Freepackers project selection
We have visited the projects ourselves, to be certain of their ethics, their supervision and the values the host organisation passes on.
On this page
- Three families of projects, one direction
- Ethical projects that contribute to sustainable development
- From the first call to departure
- Full support, before, during and after
- An analytical role in the service of real projects
- An example: a house for women’s empowerment in Córdoba
- Programmes that mean something
What we offer
Three families of projects, one direction
Every one of our programmes belongs to at least one of these fields: social, economic or environmental.
Humanitarian
Opening up better opportunities for local communities, through education and day-to-day support.
Environmental
Contributing to the conservation of ecosystems, from reforestation to coastal protection.
Animal
Working to protect species, in shelters, in sanctuaries or out in the field.
Ethical projects that contribute to sustainable development
Sustainable development, in practice, means meeting the needs of today's society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Making sure a project is ethical means making sure it contributes to that.
We contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations in 2015. Our humanitarian community projects, for example, contribute to goal 4, quality education for all. The detail is on the United Nations Goals page.
We are in touch with our partner NGOs every week, and we go to the projects ourselves: it is the only way to be certain of their ethics, their supervision and the values the host organisation passes on.
Your path
From the first call to departure
We line your profile up with what is needed on site. Since 2014, every piece of feedback has helped us refine this path.
- 1
A call, to listen to you
What you want, what limits you, your dates: that is where we start, never from a catalogue.
- 2
Looking for the right projects
Among the open programmes, we look for the ones that genuinely match your profile.
- 3
Matching local needs
We check with the NGO that your presence meets a real need, on your dates.
- 4
The registration file
A CV and a covering letter for some projects, teaching and community programmes in particular.
- 5
You are ready to go
Documents sent to the NGO, preparation complete, the team on site informed that you are coming.
Full support, before, during and after
Choosing the programme
We help you choose the programme that suits you, and never push you towards the one that needs filling.
Registering with the NGO
We send your documents to the partner organisation and confirm your place.
Your questions, any time
By email, WhatsApp or phone, before the programme as much as during it.
Complete transparency
We describe the experience on site as it is, so you know what to expect.
The host organisation takes over
On site, the local team takes over; we stay reachable alongside them.
Your feedback
On your return, it feeds our process and improves the programmes offered to those who follow.
An analytical role in the service of real projects
Alongside the NGOs, our team identifies the specific needs, the resources available and the goals to reach. That analysis makes sure the project chosen has the potential to produce concrete, measurable results for the community.
This is what we call building together: the projects we offer are the result of our years of experience, strengthened by our volunteers' feedback. That is how we guarantee programmes that last, that are useful and that match what communities need.
An example: a house for women's empowerment in Córdoba
With a local NGO, we helped develop an ambitious project in the Córdoba region of Argentina: building an independent house to support women's empowerment.
The project already had support from Engineers Without Borders, but one visit a week was not enough. Facing logistical and financial difficulties, the NGO could not keep a two-year building site going.
Our team assessed the project, then drew on its network of engineering students from several European schools: more frequent teams, extra resources, and support raised to three times a week by international engineers. The work moved faster, more easily, with the impact multiplied.
Programmes that mean something
Through this careful selection, we make sure our programmes are useful and lasting. We hope this look at the way we work has reassured you, and made you want to take part with us.
You can now browse the open programmes, or read how we select volunteers.
Got a project in mind?
Anaëlle, Nicolas or Maëlia build your departure with you, never a call centre.
