Do you want to give something back to the city?
Volunteering in Barcelona is one of the most rewarding ways to slip into the city’s rhythm. It’s a chance to meet people, practice your Spanish or Catalan without the pressure, and discover neighbourhoods you probably wouldn’t stumble into on your own. Plus, you get to support local projects that keep the city lively, sustainable, and welcoming.
From big city events and beach clean-ups to community programmes, animal shelters, and social initiatives, there’s something for every schedule and every type of person. Whether you’re here for a few months or settling in long-term, volunteering in Barcelona is a great way to give back, grow, and feel like you’re truly part of the community that makes the city so special.
Volunteering in Barcelona
Public events
Volunteering in Barcelona at public events is one of the easiest ways to feel connected to the city’s lively spirit. Whether it’s a marathon, a neighbourhood festival, or one of the many city-wide celebrations, volunteers are the ones who help keep everything running seamlessly. You might be handing out water to runners, guiding visitors, or supporting the behind-the-scenes logistics that make these events come together.
It’s a great option for adults who want to meet people, practise their Spanish or Catalan, and experience the energy of Barcelona’s most iconic moments from the inside. And best of all, you get to contribute to the community effort that makes these events so memorable.
Voluntariado Caxiabank
CaixaBank’s volunteer program supports major city events, including festivals, marathons, and cultural fairs. Volunteers help with participant assistance, information desks, and event logistics. The program is open to adults, and some events may require basic Spanish skills. More information is available on their website.
- All year long
- Support large city events such as festivals, marathons, and cultural fairs
- Assist participants, information desks, logistics
- Open to adults; some events require basic Spanish
- Website
- Volunteering Infomation
Cursa de la Mercé
The Cursa de la Mercè volunteer program offers adults the chance to assist at Barcelona’s city marathon. Volunteers help with registration, water stations, and crowd management. Most roles are short-term, and more details are available on their website.
- September
- Support the half marathon with logistics and participant assistance
- Aid runners, distribute supplies, manage event areas
- Open to adults; some events require basic Spanish
- Website
- Volunteering Infomation
Mitja Marató Barcelona
The Mitja Marató Barcelona volunteer program allows adults to support the half marathon by aiding runners, distributing supplies, and managing event areas, with English-friendly roles available. Volunteering provides an opportunity to be part of a major sporting event in the city.
- February
- Support the half marathon with logistics and participant assistance
- Aid runners, distribute supplies, manage event areas
- Open to adults, English-friendly
- Website
If you care about the environment and want to make a difference while living in Barcelona, green volunteering is the way to go. From beach clean-ups to community gardening and sustainable events, there are plenty of ways to get involved. It’s a great chance to meet like-minded people, learn about local environmental initiatives, and explore the city while giving back to the planet.
Xaloc Mar Volunteering
Xaloc Mar Volunteering focuses on environmental conservation by organizing beach clean-ups and awareness campaigns, giving volunteers the chance to actively contribute to protecting and preserving Barcelona’s coastal areas.
- All year long
- Environmental conservation and beach cleaning.
- Participate in organized clean-ups and awareness campaigns.
- Open to all ages; casual commitment
- Website
Clean Beach Intiative
The Clean Beach Initiative invites volunteers to help remove marine litter from beaches and coastal areas, participating in cleaning, sorting, and awareness-raising activities to protect the environment
- All year long
- Volunteers help remove marine litter from beaches and coastal areas
- Cleaning, sorting, and raising awareness
- Open to all ages; casual commitment
- Website
Voluntariat Ambiental Community Gardening
Voluntariat Ambiental Community Gardening promotes sustainable gardening projects, where volunteers help with planting, garden maintenance, and environmental education to support greener local spaces
- All year long
- Promote sustainable community gardening projects.
- Planting, garden maintenance, environmental education
- Website
Green Events Barcelona
Green Events Barcelona organizes sustainable events and eco-friendly team-building activities, offering volunteers the chance to support event logistics, engage participants, and promote environmental awareness throughout the city.
- All year long
- Organise sustainable events and eco-friendly team-building activities.
- Event support and eco-awareness promotion
- Website
Animal shelters in Barcelona
Volunteering at animal shelters is one of the most heartwarming ways to spend your time in Barcelona. Whether you’re taking dogs out for a walk, socialising shy cats, or helping with the day-to-day care, every bit of support genuinely matters. Most shelters really value volunteers who can commit regularly and bring kindness, patience, and reliability to the animals who need it most.
