Service Civil International
Service Civil International is an organisation dedicated to promoting peace through international volunteer projects available for everyone. SCI platform includes workcamps and long-term projects.
The workcamps consist of a short-term project in a multicultural environment, in which volunteers, from different nationalities, work together from 1 to 2 weeks. There are several options to volunteer in, from farms, reception centers, restaurants, among many others.
Long-term volunteering programmes take place especially outside Europe and volunteers are responsible for supporting with the association’s activities.
More Details
Requirements
To take part in projects promoted by SCI, participants must be over 18 years old, however there are projects in which they accept minors, while others ask that volunteers older than 20 or 21 years old. The requirements in terms of age vary between projects and the hosting countries, so it i an important detail to keep in mind.
For the workcamps you will not need previous experience, but for the long-term projects, sometimes it is necessary that volunteers already have practical knowledge in specific fields.
Duration
The workcamps last between 1 and 2 weeks and volunteers usually work between 20 and 40 hours a week. Volunteers have always some free time to do free-time activities with other volunteers, visit the nearby places and get to know the local community.
Long-term volunteer projects can last 1 month, 6 months or even 1 year. Its duration depends on the commitment that the host organisation seeks and the availability of volunteers. The details are stated in each call. Volunteers must work between 5 and 7 hours a day and have always free days on a weekly basis.
Destinations
Workcamps take place in several countries all over the world and, probably your home country is also hosting some workcamps. This is a great option if you want to take part in an international experience, but still stay in your home country.
The long-term projects are mainly based outside Europe, nevertheless there are always some exceptions.
Support
The support offered varies between projects, however in all of them, the volunteers are responsible for the cost of transportation from the country of origin to the destination and visas, when needed. It is also important to add that health insurance may be necessary, especially in projects taking place outside the European Union.
Most workcamps in Europe include accommodation and meals without costs, while in most workcamps outside Europe the volunteers have to pay an extra cost to cover these services organised by the host organisation.
In long-term projects, the same can happen, since in most projects, the organisations still do not have the economical capacity to cover the costs of volunteers, however there are some opportunities in England that offer pocket money to volunteers.
This information is always explicite in each placement.
Application
To apply for volunteering camps it is necessary to first visit the official page, choose the camp(s) you are interested in. To take part there are representatives in each country and you will need to find which associations collaborate with SCI in your home country, since these are responsible for sending national participants to the volunteer camps and long-term projects. It is important to note that this sending organisations might ask for fees to send you abroad.