Interested in being a Community Development volunteer in Brazil? International Volunteer HQ’s Community project allows volunteers to get involved in activities that benefit low-income communities in Rio. Many of our volunteers work with an organization which gives children opportunities through Arts and Music. Volunteers with renovation skills will also be very welcome. The more information you can provide in your application form regarding your skills the better.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Disadvantaged communities in Rio de Janeiro struggle with a number of issues that impact the wellbeing of their people. As a Community Development volunteer, you’ll be assisting local teams and other volunteers working on events and initiatives to improve their community. You’ll be helping with the tasks that are top priority for them at the time so you know what you do will be worthwhile and appreciated.

Community volunteer work varies widely, but could include:

Restoration projects
Gardening
Arts projects
Health education and awareness
Technology, media and design
Environmental development

Please note this project has a minimum duration of three weeks.

Joining the Brazil Program over Carnival (Fri, 28 Feb 2025 – Sat, 8 Mar 2025) will incur a strictly non-refundable Carnival Week Surcharge of US$600. This surcharge must be paid in full, along with your Program Fee, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of your program placement. Failure to pay the Carnival Week Surcharge by the specified deadline will result in a reduction of your program duration to ensure that you depart the Program on Fri, 28 Feb 2025.

No volunteer work will be held between Fri, 28 Feb 2025 – Sat, 8 Mar 2025. The accommodation and services of the program, such as breakfast, are still available during this period. You will have the opportunity to relax or sightsee instead. Volunteer work commences again on Mon, 10 Mar 2025.

Why do Community Development volunteering in Rio De Janeiro with IVHQ?

When you join the Community Development project in Brazil, you’ll be helping out local neighbourhoods while also developing personally and professionally by:

Supporting disadvantaged communities
Assisting with a variety of projects
Gaining community development experience
Practicing your Portugese
Developing your communication skills
Immersing yourself fully in the Brazilian culture
Exploring Brazil’s most famous city, Rio de Janeiro

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Brazil photo gallery

IVHQer on the Childcare project in Brazil

IVHQ Childcare project

Community Development project in Brazil with IVHQ

IVHQ Community Development project

Sports Development project in Brazil with IVHQ

IVHQ Sports Development project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Teaching English project

Community Development project volunteer in Brazil with IVHQ

IVHQ Community Development project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Childcare project

Exploring Rio during an IVHQ weekend

Explore Ipanema Beach in Brazil with IVHQ

Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend

Explore Christ the Redeemer in Brazil with IVHQ

Exploring Christ the Redeemer during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring street art during an IVHQ weekend

Watching a Football game during an IVHQ weekend

Explore and swim at Ipanema Beach in Brazil with IVHQ

Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend

Explore street markets in Brazil with IVHQ

Exploring street markets during an IVHQ weekend

Adventure activities in Brazil with IVHQ

Enjoying adventure activities during an IVHQ weekend

Explore and play volleyball at Ipanema Beach in Brazil with IVHQ

Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Rio during an IVHQ weekend

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Oli Stewart

17 Sep 2024

I gained invaluable insight into a fascinating, unique culture which I immersed myself in for 2 weeks. Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city, from the natural landscape to the people and its lifestyle. The volunteering project made me appreciate how important sport is in bringing the local communities together as a tool for education and peace. Engaging with the kids and coaches by transferring skills I have gained from playing football back home made the whole experience especially fulfilling.

To anyone who is hesitant, I would say that Rio de Janeiro is the best place in the world to experience football. Having said that, there is also a range of other sports and projects, all of which provide the same opportunity to give back to a truly amazing culture, all whilst being in one of the world's most iconic and idyllic cities. By following the advice of the program, you should never feel unsafe, and you will also meet so many people with similar interests to share the experience with.

...

Ryan Oatley

02 Aug 2024

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to IVHQ for providing me with an amazing 6-week sports volunteering placement in Rio, Brazil. This opportunity to run football sessions for children in the favela has been incredible. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces and witnessing their passion for the game was truly inspiring. The support from the IVHQ team made this experience seamless and rewarding. Thank you, IVHQ, for allowing me to be part of such a meaningful program and for helping make a positive impact in these children's lives.

...

Nathan Hill

10 Jul 2024

This experience helped me pick up another language and become conversation in Portuguese, it gave me the opportunity to make an immense amount of connections that I will carry with me forever and have the most memorable, spontaneous, crazy adventures.

...

Eva Mineiro

24 Aug 2023

I gained a lot of world knowledge and grew as a person. I would tell someone that is thinking of joining to 100% do it because it changes your life, even just the people alone.

...

Zachary Chase

02 Aug 2022

My volunteering experience showed me that I can leave my comfort Zone. that I am able to do with my life what I want. It taught me that there are ways I can make an impact on peoples lives. If you have never volunteered abroad it is a life changing experience and one that will have a lasting impact on your thought processes. It can open up Your eyes to different ways of life and can teach new life skills necessary for exploring other countries. The experience itself can lead to a better understanding of what you can do with your life going forward.

...

