I have always loved working with children of all ages and I knew immediately that this was something I wanted, and needed, to do. The entire experience was inspiring itself- such a parade of bright, heartfelt people sharing their knowledge, and the volunteering has been rich. I continue to volunteer yearly as a way to give back and meet people in their time of need by giving them as much of myself as I can. I come away from these experiences feeling I’ve gained at least as much from the time spent as the people may have. For the few hours a week I spend at this, the impact is disproportionately fulfilling and purposeful for me.
Food Rescue Volunteer Project in Spain - Barcelona
Purpose
Help end hunger & food waste
Start dates
Programs start every second and fourth Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 2-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+
Accommodation
Dormitory-style hostel
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.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who like being active, hands-on, care about sustainability and food security and want to help end hunger for vulnerable people.
Project details
Want to help combat food waste in Spain so it can be redistributed to people in need? International Volunteer HQ’s Food Rescue project in Barcelona enables you to recover food that would be thrown away by local supermarkets and package it up for those who cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. Volunteers gain experience in food rescue and outreach community initiatives, while helping eliminate food waste and end hunger for vulnerable communities, such as homeless people, the elderly, and families in need.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Catalonia 262,000 tonnes of food is wasted annually. Of all the food that is purchased by restaurants, shops and families, around 7% is wasted each year. In Barcelona, there are numerous initiatives trying to combat food waste, however, most of these initiatives depend on volunteers. On this program, you will join local partners to redistribute leftover food from local supermarkets to social organizations, disadvantaged people, struggling families and other people in need.
As a Food Rescue volunteer in Barcelona, you’ll be helping make a real difference by fighting food waste. Tasks will include:
- Collecting and selecting food from local supermarkets
- Storing the food and preparing food packages
- These food packages are then distributed to different associations across Barcelona City
- Depending on the day, the food that is being prepared can range from canned food to large amounts of fruit and vegetables
Why do Food Rescue volunteering in Barcelona with IVHQ?
As a Food Rescue volunteer in Spain you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving food security for vulnerable people
- Helping reduce food waste
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining food outreach experience
- Immersing yourself in the Spanish way of life
- Discovering Spain’s Catalonia region
Volunteer requirements
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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.
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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?
Get personalized recommendations >
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.
Spain photo gallery
IVHQ volunteer rescuing food in Barcelona
Food Rescue volunteer organizing food packages
Fresh fruit rescued from supermarkets in Barcelona
Volunteers rescuing unused food from supermarkets
Redistributing food to people in need
Creating food packages in Barcelona
Volunteers getting food packages ready
Vans ready to distribute food packages
Collecting and moving unused food
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Barcelona during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
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Ashley Wiedow
23 Jul 2024
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Andrew Weston
10 Jul 2024
Look into it and go for it, I made lots of new friends, learned a lot about myself and a new country. I took everyday and made the most of them all, the place I volunteer at was amazing, I met some amazing people who worked hard everyday to make the place safe and comfortable for cats that ended up there because they were strays, I went to Barcelona and it was so beautiful, there's so much to do.
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Hannah Austin
26 Jun 2024
I feel as though I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to broaden my understanding of a unique demographic, I met the coolest people on the other side of the world and still talk about my time volunteering 2 years later! I couldn't of asked for a better experience and the kids I where involved with have truly altered the way I go about my day to day life!
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Gin Wallace
10 Jun 2024
My Program Manager answered all my questions and the transfer to the local team was seamless. The local team were very easy to work with and I appreciated all their support. Orientation was really helpful, for both the program and the transportation. I loved this experience, working with young adult migrants and helping them improve their conversational English skills. It opened my eyes to the commitment and sacrifices these folks have made in hopes of having a better future. I was glad to work with the NGO that provides housing and surrounds them with help and opportunities to be successful. As an older and solo volunteer, I really appreciated the support from the local team. On a personal level, I stretched myself out of my comfort zone with this trip and I'm already starting to plan my next one!
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Serica Battaglia
10 Apr 2024
Volunteering with IVHQ on two occasions has been the best thing I have ever done! The guidance and preparation resources received from IVHQ really was brilliant! Thank you so much! I couldn’t have asked for more, they were incredible! The people you meet and work alongside, the other volunteers you meet during your time, they really are people for life! The projects I volunteered on were rewarding, you really felt that you made an impact! If you’re hesitant, book it, go, and experience something completely different, you honestly won’t regret it! It will be life changing!
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Erika Poynter
20 Dec 2023
I gained a lot of insight towards my future endeavors. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the team within the kitchen, as well as the extra programs I briefly joined. It gave me a lot of reassurance about what I want to do with my career and how I want to direct it. I didn’t have any reservations but I can empathize with the international aspect. I would encourage anyone on the fence to open their hearts to experiencing the world and trying to rehabilitate it. There’s a significant amount of value to humbling yourself an apolitical way for the good of the world.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
Location
Catalonia is a region in northern Spain with its own distinct culture. Barcelona is its capital and melds millennia of history with modern life in a way that creates a vivid, stylish city with a vibrant atmosphere. It’s rich with the art and architecture of Gaudi and Picasso; home to FC Barcelona - one of the world’s best football teams; loaded with remnants of its ancient Roman past; stacked with beautiful beaches and parks and known for its mouth-watering cuisine. The IVHQ Spain volunteer program in Barcelona hosts a popular range of meaningful volunteer work. The dedicated local team supports volunteers 24/7 as they’re immersed in local life, helping you to develop an authentic understanding of this iconic destination. Volunteer placements are located throughout the wider city area of Barcelona. Some placements are up to a 90-minute commute, which can be on different means of public transport.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the second and fourth Monday of every month, and volunteers need to arrive in Barcelona on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). 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 via Metro and bus to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Spain prior to your volunteer program and arriving overland, we will provide you with a time and place to meet the local team in Barcelona on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Spain team in Barcelona. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Spain – an introduction to Spain and Barcelona, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, an introduction to project and placement as well as a tour of the local area and a basic Spanish language lesson. The orientation will also give you a chance to sign up for additional Spanish language lessons and to meet other volunteers with whom you can swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising .
