Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Individuals seeking to provide support for the youth. Volunteers with strong advocacy for affecting change in younger minds will enjoy and gain plenty in this project.
Are you seeking to affect change in the lives of young individuals as a Youth Support volunteer in Portugal? Gain meaningful youth work experience working with local communities and NGOs in Porto, Portugal. Be involved in providing young people with a safe, positive, and supportive environment where they can gather, connect, and participate in constructive activities.
The Youth Support program in Porto is more than just helping with after-school activities; it aims to enrich young minds, fuel aspirations, and integrate basic English into their everyday lives!
Provide support in initiatives that help with personal development, inclusivity, and teaching essential life skills, while giving extra support to children and teens with difficult backgrounds.
At the heart of our initiative is a unique approach to teaching English - not through traditional methods, but through engaging conversations, interactive games, and culturally rich content that naturally enhances language proficiency. This informal approach helps foster a fun learning experience.
As you get into the daily volunteering activities, you can expect to conduct the following:
Join us and become a catalyst for change, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that have a lasting impact. You’ll contribute to creating a supportive and dynamic environment where learning, respect, and personal growth thrive!
When you volunteer in the Youth Support Project in Porto, you will be adding value to the local community while, at the same time, developing personal and professional skills by:
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
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Experience the vibrant allure of Porto, Portugal’s eclectic gem!
This city is a tapestry of ancient charm and contemporary buzz. Wander through its serpentine, mural-adorned streets in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center, where every corner tells a story.
There is so much to do!
You can hop on a vintage tram to where the Douro River kisses the Atlantic, discover sun-soaked beaches and chic outdoor cafés, try the typical “Francesinha,” immerse yourself in Serralves, and go to the famous library in the city center!
As night falls, the city transforms into a lively playground with an array of trendy rooftop bars, cozy cafés, and electric clubs.
Beyond its lively streets, Porto is the gateway to Northern Portugal’s rich tapestry of culture and scenery. It’s not just a city, it’s an experience!
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Porto on the Sunday before program orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto Airport) (OPO) in Porto on the Sunday before your program orientation. 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 transported to the volunteer accommodation in Porto. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Portugal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Porto on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Portugal team in Porto. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Porto – an introduction to Portugal and Porto, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to the project and placement, along with a tour of the local area. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
A separate orientation dedicated to your placement will be held the following day. You will be shown how to travel to and from your placement, receive an introduction, and complete your volunteering hours.
First Day
You will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working alongside.
Weekdays
During the week, you will have an afternoon shift, which will last approximately 4 hours. Note that start times and daily workload will depend on your specific placement.
A typical day on the Youth Support project is as follows:
| 7.00 AM - 10.00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 9.00 AM | Free time to explore or rest. You are free to relax at the accommodation, go sightseeing, or head out for some shopping. |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Lunch is served at a local restaurant near the volunteer accommodation. |
| 2.00 PM | Travel to your placement via public transportation, which can take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic. |
| 3.00 PM | Volunteering on your placement usually begins alongside placement staff and other volunteers until approximately 7:00 PM. |
| 7:00 PM | Volunteering work on your placement usually ends. You are free to travel back to your accommodation. |
| 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Dinner is served at a local restaurant near the volunteer accommodation. |
During the summer months (June - August), volunteers may help with summer camps and have a morning and/or afternoon shift.
Weekends
Volunteers can travel and explore the eclectic city of Porto, Portugal. From visiting one of the oldest libraries in the world, catching a futebol match, or trying out a local francesinha, you can create an itinerary by yourself or with your fellow volunteers!
Volunteers staying in Portugal longer or who wish to travel before or after their program can visit areas further afield in Portugal, including Lisbon, the Azores, the Algarve, and many other places. With the advice and guidance of our expert local team, you can make travel arrangements once you arrive in Porto.
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style hostel along the scenic Douro River in the heart of the city – the perfect retreat for volunteers in Porto. The accommodation is just a stone’s throw from the metro and a short walk from Porto Cathedral and Torre dos Clérigos.
Volunteers can immerse themselves in the lively neighborhood, teeming with supermarkets, quaint cafes, bustling bars, and all modes of public transportation. Expect cozy accommodations shared with up to eleven other people per room. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, en suite showers and toilets, and bedding. Along with personal touches, like reading lights and power outlets at every bed and individual lockers to store your belongings securely.
The accommodation communal areas feature a fully equipped shared kitchen and lounge area, allowing you to relax and mingle with fellow volunteers.
WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and is free of charge. Please note that the the signal may be weaker in some areas of the accommodation. WiFi is also available at many cafes and restaurants in the area.
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
Breakfast is served buffet style at the volunteer accommodation. The buffet includes cereals, yogurt, seasonal fruits, bread, butter, jam, coffee, milk, and tea.
Lunch and dinner are served in a nearby restaurant which prepares tasty Portuguese dishes with fresh local ingredients. The menu consists of local food, a mixture of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant options are available upon request.
Discover the ‘Dish of the Day’ in Portugal - Porto!
What is the ‘Dish of the Day’?
In Portugal, many local restaurants embrace a tradition where they cook one or two special dishes in large quantities each day. These dishes are always Portuguese and made with fresh ingredients, offering you an authentic taste of the local cuisine. From octopus rice to pork with fries, the ‘dish of the day’ is a delightful surprise!
How Will You Find Out What It Is?
The excitement of the ‘dish of the day’ is that you won’t know what’s on offer until you arrive at the restaurant. The staff will inform you of the day’s special dish, so each meal becomes a new experience. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local culture and try something new every day!”
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £235) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $700 Equivalent to $100/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,210 Equivalent to $86/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,720 Equivalent to $82/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,230 Equivalent to $80/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,740 Equivalent to $78/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,250 Equivalent to $77/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,270 Equivalent to $76/day |
| 10 weeks | $5,290 Equivalent to $76/day |
| 12 weeks | $6,310 Equivalent to $75/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Porto program.
This workshop offers a hands-on culinary experience, perfect for food lovers and culture enthusiasts.
Enjoy a stress-free ride from your accommodation to the airport, organized by the local team.
These surf lessons are an unforgettable experience that offers an exhilarating way to experience the waves of Porto’s beautiful coastline.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Porto |
| Population | 214,349 |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate: Porto has generally moderate temperatures. The average annual high is around 20 °C (68 °F) and average low around 11 °C (52 °F). The climate is also only mildly seasonal, from a maxima of 14 °C (57 °F) in January to 25–26 °C (77–79 °F) in August, while minima is around 5–6 °C (41–43 °F) in January and 15–16 °C (59–61 °F) in July and August.
I was stuck in my previous life. Volunteering with IVHQ in Porto really opened my eyes to some of the different things the world has to offer.
I would recommend an IVHQ program to anyone who is unsure about their life direction and might need a push.
I loved the program that I did and would highly recommend it. It opened up my eyes as to what I can do at home and I have already reached out to a similar organisation to see if I can volunteer. I felt the organisation and support offered by IVHQ was great!
I learned about Portugal from the people I worked with, what they ate, how they communicate, and I even learned some Portuguese. I would tell someone who is hesitant that it is very easy to volunteer through IVHQ and that everyone is very supportive.
I gained a lot of experience. I really enjoyed working with kids, and had a lot of fun with them. The program taught me how to manage and communicate with children. I really lacked that knowledge before, so I’m grateful for that incredible opportunity to be able to participate in a Youth Support program.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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