About Us

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 for short periods of anything up to a year. Comhlámh has provided advice and orientation for people interested in overseas development work for over 30 years.

In recent times, we have seen an increasing demand for our services from people who are interested in shorter term volunteering. Some of the reasons why shorter 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.

Is eagraíocht í Comhlámh a bhfuil baill agus tacaithe aici.  Tá sí oscailte do gach aon duine a bhfuil suim acu i gceartas sóisialta, i gcearta daonna agus i gceisteanna a bhaineann le forbairt domhanda.  Cuireann Comhlámh, atá ag ceiliúradh 32 bliain ar an bhfód in 2007, eolas agus oideachas ar fáil maidir leis na cúrsaí seo agus cruthaíonn siad naisc agus eagraíonn siad feachtais ina leith.

Comhlámh is a signatory to the Dochas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages. Please send your feedback on our adherence to this code to info@volunteeringoptions.org