Considering everything going on in the world, it’s clear that giving back to our community will be especially important this year. And here in Madrid, there are plenty of ways to get involved! We’ve compiled an updated list of volunteer opportunities at the city’s community centers, food banks, nonprofits and more to help you make a difference in 2021.
This list was created by the team at VeraContent, a multilingual content agency based in Madrid. Their social impact committee, VeraImpact, focuses on finding ways to support the local community and promote equality and inclusion.
If you know of any other Madrid volunteer opportunities, please get in touch with us and we’ll add them!
1. Madrid For Refugees
Madrid For Refugees is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to helping and empowering refugees, asylum seekers, stateless people and migrants in Madrid, with a focus on community integration and employability. You can sign up to volunteer here, and they’ll contact you if an appropriate opportunity becomes available.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
2. Comunidad de Madrid
The Comunidad de Madrid advertises volunteer opportunities on this page. You can filter the postings by type, location, hours and even the type of beneficiary. Alternatively, contact them directly to find an opportunity that suits your availability and interests.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
3. Food Bank of Madrid
The Food Bank of Madrid offers both long-term and temporary volunteer opportunities. Permanent volunteers manage food collection, storage and delivery three days a week for around four hours in the morning. Occasional volunteers work at one-off events—usually for around four hours at a time—such as pop-ups in shopping centers and other initiatives. Apply online here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
4. La Red de ONGD
La Red de ONGD (the Network of Non-Governmental Development Organizations) advertises a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, both in Madrid and around the world. It provides useful links so you can find and apply for the best option for you. Check out this page to see current openings.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
5. United Way España
United Way España works with a variety of NGOs focused on promoting education, income and health by helping children, youth and the elderly. You can get in touch with them by submitting a form online, or explore their corporate volunteering program.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
6. MASI
MASI was founded in 1999 by a group of agricultural engineers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. They work to defend the rights of young people through community and social development initiatives, in partnership with other local organizations. Visit this page to find out how to get involved.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
7. Fundación Madrina
Fundación Madrina works to protect women and children who are at risk of social exclusion, particularly pregnant young women in vulnerable situations. They offer various kinds of volunteer opportunities, which you can learn more about here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
8. Culturas Unidas
Culturas Unidas is based in Madrid’s Lavapiés neighborhood, and works to promote the social integration of people at risk of exclusion through education and interculturality. They currently work with around 50 volunteers, and are constantly welcoming new members to get involved in their community events and activities.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
9. Grandes Amigos
Grandes Amigos works to support Madrid’s elderly community, helping them to combat loneliness and enjoy their later years with health and dignity. You can volunteer to help people in your neighborhood through an easy online application.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
10. Fundación la Caixa
Fundación la Caixa works alongside various institutions and thousands of volunteers to fight poverty and exclusion, promote medical research, improve access to cultural resources and improve education. They implement a wide range of social initiatives, which you can get involved with here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
11. FEVOCAM
FEVOCAM is a platform for volunteering in Madrid, made up of several NGOs that work together to promote volunteer work. Consult their list of current opportunities, with detailed information and contacts provided for each.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
12. Ayuntamiento de Madrid
The Ayuntamiento de Madrid (City Council) operates a local initiative called Voluntari@s por Madrid, promoting active and responsible citizenship through over 400 projects in all areas of life. They collaborate with social entities and companies and operate a virtual community where you can find out more about their work.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
13. BLUA
BLUA is a Madrid-based organization that provides international volunteer opportunities for those who want to engage in sustainable travel. Their programs focus on environmental conservation and the empowerment of local communities across the world.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
14. Proyecto Hombre Madrid
Proyecto Hombre Madrid is an NGO working in the field of drug addiction, offering therapeutic and educational initiatives to people in socially disadvantaged situations. They support children, families and adults across the Community of Madrid. You can learn more about their volunteer initiatives and get in touch here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
15. La Cruz Roja
La Cruz Roja has over 230,000 volunteers across Spain working on a variety of local and national initiatives to promote social, environmental and economic development. They offer a wide range of online and in-person volunteer opportunities, which you can learn about here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
16. Cáritas Madrid
This is the local branch of Caritas, a Catholic organization that works to end poverty and promote social justice around the world. Cáritas Madrid provides social support to those in need through donation drives, housing and employment programs and other initiatives. They offer permanent volunteer positions and advertise urgent volunteer needs online.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
17. Voluncloud
Voluncloud is an application that connects people who want to volunteer directly with organizations that need their assistance. With headquarters in Madrid’s Lavapiés neighborhood, they collaborate with global organizations like UNICEF, Oxfam, Save the Children and many more. Download the app or browse opportunities here.
Website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
18. Gestión Felina Madrid
Gestión Felina Madrid is an NGO that works to control the city’s colonies of feral cats through the TNR (trap, neuter, release) method, in order to protect these animals and improve their quality of life. They offer two types of volunteer opportunities: caring for cats at the headquarters or helping in the capture and rescue process. To get involved, send an email to voluntarios@gestionfelinamadrid.org.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
19. Hola Vecinas
In 2020, four women in the Lavapiés neighborhood set up Hola Vecinas to help the members of their community confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re currently working on various projects with the support of Mbolo Moy Dole, including literacy classes, cultural workshops and educational support for children. Find out how to get involved here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
20. No Solo Cultura
No Solo Cultura works with various organizations to raise funds through cultural events. They aim to spread awareness of the richness and variety of cultures in Madrid, and are looking for volunteers to help with outreach and logistics. For more information, send an email to nosolocultura@gmail.com and sign up for their mailing list.
21. Soñar Despierto
Soñar Despierto works with foster care institutions throughout Spain to provide children in foster care with equal opportunities. They regularly recruit volunteers to help with education, extracurricular activities and childcare in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. Find out more and apply to volunteer here.
Website, Facebook and Instagram
Know of any other Madrid volunteer opportunities? Let us know so we can spread the word!
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