Best Volunteer Opportunities in Europe for Teenagers

If you’re under 18 and are excited to explore Europe, we have excellent opportunities for you. Start dreaming away of Europe’s natural beauty, rich culture, and awesome cuisine. We know, you’re not just about admiring Europe’s natural and cultural gems. You want to help conserve them! Let’s take a closer look at some of our best volunteer opportunities in Europe for teenagers.

Whether you’re an animal lover, prefer nature or want to give back to the local community, look no further! You’ll find inspiring volunteer opportunities right here. Get ready for an adventure that will not only introduce you to a new culture but will broaden your horizons! Let’s take a look at the top volunteer opportunities in Europe for teenagers!

Youth Travel Programs at a Horse Sanctuary

Spain

Horse lovers will find themselves in nirvana at one of the horse sanctuaries tucked away in the mountains of Southern Spain. Spend time in Andalucia as you help care for horses that have been rescued. You’ll learn how to train horses sympathetically and naturally. Have you always dreamed of a barefoot and bitless approach? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Learn all about what it takes to raise a happy, healthy, emotionally and physically balanced horse and share this insight with other horse lovers. This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers who have experience with horses but it is just as welcoming of those who don’t have any. 

At the sanctuary, they look a lot at horse and human psychology and body language to communicate between the horse and human. This has proven to build confidence within both parties, allowing them both to respond to each other without using force.

Volunteers who love horses, are interested in learning more about themselves and don’t shy away from some picking up a shovel and physical work will have an unforgettable experience. Connect with volunteers who share your passion and build friendships that may last a lifetime.

Volunteering Abroad under 18 for Whale & Dolphin Conservation

Spain

Volunteers who love the sea and are passionate about whales and dolphins will fall in love with Tenerife. Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands also known as the ‘Islands of the Fortunate’. Tenerife is biologically diverse due to its extraordinary climate and geography. It is jam-packed with natural treasures like volcanoes and national parks while also offering a variety of villages and fantastic diving opportunities.

It’s also one of the top whale and dolphin watching destinations in the world. The southwest coast of Tenerife is an outstanding location to observe free-living whales. Resident communities of whales and dolphins allow you to observe them on the most days of the year. On top of that, there are 24 other whale and dolphin species migrating through Canarian waters at different times of the year. How exciting!

Greece

If you’re more keen on exploring Greece, you can help with dolphin conservation in the Greek Gulf of Ambracia. Discover the land of ancient ruins, picturesque villages against a backdrop of azure blue waters and mouthwatering cuisine.

Learn more about these fascinating creatures as you ride along with whale watching boats and participate in observation work. Calculate the geographic location of the dolphins and whales and monitor their behavior in different situations. Bring along your high-quality camera to capture these incredible creatures so you can identify them during future viewings.

You will also spread awareness among tourists about the whale and dolphin population so they, in turn, can spread the word about the importance of conservation efforts. If you enjoy losing yourself in the process of collecting data on whales and dolphins, you won’t regret this incredible opportunity. Learn all about these magnificent creatures and discover the most beautiful islands off the coast of Europe.

European Volunteer Opportunities for Teenagers in Sustainable Agriculture 

Portugal

Explore Portugal and contribute to one of its amazing initiatives to combine sustainable agriculture with social integration. Are you ready for a hands-on experience where you get to meet other like-minded volunteers, learn Portuguese and discover the wonders of the capital of Portugal, Lisbon?

The importance of producing and consuming local and organic products is growing. It’s an important tool in the fight against climate change. Another pressing issue is a social issue. People with intellectual or physical disabilities have a difficult time accessing the labor market. This prevents them from building a life with fair opportunities. Join a program that addresses both issues and support both climate change and the local community.

Get familiarized with a new approach to organic agriculture. Learn how to respect and promote the agro-ecosystem which encourages biodiversity. Help with daily chores like fieldwork, planting, weeding, harvesting, ground covering, greenhouse work, and sowing.

Volunteers with green fingers and great social skills are perfect for this unique initiative. Grab this chance to get to know Portugal, revel in its natural beauty and connect with its warm people.

Youth Volunteering in Europe in Food Rescue & Distribution

Portugal

If food waste is one of your pet peeves, you will love this. Join a food rescue and distribution project to actively fight food waste in Portugal and provide for those who are hungry. Over 1 million tons of food are wasted every year in Portugal. This amount is sufficient to feed 500 homeless people in Lisbon, 9000 institutionalized children, or 28.000 isolated elderly in the countryside. 

You can help break this cycle by recovering food from restaurants and supermarkets and distributing it among families in need. Support with collecting, organizing and distributing the food excess from restaurants, cafés, and supermarkets, help repackage it or store it and deliver it to families, homeless people or elderly around the city. 

This is a great opportunity to discover Portugal, and get to know the locals while contributing to something that changes lives. Be captivated by Portugal’s history, quaint villages and idyllic scenery.

Volunteer Opportunities in Europe for Teenagers in Sea Turtle Conservation

Greece

Volunteers who are passionate about saving sea turtles will be even more excited knowing they’ll be doing this from heavenly Greece! 

Help with one of the most important loggerheads turtle nesting areas by protecting nests against predators like other mammals and seawater. This is to ensure that as many hatchlings survive each year and the population can increase. Your task will also be to raise awareness among people in the area so they help with conservation efforts.

This project is specifically designed for younger volunteers. World-class leaders in the field who also have experience in mentoring young people will be training young volunteers. If you would like to learn more about what sea turtle conservation is about, take a look at this blog post.

This is a unique opportunity to work with one of the most endangered species in the Mediterranean. Explore Greece’s nature reserves and the astonishing architecture as you take your first steps toward a career in conservation and make a lasting contribution to the preservation of endangered sea turtles. If this is your first time volunteering abroad, this is one of the best volunteer opportunities in Europe for teenagers. It’s designed especially for you!

Volunteer for Animal Care in Europe 

Croatia

Dog and cat lovers can make a difference in beautiful Croatia. A country known for its historic cities and island specked coastline.

Support the welfare of dogs and cats at the local shelter by saving abandoned animals and promoting their adoption. The goal is to find a new life for these animals and ensure their happiness and wellbeing. Due to the high number of animals, shelters are crowded and in need of volunteers to support this wonderful cause.

Assist with fun tasks that connect you with the animals like bathing, brushing, and keeping them company. Walking, and socializing with them is also incredibly important. Take photos and create short videos for each creature, maintain the green spaces within the shelter.

Most importantly, take the time to give these creatures the attention they deserve. Playing with the cats and dogs is so important. It’s how they learn how to get along with people and get rid of their traumas and fears. 

Grab this opportunity to visit one of the European tourist hotspots while you connect with other volunteers who share your passion for animal protection. If learning Croatian is on your bucket list, you’ve got that covered too.

If you’re a teenager and want to volunteer in Europe, we’d love to hear from you! Let us help you find the right project for you. You can also take a look at some of the other volunteer opportunities in Europe for teenagers, here.

Be sure to leave your comments below! We love hearing about what inspires you and what you think of these volunteer opportunities in Europe for teenagers!