Volunteer Work in an Organization for Fair Trade
- Quick facts
- Program Details
- Costs and Services
- PHotos
Booking Number
CL-VOL113
Program Place
Cooperative for Fair Trade and Consumption
Location
Valdivia in southern Chile, region de Los Lagos, approx. 850 km south of Santiago de Chile. The city lies on the river Valdivia and with its wonderful river promenade is strongly reminiscent of European cities. Thanks to the evergreen vegetation, the proximity to the water, the beautiful city center and the good fresh air, Valdivia is one of the most beautiful cities in Chile.
Tasks
Full cultural integration is given in this volunteer project. You have the opportunity to get a taste of many different areas of the cooperative and to learn a lot about the country's culture, language and social challenges.
- Sale in the shop of the cooperative
- Attending customer
- Inventory taking
- Helping in their own vegetable garden
- Update the online platform
- Marketing / Social Media
- Visiting farms and picking up their produce
- Administrative tasks
- Organization of events for the members of the cooperative
(We would like to point out that the tasks may vary and depend on factors such as the number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, and self-motivation. Volunteers may not be fully involved in all the tasks mentioned above.)
Working Hours
Between 30 and 40 hours / week
Start Date
Year round, start and end dates are flexible
Duration
Minimum 4 weeks, maximum 6 months
Minimum age
18 years
Language
Spanish at communication level (book your Spanish course in Chile with us!)
Accommodation
Single room in a local homestay
Food
No melas or half-board
Internet
All our homestays have Internet access (Wifi) available.
In-Country Support
Our English-speaking team in the Chile Inside office in Santiago de Chile is always there for you.
24/7 Emergency Number
With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, under which you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
Application
Please send us your detailed CV with photo and the completed registration form. For more information on the registration process, please see the instructions on the first page of the registration form or contact one of our experienced staff members.
Application Deadline
There are no application deadlines. We recommend submitting the documents as early as possible, at least 12 weeks before the desired start of the program, so that there is sufficient time to assure a smooth placement process. For short-term applications please contact us.
Insurance
You need to have a travel health insurance for Chile. You can buy your travel insurance, tailored to the needs of our participants, online with us, at convenient rates. See: Travel health insurance
Program Highlights
- Individual project placement
- No application deadlines
- Flexible start and end dates
- Participation possible even without prior knowledge
- English-speaking in-country support
- Amazing program location in beautiful southern Chile
The cooperative that oversees the volunteer project was founded in 2009 with the aim of making fair and responsible trade and consumption possible. The cooperative brings together over 200 members, primarily private individuals, and manages a network of many local smallholders and regional small businesses. With an annual contribution, the members receive fresh, local and organically grown products from smallholders at discounted prices. In addition, the cooperative offers a platform for local famers to sell their agricultural products. For members, the cooperative also offers weekly fruit and vegetable baskets with different products depending on the season. In the cooperative's own shop, agricultural products are also sold to non-members. Regular customers include local restaurants, hostels, the University of Valdivia and others.
Since 2020, as a result of the global pandemic and long lockdowns, the products are also sold online in order to reach a wider audience and to better support local farmers.
The cooperative does not operate for profit. The mission is to support the local population and especially small farmers from the region.
There is full cultural integration in this volunteer project in Chile. Volunteers can get an authentic insight into the different areas of the cooperative. You can learn a lot about the country's culture, language and also social challenges. Depending on the current needs, your own strengths and interests, the volunteers provide support in the own shop in Valdivia, with customer advice, with the inventory and with updating the online shop.
Volunteers also help with marketing and the maintenance of social media channels. When visiting the agricultural producers to pick up fresh produce, the volunteers learn a lot about the life of small farmers in Chile. The cooperative's shop has its own vegetable garden where volunteers can also help. The wide range of tasks for volunteers wonderfully rounds off the experience during the volunteer work.
The Program includes:
- Single room in a local homestay
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Volunteer Work placement
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Registration Fee
US$ 150
Program costs
US$ 915*
minimum stay 4 weeks
*Breakfast & dinner can be added at US$ 75/week
each additional week
US$ 170
As add-on you can book:
- Spanish Courses in Chile: Choose your favorite among our 4 different Spanish Schools
Do not forget!
Get your travel insurance here:
