Useful Info

Organising a social impact trip with us is much simpler than you think. Here are all the steps:

1. Choose the project

Go to the projects page and browse the available experiences by filtering by country or thematic area (education, environment, health, women's empowerment and more). If you don't know where to start, no problem: our team will help you figure out which path is right for you. You can write to us directly on WhatsApp or by email.

2. Fill in the application form

The form is free and non-binding. We ask for your preferred destination and dates so we can check availability. You will receive an initial confirmation from us promptly.

3. Confirm your registration

To officially secure your spot, simply pay the registration deposit. This fee covers pre-departure training, personalised orientation and ongoing support from our team. At this point you will receive:

- a complete information sheet about the project and accommodation,
- local coordinator contact details,
- the pre-departure guide with practical and cultural tips,
- official letters for visa applications (if needed),
- a document enabling exemption from international vaccination certificate fees.

4. Departure preparation

With our pre-departure kit we also guide you on practical aspects: flight choice, insurance, visa and necessary documents. We remain available for any questions or issues until the trip.

5. Arrival and project start

As soon as you land, local staff will be there to welcome you. From the start you are guaranteed:

airport transfer on arrival (at scheduled times),
accommodation in a homestay or volunteer house,
three meals a day,
constant presence of an on-site coordinator and 24/7 support.
So you can experience the programme safely and focus on your concrete contribution to the host community.

6. After returning home

The journey doesn't end when you return home. You will receive an official certificate confirming your participation, useful for your CV and university courses. You can also become part of the HeyLocals community, attend events and continue supporting projects from a distance.

Want to have a look at the available projects?
You can find everything here: /our-projects/

If you prefer to talk to us, you can book a free informational call: /group-call

Most experiences are open to everyone: no special qualifications or previous experience are needed. What really matters is being at least 18 years old, having curiosity, adaptability, respect for cultures different from your own and the desire to get involved.

For some specific programmes (for example in healthcare or university internships) technical skills or qualifications may be required, but we always indicate this clearly in the project description. And if you have doubts, we will advise you on the best solution.

General requirements to consider

Minimum age: 18 years.
Minors can participate only if accompanied by a parent or, alternatively, with written consent and a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.

Criminal record: for safety reasons, all participants must submit a self-declaration (clean criminal record) at least 15 days before departure.

Language: for most projects a basic level of English is recommended. Local coordinators speak English and fellow volunteers typically come from across Europe and beyond.

In short: if you have enthusiasm and an open mind, you already have the right requirements to go. We build everything else together, step by step.

Costs vary depending on the project, destination and duration, but on average for 2-3 weeks the investment ranges from approximately 600 to 1,500 euros.

This fee covers everything you need to live the experience safely and without worries, including ongoing support before, during and after departure.

What does the fee include? The following (depending on the project, these may vary slightly):

- Accommodation in a welcoming and safe volunteer house
- 3 meals a day (at weekends usually brunch and dinner)
- Airport pick-up on arrival (at scheduled times) and programme-related transfers
- Orientation day on arrival to learn about the project, staff and local context
- Dedicated coordinator throughout your stay and 24/7 support from the local team
- Ongoing assistance from our HQ team (phone and WhatsApp)
- Materials and tools needed for field activities
- Cultural experiences and local immersions organised with the host community
- Weekly feedback meetings with the local team
- Official volunteering certificate, useful for CV and educational credits
- Pre-departure course and educational materials to arrive prepared
- DBS / criminal record check support where applicable (required to participate)
- Complete support on flights, visa and vaccinations (some health costs may vary by regional regulations)
- Volunteer community to build authentic bonds with
- A direct donation to the local community: part of your fee goes to support the project, with no extra requests on site

In short: the fee is not just for board and lodging, but is designed to guarantee you a complete, safe experience that is truly useful both for you and the community that welcomes you.

A fair and important question. The answer has to do with sustainability, transparency and respect towards local realities.

The organisations we work with are small community realities, often started by local people who decided to act to improve their community. They don't have staff dedicated to fundraising, nor access to large grants, nor the expertise to write international projects. Yet every day they do invaluable work on the ground.

Precisely because they are small, they don't have the resources to cover volunteers' board and lodging. It is therefore the volunteers themselves who contribute directly to these costs, thus also supporting the project that hosts them.

At the same time, it is worth remembering that every experience, to be done well, has a cost. An experience like this — intense, organised, safe, and with real impact — requires people, resources, coordination and care.

