Frequently Asked Questions

Is food and accommodation included in the project?

Yes. The project hosts will provide you with food and accommodation while you are taking part in the project. If you want to travel independently before or after the workcamp, then you will need to make your own arrangements and cover your own costs during your travelling time. Accommodation could be mattresses in a school hall, camping, dormitories in a youth hostel, a residential centre or a historic castle. There will be at least basic washing facilities and cooking facilities. As you'll be living in a larger group than usual, you may not have as much privacy as you are used to. The group will usually share cooking and cleaning tasks on a roster basis so bring your favourite recipes with you.

Do you help with travel arrangements?

We are not able to help with finding flights, airfares, etc. Once accepted into a workcamp you will receive a detailed information sheet, which will include instructions on how to get to your workcamp location from the main airport, train station or bus terminal in the country of your project. Some workcamps may ask you to make your own way to your accommodation; others may meet you at the airport or a designated 'meeting point'.

As a volunteer you are responsible for organising and paying for your own travel individually to and from the workcamp. Please check travel costs (through travel agents) before applying for workcamps in far away destinations. If you can't afford to get to a workcamp, then please don't apply for it, but choose one in a country to which travel is more affordable for you. If you are applying for workcamps in countries for which you need a visa, then you will also have to cover the cost of visa applications.

What about visas?

Some countries require that you have a visa in advance of your travel (e.g. Russia, the Ukraine). In these situations, IVP will provide invitation letters and supporting documentation to help you get your visa for the project dates. However in all cases, it is your responsibility to apply for and collect your visa. IVP cannot do this for you and has no control over the bureaucracies of other countries! It may be necessary to for you to make a special journey to a capital city to collect your visa from an embassy in person. You'll need to make sure that you apply for visas in good time (at least one month before your project start date) and that your passport is valid.

Am I insured while working on the project?

SCI provides some insurance cover. This insurance covers volunteers for the whole time while on the workcamp, unless you are involved in activities organised independently of the workcamp. We strongly recommend that you take out proper private insurance cover before going abroad, and that it include full accident and medical cover for all eventualities. Standard travel insurance is normally okay. If possible, it should also cover travel cost reimbursement, just in case your workcamp is cancelled at short notice. Unfortunately we can't recommend any insurance companies to you, and have no access to any discounts. Volunteers on Australian workcamps are also covered by IVP's volunteer insurance policy.

What if the project  is in a dangerous area?

IVP does not send volunteers to workcamps if there is a clear risk of violence, political uprising or natural disaster. In most cases, the workcamp hosting country will cancel workcamps if such dangers exist. Some situations are, of course, unavoidable - such as natural disasters (extreme weather, earthquakes, etc) - and you should ensure that you take out your own comprehensive travel insurance to cover such eventualities. You should also check the Australian Government's travel advisory service: www.smartraveller.gov.au for the latest travel warnings and advice.

Is it all work?

No! Working hours do vary from project to project but generally you will work 30+ hours a week, with evenings and weekends free. An important part of every workcamp is how the group organises social activities. After the day's work, there will be time to play, listen to music, cook, discuss, sing, write to loved ones, learn local phrases and visit local haunts! Activities are generally decided by the group, so you can have your say.

What languages do I need?

Speaking other languages always helps when living with an international group and can enrich your experience. Certain workcamps do have specific language requirements (especially some in France, and those in Morocco, Tunisia and Latin America). This will be stated in the workcamp description. For the vast majority of workcamps, the link language is English.

Are there any age restrictions?

IVP projects are open to everyone between 18 and 70 years of age. A handful of workcamps do have age restrictions on the volunteers they can accept due to the nature of their funding. This information is included in the workcamp description so you will know before you apply for particular workcamp. If workcamp descriptions don't state an age threshold (and the vast majority of them don't) then they are open to all ages.

Volunteers applying for workcamps in the South (Africa, Asia and South America) must be over 21 and preferably have already done a short-term workcamp in Europe or have similar relevant experience.

Can my children come with me?

We welcome applications from volunteers wishing to bring their children, but you will need to be fairly flexible about which workcamp you are willing to do and open to workcamps which may be offered to you. It's best to check with the office before applying to be sure that the chosen workcamp can accept children. Please note that under 16s are not covered by SCI's insurance.

Does my disability stop me from applying for a project?

No it doesn't. You will need to tell us about the nature of your disability when applying to do a workcamp. We'll make every effort to accommodate volunteers on the workcamp of their choice but certain workcamps may not be accessible for certain disabilities. Conditions do vary from workcamp to workcamp and so you will need to be flexible about the project you are willing to do and be open to workcamps which may be offered to you. Use the additional space on the application form to describe any particular requirements you may have.

What happens if I don't get a place on a project?

We will do everything we can to try and find you a place on a project of your choice. If we can't find you a place, then you will be entitled to a refund in line with our refund policy. In all cases IVP will retain your membership fee and you will continue to receive our Newsletter and information about events.