It’s a beautiful way to help animals recover, offer them affection and stability, and contribute to an essential part of Barcelona’s animal-welfare community.
ProtectoraBCN
ProtectorABCN provides shelter care for animals, including cleaning, walking, and general care. Volunteers also help with events and daily animal support. The program requires a minimum one-year commitment with biweekly shifts of four hours.
- All year long
- Shelter care including cleaning, walking, and animal care
- Daily animal care and support events
- 1-year minimum commitment, biweekly 4-hour shifts
- Website
El Jardinet dels Gats
El Jardinet dels Gats focuses on cat rescue and rehabilitation, providing care and support for cats in need. Volunteers help with feeding, cleaning, and socializing the cats, and also assist with adoption events to help find them loving homes. It is a great opportunity to contribute to animal welfare and support the local community of cat lovers.
- All year long
- Cat rescue and rehabilitation
- Feed, clean, socialize cats, help with adoption events
- Website
City Animal Shelter (CAACB Partners)
The City Animal Shelter, through its CAACB partner NGOs, offers volunteers the chance to assist city shelters. Volunteers help care for animals, support events, and assist with general shelter management
- All year long
- Volunteer via partner NGOs to assist city shelters
- Help with animals, events, and colony management
- Website
Help the homeless in Barcelona
If you’re looking to make a genuine impact while living in Barcelona, volunteering with organizations that support people experiencing homelessness is one of the most meaningful ways to get involved. There are plenty of ways to help, whether it’s lending a hand in a shelter, joining meal distributions, offering companionship, or assisting with the administrative work that keeps these services running.
It’s a deeply rewarding way to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds, give back to the community, and connect with the city on a level that goes far beyond the usual expat experience
Arrels Fundació
Arrels Fundació supports people experiencing homelessness through street outreach, shelters, and administrative assistance. Volunteers can take part in street outreach, shelter support, night shifts, or administrative tasks. The program is open to adults, with some roles requiring a commitment.
- All year long
- Support homeless people via outreach, shelters, and administrative help
- Street outreach, shelter support, night shifts, admin
- Adults; some roles require commitment
- Website
Càritas Barcelona
Càritas Barcelona provides shelter, meals, and social support for people experiencing homelessness, offering a range of services to help improve their quality of life. Volunteers can assist in shelters, organise activities, distribute food, and support various programs that promote social inclusion and well-being. It’s an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the local community while engaging directly with those in need.
- All year long
- Provide shelter, meals, and social support for the homeless
- Assist in shelters, organize activities, distribute food
- Website
Red Cross Spain (Cruz Roja)
Red Cross Spain (Cruz Roja) offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, including support for people experiencing homelessness, social care, and emergency aid. Volunteers can assist with shelter support, aid distribution, and administrative tasks, with training provided. The program is open to adults and offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community.
- All year long
- Wide range of volunteering including homeless support, social care, and emergency aid
- Shelter support, aid distribution, administrative tasks
- Website
Volunteering with children
Volunteering with children in Barcelona is a truly rewarding way to connect with the local community. Whether you’re mentoring, tutoring, or helping out in after-school programmes, there are plenty of ways to make a real difference. These roles let you build meaningful relationships, support young people as they learn and grow, and be part of a welcoming, inclusive environment that values every extra pair of hands.
GOECO - Barcelona Youth Empowerment
GOECO Barcelona Youth Empowerment offers volunteering opportunities focused on mentoring and educational support for underprivileged children. Volunteers help with tutoring, leading workshops, and organizing creative and recreational activities. The program requires a minimum commitment of two weeks and is English friendly.
- All year long
- Mentoring and educational support for underprivileged children
- Tutoring, workshops, creative and recreational activities
- Minimum 2-week commitment, English-friendly
- Website
Volunteer Solutions - Disabled Children Project
Volunteer Solutions Disabled Children Project supports children with disabilities in day centers through therapy, educational activities, and interactive games. Volunteers assist with these activities and help create a supportive and engaging environment. The program requires a minimum placement of two weeks, with 35 hours per week, and is English friendly
- All year long
- Support children with disabilities in day centers (therapy, games, education).
