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Community Development Project in Barcelona

Volunteers in the Community Development Program in Spain and work with an NGO dedicated to community building. Volunteers get involved in a variety of tasks such as workshops, training, working in food bank etc.

Spain

country

1-24 Weeks

duration

from $713

price

16 years+

min age

Highlights

Experience humanitarian actions related to community building
Connect with the local population of the most humble neighbourhoods of Barcelona
Gain first-hand international work experience while volunteering with a bunch of enthusiasts
Meet some committed people from different parts of the world
Get involved with a wide variety of tasks while volunteering in the humanitarian project
Improve your Spanish language skills by participating in the Spanish classes
Work on weekdays for the project, weekends are free to explore the beautiful city of Barcelona

Voluntrainees in the Community Development Program in Barcelona work with an NGO which is dedicated to community building, so we are looking for people who share the same values, who want to create solidarity networks of people and we want the participants to commit to carry out the program, who are interested in learning new tasks that in the future promote their social and labor insertion and/or or that of their peers. Proactivity and interest in the project is an extremely important characteristic to participate in the project. The beneficiaries must be responsible for the tasks they carry out and must comply with the times stipulated.

Participants work in an NGO located in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Barcelona.The main goal is to fight poverty through Community Building, this
means that the NGO is covering a large scale of social and environmental services as Food bank, elderly/children care, homeless care, sustainable development (permaculture, underwater conservation etc.)

There are different circles of interest in which the project works: administration, marketing, human resources, maintenance, workshops, work with children, art and customer service, all of which are made up of volunteers. Participating in each of them allows volunteers to develop new competencies and acquire skills that prepare them to enter the labor field with a base of experience in each of the trainings related to their volunteering.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

The main responsibility is to complete the daily tasks of the work schedule, be punctual and follow the rules of co-living.

Attend to and guide the local volunteers by assigning tasks to them and involving them in the activities
Participate in the food bank, different workshops and partnerships
Participate in all of the necessary training and workshops
To attend classes and workshops to fellow volunteers and people from the local neighborhood

Requirements & eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. Participants are also required to pass an interview with the board member of the project.

Volunteer work schedule

A typical day

Between June 26th and September 1st the activities revolve around the summer school (called Casal de Verano) which we run in the center. The majority of the work during this time involves working with the kids so some of the workshops and training may be affected.

The volunteers will work 35 hours/week, this includes cleaning and maintenance of the living space. The working hours are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. The day starts with Morning Glory: a 30’ routine including 15’ of physical activity, this can be yoga, stretching, exercise, etc; 8’ of meditation and 7’ of positive writing.

Every day is planned around the necessary activities of the center:

Monday is check in day!
We welcome in the NGO the new voluntrainees to share community lunch at 1pm, Then we give to the newbies an orientation tour of the NGO. Then, they will have a training on the topic of the day until 17hs.
Then, they will go for a climbing workshop between 17:30 and 19:30.Then they will go to recollect donation of bread between 20hs and 21hs to bring to the food bank of the following day.

Tuesday:
Every Tuesday we start at 10am with the Morning Routine of well being.
The first thing in the morning is prepare the area and disinfect the floor, tables and fridges which will come in contact with the food; inventory control and separate the food that expires soon. The logistics are very important and everybody needs to work together in this! We distribute the food to the local families and once finished we disinfect everything a second time.
Once we end cleaning everything, we gather to attend the meditation workshop.

Wednesday are days in which the volunteers work on the morning with elderly people then on the afternoon they get a training on different projects in which they will have task to realize, for example: communication, administration, arts, maintenance and improvements, hygiene, marketing, etc. There is also six hours of training per week: cross cultural of volunteership, human resources, food regulation, NGO’s finance, etc.

Thursday and Friday: every week either Thursday or Friday we have a partnership with other NGOs in Barcelona. Every Thursday we go to our organic farm in the mountains close to the NGO to share community life and work together on the farm before sharing lunch together. Every second Friday we go to the city center of Barcelona with another NGO and to hand out food to the homeless in the area.

From Monday to Wednesday the days end with a workshop of either climbing, or yoga and meditation.

Friday afternoon we have a weekly meeting in order to plan the next week and also do some team building activities.

Weekends are off to enjoy Barcelona!

Gallery

Life on the programme

Living

Accommodation & meals

Airport Transfer
The project site is in Barcelona, Spain. When you land in Barcelona, a local representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign that says your name and will take you directly to your accommodation. Airport pickup is provided between 10am – 6pm on the program arrival date, which has to be Sunday.

Orientation
Participants are given an induction on arrival and welcome interview in the next few days to be able to plan the volunteering and the program.

Accommodation and Meals
Participants are accommodated in a sustainable hostel or a shared, same-gender apartment, depending on availability and length of stay. Private rooms may be available for an additional cost. All accommodations include shared kitchens and bathrooms.

Food is provided throughout the program. Volunteers collaborate to plan and prepare meals together, with lunch typically prepared and shared communally. Breakfast, dinner, and snacks are self-managed by participants using the ingredients supplied. The project covers basic, healthy, and nutritious food items, with additional support from a local food bank.

Local Transportation
Participants typically use the Barcelona Metro to travel between their accommodation and the project site. The metro system is reliable, affordable, and well-connected across the city.

During your Free Time
Barcelona is one of the world’s most vibrant and visited cities, offering a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. The local team can provide guidance on places to visit, eat, and explore. Volunteers are also encouraged to organize their own outings.

For weekend trips, the Costa Brava—just 1.5 hours from Barcelona—offers beautiful coastal towns such as Cadaqués, Platja d’Aro, and Tossa de Mar.

Volunteer work takes place in the Nou Barris district, an area known for its diverse immigrant community, where many residents face socio-economic challenges. This provides participants with an opportunity to make a meaningful local impact.

Dates

Start dates

Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.

AvailableFilling fastFully booked

Costs

Program fees by duration Currency

A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.

Duration	Program fee
1 week	$713
2 weeks	$960
3 weeks	$1,230
4 weeks	$1,440
5 weeks	$1,655
6 weeks	$1,920
7 weeks	$2,160
8 weeks	$2,375
Each additional week	+$255 / week

Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.

✓ What you're paying for

Pre departure Information and Support
Airport pickup in Barcelona during scheduled hours
Accommodation in hostel or shared apartment
Meals
Orientation/Induction on arrival
Training in Community Building
Complete pedagogical material
Spanish classes
Workshop
NGO internal exam and certification process
In-country support
Project equipment and resources
Personal Coaching & Mentoring

Not included

Airfare
Local Transportation in the city
Touristic visits
Personal Expenses and items
Return Airport Drop

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Application & getting started

When should I apply?

Apply as soon as your dates are decided — spots are limited. The application fee is valid for a full year, so you can apply early to secure your place.

How do I apply and when do I pay?

Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee. The program fee can be paid later, even in instalments, but must be complete 45 days before the program starts.

What are the requirements?

Participants must usually be at least 17 (families welcome with younger children), with an open mind, good health and respect for local customs. A clear criminal background check is required from all adults.

Accommodation, meals & support

Where will I stay and what about food?

You stay in a volunteer house or with a host family, with meals provided. Private-room upgrades are usually available.

Is there support while I'm there?

Yes — a local coordinator gives you an orientation on arrival and is available 24/7 throughout your placement.

Health, safety & visa

Do I need insurance and vaccinations?

Valid travel-medical insurance is mandatory (available from us at a nominal cost). Consult your travel doctor for recommended vaccinations; your pre-departure pack covers the details.

Do you help with the visa?

Yes — all enrolled participants get visa-requirement information in the pre-departure manual, and your point of contact can answer questions.

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