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Community Development Volunteer Programs Abroad

The concept of community development, groups of people taking collective action to achieve a common goal, or solve a universal problem, goes back centuries. But it is in the last half-decade or so that it has become a global initiative, a major area of study and research and one of the best ways to accomplish real change through volunteer work abroad. The best community development projects benefit entire cities, countries, and regions, and often the overall environment, but the main focus of volunteering in community development is to raise the standard of living for a sub-population experiencing unique struggles or exceptional need in some way.

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994 Community Development Volunteer Programs

Community Development
9.53749 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all...

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Community Development Abroad - Projects
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Projects Abroad

Community Building Projects in Ghana with Projects Abroad

If you're on a gap year, summer placement, or career break and wa...

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Kaya Responsible Travel
101 reviews

Kaya Responsible Travel

Teaching and Community Work in Zanzibar

Come to Tanzania and volunteer on this teaching and community dev...

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MAXIMO NIVEL
9.41407 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

Top-Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guate...

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Volunteer for the Visayans
9.888 reviews

Volunteer for the Visayans

Volunteer and Intern in the Philippines

Find out why it's more fun and meaningful to volunteer with us! V...

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Adelante Abroad
9.56 reviews

Adelante Abroad

Internships in Oaxaca, Mexico - Adelante Abroad

Step out of your comfort zone with our amazing internships in Mex...

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African Impact
9.32213 reviews

African Impact

Teaching & Community Development in Zambia

Contribute to a Teaching Community Development Project in Zambia....

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.840 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

Top Social Work Volunteer Opportunities & Internships Abroad

GoEco offers a wide variety of social work volunteer opportunitie...

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Impact Gap Year
93 reviews

Impact Gap Year

South Africa, France and Thailand Gap Year Exploration

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thail...

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The Intern Group
9.5355 reviews

The Intern Group

Internships in Melbourne, Australia

Jumpstart your career with Australia’s top internships! Partnerin...

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GVI
9.35267 reviews

GVI

Marine Conservation Expedition in the Seychelles

Travel to a country known for its equatorial climate and enter a ...

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The Real Uganda
9.8116 reviews

The Real Uganda

Holistic Community Outreach in Uganda

The Real Uganda's volunteers assist our partners with a variety o...

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Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)
9.676 reviews

Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

Sustainable Farming & Urban Agriculture in Galapagos

The farms of Isabela Island are working in greenhouses to optimiz...

Volunteer World
8.7512 reviews

Volunteer World

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...

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Natucate
101 reviews

Natucate

Volunteering in Zambia – Species Conservation

Become a conservation volunteer in Zambia and help collect essent...

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Latest Program Reviews

Brilliant impacting students with social enterprice skills

by: uzoma chisom emmanuel - NigeriaProgram: Social Enterprise Marketing, Finance, & More
8

social enterprise skills is a wonderful skills that students should be exposed to early during their academic pursuit. As a research assistant at the international center at Eastern university university located in Cyprus. My role was to coordinate, manage and grant award to student who excelled in their various social enterprise skills, both in the field of information technology, finance, science and marketing. i would be glad to have the same excellent experience with your organization since i already have above 10 years experience in the co ordination and administration of such programs.

A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Community Development

Why Volunteer Abroad

There’s no better way to expand your cultural knowledge and your professional and technical skills than to complete volunteer work abroad in community development. The field is so broad, and dispersed internationally, that volunteers can easily find a location and type of project to fit their interests and ambitions in volunteering abroad. Whether helping children gain access to technology or resources, creating green spaces and wellness programs to improve health and environmental protection, working on a sustainable agriculture project, or developing a community water system in a rural village, community development volunteer programs target people who need support and direction to build a better community and future for their children.

Volunteering abroad in community development is also an excellent way to decide on a career path. Community development projects are conceived, funded, and undertaken by many different kinds of entities, governments (usually local, but sometimes national), non-profit organizations, philanthropists, international aid organizations, universities, and faith-based organizations. As a community development volunteer abroad, you’ll learn how to develop and implement projects and how organizations function to achieve success.

Societal and environmental problems are universal, but methods to tackle them are not. Seeing how other people around the world approach a community problem and how they create a solution is a valuable learning experience for any international volunteer. Volunteering in community development is of course particularly beneficial for individuals with career goals in community development, economics, politics, civil service, and other community-focused fields.

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