Help: The Application Process

These are the most important points for Volunteers to be aware of.

Are you eligible to apply here?

Only residents of countries with SCI Member Organisations are eligible to register and apply for SCI Workcamps.

What you are applying for:

You are volunteering your services to an organisation that needs your help to achieve its aims. The organisations are either Branches or Partners of Service Civil International (SCI). If you apply and are accepted, we expect you to fulfil your commitment and not let down the host project, the project user group and the other volunteers. Did you read our Cancellation Policy?

The search engine

The search engine displays all the workcamps worldwide promoted by SCI. The availability is meant at the moment of the consultation of the database of project, and it might change in time. The workcamps are categorized by 11 different topics, by the country where the project takes place and the organisation promoting it, and the dates.

The Workcamps:

The organisations that need your help assemble a team of international volunteers, typically with no more than one or two from any one country, to achieve a specific project goal. The projects are customarily referred to as Workcamps. The workcamps may involve physical labour (digging, planting, pruning, building, etc) or intellectual labour (teaching, caring, etc). There is usually an opportunity for some sightseeing, education and social activities. A commitment to our ideals of peace and social justice is expected.

The application

You can apply for workcamps by different means. The procedure varies in different countries. Please contact your Branch for further information.

Choosing Alternative Camps:

Because Workcamps are intentionally international you may not be accepted for your first choice if that workcamp already has individuals of your nationality, or in your age group, or sex. For that reason you need to choose up to six alternatives. We send your application to the accepting organisations in order of your preference until a place is found. Clearly it is best to apply early.

North-South Exchanges:

Camps in the North-South exchange programme (short term projects in Asia, Africa and South America) have special requirements and you should be sure to read about this programme before applying. Volunteers require to be over 21 years of age and with previous SCI volunteering experience, or similar experience with another organisation. Many require competence in the language of the host country, mostly Spanish or French. Camps in the North-South Exchange have orange backgrounds in the search form as a reminder.

Costs

You are expected to pay a participation fee to join workcamps. It may vary according to your branch and to your country of destination. You have the responsibility for the costs and the organization of the travel to the venue of the project. The food and the accommodation are provided by the hosting organization. In very particular cases an additional fee is required on arrival to the workcamp: such cases a re clearly highlighted in the workcamp description.

SCI International