Volunteering with IVHQ on two occasions has been the best thing I have ever done! The guidance and preparation resources received from IVHQ really was brilliant! Thank you so much! I couldn’t have asked for more, they were incredible! The people you meet and work alongside, the other volunteers you meet during your time, they really are people for life! The projects I volunteered on were rewarding, you really felt that you made an impact! If you’re hesitant, book it, go, and experience something completely different, you honestly won’t regret it! It will be life changing!
This project is currently not accepting applications.
Check out this similar project in Rome
Forest Conservation Volunteer Program in Spain - Barcelona
Want to help tackle climate change in Spain? International Volunteer HQ’s Forest Conservation project provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to contribute to the recovery of the native forests on the Catalonia coast near Barcelona. Volunteers gain conservation and fieldwork experience whilst helping the natural forest recover from environmental degradation and creating spaces for ecological regeneration.
Highlights:
- Programs start every second and fourth Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from £656 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help to protect ecosystems and preserve native forests in Catalonia
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Discover the beautiful nature surrounding Barcelona
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Stay in a modern, socially driven hostel in Barcelona
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Key information
This program is ideal for:
Active volunteers that enjoy the outdoors and care about the environment. This is a hands-on practical project, so volunteers need to have a moderate level of fitness and be comfortable getting their hands dirty.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The main objective of the Forest Conservation project in Barcelona is to recover native forests, regenerate the entire ecosystem and nurture the environment for future generations.
The coast of Catalonia has suffered severe land degradation over the past few years. The native forests are being replaced by monocultures and urbanizations that have created heavy environmental imbalances, not only in waterways but also in the biodiversity of fauna and flora.
We are witnessing this phenomenon all over the world. It is contributing to the acceleration of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the degradation of soils, and the contamination of waterways.
However, it is possible to reverse this trend and create more and more spaces for ecological regeneration and biodiversity, with the support of the whole community, and you as a volunteer can be part of it! This project seeks to enhance the natural heritage, reduce environmental damage, regenerate and recover natural spaces, and therefore promote biodiversity and restore ecological functions, mostly through the restoration of the native forest.
As a forest conservation volunteer, you’ll be part of the field team and have the unique opportunity to study and learn about each species, areas, and forests, and take different actions depending on the time of the year.
Fieldwork tasks include:
- Maintenance of planted native trees and shrubs
- Irrigation, mowing and padding with organic matter
- Planting native trees and shrubs
- Clearing the natural environment areas
- Harvesting and sowing oak acorn seeds, one of the native trees in this area
The volunteer will be working side by side with the coordinators of the projects, absorbing their botanical wisdom and supporting them in their daily tasks, not only in the reforested areas but also in the tree nurseries where it all starts.
The travel distance from the accommodation to the volunteering site is about one and a half hours by public transport. Please budget approximately 11€ per day for transportation.
When joining the project in winter, volunteers should be prepared for lower temperatures of between 40-60°F (5-15°C), and come equipped with warm clothing. If you volunteer during the summer, temperatures range between 77-100ºF (25-38ºC), so comfortable and light-weight clothes are recommended.
Why do Forest Conservation volunteering in Barcelona with IVHQ?
As a Forest Conservation volunteer in Barcelona you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Supporting local efforts to regenerate native forest
- Helping to protect and preserve natural ecosystems
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining forest conservation and fieldwork experience
- Immersing yourself in authentic Spanish culture
- Exploring the natural beauty of the Catalan region
Volunteer requirements
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Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
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All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
This project is currently not accepting applications.
Check out this similar project in Rome, Italy
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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IVHQ Forest Conservation project
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IVHQ Community Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Refugee Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Creative Technologies project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Refugee Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Community Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Special Needs Support project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Refugee Support project
IVHQ Community Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
IVHQ Special Needs Support project
IVHQ Refugee Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
IVHQ Community Support project
IVHQ Marine Conservation project
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
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Serica Battaglia
10 Apr 2024
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Steven Blalock
19 Mar 2024
I think our group gained a real-life and important view of the challenges people face even in a high-profile tourist center that is Barcelona. We were provided a glimpse of the realities of homeless people and the challenges they face on a daily basis. We were also provided a glimpse of how organizations assist folks with accessing basic needs like clothing, food, and showers. An added complexity to this was that many of the homeless and housing insecure folks we worked with were also immigrants or refugees and had the extra obstacles of transitioning to a new country, language, and culture.
