This site has been developed as part of the Volunteering Options programme, which was set up by Comhlámh in 2004. Funded by Irish Aid, the programme was established in response to the growing interest among the Irish public in volunteering overseas in developing countries. Comhlámh has provided advice and support for people interested in overseas development work for over 35 years.
In recent times, we have seen an increasing demand for our services from people who are interested in short-term volunteering. Some of the reasons why short-term volunteering has become more popular are:
- the increasing professionalisation of development work, which has made it more difficult for people without particular skills or experience to find overseas placements;
- changes in the Irish economy, which mean that people may not be able to make a long-term commitment to overseas work; and
- an increase in the number of organisations that offer short-term volunteer placements.
Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options programme aims to develop best practice in the growing sector of overseas volunteering, and to support volunteers in a longer-term commitment to development.