How to apply

On this page, you will find practical information about the application procedure, the mediation process and the project. Application forms can be found through the individual project descriptions, which are, unfortunately, only available in Dutch, on the Dutch part of this website. Besides the practical information on this page, you should also read the Terms and Conditions of Voluntá. These describe several items with more detail. In some cases, the hosting organization has its own Terms and Conditions. We recommend you read those as well.

1. Application

Individuals can apply through the application form on this website, or by printing the application form and sending it by mail to Voluntá. Organizations can not register themselves through the website, but can request a price quotation. Upon receipt of the application form, you will receive a confirmation of receipt and an invoice for an initial deposit. Voluntá will only start the mediation process when the registration form and the initial deposit have been received.

2. Costs

The total costs of participating in a volunteer project through Voluntá can be divided in mediation costs and project costs. Mediation costs include the costs Voluntá makes for mediation, communication, guidance and, if appropriate, training of the participant. Project costs are the costs the hosting organization makes to be able to receive the participant. This includes things such as food, accommodation, travel and work guidance during the project. Air fares, visa costs, immunizations, insurance, admission fees, consumptions and other items that are not specifically mentioned under the project costs of a particular project, are not included in the project costs.

3. Mediation

Upon receipt of the registration form and the initial deposit, we will start the mediation process. The hosting organization decides whether you can be placed in the preferred project and period. As soon as we know whether you can be placed in the preferred project and period, we will let you know. If you can not be placed in the preferred project and period, we will suggest an alternative. If you do not accept this alternative, your registration will be cancelled and the initial deposit will be refunded. When you accept a project placement, Voluntá confirms this through email. This means that the placement is definite. With the confirmation email, you will receive a second invoice, for the remaining part of the mediation costs.

4. Flight, insurances and other preparations

As soon as Voluntá has confirmed your placement, you can book your ticket and make other travel arrangements, such as immunizations and travel insurance. The participant is responsible for effecting an adequate cancellation and travel insurance, which also covers illness and accidents during volunteer work. When Voluntá offers a training programme, you are obligated to participate in this programme. In most cases, the training programme consists of a one-day workshop. The date and place of this workshop will be set in consultation with the participants. Voluntá will only provide contact details from the receiving organization to participants who have participated in the training programme.

5. Changing or cancelling your application

When you wish to change your application after your placement has been confirmed, Voluntá will charge administrative costs. When you have to cancel your application, you may be eligible for a refund of (part of) the mediation costs, depending on the reason and date of your cancellation. If you have already paid the project costs, the hosting organization decides whether you can get these (partly) refunded. When Voluntá has to change a project, you will be informed of this as soon as possible. If you do not accept the changes, then Voluntá will refund you the mediation costs, minus the costs that were already made for mediation and training. When Voluntá has to cancel the project, for example if the safety situation in the project area is endangering the project, we will propose an alternative project. If you can not accept this alternative, we will refund the mediation costs, minus the costs we already made for mediation and training.

6. Project

Voluntá has an agreement with the hosting organization about the activities you will be engaging in during the project. We will both try our best to make sure that the activities are in accordance with the information you received beforehand, but this can not be guaranteed. If this is the case, we kindly ask you to be flexible and active when searching for solutions and/or alternatives. You are obliged to abide by the laws of the project area and/or country, and to adapt to local customs. You are expected to discuss any possible problems in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Finally, we request that you treat information about the hosting organization and the day-to-day business at the project with discretion. Do not publish sensitive information on websites or weblogs and do not provide information about the project to the media without consent of the host organization and Voluntá.

7. Emergencies

Voluntá does not mediate for projects in countries or regions of which it can reasonably know that they are not safe. If we receive information about possible safety problems in the area and/or the country where the project will take place between the moment of confirmation of placement in a project and the actual start of the project, we will always proceed with great care. Amongst other things, this means that we cancel a project whenever the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non essential travel or all travel to a particular country or region within a country. If you decide to go to the project, despite cancellation by Voluntá, this is at your own expense and risk and not under the responsibility of Voluntá. If, after the start of a project, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to a particular region because, we advise you to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

8. Liability

As a participant, you are responsible for getting an adequate cancellation and travel insurance, which also covers illness and accidents when volunteering. Voluntá can not be held liable for injuries, damage, loss or other harmful events that are a result of participation in a volunteer project. The hosting organization tries to provide as complete and safe a programme as possible, but you are at all times responsible for your own choices, acts and activities in and around the project. You are not obligated to do anything you feel is not responsible, which means that you are liable for any direct or indirect damage you may cause at the project. Voluntá can not me held liable for costs made before confirmation of your placement, nor for costs that result from changes or cancellation by yourself or by Voluntá.

9. Exclusion

Voluntá only mediates for persons over 18 years old. For some projects, additional, more specific criteria apply. These additional criteria are always mentioned under the project information. When Voluntá and/or the hosting organization are of the opinion that you do not comply with the criteria for a certain project, we can exclude you from a project. In these cases, the amount paid, excluding the costs for mediation and training already incurred by Voluntá, will be refunded. If your behaviour disturbs the project, the work-conductor, in consultation with the hosting organization and Voluntá, can expel you from the project. When you suffer an accident or illness that prevents you from further participation in the project, the work-conductor, in consultation with the hosting organization, Voluntá and yourself, may decide that it is better for you to leave the project.

10. Evaluation

Voluntá appreciates it if the participant fills in an evaluation form and / or writes a report about his project experiences after the project has ended. The evaluation forms and reports help us evaluate our projects and improve collaboration with the hosting organizations.