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SY
Sadie Yoder
29 Jan 2024
IVHQ and the local team were great - I was able to reach out with questions and get feedback in a timely manner. The orientation was very helpful and comprehensive. The local center we worked with was so sweet and patient with me and my language limitations. Volunteering in a new culture can be uncomfortable or awkward at times, but it is very worth it! You won't regret the experience or new friends you make.
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EP
Erika Poynter
20 Dec 2023
I gained a lot of insight towards my future endeavors. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the team within the kitchen, as well as the extra programs I briefly joined. It gave me a lot of reassurance about what I want to do with my career and how I want to direct it. I didn’t have any reservations but I can empathize with the international aspect. I would encourage anyone on the fence to open their hearts to experiencing the world and trying to rehabilitate it. There’s a significant amount of value to humbling yourself an apolitical way for the good of the world.
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MH
Macy Hubbard
02 Aug 2023
The preparation checklist was really helpful and so were the email reminders, they helped me to stay organized. Also, thanks to my Program Manager for being there to answer any questions I had and for always responding so quickly! The in-country volunteer coordinator was so amazing and I felt so grateful to have her there to guide me. She was available no matter what time it was.
My favorite moment was meeting the children on the first day of my placement, they were so excited to meet me and welcomed me with open arms. I will never ever forget it! I learnt more about myself and realized that it's so important to live in the moment and take everything in. Jump right in and do it - it’s scary at first but will turn out to be the most incredible adventure where you will learn so much about yourself and the world around you.
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LS
Lorena Sanchez
26 Apr 2023
GO GO GO! I promise you will not regret it, the connections you will make, the things you will learn, and the growth you will undergo is incredible. My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was being able to be a part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration. It was an absolutely beautiful experience to see them make speeches and dance together. Seeing the smiles on their faces truly warmed my heart. Volunteering taught me a multitude of things and has been a life-changing experience. The way I was able to bond and connect with so many individuals left a positive mark on me.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Location
Catalonia is a region in northern Spain with its own distinct culture. Barcelona is its capital and melds millennia of history with modern life in a way that creates a vivid, stylish city with a vibrant atmosphere. It’s rich with the art and architecture of Gaudi and Picasso; home to FC Barcelona - one of the world’s best football teams; loaded with remnants of its ancient Roman past; stacked with beautiful beaches and parks and known for its mouth-watering cuisine. The IVHQ Spain volunteer program in Barcelona hosts a popular range of meaningful volunteer work. The dedicated local team supports volunteers 24/7 as they’re immersed in local life, helping you to develop an authentic understanding of this iconic destination. Volunteer placements are located throughout the wider city area of Barcelona. Some placements are up to a 90-minute commute, which can be on different means of public transport.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the second and fourth Monday of every month, and volunteers need to arrive in Barcelona on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). 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 via Metro and bus to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Spain prior to your volunteer program and arriving overland, we will provide you with a time and place to meet the local team in Barcelona on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Spain team in Barcelona. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Spain – an introduction to Spain and Barcelona, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, an introduction to project and placement as well as a tour of the local area and a basic Spanish language lesson. The orientation will also give you a chance to sign up for additional Spanish language lessons and to meet other volunteers with whom you can swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising .
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays:
After the initial orientation, you will have a morning, afternoon or evening shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that start times and daily workload depends on the specific project that you are participating on.
A typical daily schedule is as follows:
| 7:00 - 10:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers with a morning shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Lunch which you will need to purchase yourself from a local restaurant or supermarket or prepare yourself in the communal kitchen. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with an afternoon or evening shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 8:00 - 10:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Weekends:
On your free weekends in Spain, visit Gaudi’s unfinished yet still iconic La Sagrada Familia church, catch a football match, try a local paella, sunbathe on an incredible beach or wander the streets of Les Ramblas to Barcelona’s city centre.
Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Spain including; Granada, Valencia, Madrid and many other places. Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Barcelona, with the advice and guidance of our local team.
