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Volunteering

stadt-zuerich.ch/volunteering

Want to become a volunteer in Zurich?

The City of Zurich supports volunteering because voluntary activities are an important resource for the functioning of a society. They are the expression of a civil society’s desire to do its bit and make a vital contribution to a community’s diversity and social cohesion. Many public services could not be provided without the contribution of volunteers.

Volunteering opportunities for English speakers

Volunteering is an excellent way of getting to know your local community. Many organizations do, however, require volunteers to know German. We have compiled a list of web addresses where people with little or no knowledge of German can also make an important contribution. Contact an organization directly to learn more about the opportunities on offer and arrange an initial meeting.

International groups of volunteers

a group of volunteers in the vineyards
© ullmann.photography

International groups of volunteers

OrganisationDescriptionContact
ZharityZharity is a non-profit platform that supports charitable projects and events in Zurich. They coordinate a range of activities such as plogging (picking up trash while running/walking), collection drives, and fundraisers, all of which support social causes benefitting the local or global community.  

Website

hello@zharity.ch

WWF InternationalWWF International hosts a wide variety of events, from landscape management, cleanups, arranging experts to talk about solar energy, and learning about species and ecosystems... to simply hanging out to discuss about sustainability! They are open to hearing your input and ideas, or even developing your own project.

Website

InternationalVolunteers@wwf.ch

Amnesty InternationalAmnesty International in Zurich has an English-speaking subgroup. The groups work closely with one another and host a variety of activities to raise awareness of human rights violations.Website
Impact Hub ZürichJoin the changemaker community!
If you would like to volunteer in our Impact Programs and support hands-on Climate and Entrepreneurship events such as the Climathon Zürich, feel free to reach out. It is a great opportunity to learn about the newest sustainability frameworks, network and get to know different projects and events.

Website

programs.zurich@impacthub.ch

Sport and leisure

athletes rising out of the water
© Nathalie Tardy

Sport and leisure

OrganisationDescriptionContact
SwissvolunteersFancy volunteering at different sport and cultural events in Switzerland? Register as a volunteer to find out more about different events.Website
SPORTEGRATIONSportegration organizes a range of different projects for refugees in and around Zurich. The main focus is having fun while playing sports together. Are you enthusiastic about sports and want to take on a coaching role? Do you have time for administrative tasks or do you want to contribute in some other way? 

Website

info@sportegration.ch

Workcamp SwitzerlandWorkcamp organizes camps lasting between two and four weeks in Switzerland and abroad, where groups of volunteers from different countries can engage in a wide range of community development tasks, including environmental, social, and cultural work.Website
Zurich Film FestivalSupport the annual film festival in September/October and work as a volunteer in cinemas, at the Festival Center, or at some of the festival events as a host, working behind the bar, or helping to assemble and/or dismantle the festival site.
Website

Volunteering in your neighborhood

a man and a woman gardening

Volunteering in your neighborhood

OrganisationDescriptionContact
Nachbarschaftshilfe / Neighborhood Help  Take an active role in your neighborhood. Go shopping for elderly people, water plants for your neighbors when they are away, or help out in the garden. There are countless opportunities to volunteer in your own neighborhood or further afield.Website
Gemeinschaftszentren / Community Centers  Community Centers are meeting points for the people of Zurich where they can plan and organize sociocultural activities. Meet people and join existing projects or start your own.Website

Cultural exchange

a woman and a man cook together

Cultural exchange

OrganisationDescriptionContact
Flüchtlingstheater Malaika / Malaika Refugee TheaterThe Malaika Refugee Theater is looking for volunteers to work on the stage or behind the scenes, helping with production, cooking, or as drivers. Website
Gemeinsam znachtCook dinner and invite refugees to share a meal and build bridges by getting to know them. You can register as hosts on the website and get connected with your guests.Website
Expo TranskulturExpo Transkultur promotes intercultural dialogue and organizes a variety of events and workshops. Volunteers are needed to help with project management as translators or with different tasks during their events.Website
Migrantenvereine / Immigrants associationsThe immigrants association of your home country might have some volunteering opportunities or further contacts for you.Website

Teaching, coaching and mentoring

coaching situation of two women

Teaching, coaching, and mentoring

OrganisationDescriptionContact
Autonome Schule Zürich / Autonomous School ZurichThis independent and autonomous school was founded as a project to fight racism and injustice. It offers classes in German, English, physics, mathematics, and more. Students are teachers and teachers are students! Your ideas and projects are welcome.Website
SingaSINGA in Switzerland brings people with and without refugee and migrant backgrounds together to collaborate on entrepreneurial projects. You can support the SINGA Factory in Zurich by becoming a workshop trainer, a mentor to a SINGApreneur, or by spreading awareness as a journalist. 

Website

info@singaswitzerland.ch

CapacityVolunteer your expertise as a mentor or trainer, or help with other tasks as part of Capacity entrepreneurship programs for migrants and refugees.Website
PowercodersPowercoders offers a program that trains refugees and migrants to enter the IT job market by offering a coding bootcamp followed by an internship. You can volunteer as a job coach or support the teachers with your expertise as an IT trainer in the classroom.
Website

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