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
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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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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
Teaching and Community Work in Zanzibar
Come to Tanzania and volunteer on this teaching and community dev...
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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
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
Internships in Oaxaca, Mexico - Adelante Abroad
Step out of your comfort zone with our amazing internships in Mex...
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African Impact
Teaching & Community Development in Zambia
Contribute to a Teaching Community Development Project in Zambia....
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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
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
Internships in Melbourne, Australia
Jumpstart your career with Australia’s top internships! Partnerin...
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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
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)
Sustainable Farming & Urban Agriculture in Galapagos
The farms of Isabela Island are working in greenhouses to optimiz...
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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
Volunteering in Zambia – Species Conservation
Become a conservation volunteer in Zambia and help collect essent...
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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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