With your fee you are not paying to 'help', but you are contributing to an ecosystem made of authentic relationships, cultural exchanges and small but real projects — which without you might not exist. Moreover, the cost guarantees a high standard of organisation, logistics and safety that is often not easy to guarantee without the right structure.

Your contribution covers:

- running costs: board, lodging, local transport, materials and salaries for those working in partner organisations
- a direct donation to the reality that hosts you (you will not be asked to fundraise on site)
- the work of HeyLocals: selection and verification of projects, support before and during the trip, creation of useful content and building the network that accompanies you

Great question! Here it is important to make a clear distinction:

- Flexible departures

If you choose this option, you can join the project you want in practically any week of the year (apart from closure periods, always indicated on the project page and booking form). Usually we ask you to arrive on Sunday and leave at least the following Saturday. If you want to stay a few more days, there is flexibility.

- Group departures

In this case the dates are fixed and already set: you can find them on the project page. In these departures you will be with a group organised by us, with specific coordination.

The difference is purely organisational: some associations ask us to have more volunteers at certain times of the year, or have activities that work better with larger groups. In any case, the experience you will have, the type of work and the expectations remain the same.

The short answer is: no, you will never be alone.

Most of our projects arise from collaboration with local associations that also work with international partners. This means that on the ground you will meet volunteers and travellers from all over the world, all with the same desire to get involved.

You will stay in shared volunteer residences, where people involved in the same project or other programmes in the same area live together. It is a unique opportunity to make friends, share experiences and build bonds that often go well beyond the trip.

In addition, our local team regularly organises evening activities, group moments and extra excursions, to always keep the social dimension of the experience alive.

In practice, besides discovering local culture in depth, you will find yourself living side by side with people from other countries who share the same purpose: contributing and growing together.

No, the flight is not included in the project fee. This is because we want to give you the freedom to choose how and when to travel, based on your budget and needs.

That said, you won't be left on your own in the search:

- we advise you on the best arrival time slot,
- we help you find the most suitable flight options,
- and, if you want, we put you in touch with other participants departing on the same dates, so you can organise together.

The safety of our participants is an absolute priority. We only select organisations that we know personally or that have been collaborating for years with reliable international partners. Every project undergoes a rigorous due diligence process to guarantee high standards both logistically and on a human level.

Our goal is to offer a serene and accessible experience for people of all ages, with or without international travel experience. That is why we make sure that even those travelling alone for the first time find a safe, structured and welcoming context.

Every participant must provide a DBS check (or equivalent criminal record certificate) before departure. At the same time, all host facilities apply clear rules against inappropriate behaviour, drug or alcohol use, harassment and disrespect towards the local context.

Throughout the experience you will be supported by a local coordinator present on site, available 24 hours a day for any need or emergency. Before departure you will receive a complete document with all practical information, useful tips, contacts and reference numbers to face the trip with full awareness.

Of course, these are experiences in non-European contexts, often in rural or developing areas. This requires a touch of adaptability and open-mindedness. But one thing is certain: you will never be left alone.

If you are interested in receiving an official copy of our Due Diligence document for a specific facility, contact us and we will do our best to help!

As soon as possible — even just to save on the flight! In general, we recommend applying at least 1 or 2 months before your desired departure date.

For projects in peak season (June-August) or with limited spots, it is better to move at least 3 months in advance, to guarantee your place and prepare everything calmly.

If you need to leave last minute, write to us anyway: in some cases we can speed up the process. However, keep in mind that some visas or documents may take time, so it may not always be possible to leave immediately.

Once your participation is confirmed, we will ask you to settle the fee and send all necessary documents (passport, health insurance and criminal record). We are flexible on some timelines, depending on the project: you can find all the details on the specific page or contact us directly for quick answers.

Yes, absolutely. Just let us know at the time of booking and we will try to place you in the same project and accommodation.

It is also possible to travel with your partner, a sibling, or to organise larger groups (for example for university students or families).

Yes. At the end of the experience you will receive an official certificate of participation, which you can use in your CV or present to your university to request credits (if provided by your course of study).

We can also provide you with a personalised letter describing the activities carried out! Contact us for any additional requests after your trip!

How can a volunteer without experience, and for a limited time, really have an impact?

It is a more than legitimate question — and the answer requires broadening our perspective beyond just the operational contribution.

