At International Volunteer HQ, we love seeing the videos our volunteers share from their life-changing experiences abroad. Your story has the power to inspire others to take the leap, travel with purpose, and make a real impact on our communities.
That’s why the IVHQ Video Challenge is back, with two IVHQ volunteer trips up for grabs. Enter by sharing a video on YouTube or Social Media. See who can enter.
If you’ve already volunteered with us, or if you’re about to head off on an upcoming trip, this is your chance to share your experience and be in to win your next IVHQ trip FREE! *Terms and conditions apply.
What Can I Win?
Two winners will be selected, one from YouTube entries and one from social media entries. Each winner will receive:
Registration Fee credit up to the value of US$329
Program Fee credit up to the value of US$600
Your IVHQ credit can be applied towards key inclusions such as pre-departure support, airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, orientation, and 24/7 in-country support.
*Flights are not included.
How To Enter
Video Categories
1. Experience
Show what it was really like to volunteer with IVHQ.
- A day in the life as an IVHQ volunteer
- Life on the IVHQ program, including accommodation, meals, and daily routines
- The people who made my experience special, including friends, host families, or the local community
- Favorite moments from my IVHQ volunteer experience
- What surprised me most about volunteering abroad
2. Inspiration
Share the moments and places that made your destination unforgettable.
- My favorite moments from my IVHQ destination
- The best places I explored while volunteering
- Top three favorite things about my IVHQ trip
- Local food, culture, or experiences I loved
- Exploring the destination with fellow IVHQ volunteers
3. Real Talk Reviews
No footage? No problem. This category is all about honest, first-hand reviews and is perfect if you have traveled with IVHQ in the past 12 months.
- Why you chose IVHQ and what your experience was like traveling with us
- How supported you felt before, during, and after your program
- What stood out most about your placement, accommodation, or local team
- How the experience met or exceeded your expectations
- What you would say to someone thinking about volunteering with IVHQ
4. Tell It Your Way
Get creative and share your IVHQ story in a way that feels most authentic to you.
- A creative montage or mini vlog from your IVHQ trip
- A before-and-after style video showing your journey
- A cinematic edit capturing the feeling of the destination
- A unique or unexpected take on your volunteer experience
- Any creative idea that brings your IVHQ journey to life
Your video does not need to follow a strict format.
We’re looking for genuine stories, meaningful moments, and authentic experiences from the IVHQ community.
Who Can Enter?
You can enter the IVHQ Video Challenge if you:
- Have volunteered with IVHQ within the last 12 months, or
- Are currently booked to volunteer with IVHQ and submit before the competition period closes
- Are aged 16 years or older
- Meet IVHQ program eligibility requirements
- Submit your video via our online form below
Already Returned?
You still have a chance to win! If you are the winner of the IVHQ Video Challenge and have already paid your Registration and/or Program Fees within the last 12 months you can choose for the the prize value to be reimbursed to you*.
If you have the footage, enter any of the categories, or if you haven’t filmed much video while you were away the Real Talk Reviews category might be perfect for you. Simply record yourself talking to your IVHQ experience and what it was like traveling with us.
Terms and conditions apply.*
Tips
Shooting for YouTube
- Film in landscape format
- Focus on steady shots and clear audio
- Make sure you follow our Child Protection and Animal Welfare policies
- Start strong and keep edits natural
- Trim mistakes but let moments breathe
- Remember to use captions!
- Finish with a clear ending
Shooting for Social
- Film vertical in a 9:16 format
- Use natural light and keep clips short
- Capture real, candid moments
- Keep the camera steady and audio clear
- Make sure you follow our Child Protection and Animal Welfare policies
- Edit for mobile and hook viewers in the first 2 seconds
- Use simple captions and light edits
- Use trending audio if it fits especially for TikTok and Instagram. Or even better, tell your story in your own words with your own voice!
- Keep the pace moving and end on a strong moment
- Include ‘IVHQ’ in your title
How To Share With Us
- Instagram - Tag @ivhq and use the collaboration feature where possible.
