Location
  • Croatia
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
605
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $605 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Aug 01, 2024
19 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Croatia and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Croatia.

Our affordable projects start from $56/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-12 weeks. Choose from 6 projects, ranging from Youth Support and Special Needs Support to Animal Care and Marine Conservation based in the coastal hub of Split, by the Mediterranean Sea. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $56/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Volunteer with animals in Croatia

Pet shelters play an important role in Croatia, helping to rescue a high number of cats and dogs that are abandoned by their owners. Animal shelters are often overcrowded, and volunteers help to promote the health and wellbeing of the animals while giving them the best chance of being adopted.

volunteer in Croatia with IVHQ

As a Marine Conservation volunteer, you’ll help a local dive school to restore and maintain the natural state of the marine ecosystem around Croatia. You’ll be learning and using your scuba diving skills to make a real difference with ocean clean-ups and other activities to help the natural ecosystem be as pristine as possible.

Youth Support in Croatia with IVHQ

As a Youth Support volunteer, you’ll act as a positive role model for students aged between 7-18 years old. Tasks include helping with homework, organizing activities and sports and assisting with general work around the center. You’ll also help to teach English in an informal way, mostly through your day to day interactions. Learning English is seen as a valuable skill, but it is often one of these students’ biggest difficulties.

Special Needs Support Volunteer Program in Croatia - Split

This is your opportunity to assist in care centers for children, teenagers and adults with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. IVHQ volunteers will gain experience caring for people with special needs and help them become more accepted and less stigmatized in their communities, improving their overall quality of life.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 12 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 12 reviews
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Croatia review

The team there were very helpful and easy to reach if you needed them. The diving was so fun and the instructors were very helpful. Also there was lots of choice of activities and things to do on weekends in the town.

7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nancy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved my experience with IVHQ

I was picked up at the airport by sweet Gabi who was delightful. She made me feel at home immediately. The hostel, Impact House, was cute, clean and the location was perfect. My placement at the private animal shelter was truly rewarding. I walked dogs and helped maintain the premises. The little puppies were adorable.
On Saturday, a large group of volenteers took 30 puppies for a hike in the woods and to a beach. It was so much fun. I was able to explore Split, Croatia on my free time. I could walk everywhere . . . so very convenient. Croatia is a beautiful country and the people were lovely.
When I returned home I got a follow-up message from IVHQ asking how I was feeling after my experience 😅 . . . very thoughtful.
I look forward to my next volunteer experience with IVHQ.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We took 30 puppies for a group walk in a park and to the sea, so they could have a swim.
Pros
  • Location of the hostel
  • Transit system was amazing
  • The dog shelter was way beyond my expectations
Cons
  • The hours to the food at the hostel were limited.
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
IAN
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A most amazing life changing experience

The preparatory organisation was excellent. Information was provided in a clear concise manner, timely and there was always a prompt response to any queries or concerns. The personal preparation workbooks were really useful and certainly helped me prepare for the project and contributed to its success. The local team support was exceptional in every way. Questions or queries were treated quickly and considerately. The local rep was exceptionally knowledgeable and proactively helpful. All these factors contributable to one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

What was your funniest moment?
For me this project brought together so many different life experiences of working with people. The disability challenges faced by the adult clients of this project are many and varied however with encouragement, support and a can-do fun approach these disabilities presented could easily turn into the most creative and amazing 'abilities'. One example was a simple fun walk in the gardens picking small flowers and leaves soon turned into the creation of beautiful works of art. The fun was infectious and soon several clients all wanted to join in. It was a joy to watch and be a part of the fun.
Pros
  • Learning the power communication through engagement, smiles, gestures and encouragement
  • Working with the most amazing professional care givers, listening to them and providing extra supportive hands.
  • Forming positive, meaningful and genuine friendships with the clients that developed each day
Cons
  • Next time I would learn more of the local language - just simple phrases before I went
28 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sesili
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Transformative journey

Volunteering within special needs communities offers a transformative journey of empathy, resilience, and societal impact. Engaging in activities that support individuals with diverse challenges fosters personal growth, cultivates essential life skills, and contributes to building more inclusive societies. Embrace the opportunity to make meaningful connections and foster a culture of acceptance and belonging.By volunteering with special needs populations, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while also gaining valuable insights and experiences that can enrich your own life. I will be forever thankful for this opportunity.

35 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Raquel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing experience

They went above and beyond in preparing me before my trip! Really left no stone unturned, I felt super safe & prepared before I left! When greeted at the airport I felt like I was truly going to have the best time ever, my volunteer coordinator really put me at ease, and the accommodations and food exceeded my expectations! Everyone at the animal shelter where I volunteered was super thorough, and everyone put in a great effort to give the dogs the best home possible. Truly an inspirational trip. It changed my perspective in many ways. Can’t wait to volunteer with IVHQ again

Pros
  • High walkability
  • Felt super safe, ventured out at night as a solo young female
  • Great variety of food, and great affordability
Cons
  • Experienced more cloudy days than sun
60 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Edwina Putri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

I had the best experience 9 weeks volunteering in Croatia for Animal Care Program. This was both my first time traveling alone and volunteering abroad, and IVHQ was really suitable for me as a beginner. They gave me detailed & helpful information about what to bring and what to expect. Also, especially the local team on ground in Croatia really went above and beyond to make sure that I was safe and enjoying the program. I cannot recommend it enough! Amazing company and experience, changed my life!

Pros
  • Easy & detailed information
  • Impact for society
  • Cultural experience
Cons
  • Quite expensive
63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Program Out There!

This program is the best out there- affordable, high experience, humbling volunteering, and lifelong best friends! I truly didn't want to leave and will always have a peace of my heart in Croatia and hope to do it again soon! I originally chose Animal Care in Croatia for many reasons- some including my huge love for animals, photography, traveling, etc. so I couldn't choose between locations, but I was obsessed with the idea of animal care. I chose Croatia because it looked so beautiful and it was the cheapest option for me- program cost and plane ticket. Little did I know, I would be immensely changed from this one week trip. And this was my first trip as a solo traveler and internationally alone, but once I got there I made best friends and I was always with them and Croatia is one of the safest countries out there!

Pros
  • Safe
  • Solo Traveling
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Wish I Could Stay Longer
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amelie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Animal Care Volunteer

I literally have nothing bad to say. The local team was so friendly, all our questions were answered and they went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and knew what we were doing. They organised weekend excursions and local tours. We were showed everything, from how to navigate the public transport to what beaches were best to see in our down time. The area is beautiful, I felt very taken care of as a solo female, and first time traveller/volunteer. Felt like I was actually helpful with the volunteering and made something of a difference. Couldn't recommend it enough!

Pros
  • Friendly helpful local team
  • Beautiful area
  • Value for money
72 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers