Basque Government - "Juventud Vasca Cooperante" Programme

What the "Juventud Vasca Cooperante" programme gives you

You get a fully paid volunteering placement of about three months on a development-cooperation project in Latin America, Asia or Africa. The Basque Government pays all your travel costs there and back, up to the point where you meet the host NGO on site, and it also covers your visa. You also get insurance for civil liability, accidents and travel assistance. The placement usually runs between July and October. The Basque Government runs it each year through its Youth Directorate and its development cooperation agency (eLankidetza), together with Basque development NGOs. There are up to 100 places per call. When you arrive, you pay the host NGO a participation fee of 90 EUR.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You are registered (empadronado) in a Basque municipality prior to the publication of the call for applications, or you hold Basque political status in accordance with the Statute of Autonomy.
• Age: You were born between 1994 and 2002 (both years inclusive).
• Language: You speak the most important international language spoken in the country you would be travelling to.
• Field of study: No specific degree is required. Qualifications or experience linked to cooperation work (medicine, nursing, teaching, social work, engineering, IT and similar) count in your favour.
• Clean record: There are no administrative or criminal sanctions in place that would disqualify you from receiving public funding. For projects involving minors, you must provide evidence that you have no previous convictions for sexual offences.

How to apply

Apply online via the Basque Government’s electronic portal (sede electrónica) by 18 February 2024. Initially, up to 170 applicants will be shortlisted. The selection process will then include a compulsory three-day weekend meeting and interviews. Selected volunteers will take part in training sessions at the host NGOs before their departure.

How realistic are your chances?

Up to 100 places are allocated per call, plus 10 reserve places, which are selected from a maximum of 170 shortlisted candidates. This means that most people who reach the shortlisting stage will ultimately be offered a place or a reserve place.