The impact of a volunteering experience is not measured solely in terms of technical skills or length of stay. There are forms of direct impact, such as supporting teachers at a local school, assisting the daily activities of a children's centre, or giving concrete help to rangers in a natural area. But there are also indirect impacts, often less visible but no less important: exchange, mutual curiosity, listening.

The presence of volunteers, if well prepared and welcomed in the right way, can strengthen the work of local communities, bring new energies, ideas, attention and connections. At the same time, those who travel often return with a more aware perspective, with new questions and greater sensitivity towards cultures, dynamics and challenges very different from their own.

It is not about 'doing great things', but about living small gestures with respect and intentionality. You don't go to save, but to share spaces, stories and daily life, in a journey that enriches both sides.

The value of all this, if well channelled, goes well beyond the time spent in the field. It is a mutual investment that leaves traces.

Yes, you can travel even if you are under 18, provided you are at least 14 years old and have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Before departure it will be necessary to sign a waiver, but don't worry: we will guide you step by step through the entire process.

Over the years, several boys and girls under 18 have participated in our projects with great enthusiasm, getting along very well both with the group and with local coordinators. If it is your first experience abroad, you are not alone: we are here, and there is a network of people ready to welcome you.

Rather than 'doing something', we ask you to be present with the right spirit: curious, respectful and open. Our projects work best when participants are proactive, flexible and ready to adapt to contexts very different from their own.

The golden rule? The more you give, the more you receive. Those who set off with enthusiasm, a desire to learn and willingness to get involved experience the journey with much more meaning.

Also keep in mind that in many of the destinations where we operate, time has a different rhythm: punctuality is less strict, the unexpected is more frequent, but it is precisely this slower pace that often allows more authentic connections.

We therefore ask you to:
– Be patient and maintain a positive attitude, even when things don't go as planned.
– Respect the local culture, customs and rules of the centre hosting you.
– Be kind to staff, residents and other volunteers.
– Don't judge, but observe, listen and learn.

In return, you will live an experience that – we promise – will stay with you for a long time.

All our projects follow a rigorous Child Protection Policy, adopted in collaboration with local partners.

This policy is designed to protect minors from any form of abuse, exploitation or inappropriate behaviour, but also to protect volunteers from ambiguous situations or unfounded accusations.

Here is what it provides:
– Every participant must present a criminal record certificate before the start of the project.
– During orientation you will be given the complete policy and asked to sign a document declaring that you have read and understood it.
– A detailed code of conduct regulates the behaviour to be observed when interacting with children and young people (including the use of photographs, physical contact, gifts, access to private places, etc.).
– Activities with minors are always supervised by qualified local staff.
– In the event of inappropriate behaviour or policy violations, immediate expulsion from the programme and, if necessary, reporting to the competent authorities are provided for.

Our goal is that every experience is not only useful, but also ethical, safe and respectful for all people involved.

Yes, in most cases it is possible. If you notify us at least 30 days before departure, we can change the date or destination free of charge, subject to availability.

If there are less than 30 days remaining, the change is still possible, but there may be additional costs related to logistical reorganisation, as provided for in our Terms and Conditions.

In any case, write to us as soon as you have a doubt: we always try to accommodate you and find the most suitable solution.

Yes, we strongly recommend having a local or international SIM to stay connected, especially in case of emergencies or to communicate with coordinators on site.

For all our destinations, we recommend Airalo (you can see the rates at this link), an excellent solution for purchasing eSIMs directly from your phone, even before you leave. We are official partners, and you can use it simply and securely in almost all the countries where we operate.

During weekends, when there are no project activities, you will have free time to explore the country hosting you.

To help you make the most of this part of the trip, we have selected reliable experiences and activities through our GetYourGuide partners: excursions, cultural tours, diving, trekking, street food and much more, always with local guides and secure organisation.

👉 Have a look at the available experiences You can book them before departure or directly from the site, based on your time and interests.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory to participate in our projects. You need coverage that includes at least health assistance, accidents, lost luggage and possible trip cancellation. In some destinations, COVID coverage may also be required.

To make it easier, we are official partners of Heymondo, an insurance designed specifically for those who travel independently or participate in programmes abroad. With HeyLocals you get an exclusive 10% discount on all policies.

👉 Activate your insurance with the discount
If you have doubts about what type of coverage you need for a specific destination, write to us and we will be happy to help you choose.