- Assist in activities, therapies, and interactive games
- 2+ week placement, 35 hours/week, English-friendly
- Website
Save The Children Barcelona
Save the Children Barcelona supports educational workshops and social inclusion programs for vulnerable children. Volunteers assist in classrooms, help with homework, and facilitate various activities. The program offers flexible durations, with some roles suitable for English speakers.
- All year long
- Support educational workshops and social inclusion programs for vulnerable children.
- Assist in classrooms, help with homework, facilitate activities
- Flexible duration; some English-friendly roles.
- Website
Volunteering with the elderly
Supporting older adults in Barcelona is about so much more than simply offering help. It is about building real connections, easing loneliness, and bringing a little extra joy into someone’s day. Many organisations across the city welcome volunteers to spend time with seniors through home visits, social activities, group events, or meal programmes. Whether you are sharing a chat, organising a game, or lending a hand in a care home, volunteers play an essential role in creating community, companionship, and a sense of belonging for Barcelona’s older residents.
Amics de la Gent Gran
Amics de la Gent Gran works to combat loneliness in older adults by providing companionship and social interaction. Volunteers make home visits, organize social activities, and offer friendly support. The program is open to adults and allows for a flexible commitment.
- All year long
- Combat loneliness in older adults by providing companionship and social interaction
- Home visits, social activities, friendly companionship
- Open to adults; flexible commitment
- Website
ASTE BCN
ASTE BCN offers intergenerational volunteering that connects young people with elderly residents. Volunteers participate in one-on-one visits, group events, workshops, and cognitive stimulation activities. The program is open to both adults and youth, with weekly involvement encouraged.
- All year long
- Intergenerational volunteering connecting young people with elderly in residences
- One-on-one visits, group events, workshops, cognitive stimulation activities
- Open to adults and youth volunteers; weekly accompaniment encouraged
- Website
Caritas Barcelona- Elderly Support
Càritas Barcelona Elderly Support organizes weekly group meetups to reduce isolation among older adults through games, outings, and social activities. Volunteers assist in group activities, facilitate conversations, and help organize events.
- All year long
- Weekly group meetups to reduce isolation through games, outings, and social activities
- Assist in group activities, facilitate conversation, help organize events
- Website
Supporting people with disabilities
Volunteering to support people with disabilities is a meaningful way to contribute to the Barcelona community. Opportunities range from assisting in day programs and recreational activities to providing support in educational or social-integration projects. These roles allow volunteers to build connections, develop new skills, and promote inclusion, independence, and well-being for individuals of all abilities.
ASPACE Catalunya
ASPACE Catalunya supports people with cerebral palsy and other motor or intellectual disabilities. Volunteers help in day-care and early-care centers, assist with social integration activities, and offer recreational support. The program is open to adults and does not require any professional experience
- All year long
- Support people with cerebral palsy and other motor/intellectual disabilities
- Assist in day-care or early-care centers, help with social-integration activities, recreational support.
- Open to adults; no professional experience needed
- Website
Volunteering Solutions- Disabled Children Project
Volunteering Solutions Disabled Children Project supports children with multiple disabilities in day centers. Volunteers assist with therapies, educational activities, and interactive games. The program requires a commitment of 35 hours per week for a minimum of two weeks and is English-friendly.
- All year long
- Support children with multiple disabilities in day centers
- Assist in therapies, educational activities, interactive games
- 35 hours/week, minimum 2 weeks, English-friendly
- Website
Acollida I Esperança Foundation
The Acollida i Esperança Foundation supports people in vulnerable situations, including those with disabilities, through accompaniment, workshops, therapeutic activities, transport, and gardening to promote social inclusion and wellbeing
- All year long
- Promote social inclusion for people in vulnerable situations, including those with disabilities
- Accompaniment, workshops, therapeutic/leisure activities, transport, gardening
- Website
Food banks in Barcelona
Supporting food banks in Barcelona is one of the most impactful ways to help fight hunger. Volunteers play a key role in collecting, sorting, and distributing food to families and individuals facing food insecurity. Whether you’re an English speaker new to the city or a long-term resident looking to give back, these organisations offer welcoming, meaningful opportunities to make a real difference in your community.
Banc dels Aliments Barcelona & the “Gran Recapte” Campaign
Banc del Aliments supports people in need all year round, with volunteers helping sort and pack food. Its annual Gran Recapte event involves volunteers collecting food donations in supermarkets. It open to everyone, its flexible, and accessible for English speakers.
