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Overview
Being a volunteer for the Beach Cleaning Program in Spain, you'll get to make a significant contribution towards preserving the beach ecosystem and saving marine lives. Your main task would be cleaning the beaches by collecting the garbage on the beach and making a significant contribution towards nature, environment, and marine protection.
You'd also get to engage with the local people, spreading the knowledge of environmental conservation among them and educate them about the importance of clean beaches for future generations. This will be an incredible opportunity for you to work with professional conservationists who have been working here for a long time, and understand the condition in which our planet is thriving.
The main aim of this project is to improve the water quality of the sea by collecting all kinds of garbage from the beaches, to protect the ecosystems along the coasts, to preserve the spots for the surfers, to make people aware of the consequences of the beach and sea pollution to inform and to clear the beaches of rubbish, to keep them clean.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project and should be physically fit and prepared to work outdoors. Participants must have at least a basic knowledge of the Spanish/English language prior to joining the program. You need to commit at least 2 weeks to be a part of this program.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
The main tasks of the volunteers are as follows:
- Cleaning the beach & depositing the garbage in different bags and containers, depending on the type of waste
- Check the water quality around the project site
- Encourage the tourists to not trash the beach
- Initiate beach pollution control drives
Volunteer Work Schedule
Volunteers start their working day usually at ten in the morning. You along with other volunteers will clean a section of the beach from rubbish and deposit it in different bags and containers, depending on the type of waste. We encourage you to bring your own gloves and bags. You will also take measurements, such as water quality, that will be useful in improving the beach goers' pollution control program. You work around 20 hours a week, usually in the mornings. Volunteers travel to the project location by metro and it costs around 10-15 Euros per week.
Living
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Your volunteering adventure in Spain will only get better with Volunteering Solutions. Like we keep saying, just pack your bags and arrive.
Airport Transfer
The project site is in Bilbao, Spain. When you land in Bilbao, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign that says your name and will take you directly to your accommodation. The journey from the airport to the apartment takes around 30 minutes. If you would prefer to be taken by taxi from the airport to your accommodation by private taxi, this will cost an extra 30 euros..
Orientation
The orientation program starts on Monday and lasts for around an hour. Here you will be explained what you can find where in the city, what cultural peculiarities are in connection with Spain and you will again get information about volunteering and the Spanish course. The Spanish course begins on the same day from 9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. A member of the local team will take you to your project site.There you will get to know the project, the team around the project and your tasks during your work.
Accommodation
You'll be staying in a volunteer apartment, along with other volunteers. There are 5 volunteer apartments in the great neighborhoods and the locations are convenient - so you can easily access the public transport. The accommodations have all sorts of modern amenities - a working kitchen, bathrooms, and WiFi. You can find supermarkets and restaurants in the vicinity. The nearest cities, San Sebastian, Santander, or Vitoria, are only an hour's drive away and the beaches can be reached from the city center by subway in 30 minutes.
Meals
Meals are not included and participants can cook their own meals in the apartment or choose to eat at the numerous restaurants and cafes in the city. Kitchen at the apartments are fully equipped with utensils available.
During your Free Time
In Bilbao, there is an incredible amount to experience and discover! The cityscape of the actual capital of the Basque Country is shaped by skyscrapers in the center. The volunteer accommodations are located in the center and have very good connections to public transport. In close vicinity you can find restaurants and gyms and the beach can be reached in 30 minutes by metro.
Program Cost
Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)
What are you Paying for?
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup at Bilbao
- Orientation
- 2 Weeks Spanish Lessons (20 hrs per week)
- Accommodation in Volunteer Apartment
- Free leisure activities based on availability (salsa dance course, wine tastings, excursions)
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- Airfare
- Visa and Vaccinations
- Meals
- Return Airport Drop
- Local Public Transportation
- Any personal expenses
- Cost of daily transfer to project
Program Dates
| Months | 2023 |
| January | 08152229 |
| February | 05121926 |
| March | 05121926 |
| April | 0209162330 |
| May | 07142128 |
| June | 04111825 |
| July | 0209162330 |
| August | 06132027 |
| September | 03101724 |
| October | 0108152229 |
| November | 05121926 |
| December | 03 |
FAQ's
FAQ's Application and Program Details
It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. The application fee is valid for one full year and can be sent earlier than the desired year of volunteering for timely confirmation of the seat. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot. We work on the basis of the first come first serve policy.
Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’ and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (Age, skills and experience etc.).
Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Spain Volunteer Projects:
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program.
Intermediate level of Spanish for projects with children.
Mandatory swimming knowledge for Marine Conservation Project.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
The participant must be in good health.
Yes, you are welcome to take part in Spain Volunteer Programs as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the Spain Programs.
Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
The Childcare programs are located in the quaint coastal city of Valencia. The Marine Conservation Project is located in the beautiful traditional town of Denia.
Valencia has one of the most beautiful and sunny coasts of Spain, with several kilometers of beaches to enjoy the sea in a warm climate and practice water sports, and that’s why it is also an important tourist destination.
Denia is at the heart of the Valencia Community, between the cities of Valencia and Alicante and less than 100 km from both international airports. Denia is very well communicated with other Spanish cities by bus and is also the closest city to Ibiza. It only takes a couple of hours to arrive at the amazing island by boat!
There are two project locations in Spain - Valencia, and Denia. Volunteers joining the project in Valencia (Childcare and Conservation) are picked from Valencia Airport (VLC). Volunteers joining the Marine and Conservation Project in Denia, are picked up from the Alicante Airport (ALC). Volunteers are picked up from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and taken to the respective accommodations. Volunteers should arrive a day prior to the starting date of their chosen program.
Volunteers usually work for 4 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekends off, so you can travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
Flights and Visa
Participants (most nationalities) require a Tourist Visa to travel to Spain. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a Tourist Visa before departing for Spain. Consult the Spanish Embassy in your country for more details. If needed, Volunteering Solutions can provide with written documents that would help volunteers in getting the Visa.
Spain’s Airport is very well connected with the rest of the world and majority of the airlines fly to Spain. Some of the recommended airlines that fly to Valencia are - British Airways, Ryanair, KLM, Lufthansa, Aeroflot, Easyjet etc.
Health and Safety
All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Spain.To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to Spain, click here.
Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Spain is one of the safest European countries to visit. Spain welcomes tourists and discerning travelers with open arms. To our volunteers, we recommend to go out and eat out after consulting their in-country coordinators. We also recommend that volunteers try to move out in a group and go for sightseeing together. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.
Connect with Past Volunteers
We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Spain program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.
Accommodation and Living
Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, its surroundings and other facilities around the location. Both the program destinations are modern cities and have multiple options to commute from the project to the placement.Most preferred modes of transport are buses, taxis, and metro. The projects are located in Valencia and Denia.
Accommodation is provided from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will be according to the volunteer project you have selected. Projects which are located in the city usually offer accommodation in the city center in residences in a single room in a shared apartment. The accommodation is very comfortable with all the basic facilities. The rooms are well furnished and the apartment has a fully functional kitchen as well. Volunteers who wish to cook their own meals can do so. All the accommodation options are a great opportunity to interact with local and foreign people, learning about different cultures and making new friends from all around the world.
Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form.
Depending on your project placement, you will get evenings and the weekends free, to travel and explore the places.In the evenings, volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips. In Spain, you’ll see a magnitude of interesting sights. Visit the artistic Barcelona, the grandiose Royal Palace in Madrid, the imposing Catedral de la Almudena, the golden triangle of museums, Mezquita of Cordoba Ancient streets and many Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic or Romanesque monuments. Trust us, you will not get enough of the Spanish cities!
Also, go for a football match which is a must when in Spain.
Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. You also need to cover for meals, that aren’t included in the program. However, you should carry around Euros 75–80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on weekend trips out of town.