With Workaway you can find 1757 hosts and organisations for community work around the world.
Low cost travel without having to pay expensive agency fees.
There are 12642 reviews for 1259 Workaway hosts for Community help from Workaway members.
1259 Hosts for Community were rated at least 4.9/5!
Registering as a Host
Registering as a host with workaway.info is completely free of charge.
Workaway.info has been set up to promote and encourage exchange and learning. Hosts on Workaway should be interested in cultural exchange and sharing experiences. They should be able to provide a welcoming friendly environment for visitors as well as offering accommodation and food.
Register to be a hostDo you want to be part of something bigger? Where your actions can make a real difference in the lives of others? Volunteering with community projects is your passport to a world of meaningful connections and positive impact! In exchange for your skills improving their community, you can expect an authentic cultural exchange like no other. Here’s how you can be the change you wish to see in the world…
Community projects are initiatives designed to address specific needs or issues within a community. These projects are usually organised by individuals, nonprofit organisations, or sometimes even local government funded entities that aim to improve the well-being and quality of life for community members.
Sometimes these projects are called social Impact projects or community development. They usually focus on a specific group for example children and youth NGOs, women’s empowerment or even animals.
Volunteering with a community means you are welcomed by an entire group of people. You won’t be volunteering with just one host or family, but instead maybe an entire school, organisation or even village. The cultural exchange benefits both parties as your skills help to improve their community, and their hospitality allows you to travel more authentically.
Here at Workaway we are determined to build a community of global travellers who genuinely want to see the world, whilst making a difference to the communities they visit. We enable these travellers to connect to welcoming locals who need their help and currently offer over 50,000 volunteer opportunities across 170 countries!
Alongside this, there are several reasons as to why you should volunteer with Workaway:
Community projects can cover a massive range of areas. This means there are crossovers with other host categories including environmental projects and education. The examples below represent just a fraction of the many, many community project opportunities available for volunteers through Workaway.
Depending on your interests, skills, and your travel goals there are so many ways you can make a positive impact and contribute to the well-being of communities around the world.
Here are some examples of the most popular projects on our platform:
This usually involves tutoring or mentoring young people in academic subjects or life skills. It can also involve supporting after-school programs or educational workshops. As well as supporting children with mentorship, there is a demand for volunteers to support indigenous communities with language, conservation and cultural exchange. For some inspiration, check out these hosts:
Environmental projects are incredibly diverse but also in need of volunteers. There are entire communities passionate about our planet that need your help with conservation, sustainable education, waste reduction programs and more. If you’re interested in community projects with an environmental focus, check out:
While you can experience a farmstay with a family, you can also help cultivate community gardens or farms and support groups with permaculture, off grid living, food distribution and more. Urban farms in particular are an interesting community project to be part of. They allow residents to participate in planting, tending, and harvesting crops, bringing a sense of ownership and empowerment within the community. This engagement builds social connections and a shared sense of responsibility for the farm's success. All while teaching people about sustainable agriculture and the importance of local, nutritious food. Sound like your kind of gig? Check out:
Health and Wellness projects within communities involve various programs and activities that promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of locals. They may include physical activity programs such as yoga retreats or football clubs, nutritional education, spirituality groups and mental health support. There is also a demand for volunteers to help with social support networks where groups are set up to encourage social interaction to combat isolation. Check out these community project for inspiration:
Animals need help with health and wellbeing too - not just humans! There is a huge demand for volunteers to support animal rescue, protection and conservation. These volunteer projects play a vital role in improving the lives of animals in communities, raising awareness about their needs, and encouraging a compassionate and responsible attitude towards animal welfare. For example:
Whether you’re the arty type, or simply enjoy learning about culture through creativity, there are hundreds of arts and culture programs waiting for you! This community projects include helping with art workshops or performances for community members as well as supporting local museums, theatres, or cultural centres. A handful of examples include:
Are you a fan of DIY or decorating? We need your handy ways! Renovation and repair skills are some of the best skills you can learn before your next Workaway as there is always a demand for volunteers within these areas. These types of projects might involve building schools, community centres, camping grounds or community gardens. From fence painting to furniture upcycling, plumbing to plastering - there are so many ways you can get involved. For example:
Getting involved in local advocacy groups to address specific community issues is incredibly rewarding personally as well as professionally. Volunteering with these types of projects are a great way to boost your CV as well as showcase your skills in marketing, childcare, teamwork and more. These types of community projects usually involve empowering people in situations of vulnerability, enhancing their abilities and skills for a better quality of life, for example:
Community projects (like all Workaway experiences) can differ in length. On the one hand, the longer you stay in one area the more you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the culture and truly feel like a local. On the other hand, you don’t want to become too comfortable as this is when boredom sets in (and goodbyes become even harder)!
Some community projects will have an exact end date or goal - for example building a school or providing support for a Summer camp. Others will be continual so require ongoing help throughout the year. Each host profile will have a calendar that shows their availability of when they can accept Workawayers. Check this first to make sure your plans align before contacting to discuss exact dates.
Alternatively, you can also filter your search using the dates you are travelling as well as your minimum stay criteria. Simply add these to the “availability” filter before you hit search. You can also tick the option of “last minute host” if you’re searching for a community project at short notice.
At Workaway we welcome both hosts and volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels. We truly believe it is never too late for a gap year and that communities all over the world would be lucky to have you! It's important to note that community projects often require a diverse range of skills and perspectives, so people from all walks of life can find meaningful ways to contribute.
In fact, we have volunteers who swapped retirement for a lifetime of adventures, another who completed their first Workaway aged 55 and empty nesters whose gap year turned into 8 years of adventures!
Volunteering with a community offers unique benefits that go beyond the impact of volunteering with a single individual or a host family. While volunteering with individuals or host families can be rewarding in their own right, community-based volunteering provides additional advantages. These include:
As mentioned we believe there is a Workaway project for all personalities. You can even take our quiz to find the type of volunteering for you here! The beauty of community projects in particular however, is that they can accommodate people with various skills, interests, and backgrounds. Here are some types of people who are in general particularly well-suited to community projects:
Now you know more about the roles and reasons behind community projects, you’re maybe wondering how to get started? Thanks to Workaway it could not be easier:
Volunteering on community projects are not just about lending a helping hand but about becoming a vital piece in a larger puzzle. Your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, can have a profound impact on the big picture! Are you ready to embrace the joy of making a difference? What are you waiting for!
