How to help your teenager find the right international volunteering project for them

juliashutkevych2
Jul 7
5 min read

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International volunteering is the perfect way for your teenager to broaden their horizons and build skills for life whilst contributing to important causes. Helping your teenager find the right project for them is one of the most important steps to ensure they have a meaningful experience in a safe environment. Concordia UK has decades of experience helping young people find the right project for them. Here’s our advice on how you can do the same for your teenager.

First off, you’ll need to help your teenager decide how long they’d like to volunteer for. Placements can last anywhere from a week to a year or more. Shorter projects that last a week or two are great for school breaks, whilst longer placements are perfect for gap years.

As well as deciding how long they’d like to volunteer for, your teenager will also need to decide when to go. Help them consider the local weather in the region and the sort of work they will be doing, especially if the work is largely outdoors. We recommend applying for projects 6-8 weeks before the start date, to give plenty of time to sort any paperwork and visas (if necessary).

Lastly, your teenager should consider what sort of work they would like to do and what causes matter most to them. If they already have an idea of what career they might be interested in, they should consider volunteering for a project that will allow them to build skills and experience in that area. For example, volunteering at a language school can be a great springboard into teaching.

Once you’ve helped your teenager decide what, when, and where they’d like to volunteer, it’s time to start looking for projects that fit the criteria. Concordia has hundreds of projects to choose from. Our online tool lets you filter by date, country, and interest, so it couldn’t be easier to find the right project.

Key Questions Parents Should Ask

Your teenager must lead the research to find a project that matters to them, but there are a few questions you can ask to help them find a safe, ethical, and impactful volunteering opportunity.

Who is running the project?

There are countless options out there to choose from, so your teenager will need help finding a project hosted by a legitimate organisation. Established organisations with a good track record are more likely to offer safe, ethical, and meaningful volunteering experiences.

Concordia works with a global network of charities and non-profits to match volunteers with grassroots projects organised by local community organisations. No one makes a profit; you only need to cover the essential costs.

Is the programme ethical?

The work must be appropriate to your teenager's skill level, and local people should be involved in planning and decision-making. It is common for profit-making operators to encourage young people to take on roles that should be left to those with expertise in the area. Concordia's overseas projects are hosted by local grassroots organisations to ensure your teenager is contributing to a project that is genuinely wanted by locals.

What happens if things go wrong?

Check what support your teenager will have whilst they are away and who you can contact if they are worried. Concordia has a proven record of supporting young people when they volunteer. All of our volunteers are welcomed into a group and in the care of a vetted host organisation. They will always have an in-country contact coordinating their project, and our experienced team in the UK is just a phone call away, 24/7.

What are the costs, and what is included?

With many for-profit operators offering volunteering placements, things can get expensive. Check what is included before you sign up and look out for hidden fees. This will help your teenager budget accurately and avoid any surprises. Lots of Concordia’s projects cost just £250 and always include food and accommodation. We are a charity, so anything you pay goes to providing your teenager with an unforgettable experience.

What is the accommodation like?

Ask your teenager to check where they will be staying and ensure they are comfortable with the accommodation style. Dormitories, camping, and staying with host families are all common options - but they are not always for everyone.

Helping your teenager prepare

Once your teenager has found the right project, you will need to help them prepare the logistics and admin.

Passports and visa - Ensure your teenager has a passport that is valid for six months after they return home. Also, check if your teenager needs a visa for the length of their stay. Concordia's local partners will be able to help with this if necessary.
Travel - Help your teenager plan how they will get there and who will meet them at the other end. Concordia's volunteers are provided with clear instructions for the last legs of the journey.
Emergency contacts - Make sure your teenager knows who to contact if things go wrong, including someone from the host organisation and back home.
Appropriate travel and health insurance is always recommended, so check with the host organisation what might already be covered.
Vaccinations - Check what (if any) vaccinations are recommended for the region and the work your teenager will be doing. Book an appointment via your GP or check what medication might be needed using Travel Health Pro. Some vaccinations need to be given ahead of time, so check at least 6-8 weeks before your teenager sets off. Travel vaccinations might not be covered by the NHS, so remember to budget for this.

Red flags to watch out for

Not all volunteering projects and operators have your teenager's best interests in mind. You should avoid any projects that are not transparent about the outcome of the work, or the costs involved. Likewise, projects that do not include the local community or lack local partnerships are potentially problematic as locals may not want or need the help in the first place.

We need to be realistic about what a group of young people can achieve in the timeframe, so projects offering unrealistic promises (e.g., “save the world in two weeks”) should also be avoided.

Beware of for-profit companies that market themselves as charities. A lot of the big players in this game often use language and marketing that mimic charitable causes but aim to profit from your teenager's good intentions and will put their bottom line first. Concordia is a registered charity that will never profit off of young people volunteering.

Lastly, check for reviews or a verifiable track record to ensure the organisation running the project is up to the job. All of Concordia’s projects have genuine reviews from previous volunteers.

Helping your teenager find the right international volunteering project is one of the most rewarding ways you can support their personal growth and global awareness. With the right guidance, they can embark on a journey that builds confidence, skills, and lifelong memories - all while making a real difference in the world. At Concordia UK, we’re here to help every step of the way, from choosing the right project to preparing for departure.

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