IVP Form
Application Process and Info
VSI views participation in an International Volunteer Project as one part of a process which includes Application, Preparation, Participation and Evaluation.
To apply for an International Volunteer Project:
- Complete all parts of the application form. Please note, we cannot process your application until we receive payment. If you do not have a credit card or other payment card please send a cheque or postal order made payable to Voluntary Service International to VSI, 30 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1 (include your name, contact details and the name of the project you applied for as a reference). Do not send cash in the post.(see section on Project Placement Fees below)
- VSI will inform you by email when you are accepted for a project or if there are no vacancies. This will usually be within a week but in some cases can take longer.
- We will then send you two confirmation slips with instructions to email one back to VSI and the other to the SCI branch or partner organisation who are organising the project (the email addresses will be provided). This will confirm your place on the project.
- The Project Information Sheet, which includes more info on the project you are going to, will be sent to you at least 4 weeks before the project starts.
Joint Applications
If you would like to apply with a friend, please send your applications together with a note of explanation, including whether or not you would accept separate places. Although we will do our best to find places together, we cannot guarantee it.
VSI International Volunteer Projects: Project Placement Fees
VSI is a voluntary, non-profit organisation so we need to charge each volunteer a Project Placement fee. This fee includes administration costs involved in your placement, insurance cover while taking part in projects in Western Europe/ North America (contact VSI for details of cover and limitations) and membership of VSI for one year. During the year you will receive several news bulletins keeping you up to date with VSI news, events and volunteer opportunities both within and outside of VSI.
| Projects Abroad | Irish Projects | |
|---|---|---|
| Unwaged: | € 80.00 | € 50.00 |
| Students: | € 90.00 | € 60.00 |
| Wage Earners: | € 125.00 | € 70.00 |
| Extra project fee: | € 40.00 | € 40.00 |
If you already are a member of VSI deduct the membership fee you paid (€27.00 wage earners; €14.00 for students and un-waged). We try to make VSI volunteer opportunities open to everyone, we won't turn anyone away because of financial restrictions, please contact Helen in the VSI office if you have difficulty paying the fee.
Preparation Workshops
At the Preparation Workshop we will give you practical advice and information on what to bring, insurance etc. as well as more details about what to expect on an International Volunteer Project, the role and benefit of the projects, guidelines for participation etc.
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Training
IMPORTANT: For those volunteers participating in projects with or around children or vulnerable adults (disabled people for example) Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Training is compulsory, this training will be provided at a Dublin Preparation Workshop. VSI will inform you if you need to take part in this training.
IVP Evaluation Workshops
At the Evaluation Workshop you are given the chance to meet other volunteers and to talk about your project experiences - both positive and negative ones. You will also discover details of other activities and opportunities to get involved in with VSI. VSI uses the workshops to improve the programme, it is only through your comments and opinions that we can do this. The Evaluation Workshop is recommended to all volunteers.
Cancellations and Refunds
If you have to cancel your application, please let us know immediately. Once placed on a project of your choice, you will not be entitled to a refund of your Project Placement fee, apart from in exceptional cases. However, if we are unable to place you on a project, we will refund your placement fee (but not your VSI membership fee), you will remain a member of VSI for one year.