Shane Snatchfold

26 Jul 2022

My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was walking into the project every day and being greeted by warm smiling faces, happy to see me. With a little time and effort, anyone can make a big difference to peoples lives. Don't over think it, just do it !!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Volunteer Abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with IVHQ

Location

IVHQ’s volunteer projects are based in the glittering city of Rio de Janeiro. It’s the second largest city in Brazil and home to glorious beaches, breathtaking scenery and a huge selection of cultural activities including the world’s biggest street parade, Carnival.

The volunteer accommodation is based in Glória, a bayside neighborhood in central Rio which is close to Copacabana Beach and many restaurants, bars, art galleries, museums and tourist attractions.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive into Rio de Janeiro on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) in Rio de Janeiro. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Rio. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are travelling in Brazil prior to your volunteer program, you will need to arrange your own transport to the hostel accommodation.

Orientation is hosted by our Brazil team at their office in Rio de Janeiro. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Brazil - an introduction to Brazil, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local team member and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Work and hours at the placement are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day is as follows:

7:30 AM	Breakfast at the hostel.
8:00 AM	Volunteeers travel to their placements.
8:30 - 2:00PM	Volunteers join the placement staff and begin work. There is usually a morning tea break and lunch break.
2:00 - 5:00PM	Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their accommodation, go sightseeing, hit the beach, or do some shopping.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have free time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Rio de Janeiro and other areas of Brazil. Popular tourist activities include relaxing on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, climbing Corcovado Mountain, visiting the statue of Christ the Redeemer, catching the cable car to get a 360-degree view of the city from Sugar Loaf Mountain, horse trekking and wildlife spotting in the Pantanal wetlands, exploring Iguazu Falls and trekking through the Amazon.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers stay in a hostel in the central Rio neighbourhood of Glória, which is a short walk from the metro station.

You can expect to share a bedroom with 5 to 8 other volunteers of both genders. Bedrooms have bunk beds with bedding and air conditioning provided. All rooms have a communal, co-ed bathroom equipped with western toilets and hot showers. You should bring your own towel or can rent one at the hostel for 5 BRL. Lockers are available but you’ll need your own padlock.

Accommodation upgrades to private or matrimonial rooms or homestays can be requested subject to availability at an additional cost after registering for the program. All upgrades must be arranged through the local team prior to your arrival. Additional accommodation before and after your program can also be arranged subject to availability. Please ask your IVHQ program manager for more details.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the hostel. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Due to the higher costs over busy Carnival week, an accommodation surcharge will apply to any volunteers on the program over the Carnival week period.

Meals

You’ll be provided with breakfast at the hostel, but will need to arrange your own lunch and dinner. Breakfast generally consists of coffee, tea, natural fruit juice, fruit, bread, butter, jam, cheese, ham and cake.

The hostel has cooking facilities to prepare meals and there are nearby shops to buy food. If you have any special dietary requirements for breakfast, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you.

Volunteer accommodation

Inside of IVHQ volunteer house in Brazil

Volunteer accommodation

Typical volunteer bedroom

Typical volunteer breakfast

Breakfast in Brazil for volunteers with IVHQ

Typical volunteer breakfast

IVHQ Breakfast in Brazil for volunteers with IVHQ

Typical volunteer breakfast

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
3 weeks	$730 Equivalent to $35/day
4 weeks	$880 Equivalent to $31/day
5 weeks	$1,030 Equivalent to $29/day
6 weeks	$1,180 Equivalent to $28/day
8 weeks	$1,480 Equivalent to $26/day
10 weeks	$1,780 Equivalent to $25/day
12 weeks	$2,080 Equivalent to $25/day
16 weeks	$2,680 Equivalent to $24/day
20 weeks	$3,280 Equivalent to $23/day
24 weeks	$3,880 Equivalent to $23/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$505) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Brazil generally find US$250 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunch, dinner and miscellaneous spending.
Joining the Brazil Program over Carnival (Fri, 28 Feb 2025 – Sat, 8 Mar 2025) will incur a strictly non-refundable Carnival Week Surcharge of US$600. This surcharge must be paid in full, along with your Program Fee, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of your program placement. Failure to pay the Carnival Week Surcharge by the specified deadline will result in a reduction of your program duration to ensure that you depart the Program on Fri, 28 Feb 2025.

Breakfast
Airport pick-up
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Lunch and dinner
Transport to and from your placement each day
Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Portuguese language lessons

Portuguese language lessons are available to all volunteers regardless of their ability. IVHQ recommends these lessons for all volunteers in Brazil unless they are fluent in Portuguese. Volunteers with a basic level of Portuguese should strongly consider these lessons to allow them to work and communicate more effectively during their program. These language lessons can be organised upon arrival in Brazil, during the program orientation. These language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Portuguese and must be paid for in Brazil to our local program staff.

Check what's required to visit Brazil

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Brasilia
Population	198.7 million
Languages	Portuguese
Currency	Real (BRL)
Time zone	UTC-03:00

Weather and climate

The climate of Brazil has a wide range of weather conditions across a large area and varied topography, but most of the country is tropical. The different climatic conditions produce environments ranging from equatorial rainforests in the north and semiarid deserts in the northeast, to temperate forests in the south and tropical savannas in central Brazil. Many regions have starkly different microclimates.

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