In the morning, you get to meet some of the local staff in an interactive session (at the volunteer accommodation) that includes some ice-breaker activities and a presentation that covers a lot of useful information including: an introduction to Portugal and it's culture, the volunteer experience (setting expectations), practical information for getting around the city and beyond, and safety guidelines.
In the afternoon, the new volunteers will be taken on a special tour of the city centre. You will also able to buy bus tickets, local sim cards and exchange money if necessary, all with a local staff member for support.

After the initial orientation, you will join the afternoon or evening shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that the starting times and daily workload depend on the center that you are participating in.

A typical daily schedule for an evening shift will look as follows:

08:00 Breakfast begins and is available until 10:00

10:00 Explore the city and learn Portuguese during your free time

13:00 Lunch is served at the accommodation.

18:00 Head to your project and join the local staff to volunteer at one of the food rescue centers.

21:00 Dinner at the accommodation with the other volunteers. After dinner, you are free to relax and spend your time as you wish.

Please note that the actual schedule can change according to the shifts volunteers participate in. Usually shifts last from 18:30 to 20:30, but at times, they can last until midnight.

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well! But we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Bom dia!" (good morning in Portuguese) can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals.

There are also language lessons available for volunteers. The language lessons can be booked before or on the arrival. Lessons are taught by a professional teacher and tailored to each volunteer’s current language level.

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

- Accommodation
- Three meals a day, everyday: breakast, lunch and dinner (Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request.)
- Pick-up at the airport and transfer to the accommodation (On the Sunday prior to an Introduction Day)
- Allocation to a non-profit organisationand placement coordination on the first day of volunteering
- Reponsible guided city tour (2 hours) SIM card, free maps and the best tips to discover the city!
- Materials for the volunteer activities.
- Support 24/7 (365 days a year at anytime.)

Criminal Background Check required - this document needs to be sent to the local team at least one week before arrival day.

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.