The Netherlands Volunteering

Why Pay Money To Volunteer? Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations.” While this may seem ridiculous at first glance, such fees often keep the organization afloat, in addition to covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent.
Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing) or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty implicit in creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. Though the Netherlands is considered wealthy by international standards, there is no shortage of organizations confronting the country’s very real issues such as immigration (see Low Country, High Tensions) and global warming (see A Race Against Tide). While many of the volunteer opportunities in the Netherlands require a strong command of the Dutch language, there are still several opportunities for English speakers.

Most people who volunteer in the Netherlands do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. The best way to find opportunities that match your interests and schedule may be to check with Vrijwilligers Centrale, an impressive national volunteer agency. Their free listing service will help you find a short- or long-term volunteer position in a range of local organizations such as day-care centers, human rights programs, and nursing homes. The national Dutch volunteer office also has a hotline (☎0900 899 8600, €0.20 per min.) that may be able to give you more general information. Another good way to search for volunteer organizations once in Amsterdam is to check the daily paper: every Saturday, newspapers like Het Parool and De Telegraaf post ads for service positions.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and non-sectarian—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either. You can sometimes avoid high application fees by contacting the individual work sites directly. The websites www.volunteerabroad.com and Action Without Borders (www.idealist.org) allow you to search for volunteer openings both in the Netherlands and worldwide.

Political Activism

Perhaps unlike its lighthearted capital, the Netherlands’s political scene is not all one big party. Travelers looking to flex some political muscle in the Netherlands have many options; the nation ...more

Social Activism

Amsterdam may be famed for its tolerance, but its large immigrant populations from Indonesia, Suriname, the Ivory Coast, the Caribbean, the Far East—and so on—have not always been welcomed with bouquets ...more

Medical Outreach

Travelers interested in volunteering in health-related fields in Amsterdam often need to make longer commitments than volunteers in other fields, though health volunteers are often rewarded with long-lasting ...more

Environmental Conservation

In 1997, the Amsterdam Treaty established sustainable development as a priority for the European Union, and environmentalism is on the rise throughout the Netherlands. During the 1990s, the number of ...more

Culture

The Netherlands offers a few organizations that take volunteers under their cultural wing. These can be some of the most intimate experiences a traveler can have with a host country—we guarantee you’ll ...more