Volunteer work has become big business. Hundreds of gap year companies are there to guide timid gappers into a voluntary project, but if you are willing to be brave and do it all yourself it can be much, much cheaper.

Of course, this isn't for everybody. Many young (and older) travellers would prefer the security and benefits of a structured volunteer programme to provide assistance should things go wrong

Of the organisations listed on this website few require skills. Most just need a helping hand by those that are enthusiastic and willing to pitch in.

Truly free opportunities for unskilled volunteers are rare. Where they are not free, we’ve only listed organisations that charge reasonable (for their location) fees for food and accommodation. Generally, we have excluded organisations when it would cost less to arrange our own living expenses were we to stay in the same area without volunteering.

Most, but not all, of the voluntary programmes are free to join but with few exceptions we should expect to have pay for our own travel costs and insurance. Most projects are open to most nationals that can get a tourist visa.