- TikTok - Tag @ivhq in your caption.
- Facebook - Tag International Volunteer HQ in your post.
- YouTube - Use a clear title and description, and include IVHQ in both, don’t forget to collaborate with us!
Make sure your account is public so your video can be viewed and counted.
Enter Your Video
Follow the link below and submit your entry
Ensure you read our full terms and conditions
Submit Your Video Now
FAQs
The IVHQ Video Challenge 2026 is a global video competition where IVHQ volunteers share a short video about their volunteer experience for the chance to win credit toward a future IVHQ volunteer program.
Two winners will each receive up to US$929 in IVHQ credit, including up to US$329 for the Registration Fee and up to US$600 toward the Program Fee. Flights are not included.
You can enter if you are aged 16 or over and have volunteered with IVHQ in the past 12 months or are currently booked to volunteer with IVHQ. All entrants must meet IVHQ program eligibility requirements.
The competition opens on 10 February 2026 and closes on 30 April 2026. Entries submitted outside this period will not be accepted.
Create a short video about your IVHQ volunteer journey, share it on YouTube or social media, then submit the video link via the official entry form on the IVHQ website.
Upload a landscape video to YouTube with IVHQ mentioned in the title and description. Submit the YouTube link through the entry form.
Post a vertical video on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, tag @ivhq, and collaborate with IVHQ where possible. Submit the link to your post through the entry form.
Your video can show daily volunteer life, leave a review, your destination, what you learned, or creative storytelling from your IVHQ experience. There is no required format and authenticity is encouraged.
No. You can enter if you volunteered with IVHQ within the past 12 months or if you are currently booked to volunteer and submit before the competition closes.
Yes. Your YouTube or social media account must be public so IVHQ can view, verify, and judge your entry.
Entries are reviewed by the IVHQ team and judged on creativity, authenticity, storytelling, and alignment with IVHQ values. All judging decisions are final.
Winners will be notified by email within 28 days of the competition closing. If a winner does not respond within 7 days, a replacement winner may be selected.
Yes. Each valid submission method counts as a separate entry, provided all entry requirements are met.
Yes. The prize credit can be used toward any eligible IVHQ volunteer program, up to a total value of US$929. Any remaining balance must be paid by the winner.
No. Flights are not included and must be arranged and paid for separately.
The credit must be used within 12 months of the end of the promotional period. If a booking is not confirmed within this time, the prize will be forfeited.
Yes. By entering, you agree that IVHQ can use your submitted video and content for promotional purposes across IVHQ platforms.
Yes. All videos must follow IVHQ’s Child Protection and Animal Welfare policies. Entries that do not comply may be disqualified.
The full IVHQ Video Competition Terms and Conditions 2026 are available on this page.
Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions relate to the HQ Travel Group trading as International Volunteer HQ. Located at 99 Devon Street West New Plymouth, Taranaki 4310.
Information on the prize and how to enter form part of these conditions of entry. By entering this Promotion, you agree to be bound by these conditions of entry and all decisions of IVHQ which are final in all matters relating to the Promotion. The Promotion and these conditions of entry are void to the extent prohibited by law.
IVHQ reserves the right to change these conditions of entry without prior notice. All dates are subject to change if necessary at IVHQ's discretion. Any changes to these conditions of entry will be published on the IVHQ website at www.volunteerhq.org.
Employees of IVHQ, Intern Abroad HQ and their subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and members of their immediate families or households, are ineligible to enter this Promotion.
The Promotion commences at 10 February 2026 and closes at 30 April 2026 (“Promotional Period”). Entries received outside of the Promotional Period will not be accepted.
The rules of the Promotion and how to enter are as follows:
All entrants into the Promotion must:
- Be 16 years of age or older;
- Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity at the intended date of travel;
- Meet the requirements to volunteer or intern abroad with IVHQ, including suitability and criminal background requirements where applicable;
- Have volunteered with IVHQ within the past 12 months, or be currently booked to volunteer with IVHQ and departing within the promotion period.
