UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Program 2026 to Protect Heritage Sites
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 30
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre offers the World Heritage Volunteers 2026 campaign under the theme “Working on the Future.” It is an international volunteering initiative that gives young people the opportunity to participate in field projects aimed at protecting and preserving World Heritage sites and sites listed on tentative lists.
Volunteers take part in practical and awareness-raising activities in cooperation with local communities, site managers, and partner organizations. The program aims to preserve shared cultural and natural heritage and raise awareness about the importance of protecting World Heritage sites.
Program Nature
The program consists of voluntary Action Camps organized by local organizations or partner institutions in different countries around the world. These camps bring together local and international volunteers to work on activities related to heritage preservation and community awareness.
Volunteering Fields
Activities usually include:
- Preserving cultural and natural heritage sites.
- Awareness-raising activities about the importance of World Heritage.
- Working with local communities.
- Field activities at heritage sites.
- Supporting non-formal education programs related to heritage.
- Environmental and cultural activities connected to the site.
- Cultural exchange between local and international volunteers.
Benefits
- An international volunteering opportunity at World Heritage sites or sites nominated for the World Heritage List.
- Gaining practical experience in protecting cultural and natural heritage.
- Working with local communities and volunteers from different countries.
- Discovering unique historical and natural sites around the world.
- Developing teamwork, communication, and cultural exchange skills.
- Participating in awareness-raising and field activities related to World Heritage.
- Gaining a better understanding of UNESCO’s role and the role of local partners in protecting World Heritage.
Duties & responsibilities
- Participate in field activities to protect and preserve World Heritage sites or sites nominated for the World Heritage List.
- Carry out volunteer work related to the preservation of cultural or natural heritage, depending on the nature of each project.
- Support community awareness activities about the importance of protecting World Heritage.
- Work with local communities, site managers, and partner organizations.
- Participate in informal educational and awareness activities related to heritage.
- Collaborate with local and international volunteers within multicultural teams.
- Contribute to strengthening young people’s understanding of the importance of shared heritage and its protection for future generations.
- Comply with the instructions of the organizing body of the selected project, as the detailed tasks vary from one project to another.
Eligibility criteria
- The program is intended for young people and individuals interested in protecting World Heritage.
- Local and international volunteers can participate.
- Applicants must choose a specific project from the list of World Heritage Volunteers 2026 projects.
- Age, nationality, and experience requirements vary depending on each project and the implementing organization.
- Applicants must contact the organizing body of the selected project directly to learn about the detailed application requirements.
- Volunteers are not selected directly by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Browse the Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships in the United States
Explore the Top PhD Scholarships Worldwide in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Academic Funding