The Volunteering Options project in Comhlámh aims to promote informed decision making by potential volunteers and to develop good practice standards among volunteer sending organisations. In doing so, we hope to ensure that overseas volunteering has a positive impact: for the volunteer, the sending organisation, and the host organisation and community.
To assist with achieving these objectives, a number of resources have been developed. These include the Volunteering Options website and book for potential volunteers, a comprehensive set of training workshops, information provision to the public, a volunteer charter, and research into the impact of volunteering on host organisations. Additionally, a Code of Good Practice for Volunteer sending Organisations has been developed and is currently being implemented by signatory organisations. Find out more here...
The Volunteer Charter sets out seven principles that aim to encourage responsible, responsive international volunteering. It contains lists of questions to help you make a decision about volunteering abroad in a developing country.
The Code of Good Practice for Sending Organisations sets out the responsibilities of the Irish-based sending organisations that arrange volunteer placements. Signing up to this code shows that an organisation supports the principles of the Code.
We look at how host organisations have been affected by hosting international volunteers and what they recommend for improving placements in order to improve both the experiences of the volunteers and of the host communities.