Special Needs Support Volunteer Program in Croatia - Split
Inspired to be a Special Needs Support volunteer in Croatia? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs project gives volunteers the opportunity to assist in care centers for children, teenagers and adults with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. Volunteers will gain experience caring for people with special needs and help them become more accepted and less stigmatized in their communities, improving their overall quality of life.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from $819 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help provide fun activities and care for disabled people
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Discover Split’s urban and natural beauty
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Stay in a fun, comfortable, modern hostel
Who is this program suited to?
Key information
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Having access to appropriate and effective care makes a huge difference to the lives of people living with disabilities. Volunteers in Croatia provide carers with extra assistance which means disabled people are able to participate in a wide range of activities and recieve more individualizeds care and attention.
As a Special Needs Support volunteer your daily tasks may vary but usually include:
- Running outdoor activities such as beach walks, bicycle tours and animal farm projects
- Indoor activities like arts, crafts and cooking
- Helping with physical therapy
- Providing care and companionship
- Preparing food, serving meals
- Cleaning or helping with personal care
Why do Special Needs Support volunteering in Split with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Special Needs project in Croatia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to care for people with disabilities
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Learning or practicing the Croatian language
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining experience caring for people with special needs
- Immersing yourself fully in the Croatian culture
- Exploring Split’s lively historic center
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
All volunteers must speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check.
Croatia photo gallery
”The whole experience, and the beauty of Croatia was amazing. I cannot isolate one moment in two weeks of joy.”
Ken, American, 72
Read reviews from Special Needs Support volunteers in Split
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Location
The IVHQ Croatia volunteer program is based in Split, a vibrant seaside spot on the Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in Croatia. This is a golden opportunity to volunteer in Europe in a place high up on every traveler’s bucket list. Split is a popular tourist hub because of its scenic ocean views, rich culture and authentic Croatian feel.
Volunteer placements are located in and around Split. While it is a well developed city, it does have pockets of under-served communities, social and environmental issues and local initiatives that need volunteer help. By choosing to volunteer here, you’ll be supporting community-led projects that focus on providing opportunities to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of the people that call Split home.
Arrival and orientation
The Croatia volunteer program begins on the first and third Monday of every month, and you need to arrive in Split on the Sunday before your chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Split International Airport (SPU). The cost of your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation, approximately 40 minutes away. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Croatia prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in Split on the Sunday before your program start date. You are also free to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation.
On Monday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Croatia and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Croatia – an introduction to Croatia, Croatian customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Croatia, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and placement. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 8:00 - 10:00 AM | Breakfast is served at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers with a morning shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 - 2:30 PM | Lunch is served at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with an afternoon or evening shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 7:30 - 9.00 PM | Dinner at the restaurant next door to volunteer accommodation. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style hostel located in Split, about a 10 minute walk from the city center and from the famous Bačvice beach. You can expect to share a room with up to twenty two other people. Dorms will usually be arranged by gender, however at busy times shared-gender dorms are also utilized.
Every volunteer will have access to their own locker to store valuables and other personal belongings, free WiFi and air conditioning. Volunteers have access to a large indoor common space which has a TV, music system, computers, vending machine, book exchange and board games. There is also a kitchen available that volunteers can use with fridges, microwaves and basic utensils.
The hostel has shared bathrooms, separated by gender, equipped with western toilets and showers. Bedding and towels are provided for each volunteer. Local staff do clean the accommodation throughout the week, though volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Breakfast is self-served at the restaurant below the volunteer accommodation and includes cereals, eggs, butter, marmalade, cream cheese, ham, milk, coffee, juice and bread. Lunch and dinner are also provided in the restaurant and volunteers have the choice between a meat, fish, vegetarian and pizza option.
Tap water is safe to drink in Croatia and while we encourage volunteers to bring a reusable drink bottle to minimize the consumption of single-use plastics, bottled water is readily available if you prefer. You should budget approximately $5 per week for this.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $819 Equivalent to $59/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,089 Equivalent to $52/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,359 Equivalent to $49/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,629 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,899 Equivalent to $46/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,439 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,979 Equivalent to $43/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,519 Equivalent to $42/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteering
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of $299 in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Croatia generally find US$80 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses.
Check what's required to visit Croatia
Check out the widget below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for Croatia, based on your country of residence.
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Protecting against COVID-19:
Volunteers tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel
Health & safety information provided during orientation
Strict disinfecting standards for programs & accomodation
Greater physical distance between volunteers
Essential country information
| Capital | Zagreb |
| Population | 4.7 million |
| Languages | Croatian |
| Currency | Croatian Kuna (HRK) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
The Adriatic coast of Croatia, where our volunteer program is based, enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures in Split range from 41°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C) in winter and 79°F to 86°F (26°C to 30°C) in the summer, which runs from June to August.
