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Youth Support Program in Portugal
Volunteer in the Youth Support volunteer program in Portugal and support children in need in different non profit organizations by giving them the opportunity to experience extracurricular activities and helping them to discover and following their dreams
In Porto, you work alongside local nonprofits that run daycare services and after-school programs for children aged 6 to 16, and in some placements young mothers with their babies. Day to day you help with homework and English practice, run extracurricular activities such as sports, crafts, music or games, and support the organization's regular team with daily tasks. No previous experience is required, but you must be 18 or older and pass a criminal background check, since the role involves working with children.
Placements run 1–12 weeks, with new starts twice a month (Sundays), next on 20 Sep 2026. You live in a dormitory-style hostel by the Douro River in central Porto, with three meals a day included — breakfast at the hostel, lunch and dinner at a nearby restaurant. Programs start from $1,292, deposit included. The setup includes a day-one orientation, a guided walking tour of Porto, weekly group activities and 24/7 in-country support, so you are not left to find your own footing in an unfamiliar city.
- Volunteer to make life better for the underprivileged ones
- Assist different non-profit organizations in supporting children in need
- Structured all-inclusive program with 24/7 support
- Exposure to an international work culture
- Fun and meaningful experience with other people from all over the world
- Chance to explore Portugal’s popular places as well as hidden gems
- Program Certificate after completion
Your role on this program
- Help children with homework and English language practice
- Design and run new extracurricular activities for the children
- Support planned activities or teach a new sport, culture, language, instrument, game, or craft
- Share cultural and traditional aspects of your home country and talk with children about their goals and dreams
- Support the nonprofit organization's team with daily activities
- Organize donations and help with logistics for events run by the NGO
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Tasks are set by each nonprofit and may vary with the placement's needs; you support the organization's existing staff rather than replace trained teachers or social workers. You are not left alone in charge of children — placement staff supervise the activities, and a clean criminal background check is required before you start given the contact with children and, in some placements, young mothers and babies.
A typical day and week
After the orientation day, volunteers will be assigned a morning, afternoon or evening shift at the project placement and will work for approximately 4-5 hours per day depending on the schedule of the project.
Typical schedule of volunteers in Porto is as outlined below
Please note this schedule can vary depending on the schedule of each specific project. It might be a morning or afternoon shift depending on the specific tasks to be performed, the season, or different priorities that the non-profit might have during your volunteer program period.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- No previous childcare or teaching experience required
- Clean criminal background check report, issued within 12 months of the start date, since the role involves working with children
- Fit and healthy at the time of joining the program
- Open mind and a flexible attitude toward a new working environment
- Valid travel and medical insurance for the duration of the program
The placement, its limits and your part in it
Volunteers are placed with local nonprofit organizations in Porto that run daycare services or after-school programs, mainly for children aged 6 to 16, and in some cases for young mothers and their babies. After the day-one orientation you are assigned a morning, afternoon, or evening shift depending on the placement's current needs, and the day-to-day tasks are set by the organization's own staff rather than by Volunteering Solutions.
Because the work involves children, a clean criminal background check is required before you start, and placement staff supervise the activities you run. Your contribution is additional support — extra hands for homework help, tutoring, and recreational activities — not a substitute for the organization's qualified teachers or social workers, and any clinical or welfare decisions remain with them.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in PortugalCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $1,292 | |
| 2 weeks | $1,773 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,254 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,736 | |
| 5 weeks | $3,217 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,699 | |
| 7 weeks | $4,180 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,662 | |
| Each additional week | +$462 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Airport Pickup and Transfer to accommodation
- Introduction session and Placement Orientation
- Guided Porto City Center Walking Tour
- Accommodation at a dormitory at a centrally located hostel in Porto
- Three meals a day
- Shared use of common spaces and free WiFi
- Volunteer placement coordination
- Suggestion of weekly activities with the other volunteers
- In-country staff support 24/7 (and the best local tips to discover the city)
- Pre Departure Info Booklet
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Round-Trip Flights to Portugal
- Return Airport Drop
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
You will be picked up on arrival at Porto airport and transferred to the volunteer accommodation. A driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive and the coordinator is reachable 24/7, in case of any travel updates or troubles. For those participants who will already be in Porto beforehand just let us know and we will arrange your pick up from any location in Porto.