Accommodation and WiFi
Prepare for an exciting stay just a short distance from Barcelona’s bustling city centre! Volunteers will be accommodated in a vibrant dormitory-style hostel, offering a lively atmosphere and the chance to meet other volunteers and travelers. Each room accommodates up to eight individuals of the same gender, providing a comfortable and sociable environment.
Expect modern conveniences like shared ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, cozy bedding, reading lamps and individual sockets next to each bed, and air conditioning. Each volunteer will have their own, complete with a provided lock. While towels are not provided, they can be rented from the hostel reception for a small fee, approximately US$3 (approximately £2) - US$4 (approximately £3), or you’re welcome to bring your own towel from home.
The hostel features communal spaces including a welcoming living room, dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, and a spacious outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing and enjoying meals together.
WiFi is available in the hostel, free of charge, and can also be accessed from many cafes and restaurants in the area. If you would like to keep connected during your stay, it’s recommended to bring an unlocked mobile phone and purchase a local SIM card once you arrive in Spain.
Private room upgrades with shared or private bathrooms can be arranged upon request for an additional cost, subject to availability.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast and dinner everyday.
Breakfast is self-serve at the volunteer accommodation and typically consists of fruit, bread, jam, cereal, milk, tea, and coffee. Lunch is not included in the program and you will need to purchase this yourself. You can expect to budget around US$10 (approximately £8) - US$15 (approximately £12) for lunch, however; prices will vary depending on what type of establishment you choose to purchase your lunches from.
Dinner is provided at the volunteer accommodation’s restaurant, according to a fixed menu. Meals typically include pasta, rice, meat, seafood, vegetable and salad dishes.
Tap water is safe to drink in Barcelona but if you would prefer to drink bottled water, it is readily available in Barcelona and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 (approximately £4) - US$8 (approximately £6) per week for two liters of water per day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when submitting your application so we can make arrangements for you. As you will be living and volunteering abroad, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home; however, the local team will do their best to ensure you are well taken care of.
Volunteer social area
Volunteer social area
Volunteer internet wifi zone
Volunteer social area
Volunteer social area
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical upgraded volunteer bedroom
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer dining room
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
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.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | £656 Equivalent to £94/day |
| 2 weeks | £1043 Equivalent to £75/day |
| 3 weeks | £1430 Equivalent to £68/day |
| 4 weeks | £1817 Equivalent to £65/day |
| 5 weeks | £2204 Equivalent to £63/day |
| 6 weeks | £2591 Equivalent to £62/day |
| 8 weeks | £3365 Equivalent to £60/day |
| 10 weeks | £4138 Equivalent to £59/day |
| 12 weeks | £4912 Equivalent to £58/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £276) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in GBP.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, lunches, 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 Spain generally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses including lunches, transportation and miscellaneous spending.
- Please note: You will need to budget an extra US$10 per night for the Barcelona City Tax, paid directly to the accommodation upon arrival.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
Free-time experiences & tours in Spain
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Spain! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Spain program.
Spanish Language Lessons - Ten Hour Intensive Class
Want to improve your Spanish language skills while volunteering in Spain? There’s no better time or more affordable way to gain confidence speaking, reading and writing in Spanish!
From £274
Spanish Language Lessons - Ten Hour Intensive Class
Want to improve your Spanish language skills while volunteering in Spain? There’s no better time or more affordable way to gain confidence speaking, reading and writing in Spanish!
From £274
Language lessons in Barcelona
Spanish language lessons are available for all volunteers in Spain regardless of their ability. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these lessons to allow them to work and communicate more effectively during their program. The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish and are taught by professional Spanish teachers. Classes run Monday through Friday, the cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers.
- 1 x 1 hour class = £37
- 10 x 1 hour classes = £274 Spanish lessons can be booked through IVHQ once you have been accepted onto the Barcelona program.
Check what's required to visit Spain
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.
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.9 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate: Being such a large country, the climate of Spain is very varied. Barcelona and its metropolitan area has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Its average annual temperature is 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) during the day and 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) at night. In the coldest month, January, the temperature ranges from 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F) during the day and 6 to 12 °C (43 to 54 °F) at night. In the warmest month – August, the temperature ranges from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F) during the day and about from 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F) at night. Large fluctuations in temperature are very rare.
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