Recruiters agree that volunteering is one of the best ways to break into global development. But finding a reputable organization where your particular skills will be best utilized is a challenge in itself. Here are 10 no-fee programs where you can gain experience while doing good. (Some even pay!)

1. 10
no-fee
volunter programs
to kickstart
your development career

2. Recruiters agree that volunteering is one
of the best ways to break into global
development. But finding a reputable
organization where your particular skills
will be best utilized is a challenge in itself.
Here are 10 no-fee programs where you
can gain experience while doing good.
(Some even pay!)

3. A faith-based organization that supports
food storage, farming and social
entrepreneurship in Uganda, JENGA’s
acceptance of volunteers depends on
their current projects and the help they
need.
Email to introduce yourself and inquire
about potential opportunities.
JENGA Community Development Outreach#1

4. Tostan’s Africa Volunteer Program offers
full-time, competitive volunteer
placements for a minimum commitment
of one year. Volunteers receive a stipend
to help support education, health,
environment, governance and economic
growth in communities throughout West
Africa.
Email volunteer@tostan.org for more
information.
#2 Tostan#2

5. Challenges is looking for people with a
minimum of 10 years business
experience who are willing to give
their time and expertise to help
businesses in low and middle-income
countries flourish. They will usually
cover a volunteer’s return travel costs,
accommodation while in-country and
provide a daily stipend. Apply here
#3 Challenges Worldwide#3

6. An interdenominational Christian
organization with a goal of establishing
nurturing churches, AIM works in the
fields of leadership development, youth
ministry, medical ministry, community
development and community health.
You are expected to raise money for
your short or long-term stay.
Express your interest here
#4 African Inland Mission#4

7. Kiva is a nonprofit that connects
people through lending to alleviate
poverty. They have intern and
volunteer opportunities in their San
Francisco headquarters as well as a
Kiva Fellow Program, where a
volunteer will live in the host
country of one of their partner
microfinance institutions.
Check here for current openings
#5 Kiva#5

8. Bankers without Borders is a global
reserve of business professionals who
support social enterprise, microfinance,
and technology sector initiatives
throughout the developing world.
Volunteers can contribute via virtual
assignments, projects at their
headquarters in Washington D.C., their
technology center in Seattle or with on-
site work in emerging markets.
Check here for opportunities
#6 Bankers without Borders#6

9. HEDON focuses on sustainable
energy at household and
community level to improve the
lives of people living in poverty
while combating climate change.
You can volunteer from wherever
you are by offering your services
as a translator, copy editor, event
speaker, website developer and
more.
See where you fit
#7 HEDON Household Energy Network#7

10. VSO's work revolves around several
development areas: health, HIV and
AIDS, participation and governance,
secure livelihoods and education.
Depending on your professional
experience and skills, you will be
matched with a suitable overseas
placement to help local professionals
become more effective in their work.
Check here for current openings
#8 VSO International#8

11. VEGA boasts a network of more than
65,000 volunteers that it taps for
projects aimed at fighting poverty and
promoting economic growth in
emerging markets. Volunteers are
usually placed with partner
organizations such as Winrock
International, International Executive
Service Corps, ACDI/VOCA and Financial
Services Volunteer Corps.
Submit your interest and CV here
#9 Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance#9

12. The United Nations volunteering arm
has been in operation since 1971. It
deploys more than 7,700 peace and
development volunteers every year and
works in 130 countries. To volunteer,
you have to be at least 25, have a
university degree or higher technical
diploma, two years’ relevant working
experience and a good working
knowledge of any of the three UNV
languages: English, French or Spanish.
Register here
#10 United Nations Volunteers#10

13. Ready to kickstart your career?
How volunteering abroad can kickstart your development career
read more:
7 ways volunteering can advance your development career
Corporate volunteerism: Moving today’s workforce where it
needs to be tomorrow