Support to young volunteers

The Law 45/2015 on Volunteering  guarantees equal opportunities for  all volunteers, including those in vulnerable situations. Specifically, Article 8 (Title II, paragraph 3) states:

“Volunteering entities shall guarantee the right to equal opportunities and universal accessibility for elderly, disabled or dependent volunteers, so that they can exercise, on equal terms with the rest of the volunteers, the rights and duties that correspond to them in accordance with this Law, eradicating any possible form of discrimination”.

In these cases, the consent for their incorporation into the volunteer organisation, the information and training and the activities entrusted to them must be carried out in appropriate formats and in accordance with their capacities and personal circumstances, following the guidelines set by the principles of universal accessibility and design for all, in such a way that they are accessible, usable and understandable.

While there are no specific national support measures targeted exclusively at young people with fewer opportunities, there are inclusion-oriented practices embedded in project implementation. For example:

•  In the "Xacobeando" Project organised by Don Bosco Galicia, participation costs (travel, accommodation and living expenses) were fully covered through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) funds, enabling broader youth access.
• In Castilla y León´s 2023 youth volunteer camps participants were allowed to complete their applications in person at local youth offices if they lacked electronic access, ensuring inclusion of digitally excluded groups.The Law 45/2015 on Volunteering  guarantees equal opportunities for  all volunteers, including those in vulnerable situations. Specifically, Article 8 (Title II, paragraph 3) states:
• “Volunteering entities shall guarantee the right to equal opportunities and universal accessibility for elderly, disabled or dependent volunteers, so that they can exercise, on equal terms with the rest of the volunteers, the rights and duties that correspond to them in accordance with this Law, eradicating any possible form of discrimination”.
• In these cases, the consent for their incorporation into the volunteer organisation, the information and training and the activities entrusted to them must be carried out in appropriate formats and in accordance with their capacities and personal circumstances, following the guidelines set by the principles of universal accessibility and design for all, in such a way that they are accessible, usable and understandable.
• While there are no specific national support measures targeted exclusively at young people with fewer opportunities, there are inclusion-oriented practices embedded in project implementation. For example:
• In the "Xacobeando" Project organised by Don Bosco Galicia, participation costs (travel, accommodation and living expenses) were fully covered through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) funds, enabling broader youth access.
• In Castilla y León´s 2023 youth volunteer camps participants were allowed to complete their applications in person at local youth offices if they lacked electronic access, ensuring inclusion of digitally excluded groups.

Community building

Volunteering competences in Spain are divided between the General State Administration, the Autonomous Communities and Local Entities.

Although the last State Volunteering Strategy expired in 2014, as of 2025, a new national strategy is under preparation by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda.

Numerous civil society organisations play a central role in fostering social inclusion through volunteering. These initiatives often target rural engagement, international solidarity, and community integration. For example:

• Rural Action (Acción Rural), based in Extremadura and accredited under the European Solidarity Corps, this initiative places a local volunteer in each participating municipality to work with various community groups (e.g. other local youth, schools, housewives’ associations, sports associations, and the different public services related to culture, sport and youth) to promote engagement and skills development Training includes environmental education, cooking, ICT, livestock transportation and animation techniques.
• Amycos, a development-focused NGO working from a rights-based and gender perspective. Through its programme "Getting closer to the South" (Acercándonos al sur), young volunteers can  travel to Nicaragua or Bolivia for immersion experiences. The programme promotes solidarity and awareness of global inequalities and development challenges.

These programmes strengthen local civic engagement while encouraging international solidarity and critical reflection on inequality.

Tackling societal challenges

Volunteering in Spain is also used as a tool to address social and environmental challenges.

The Youth Strategy 2030, under Axis 6, promotes youth volunteering as an avenue for fostering youth participation in social transformation, solidarity, and the SDGs. Specific initiatives under the Strategy aim to enhance inclusivity in volunteering, ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds, including those with fewer opportunities, have equal access to volunteering experiences.

Various European Solidarity Corps accredited organisations lead projects tackling depopulation, climate change, and social exclusion. For example: 

• Ábrego: an association focused on the repopulation and revitalising rural areas through projects, activities and events, to economically, socially and culturally revitalise the rural environment and its relationship with the urban environment. Its activities include "Fruit tree pruning day", the "Regenerative livestock and national grazing days" and "Throw it away? No way!", a circular economy initiative promoting reuse and recycling.
• Accem: a national NGO   upporting migrants, refugees, and people at risk of exclusion. Through it project "Disappearing Walls", volunteers contribute to integration pathways for international protection seekers, facilitating learning, social connections, and inclusion. The project emphasizes active societal participation to dismantle barriers and foster mutual understanding.