- All year long for Banc Dels Aliments, The Gran Recapte happens annually
- Collect and distribute food to people in need
- Sort, pack, and help in food-collection campaigns
- Flexible commitment; basic Spanish helpful.
- Website
- Website (The Gran Recapte)
Social Food Foundation
The Social Food Foundation rescues surplus food from restaurants and redistributes it to NGOs. Volunteers pick up surplus food, pack meals, and assist with distribution. The program is open to anyone, with reliability being important.
- All year long
- Rescue surplus food from restaurants and redistribute it to NGOs
- Pick up surplus food, pack meals, help distribution
- Open to anyone; reliability needed
- Website
Language exchange volunteering
Open Cultural Center (OCC — Barcelona)
Open Cultural Center in Barcelona offers informal language classes to migrants, refugees, and the international community. Volunteers teach one class per week for a minimum of three months. Adults with basic knowledge of the language they teach and an interest in multicultural work are welcome to join.
- All year long
- Provide language-learning support through tutoring, conversation exchanges, and educational activities
- Volunteer as a teacher: give at least one class a week for 3 months
- Adult volunteer; at least basic competence in the language you’ll teach (e.g. English); motivation to work in a multicultural context
- Website
Conexión – Creando Puentes
Conexión – Creando Puentes in Barcelona offers language classes (English, Spanish, Catalan, and sometimes other languages) to refugees and migrants to support their integration. Volunteers commit to two one-hour sessions per week, helping teach, guide and sometimes correct homework. The program is open to adults with motivation to volunteer; no formal teaching degree is strictly required.
- All year long
- Teach English, Spanish, Catalan (and sometimes German) to refugees and migrants; organise language classes and support integration
- Volunteer teacher, two 1-hour sessions per week, for at least three months; monitor class progress and occasionally correct homework.
- Adult; no formal teaching qualification required (but a plus); willingness to commit to schedule
- Website
IVHQ Community Support
IVHQ’s Community Support program in Barcelona helps immigrants, refugees, and marginalised communities with integration. Volunteers teach languages, run activities, and support social services. The program is open to English-speaking adults motivated to make a social impact.
- All year long
- Community-support volunteering (food, social aid, integration) including teaching languages (English or Spanish) to immigrants/refugees or marginalized people
- Depending on your skills: helping run community centres, support integration, teach languages in a supportive environment, assist with social services or basic needs
- Age 18+; speak English (or another needed language); willingness to work in community/social support context
- Website
FAQ Volunteering in Barcelona
Do I need to speak Spanish to Volunteer in Barcelona?
You don’t always need to speak Spanish to volunteer in Barcelona, especially for roles that don’t require direct communication. Knowing some basic Spanish can be helpful and enrich your experience. Requirements vary depending on the organisation and the type of activity.
Do I need to commit for long periods of time?
Many organizations accept short-term volunteers for events or specific projects. Longer commitments are usually requested when training or ongoing support is involved. It depends entirely on the role and the organisation’s needs.
Do I need to work with people?
You don’t have to work directly with people if you prefer not to. There are plenty of roles involving admin, logistics, creative tasks, or behind-the-scenes support. You can choose opportunities that match your comfort level and interests.
Do I need certain qualifications to work?
Most volunteering opportunities do not require special qualifications. Some specialized roles, such as teaching or technical support, may ask for specific skills or certifications. Many organisations offer training and value enthusiasm above all.
Does it cover transport costs?
Most volunteer roles in Barcelona do not cover transport or personal expenses. Some larger programs may offer small reimbursements, but this is not common. It is best to check directly with each organisation.
Do you get paid?
Volunteering is generally unpaid and focused on community contribution. A few long-term programs may offer stipends or benefits, but these are exceptions. You should expect personal growth and experience rather than financial compensation.
How do I know if an organisation is trustworthy?
Trustworthy organisations are transparent about their mission, activities, and funding. They are usually registered, have reviews or references, and communicate clearly. You can also check whether they collaborate with reputable institutions or local authorities.
Do I need any paperwork for the application? (e.g. Criminal records)
Some roles require background checks, especially when working with minors or vulnerable groups. Others may involve only a simple application or orientation session. Each organisation sets its own requirements, so it’s important to follow their guidelines.
Catherine Villeneuve
10 December 2025 at 13:31What a source of information. Will be considering the gardening and beach cleaning.
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