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays:
After the initial orientation, you will have a morning, afternoon or evening shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that start times and daily workload depends on the specific project that you are participating on.
A typical daily schedule is as follows:
| 7:00 - 10:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers with a morning shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Lunch at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with an afternoon or evening shift travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 8:00 - 10:00 PM | Volunteers usually have dinner around this time. Please remember that you will need to purchase your own dinner from a local restaurant or supermarket. |
Weekends:
On your free weekends in Spain, visit Gaudi’s unfinished yet still iconic La Sagrada Familia church, catch a football match, try a local paella, sunbathe on an incredible beach or wander the streets of Les Ramblas to Barcelona’s city centre.
Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Spain including; Granada, Valencia, Madrid and many other places. Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Barcelona, with the advice and guidance of our local team.
Accommodation and WiFi
Prepare for an exciting stay just a short distance from Barcelona’s bustling city centre! Volunteers will be accommodated in a vibrant dormitory-style hostel, offering a lively atmosphere and the chance to meet other volunteers and travelers. Each room accommodates up to eight individuals of the same gender, providing a comfortable and sociable environment.
Expect modern conveniences like shared ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, cozy bedding, reading lamps and individual sockets next to each bed, and air conditioning. Each volunteer will have their own, complete with a provided lock. While towels are not provided, they can be rented from the hostel reception for a small fee, approximately US$3 (approximately £2) - US$4 (approximately £3), or you’re welcome to bring your own towel from home.
The hostel features communal spaces including a welcoming living room, dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, and a spacious outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing and enjoying meals together.
WiFi is available in the hostel, free of charge, and can also be accessed from many cafes and restaurants in the area. If you would like to keep connected during your stay, it’s recommended to bring an unlocked mobile phone and purchase a local SIM card once you arrive in Spain.
Private room upgrades with shared or private bathrooms can be arranged upon request for an additional cost, subject to availability.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch everyday.
Breakfast is self-serve at the volunteer accommodation and typically consists of fruit, bread, jam, cereal, milk, tea, and coffee.
Lunch is provided at the volunteer accommodation’s restaurant, according to a fixed menu. Meals typically include pasta, rice, meat, seafood, vegetable and salad dishes.
Dinner is not included in the program and you will need to purchase this yourself. You can expect to budget around US$13 (approximately £10) - US$23 (approximately £19) for dinner, however; prices will vary depending on what type of establishment you choose to purchase your dinner from.
Tap water is safe to drink in Barcelona but if you would prefer to drink bottled water, it is readily available and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 (approximately £4)- US$8 (approximately £6) per week for two liters of water per day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when submitting your application so we can make arrangements for you. As you will be living and volunteering abroad, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home; however, the local team will do their best to ensure you are well taken care of.
Volunteer social area
Volunteer social area
Volunteer internet wifi zone
Volunteer social area
Typical volunteer bathroom
Volunteer social area
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical upgraded volunteer bedroom
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer dining room
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £251), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £251) 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.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,250 Equivalent to $89/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,710 Equivalent to $81/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,170 Equivalent to $78/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,630 Equivalent to $75/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,090 Equivalent to $74/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,010 Equivalent to $72/day |
| 10 weeks | $4,930 Equivalent to $70/day |
| 12 weeks | $5,850 Equivalent to $70/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £251) 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 Spain generally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses including dinner, transportation and miscellaneous spending.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
- Breakfast and lunch
- 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
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Dinner
- US$10 per night for the Barcelona City Tax, paid directly to the accommodation upon arrival.
- 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.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Barcelona
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 Barcelona program.
Airport Pick-up
Arriving outside the airport pick-up times? Book this add on now!
£47
Extra Night of Accommodation
Arriving early or departing a few days after your program has finished? Book your extra nights of accommodation.
From £47
Spanish Language Lessons
Want to improve your Spanish language skills while volunteering in Spain? There’s no better time or more affordable way to gain confidence speaking, reading and writing in Spanish!
From £275
Check what's required to visit Spain
Safety and support
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.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.9 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate: Being such a large country, the climate of Spain is very varied. Barcelona and its metropolitan area has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Its average annual temperature is 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) during the day and 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) at night. In the coldest month, January, the temperature ranges from 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F) during the day and 6 to 12 °C (43 to 54 °F) at night. In the warmest month – August, the temperature ranges from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F) during the day and about from 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F) at night. Large fluctuations in temperature are very rare.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
