Your contact person

Where do you want to go?

Important notice for volunteers: As part of our commitment, we decided to stop sending volunteers to orphanages. This decision is based on several important reasons.

We can place 20 people per year in long-term projects, so places are limited. If you are interested, register now or get in touch with us by email.

• Long-term participation fee: CHF 1.300.-  (Reduced*: CHF 990.-)
• Pre-departure training participation fee: CHF 100.- (incl. catering)
• Travel costs (you must also organise your own travel)
• Costs for visa and vaccinations
• In some long-term projects, programme costs are incurred on site, which you pay directly to the local assignment organisation. You can find the fees in the project description on the international search engine.
• Scholarships for apprentices and young people with vocational training: Are you currently in an apprenticeship or have already completed an apprenticeship and are under 25 years old? Then you can apply for a scholarship. SCI Switzerland has a scholarship programme and we can award scholarships for apprentices and apprenticeship graduates. Thanks to this, young apprentices and apprenticeship graduates are covered 100% of all programme costs as well as travel costs (100% of travel costs by train or bus; 50% of travel costs for flights). Find out more!

*Eligible for reduced prices: school and university students, AHV/IV recipients and unemployed persons

What is your participation fee used for?

SCI Switzerland is a certified non-profit organisation. We rely on participation fees, membership fees and donations to organise volunteer engagements, place volunteers and for the preparation and follow-up of volunteers and camp coordinators. The participation fee only covers a small part of the actual costs. SCI Switzerland is mainly supported by its long-standing members and donors as well as government subsidies. The local project partners also contribute a great deal themselves to the realisation of the projects (volunteer camps, long-term engagements, etc.).

• Food and lodging on site
• A moderate amount of pocket money (depending on the location)
• Support from SCI Switzerland before departure, during the assignment and after your return
• Invitation letter for visas, if needed
• Preparation and evaluation of the assignment

If you are interested in a long-term assignment, please contact us well in advance. Depending on the country of destination: 2 to 6 months before departure. Short-term registrations are not possible.

STEPS TO LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENT:

1. Check that you meet the requirements.
2. Participation in the pre-departure training is mandatory. Learn about concepts such as White Saviour Complex and Decolonize Volunteering
3. Register and select your project(s) on our international platform. You may choose several projects and indicate your order of preference. For guidance and individual support, please contact our coordinator Loretta Scherler (loretta.scherler@scich.org) for a personal consultation.
4. After registration, we will contact you and send you the invoice for the participation fee. Once the fee has been paid, your registration becomes binding.*
5. You can now start planning and booking your journey. Please inform yourself about entry requirements (including visas) and any required or recommended vaccinations. We can support and advise you throughout the entire process.
6. It is now time for your volunteer engagement! We remain available to you and you will receive on-site support during your stay.
7. After your return, an individual evaluation meeting will take place. In addition, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences with us and with potential interested participants.

   * In the event of cancellation, cancellation fees apply (60% up to three weeks before departure, 80% thereafter).

Do you have any questions? Contact Loretta Scherler (loretta.scherler@scich.org) for all questions regarding long-term assignments.