Orientation
On the first day of the program, all participants are given an introductory presentation with the group giving further details of the program along with a walking tour of Porto city center for approximately two hours.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in a dormitory-style hostel along the scenic Douro River in the heart of the city – the perfect retreat for volunteers in Porto.The accommodation is close to the metro and a short walk from São Bento train station and Torre dos Clérigos. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and bedding. Along with personal touches, like reading lights and power outlets at every bed and individual lockers to store your belongings securely.The hostel has both female and mixed gender dorms.
Private room upgrade can be arranged for an additional fee.The 4 bed mixed dorm room is converted to a private room upon request.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Breakfast is served buffet style at the volunteer accommodation.Lunch and dinner are served at a nearby restaurant that offers delicious Portuguese cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available upon request to accommodate dietary needs.
There is a fully equipped shared kitchen in the hostel that you can use to storage your food or to cook your meals.
During your Free Time
The weekends are free for you to get to know Portugal in a better way. We can help you to book the trips that you want to go to any point in the country. Besides that, we have one or two day programs, where you will have unique experiences on your own or in a group.
Volunteers can also join Portuguese Lessons. The language lessons are available for all volunteers, regardless of their starting level. By taking these classes, you will be able and communicate more effectively during your stay!
The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current Portuguese level and are taught by a professional Portuguese teacher. All the classes run from Monday to Friday, and the cost is very affordable.
During your free time and the weekends, you can enjoy our tours and activities, or simply be on your own, relaxing and exploring!
Some of the tours and experiences that you can enjoy during the free time include :-
-
Douro, Port and Moscatel Tour – Visit the vineyards, taste the different wines and have a typical lunch with amazing views
-
Minho and Vinho Verde Alvarinho Tour – Visit beautiful Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, and Monção, taste the Vinho Verde and some of the best Portuguese cuisine
-
Aveiro and Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour – Visit the beautiful city of Aveiro and get to know its wonders and traditions
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Portugal
Airport pickup
A driver meets you at Porto Airport (OPO) on any arrival day and transfers you to the hostel; the coordinator is reachable 24/7 for flight changes. If you are already in Porto, pickup from another location can be arranged.
First night
You settle into the dormitory-style hostel by the Douro River in central Porto ahead of the group orientation the next morning.
Orientation
On day one you get an introductory presentation covering the program, followed by a guided two-hour walking tour of Porto city center.
First project day
After orientation you are assigned to your placement and given a morning, afternoon, or evening shift based on the organization's current needs.
Ongoing support
In-country staff are available 24/7, and the group takes part in weekly activities together.
From volunteers in Portugal
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do on this program?
You mainly help children with homework and English practice, run extracurricular activities like sports, crafts or games, and support the nonprofit's staff with daily tasks; exact duties depend on the placement's needs.
Do I need experience or qualifications to join?
No previous teaching or childcare experience is required, but you must be 18 or older, fit and healthy, and provide a clean criminal background check since the role involves children.
What does a typical day look like?
After the day-one orientation you work approximately 4-5 hours a day in a morning, afternoon, or evening shift, depending on the placement's schedule.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Placements run 1–12 weeks, with new starts twice a month on Sundays; the next start is 20 Sep 2026.
What does the fee include?
The fee ($1,292, deposit included) covers airport pickup, hostel accommodation, three meals a day, orientation and a Porto walking tour, placement coordination, weekly activities, and 24/7 in-country support; flights, return airport drop, visa fees, vaccinations, and personal expenses are not included.
Where will I stay and what meals are provided?
You stay in a dormitory-style hostel near the Douro River in central Porto, with three meals a day — buffet breakfast at the hostel and lunch and dinner at a nearby restaurant; vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available on request.
How does airport pickup work?
A driver meets you at Porto Airport (OPO) on any arrival day and takes you to the hostel; the coordinator is reachable 24/7 if your flight changes, and pickup from elsewhere in Porto can be arranged.
What support is available once I arrive?
Local staff provide 24/7 support, a day-one orientation with a guided walking tour of Porto, and weekly group activities throughout your stay.
Do I need a visa, vaccinations, or insurance?
The source material does not list specific visa or vaccination requirements for this program; travel and medical insurance is compulsory (your own policy or one arranged through Volunteering Solutions at extra cost), and any further guidance is sent before departure.
Is a background check really required?
Yes, because the placement involves working with children and, in some placements, young mothers with babies, you need a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date.
Who is this program best suited for?
It suits volunteers 18 or older with an open, flexible attitude who want hands-on support work with children in an after-school or daycare setting, with no prior experience required.
Can I change my dates or destination after booking?
Yes, you can change your program, dates, or destination free of charge up to 45 days before your start date.
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