Volunteering in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, offers opportunities to give back to the local community and engage in environmental conservation while enjoying its beautiful natural surroundings. Here are some common volunteering areas in Tenerife:

1. Environmental Conservation

• Marine Conservation: Tenerife is known for its rich marine life, including dolphins and whales. Volunteering opportunities involve marine species protection, beach cleanups, and monitoring of aquatic wildlife.
• Wildlife Protection: You can work with local organizations to protect endangered species like turtles or birds, or in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers.
• Reforestation Projects: Tenerife has initiatives to preserve its unique flora, especially in protected areas like Teide National Park. Volunteers help in planting trees and conserving local biodiversity.

2. Social and Community Volunteering

• Community Outreach: You can volunteer with local charities that work with vulnerable populations, including the homeless, elderly, or at-risk youth.
• Education and Language Exchange: Some programs focus on teaching English or other subjects to locals. In return, volunteers often get a cultural exchange experience.

3. Agriculture and Permaculture

• Organic Farming: Several eco-farms on the island welcome volunteers to help with sustainable agriculture, permaculture, or organic gardening. It’s a great way to learn about eco-friendly farming techniques and live in a rural setting. If you want to take care of your own food later on, this is the best opportunity to learn. You will also learn how to produce and process high-quality food.

4. Tourism and Cultural Volunteering

• Eco-Tourism: There are eco-tourism projects where volunteers guide visitors through natural parks and reserves, promoting responsible tourism.
• Cultural Events and Festivals: During Tenerife’s famous festivals, such as Carnival, volunteers help organize events, providing logistical support and promoting local culture.

How to Find Volunteering Opportunities:

• Local Organizations: Look for NGOs or local organizations like “Asociación Amigos de la Tierra” (Friends of the Earth) or marine conservation projects.
• Platforms: Websites like Workaway, Worldpackers, and WWOOF offer volunteer positions in exchange for food and accommodation.
• Internet: You can also find corresponding offers on the Internet via search engines on many websites like foodforest-ecotava.org.
• Tourist Information Centers: When on the island, you can inquire at local tourism offices for volunteer opportunities, especially those connected to conservation or community programs.

Volunteering in Tenerife allows you to experience the island’s beauty while contributing to its ecological preservation and local well-being.

Volunteering Tenerife: Does volunteering cost anything?

Volunteering Tenerife can either be free or come with associated costs, depending on the organization and the type of project. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect when volunteering in Tenerife or elsewhere:

Free Volunteering Options

Some platforms offer contacts to organizations or projects which are free of fees. These opportunities might provide basic accommodation and meals in exchange for your work. Nevertheless, the plafform itself costs an annual fee. Examples for these platforms include:

• WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): Volunteers work on organic farms in exchange for food and lodging.
• Workaway or HelpX: These platforms often offer free volunteering positions where hosts provide accommodation and sometimes food in exchange for several hours of work per day. Tasks can range from farm work to eco-tourism assistance.

In the meantime, however, there are also some hosts who charge fees in addition to the work.

Paid Volunteering or Programs with Fees

Many volunteer programs charge fees for participation, and the cost can vary widely depending on the organization and the services provided. The fees usually cover:

• Accommodation and Meals: Especially in more structured programs.
• Training and Supervision: For example, conservation or marine research projects often require orientation and specialist guidance.
• Insurance and Administration: Programs may include medical and liability insurance, transportation to project sites, or local administrative support.
• Donations: Sometimes part of the fee is used as a donation to the project or community you’re helping.

Why Some Volunteering Programs Charge Fees

Programs that charge fees usually do so because they need to cover costs for running the project, employing staff, and providing logistical support. This is especially true for wildlife conservation or education projects, where resources are needed to sustain their work.

How to Find Free or Low-Cost Opportunities

• Directly contact local NGOs or smaller projects: Smaller organizations may offer free or low-cost opportunities if they can provide basic accommodations.
• Platforms like Workaway, HelpX, or WWOOF: Many of the hosts on these platforms offer free room and board in exchange for a few hours of work per day. It is common in Tenerife to work 25-30 hours per week.
• Couchsurfing and language exchange: If you can arrange your own accommodation, you might find informal volunteering opportunities, such as language exchanges or community projects, which may not involve fees.

It’s important to research each opportunity carefully to understand what’s included and whether it’s free or if there are costs involved.

Volunteer Job on Tenerife: Foodforest Ecotava

Tenerife is one of the most sought-after holiday regions in Europe and the demand for volunteer places is high. Especially in the months of December to March, many people want to escape the cold season and spend the winter in Tenerife. Tenerife is one of the most sought-after holiday regions in Europe and the demand for volunteer places is high. Especially in the months of December to March, many people want to escape the cold season and spend the winter in Tenerife. However, there is actually a lot to do on a finca in the months of October/November and January to March.

To give you an initial overview, here are the frequently asked questions, which we ask you to read carefully if you are interested in volunteering with our project.