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Middle East

Middle East

Peace in the Middle East remains one of the major challenges to be solved for the international community today. After years of Intifada, peace agreements and ongoing occupation, young people are the part of the population most affected by the stalemate. International voluntary service is a way to express solidarity and transmit hope, energy and creativity for young people to construct their citizenship under difficult circumstances through day-by-day co-operation among people of different backgrounds.

The projects in the Middle East are open to experienced volunteers over 20. All volunteers will undergo preparation e.g. attending a workshop; briefing by staff/experienced volunteers. SCI cooperates with partner organisations in Israel, Palestine and Syria.

Projects can be found on the project search engine The Wall - today's reality in PalestineThe Wall, Palestine

Being part of an international group: The volunteer group will be made up of international volunteers and volunteers from the host organisation.

Conditions: Conditions on the projects can be basic.

Leisure and free time: There is usually a study theme to each project and volunteers should prepare themselves to contribute to the discussions. There is a lot of interaction with the local community where the project is based including teaching in schools, family visits, visits to local places of historic or scenic interest etc. Bring a musical instrument, a deck of cards, chess set etc.

Costs: Free food and accommodation are provided on the individual projects.

  • Volunteers have to cover travel to the country and internal travel to/from the projects. Volunteers have to take out a comprehensive insurance policy and have to cover visa fees (if any).
  • Volunteers must be members of VSI and pay a programme fee to VSI of €140 for projects in 1 country with their application. VSI fees for projects in a 2nd country are an extra €40.
  • Volunteers sometimes have to pay a programme fee to the host organisation (from €100-€200). More details at the Preparation Workshops/Briefings by staff and experienced volunteers.

Practical: Volunteers travel to the city/town where the host organisation is based (usually the capital city). After orientation they

Planting olive trees in Palestine Planting olive trees in Palestine

Practical: Volunteers travel to the city/town where the host organisation is based (usually the capital city). After orientation they will travel together with other international and local volunteers to the project site.

Preparation: We organise a comprehensive preparation, orientation and briefing programme for participants. Volunteers intending to take part in the programme must join in our Preparation/Briefing Programme. Contact the office or see our website for further details.

Volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults:

Volunteers wishing to work on projects with or around children, young people or vulnerable adults will need to provide two references and a self-signed declaration form confirming the absence of a criminal record. More information from the office. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Training will be provided for volunteers working on these projects. Some projects require police checks, where applicable this is stated in the project description.

How to apply: You can complete the application form on our website and pay online with Paypal or complete the application form attached and send it to the VSI office with the appropriate fee.