The Promotion is open worldwide to anyone who meets the requirements in clause 6.
To enter the Promotion, entrants must submit their details via the entry form on the landing page (www.volunteerhq.org/video-competition/) during the Promotional Period and provide:
- A link to a video shared on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok that tags @ivhq and, where available, uses the platform collaboration feature with IVHQ; or
- A link to a video uploaded to YouTube; AND
- Complete and submit via the entry form on our website.
Each valid submission method will be treated as a separate entry.
By submitting an entry, the entrant agrees for IVHQ to use their video for promotional purposes. The entrant also agrees to provide original raw video footage, excluding watermarks, included in the entry if requested by a member of the IVHQ team.
All videos submitted must adhere to IVHQ’s Child Protection and Animal Welfare policies. IVHQ reserves the right to disqualify any entries that do not adhere to these policies or to these conditions of entry.
All eligible entries will be reviewed and judged by the IVHQ team. The winner will be selected based on creativity, authenticity, storytelling, and alignment with IVHQ values. The decision of IVHQ is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The winner will be notified by email within 28 days of the end of the Promotional Period. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 7 days of notification, IVHQ reserves the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and appoint a replacement winner.
Upon accepting the prize, the winner's name and submitted content may be published on IVHQ’s website and social media channels. By entering, you consent to having your name shared if you are selected as the winner of the Promotion and accept the prize.
IVHQ reserves the right to cancel or modify the Promotion if it considers, in its sole discretion, the administration of the Promotion is impaired for technical or other reasons beyond its reasonable control and, in such an event, may select the winner from all valid entries received prior to the impairment.
The Prize is as follows:
- US$329 IVHQ credit for the winner’s Registration Fee.
- US$600 IVHQ credit towards the Program Fee for any IVHQ program.
Prize conditions:
The prize of US$329 IVHQ credit will be used for a Base Registration Fee to participate in the IVHQ Program of the winner’s choice.
The prize of US$600 IVHQ credit will be put towards the Program Fee for the winner’s chosen IVHQ Program.
If the Program Fee of the winner’s chosen program exceeds the total value of the prize, it is the responsibility of the winner to pay the remaining balance.
The prize may be redeemed in one of the following ways, at the winner’s election:
- Applied as a credit toward the cost of a future IVHQ volunteer program, up to a maximum value of US$929; or
- Reimbursed against IVHQ program and registration fees previously paid in respect of an IVHQ trip completed within the preceding twelve (12) months from completion of promotion period at 30 April 2026, up to a maximum value of US$929
The prize winner must travel and begin their IVHQ Program within 12 months of the end of the Promotional Period. If the winner is, for whatever reason, unable to confirm their program booking by this date, whether the failure was due to reasons beyond the winner's control or otherwise, then the winner will forfeit the prize.
The Prize cannot be transferred, gifted, substituted or redeemed for cash.
The Prize does not include flights. Flights will need to be organised and paid for by the prize winner after confirming their registration with IVHQ.
Acceptance of the Prize constitutes permission for IVHQ to use the Promotion winner’s name and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
The winner of this Promotion must also:
- Submit photos, videos and blog content from their volunteer trip within four weeks of completing the program to be shared on IVHQ’s website and social media channels, subject to IVHQ’s review;
- Ensure all content shared with external networks and social media platforms aligns with guidelines provided by IVHQ prior to the volunteer trip or internship.
General terms:
The winner will be responsible for covering all other costs associated with travelling to and from the IVHQ Program, including but not limited to any additional costs associated with the IVHQ Program Fee, flights, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, criminal background checks and spending money.
The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok.
Please refer to IVHQ’s Privacy Policy for information about how IVHQ collects, uses and discloses your information.
All entrants into the Promotion and the winner are also subject to the International Volunteer HQ Terms and Conditions of Service.
The Promotion and these conditions of entry are governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of New Zealand.
