And on the first day you will be given an induction about the project, the tasks to be performed, orientation to the place, etc.
How early should I apply for a volunteering in Spain?
It is recommended that you apply for your place in the program as soon as possible, as places are limited. Once you are clear about the dates of your volunteer trip, it is important that you fill out the application form to secure your place in the program.
Can I volunteer in Spain with my friends?
Of course, every help and contribution is welcome. You can volunteer with friends, families, student groups, volunteer with your colleagues or do your university internship.
