CANARIAS VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is a fantastic way to get to know local people and your city, speak in Spanish and give back to your new community. It is also a great thing to do for your (mandatory) side project!
As Fulbright Spain in Canarias is a newer program, we have limited resources to offer you, but our list is always expanding! Because we’re living on islands, opportunities will vary greatly throughout the region. Be sure to talk to people at your school, your flatmates, neighbors, etc. as they will know many more organizations with which you can get involved locally. You may also see short-term opportunities (i.e. beach clean-ups) posted in your teachers’ lounge or in a WhatsApp group. Don’t forget to also check out the general volunteering information in the Predeparture Guide. Finally, your local ayuntamiento will likely have information on projects and opportunities tailored to your community.
You can also check out the Canarias Volunteering Guide document!
GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Red Cross (Cruz Roja) operates in Canarias and has at least one post on every island. They offer many options for volunteering in any capacity, even remotely. For in-person opportunities, you can find a list of Cruz Roja offices throughout the islands with links to contact information and lists of past projects here.
Workaway is a website dedicated to enabling sustainable travel and cultural exchange through volunteering, homestays, and more. For example, a family may be looking for help on their farm and in exchange would provide a place to stay at no additional cost. While you may not be looking for a place to stay, it could be a good way to find volunteer opportunities you wouldn’t hear of otherwise, or a different type of plan for all or part of a school break. As of summer 2019, there are listings even on the smaller islands.
ISLAND-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
The Oficina de Turismo in Valverde is very helpful and may be able to offer suggestions, as information online is sparse at best. Their office is located at Calle Dr. Quintero, 4, 38900 Villa de Valverde, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
A past grantee also recommended asking at the Hospital Insular Nuestra Señora de los Reyes about volunteer opportunities. It was mentioned that there are also after-school workshops that may need a hand.
Limpiaventura is a weekly beach clean-up organization that works along the island’s coasts. They also organize workshops specifically for children, which could be an excellent activity for your classrooms. You can visit their Facebook page, website, or contact them via WhatsApp at +(34) 610 013 424 for more information.
Clean Ocean Project is a Fuerteventura-based NGO founded in 2000. They organize regular beach clean-ups around the island and have shops/offices in El Cotillo, Lajares, and Corralejo. A past grantee placed in Puerto del Rosario also invited them to speak to a class, and highly recommends it! You can visit their website or email them at info@cleanoceanproject.org for more information.
Altihay Fuerteventura is a LGBTQ+ organization on the island. Past grantees have participated in community events put on by Altihay and recommend it. Follow Altihay here on social media for further updates and information.
Mujeres Arena and Laurisilva is a women’s rights organization that works to advocate for women in many different spaces of Canarian society. The organization participates and leads initiatives that work to combat discrimination and violence against women and girls. Past grantees who have volunteered here recommend attending community events and speaking with the organizers – they will likely offer to add you to their current WhatsApp group!
The Canary Association for Breast and Gynecological Cancer is an organization that works to advocate for women diagnosed with Breast and Gynecological cancer. Past grantees who have volunteered here recommended showing up in person.
SOS Children’s Villages is an organization that works to provide safe and stable housing for orphaned or abandoned children. Past grantees have emphasized the importance of showing up in person for this organization as well, instead of calling or emailing.
GomerActiva is an outdoor organization that specializes in nature exploration, kayaking, stand up paddleboards, and Astronomy. They also organize community youth events. To volunteer, consider showing up in person or reaching out via their website here.
ProAnimal Gomera is an organization founded in 2003 to aid the island’s population of abandoned and/or sick cats and dogs. Check out their website here to find opportunities on how to get involved.
ADISLAN, or la Asociación de Personas con Discapacidad de Lanzarote, works to support residents with intellectual disabilities and their families. A past grantee placed in Arrecife worked with them specifically in their PRO-ARTS project, which aims to make art more inclusive and to allow for experimentation and development of artistic ability. You can find more information on their Facebook page, and contact information for ADISLAN and related services can be found here.
Escritura entre las nubes offers courses, workshops, and literary services on Lanzarote and Tenerife. A past grantee placed in Arrecife helped with writing workshops and also contributed translating services. Check out the website and contact Elena Morales for more information on current projects and how to get involved.
The Kennel Klub is an animal rescue shelter in Playa Honda and is a great option to volunteer at if you need your “puppy fix.” Reach out via WhatsApp and you might get to spend some time walking some cute dogs!
Capital del color and Cuida tu mar are two long-running initiatives sponsored by the ayuntamiento of Santa Cruz. Capital del color aims to beautify the capital of La Palma through street art, while Cuida tu mar partners with local schools to foster a sense of awareness and responsibility in young palmeros through beach clean-ups and other programming. Both have accepted the help of volunteers in the past. You can read more about Capital del color and see pictures of the various artworks here, and can read a press release about Cuida tu mar here. You should contact the ayuntamiento for information on how to get involved with these and/or with other projects.
SINPROMI, or la Sociedad Insular para la Promoción de las Personas con Discapacidad, supports people with disabilities by offering workshops, professional training, and inclusive opportunities for a wide variety of activities. You can find more information as well as contact information on their website.
IASS, or el Instituto Insular de Atención Social y Sociosanitaria, is a large organization that aims to provide social and socio-sanitary services to disadvantaged people across Tenerife. It focuses primarily on people with disabilities, victims of gender-based violence, the elderly, and abandoned children. You can visit the general website here and can find contact information and more details in English here.
Neurovitalia is a neuro-feedback center with locations in Santa Cruz and Costa Adeje that helps treat migraines, anxiety, epilepsy, and more. A past grantee offered free services to children with autism in Santa Cruz. You can learn more on their website and can find contact information for both centers here.
Cruz Roja, either in Santa Cruz or La Laguna, are always looking for volunteers for a range of activities, including programming with elderly people or migrants from Africa.