Volunteering for your studies
Volunteering that counts towards your studies
Does your school, university or programme ask for volunteering hours, a community engagement module or a placement in a non-profit? Join a YouthShare Initiatives assignment: we design it with you, a supervisor supports you, and your school receives the paperwork it expects.
- LengthSet by your programme
- LocationRemote, anywhere in the world
- LanguagesEnglish or French
- ProofHours log and certificate
Who is it for?
For anyone completing volunteering as part of their studies or a programme.
Secondary school students
Volunteering hours required by your school, service projects in international programmes such as the CAS component of the International Baccalaureate.
University students
Community engagement modules, credits, bonus points or recognition of volunteering offered by your university or college.
Programmes and scholarships
Scholarships, leadership, exchange or mobility programmes that require service hours or a non-profit project.
Training and employability schemes
Schools, vocational courses and support schemes that include hands-on experience in a non-profit.
In France, student volunteering is recognised
The French Education Code (article L611-9) provides for the skills a student gains through volunteering in an association to be validated as part of their degree. Each institution sets out how: your student office or course leader will explain the process.
What YouthShare puts in place
A clear framework, for you and for your school.
A written assignment
Goals, tasks, deliverables and pace are set out in writing at the scoping conversation.
A supervisor
A team member supports you and is the point of contact for your school.
An hours log
Your hours are recorded throughout the assignment and signed off every month by your supervisor.
Your school’s paperwork
Agreement, evaluation form, certificate: the association fills them in and signs them on time.
A volunteering certificate
At the end of the assignment, a certificate in English or French sets out your tasks, your skills and your hours.
A skills review
A final conversation takes stock of what you have learned, so you can highlight it on your CV.
Assignments that matter
Each assignment belongs to a YouthShare lab or team. Here are the main kinds.
Research and monitoring
Gathering sources, following developments on a topic and preparing briefs for a lab.
Writing analyses
Writing an analysis, published after review by the editorial board.
Translation
Translating an analysis from English into French, or from French into English.
Facilitation
Preparing and running debates, palavers or online workshops.
Communication and design
Creating visuals, posts and campaigns for the labs.
Event organisation
Putting on an event online, or in person with a YouthShare club.
The process, step by step
You apply
Your application sets out your programme, the required amount, the deadline and the documents to sign.
Scoping conversation
On a video call, we choose the assignment, the pace and your supervisor together.
Paperwork signed
Your school’s agreement is signed before the assignment begins.
Assignment and check-ins
You work with the team; your supervisor holds regular check-ins and signs off your hours.
Certificate and review
You receive your certificate and the end-of-assignment documents your school asks for.
What to prepare
Gather this information first: the application then takes just a few minutes.
- The name of your school and of your course or programme
- The required amount: hours, weeks or months
- The date by which your programme expects the paperwork
- The list of documents to be signed or filled in
- Your academic supervisor’s contact details
- Your CV, as a PDF, Word or OpenDocument file
Are you a teacher or programme lead?
YouthShare also welcomes groups of pupils or students, and builds year-long engagement partnerships with schools and universities. Write to the Talent team to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Do remote hours count?
Each school sets its own rules: check that yours accepts remote volunteering. We provide every useful proof: hours log, progress notes, certificate.
How long is an assignment?
The assignment follows your programme’s calendar: a term, a semester, a school or academic year. The weekly time is agreed together at the scoping conversation.
Can I apply if I am under 18?
Yes, with the agreement of a parent or legal guardian and the contact details of a responsible adult, often a teacher at your school.
Can my assignment become an internship?
An internship comes under an internship agreement and your school’s rules. Raise it at the scoping conversation: we look at each request with your school.
What language is the certificate in?
English or French, as you prefer. Both versions are available.
Can I carry on after my programme?
Gladly: the team’s roles remain open to volunteers who wish to continue, for at least one year.
Ready to get involved?
Apply in a few minutes: you immediately receive a reference to follow every stage.