VSO programmes
VSO designs programmes in conjunction with local and regional partners and governments. VSO doesn’t just work through volunteering – there are many different facets to how we work.
Our interventions include:
Long-term volunteering
VSO recruits skilled volunteers from around the world to live and work in local communities, sharing skills and changing lives. Volunteers have professional qualifications and at least two years' experience from a range of disciplines.
Specialist assignments
VSO also recruits volunteers who are available at shorter notice, for a shorter period of time. These more specialised assignments are designed to complement longer-term work and can last from just two weeks to six months.
Youth volunteering
Youth for Development (YfD) provides an opportunity for young people to work with our overseas partners and contribute towards the achievement of VSO's development goals.
Global Xchange (GX) programmes are team-based exchanges for young people aged 18–25. Each team comprises nine people from the UK and nine people from the partner country. The teams spend three months in a host community in the partner country working together on community placements.
National volunteering
VSO provides support for the promotion, development and strengthening of local and national volunteering. We aim to promote active citizenship and empower people to contribute to the development of their own communities.
Diaspora volunteering
Diaspora volunteering aims to encourage people interested in using their skills and commitment in their countries of heritage.
LINKS
LINKS (Learning through International Networking and Knowledge Sharing) activities give VSO partners the chance to go to another country to learn, and share good practice by visiting or working with organisations there.
National activities
VSO promotes and helps to organise a variety of activities that can help to connect in-country partnerships. Activities can include study tours, themed workshops and in-country partner exchanges.
Small grants
Volunteers can apply for small grants to help support the needs of their placement.
Advocacy
VSO uses advocacy at a local, national and global level to help encourage policy change.
Global education/development awareness
VSO uses the knowledge it gains from its programmes through its returning volunteers to raise awareness of global issues in the volunteers’ home countries.
