Résumé en français : que ce soit près de chez soi ou à l'étranger, les possibilités de rejoindre une organisation humanitaire sont nombreuses. Qu'ils partent pour un mois ou un an, les volontaires y trouvent un formidable enrichissement personnel.

More and more people are getting involved with humanitarian organisations, both at home and abroad. On a local level, you can find charities and associations which help with different issues. In the majority of cases, it is not too difficult to find something that reflects your interests, skills and availability. It is a question of finding out what organisations there are, and what skills you can offer. As the saying goes, charity begins at home.

However, if you have your sights set on somewhere further afield, there are also many opportunities. Depending on your age and the nature of the programme, you might have to pay for this as humanitarian organisations do not have the means to cover the costs. Bear in mind that you will need to save, at the very least, the cost of flights, and possibly also for accommodation and food whilst there. But the experience will no doubt be worth it. Whether it be looking after children in an orphanage or helping clean up beaches, working for humanitarian organisations abroad is very worthwhile. Many people, young and old, take a few months or even years out to dedicate to volunteering abroad.

One of the most well established volunteer schemes is the European Voluntary Service (EVS). Young Europeans between the ages of 18 and 30 can carry out voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the European Union (EU). Volunteers spend between two to 12 months abroad. The idea behind the scheme is to develop understanding and tolerance, whilst helping to promote social cohesion in the EU.

It is not just the local communities which are set to gain. Young people can gain a lot from volunteering. They often grow in confidence, acquire new skills and broaden their horizons. Unlike many programmes, volunteers do not have to pay to participate. They receive board and lodging, insurance cover and an allowance. They can also receive training during the length of the project. EVS activities can be carried out both individually or in a group. There is bound to be something to interest you, as the volunteer work spans a wide range of areas, from culture to youth to sports to social care to the arts!

But volunteering is not just for the very young! Once the preserve of young adults looking to take a year out before university, gap years are now becoming popular with people in all walks of life. People in their 40s and 50s are more and more likely to take a year out to volunteer abroad. Their life and work experience makes humanitarian organisations want to snap them up!