For organizations working in or focused on developing countries, Online Volunteers present a tremendous and much-needed resource. Our Online Volunteering service connects these organizations with a diverse, abundant pool of people from all over the world with a variety of talents and expertise....
[ view more ]

For organizations working in or focused on developing countries, Online Volunteers present a tremendous and much-needed resource. Our Online Volunteering service connects these organizations with a diverse, abundant pool of people from all over the world with a variety of talents and expertise.

Online Volunteers have skills and expertise non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may not have, or that these organizations need to supplement the work of onsite volunteers. Online Volunteers help organizations stretch their onsite resources even further and to serve more clients. These Online Volunteers may have sophisticated hardware or software an organization serving a developing country lacks. Online volunteering allows for the participation of people who find onsite volunteering difficult or impossible because of a disability, home obligation, transportation difficulties or work schedule; this in turn allows agencies to benefit from the additional talent and resources of more volunteers. Online Volunteers don't require physical accommodations, and don't generate car exhausts or other pollutants as a result of their service!

For individuals, there are many appeals to Online Volunteering. Online volunteers learn about other countries, and learn about issues faced by the developing world. Online Volunteers can exercise skills they are learning in school or for the work place. Online volunteering allows them to take on roles and responsibilities their professional work may not provide. It may allow an expatriate to reconnect with and provide help to his or her homeland. Online Volunteers can provide service at whatever time of day is convenient, without having to change clothes, drive a car or ride a bus somewhere, look for a parking place or find a place to stay for the evening. Online volunteering offers people a really convenient way to make a difference.

Online Volunteering is not meant as a replacement for face-to-face volunteering, and most individuals and organizations don't choose it over onsite service. Online Volunteering also isn't meant to take away paid positions at an organization. Online Volunteering is meant to help build the capacity of staff at an organization, as well as those that the organization serves. Online Volunteering is just another way for people from various walks of life, all over the world, to connect with each other and be part of the Global Village.
[ view less ]

Volunteers from all over the world are helping organizations that serve communities in developing countries -- but without leaving their own communities. These online volunteers translate documents, write articles, research data, build web sites, mentor young people, design logos, and engage in...
[ view more ]

Volunteers from all over the world are helping organizations that serve communities in developing countries -- but without leaving their own communities. These online volunteers translate documents, write articles, research data, build web sites, mentor young people, design logos, and engage in many other projects to benefit organizations serving people in the developing world.

Since February 2000, the UN Volunteers programme has managed this online volunteering service , bringing together people throughout the world with organizations in developing countries. Read more about the history of this service and partnership with NetAid
[ view less ]

Anyone who has the time and the desire to contribute to development causes; has regular, reliable access to a computer and the Internet; and has skills and experience that would be of value to a volunteer hosting organization is a great candidate for Online Volunteering. Skills could be a...
[ view more ]

Anyone who has the time and the desire to contribute to development causes; has regular, reliable access to a computer and the Internet; and has skills and experience that would be of value to a volunteer hosting organization is a great candidate for Online Volunteering. Skills could be a programming knowledge, good writing ability, experience in project management, knowledge of another language, expertise in law or education or another profession, or simply the time to offer expert advice or answer email for that organization.

Online volunteers undertake a variety of assignments for organizations through our Online Volunteering service: translations, research, web design, data analysis, database construction, proposal writing, editing articles, online mentoring, publication design, moderating an online discussion group, or any other services that can be done through computer networks.

Online volunteering provides organizations with new volunteers, new and additional talent and skills, and a more diverse volunteer-base. It also helps promote organizations and their mission to a much broader audience. See the benefits of online volunteering.

Are you ready to volunteer online?
This should be the FIRST document you read if you are considering online volunteering.

Keys to success for online volunteers
Basic guidelines for online volunteers. If you are going to try online volunteering, or if you are already engaged in such, this is a must read.

How to choose the right assignment?
A key to success in Online Volunteering is in choosing the assignments that are appropriate to your skills, interests and availability. Use your answers to these questions to guide you in choosing organizations and assignments.

How to Become an Online Volunteer?
The step-by-step process to become an Online Volunteer.

Online Volunteering Guidelines
Basic guidelines to help Online Volunteers maintain good relationships with hosting organizations.

Additional Support Materials for Online Volunteers
This includes detailed information to help Online Volunteer, including advice for expertise volunteers, tips for researching grants and funding resources online, resources for cultural projects involving technology, resources for volunteer moderators and facilitators of online discussion groups, and tips for managing other online volunteers.
[ view less ]