As we already know, one of the ways colivings have transformed tourism is by focusing on mid-term stays over short or long ones. With this also came a completely different dynamic of traveling and spending days, opening the doors to new experiences – one of which is volunteering or – voluntourism.
Voluntourism has always been around, particularly in countries with lower socio-economic statuses, where travelers intentionally seek out opportunities to help while immersing themselves in a new culture. However, many of these experiences, especially those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, have been criticized for falling into common voluntourism pitfalls.
Now, as coliving spaces embrace this trend, it’s important to recognize the most common pitfalls and understand how to avoid them. In the end, we want to ensure volunteering leads to meaningful, lasting impact rather than short-lived satisfaction that does little good. Right?
If so – let’s dive in!
Most Common Voluntourism Pitfalls
Short-Term Focus Over Long-Term Solutions
At first, a stay of a few weeks or even a couple of months might seem long, especially if your past trips have only been weekend getaways or week-long vacations. But in reality, when put into perspective, that’s not much time at all. The key question to ask yourself is: What can I realistically do in this short period that will leave a lasting positive impact on the local infrastructure and community?
For example, helping to create a community garden where most of the work is in the initial setup but can be easily maintained afterward, has a direct, long-term impact while still being a contribution you can complete during your stay.
On the other hand, teaching English for a few weeks at a local school may seem impactful at first, but in reality, it’s not a sustainable solution. That’s because you are the center of that impact, and once you leave, so does the progress.
Instead of doing the teaching, perhaps a better approach would be training local teachers in doing it. This shifts the focus away from you and toward a self-sustaining solution, ensuring the impact continues long after you’re gone.
Asking yourself if you are positioning yourself as the solution, or you are supporting a bigger, ongoing effort will most likely help you distinguish opportunities with long-lasting impact.
To take it a step further, consider what happens after you leave. Do local communities have the resources to sustain these efforts? For instance, short-term environmental projects like tree planting or wildlife conservation may raise awareness, but without a plan for long-term maintenance, monitoring, and community involvement, they risk fading away once the volunteers are gone.
If your goal is to leave a truly positive impact while volunteering, then understanding the bigger picture is an important factor to consider.
Unqualified Volunteers
Another major voluntourism pitfall is placing volunteers in roles they are not trained or qualified for, such as teaching, medical care, or construction, which can lead to less than satisfactory outcomes and even serious harm.
Unfortunately, these roles are often offered in volunteering opportunities due to a lack of trained local professionals willing or able to do the job. For example, many programs hire English teachers based solely on their ability to speak the language, simply because local teachers may not. However, especially when working with children, teaching without proper training or a background in pedagogy can do more harm than good.
This issue extends beyond teaching. Childcare, animal care, and construction can be particularly risky without formal training, not just because of immediate dangers like injuries, but also because of the long-term consequences left behind.
Unfortunately, in their eagerness to help, volunteers may overestimate their ability to contribute, making it crucial to match skills with actual project needs.
Before committing to a volunteering opportunity, ask yourself if it’s something you have real experience in and feel confident doing. If not, find out whether the facility or organization provides proper training before putting you on the job.
Taking Jobs from Locals
In some cases, volunteering can unintentionally displace skilled local workers who could do the job better but cannot afford to work for free. Some organizations take advantage of this by bringing in volunteers from around the world who can afford to work without compensation instead of paying qualified locals, all under the disguise of offering a “local experience.”
But, of course this is far from an authentic local experience, as it doesn’t reflect the reality of the community’s daily life.
This common voluntourism pitfall creates an unrealistic bubble where foreigners feel gratified by their contributions while unknowingly causing harm to the local economy. In tourist-heavy areas, the opportunity to exploit local labor markets by prioritizing international volunteers over paid local workers is especially high and something to be aware of.
As mentioned before, to avoid this, always look for signs that a project is empowering rather than replacing local workers, some of which we talked about above. In colivings, it’s always smart to chat with the local host about it as they will be able to shed a local perspective on it.
Creating Dependency
Lastly, some programs may unintentionally foster dependence on foreign aid or support, leaving communities without sustainable, locally-driven solutions after the volunteers leave. This is a common voluntourism pitfall that often starts with good intentions but quickly reveals the need for a different approach.
Let’s revisit the example of volunteering as an English teacher. If an area lacks local English teachers and organizations rely on a rotating flow of English-speaking tourists to educate children, it creates a cycle of dependency. While your short-term support may seem helpful, the organization must continuously bring in new voluntourists just to keep running.
Again, a more impactful approach would be training local teachers because the real issue isn’t that children don’t know English – every child needs to learn a language from the beginning – but the real issue is that there are no local teachers equipped to teach them. That’s where support should be directed.
Teaching English to local kids certainly isn’t without its benefits. However, if an organization has been running this way for a prolonged period and children are constantly being taught by volunteers who come and go, it’s a sign that change is needed. And who knows? Maybe you can suggest it.
How to Volunteer Ethically & Effectively
At this point, you might be thinking—great, even volunteering is bad now. So what can I do?
Of course, volunteering isn’t bad. You just need to approach it ethically and effectively. Now that you know how to recognize the most common voluntourism pitfalls and other mistakes in volunteering, you’re better equipped to find the right opportunity. Here’s a simple rule of thumb to follow when choosing where to volunteer:
Start from reputable organizations
If you’re not an experienced volunteer, start with reputable local organizations that have a strong track record. While smaller organizations may have great and innovative ideas, some may sound promising but fail to follow through. A well-established history and proven impact can help you assess whether they are truly making a difference.
Consider your skills and knowledge
Second, consider the skills and knowledge you bring that can create a real impact. While trying something new can be fun, leveraging your strengths is what leads to long-term change. And if you do want to explore a new field, make sure you receive proper training before diving in.
Understanding the community’s needs
Understanding the community’s needs is the main key. Asking around and digging to find out what the community truly lacks and what could help them in the long run will make an incredible difference. In a coliving space, don’t hesitate to ask your local host for insights. This can help you gain a deeper understanding of how to contribute meaningfully.
Prioritize sustainable volunteering
And finally, always prioritize sustainable volunteering by donating your time, resources, and knowledge responsibly. Volunteering can be as fun and as exciting for you as it can be useful and impactful. Try to find a balance between the two and you will leave the position immensely richer than before.If you want to find out more ways in which you can contribute to the local community, we already covered this in our separate article – so go ahead and check it out.
Written by… Gala from MCS: Spain, she and Marko spent a wonderful 2 months in Ecoisleta, closely living and collaborating with the Ecoisleta community…
