Volunteer World
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersDüsseldorf, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
Volunteer World firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Volunteer World
- Website
- https://volunteerworld.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Volunteer World industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Volunteer Travel Marketplace
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education & Teaching Volunteer Programs (EDAIAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), Public Health & Medical Volunteering Programs (EDAIAGAC), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)
Keywords
Where Volunteer World is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Düsseldorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Volunteer World business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Program Fee Commission: Volunteer World charges program fees directly through its platform for partner organizations. The platform acts as an intermediary handling payments and providing financial security services. All program fees are charged directly by volunteer organizations with Volunteer World providing an extra layer of security and transaction handling.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Entry-level volunteer programs starting at $155/week |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Mid-range programs including wildlife conservation and marine projects |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Premium programs with enhanced support and quality vetting |
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Specialized internship programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Volunteer World product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Volunteer World operates an online comparison platform that connects international volunteers with NGOs offering volunteer programs worldwide. The platform lists 2,000+ programs across 78+ countries, allowing volunteers to search, compare, and book meaningful travel experiences in categories such as wildlife conservation, community service, teaching, and healthcare.
Product overview
Volunteer World is a comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities, offering a marketplace connecting volunteers with vetted organizations across 84 countries. The platform architecture consists of the core Volunteer World Platform (the main comparison marketplace), Premium Programs (a curated tier of higher-quality vetted opportunities), and multiple program categories including Conservation & Wildlife, Environment, Community Services, Humanitarian Aid & Teaching, Internships, Group & Family Volunteering, and Short-term Mission Trips. Supporting the core marketplace are value-add services including Quality Assurance & Screening (vetting partner organizations), Flex Option (program switching), Refund Guarantee (financial protection), Support & Mediation (customer assistance), a free Travel Guide for 2026/27, and a Destination Advisor tool. In 2026, the platform offers more than 2,000 volunteer programs across 78+ destination countries, having empowered 140,000+ registered volunteers since 2015.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Premium Programs: Premium tier volunteer programs vetted to meet highest quality standards with dedicated support
Products and services
- Volunteer World Comparison Platform
- Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Programs
- Community Service Volunteer Programs
- Flex Option Add-On
- Refund Guarantee
Quantifiable outcome
- 140,000+ travelers empowered since 2015
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Volunteer World
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Volunteer World technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Volunteer World partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Global Vision International (GVI)coreOne of the most reputable volunteer organizations featured on the platform, offering ethical volunteer programs across multiple destinations. Listed as a trusted partner demonstrating high quality standards.
- Plan My Gap YearcoreFeatured as a trusted volunteer organization partner offering programs in Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa. Known for structured and affordable volunteer experiences.
- GapforcecoreEstablished volunteer organization partner providing diverse programs worldwide. Recognized for professional volunteer placement services.
- The Great ProjectscorePremium volunteer organization partner specializing in wildlife and conservation projects, including Amazon Rainforest Conservation in Peru.
- Love VolunteerscoreTrusted volunteer organization offering affordable programs across multiple countries. Known for transparent pricing and community impact.
- Global NomadiccoreSpecialist volunteer organization partner focusing on conservation and wildlife programs worldwide.
- Volunteering SolutionscoreEstablished partner organization offering volunteer programs in Asia, Africa, and South America with focus on ethical standards.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Volunteer World competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Projects Abroad: Large established volunteer abroad organization offering programs in 30+ countries. Operates both as a Volunteer World partner and as a competing direct provider, with strong brand recognition in source markets.
- GoOverseas: Direct comparison/marketplace platform for volunteer abroad, intern abroad, teach abroad, and gap year programs. Closest direct competitor to Volunteer World's marketplace model, serving similar individual traveler segments.
- International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): One of the world's largest volunteer abroad providers, offering programs across 50+ destinations. Competes both as a listed partner on Volunteer World's marketplace and as an alternative direct-booking platform.
- GVI (Global Vision International): Reputable volunteer and intern abroad organization offering ethical programs across multiple continents. Listed as a core partner on Volunteer World and a competitor for direct bookings in conservation and community programs.
- GoEco: Volunteer abroad provider and comparison-style platform offering eco, wildlife, and community programs. Directly competes with Volunteer World for the same eco-conscious volunteer segment.
- Volunteering Solutions: Established volunteer abroad organization with programs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Listed as a Volunteer World partner and competing provider targeting similar price-sensitive individual volunteers.
- Love Volunteers: Volunteer abroad organization offering affordable programs worldwide, listed as a trusted Volunteer World partner and also a direct competitor for similar volunteer segments.
- Plan My Gap Year: Structured and affordable volunteer abroad provider in Africa and Asia, featured as a core Volunteer World partner and competing for the gap-year and budget volunteer segments.
Emerging players
- Worldpackers: Work-exchange and volunteer travel platform connecting travelers with hosts globally. Adjacent marketplace model with overlapping volunteer/traveler audience, particularly in Latin America and Europe.
- Workaway: Work-exchange platform offering volunteer and cultural exchange stays worldwide. Competes for a portion of the same travel-and-volunteer demand, though typically with shorter, lower-cost stays than Volunteer World's programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Volunteer World social profiles
Digital presenceVolunteer World financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Volunteer World leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Volunteer World funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Volunteer World M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Volunteer World
What does Volunteer World do?
Volunteer World operates an online comparison platform that connects international volunteers with NGOs offering volunteer programs worldwide. The platform lists 2,000+ programs across 78+ countries, allowing volunteers to search, compare, and book meaningful travel experiences in categories such as wildlife conservation, community service, teaching, and healthcare.
Is Volunteer World a public or private company?
Volunteer World is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Volunteer World founded?
Volunteer World was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Volunteer World based?
Volunteer World is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Volunteer World make money?
One revenue line is on record: program Fee Commission.
Who are Volunteer World's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Projects Abroad, GoOverseas, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), GVI (Global Vision International), GoEco, Volunteering Solutions, Love Volunteers and Plan My Gap Year. Emerging players are Worldpackers and Workaway.
Does Volunteer World have an API?
No public API is recorded for Volunteer World.
What industry is Volunteer World in?
Volunteer World's product category is Volunteer Travel Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAGAD, Education & Teaching Volunteer Programs, with a secondary code of EDAIAGAB, Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering. Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 8300.