Special Needs Support Volunteer Program in Split - Croatia

The IVHQ Croatia volunteer program is based in Split, a vibrant hub on the Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in Croatia. ​This is a golden opportunity to volunteer in Europe in a place that’s high up on every traveler’s bucket list. Split is a popular tourist town because of its scenic ocean views, rich culture and authentic Croatian feel. In recent years it’s become a hot spot for tourists on sailing trips in particular due to its iconic harbour setting and vibrant atmosphere. This is where orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team.

Volunteer placements are located in and around Split. While Split is a well developed city, it does have pockets of under-served communities, social and environmental issues and local initiatives that need volunteer help. A portion of the local population live on the edge of poverty, and this reality particularly affects vulnerable people. 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.

Volunteer Croatia programs start on the first and third Monday of every month. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for between 1 to 12 weeks.

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 transported to the volunteer accommodation which is about a 20 minute drive. 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 or alternatively, you can 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 – Introduction to Croatia, Croatian Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities in Croatia, 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.

​A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and placement. ​A typical daily schedule​ might be as follows:

8:00 AM Breakfast at the 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 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 volunteer accommodation. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Please note this schedule will vary depending on the needs of your particular project.

Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style hostel located in Split, about 30 minutes from the city center. You can expect to share a room with up to six other people. Rooms will usually be arranged by gender, however at busy times they may be mixed gender. Every volunteer will have access to their own locker to store valuables and other personal belongings. Volunteers also have access to several common indoor and outdoor spaces, a TV with free Netflix and a small kitchen with basic utensils. The hostel has shared bathrooms 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.

WiFi is available in the volunteer accommodation and can be accessed from many cafes and restaurants in the area. A local SIM card with data can also be purchased for unlocked phones.

Private rooms in the hostel with shared or private bathrooms can be arranged by request for an additional cost, subject to availability.

Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Breakfast is self-served at the volunteer accommodation and includes cereals, eggs, butter, marmalade, cream cheese, ham, milk, coffee, juice and bread. Lunch and dinner are provided in the accommodation according to a fixed menu. Meals will include pasta, rice, meat, seafood, vegetables and salad dishes as well as some typical Croatian dishes.

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.

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or ​explore other parts of Split and Croatia. You can explore the old town of Split - situated in the Diocletian Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has many landmarks to observe. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade and hit the beach to soak in the refreshing water of the Dalmatian coast.

If you want to head further afield, make sure to include the remaining six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia and to take a sailing trip along the coast. With so much on offer, it’s a great idea to do your own research before you go to get an idea of what you may want to see and do once you are in Croatia. When it comes to booking excursions, we find that volunteers prefer to get together once in-country to organize travel and tours.

Weather and climate: Croatia can be divided into three climatic regions. The Pannonian Plains in the north have a continental climate of cold winters and hot summers, the mountainous Dinara Region in central Croatia has an alpine climate and the Adriatic coast, where our volunteer program is based, enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures in Split, where our program is based, 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.

Volunteers aged under 18 years old are able to volunteer in Croatia, but will be required to provide IVHQ with two separate parental/guardian consents from each of their parents/guardians and two character reference letters in order to participate on the program. They may also be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team.

Independent volunteers (those traveling without their parents or guardians) under the age of 18 years will be required to provide additional waivers and documentation, which a guardian must complete.

Volunteers under the age of 18 can only participate on the Animal Care project.

Volunteers must speak fluent English. Volunteers must have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.