Global Village Program Fact Sheet

What is the Global Village program?

Global Village offers short-term service trips designed to give concerned people the opportunity to contribute to Habitat’s International work first-hand. Volunteer teams travel to their chosen host country to build alongside with the local people, become part of the community, and learn about poverty and housing issues on a local and global scale.

No prior construction experience is necessary!

GV team members give of themselves as they work alongside partner families, local volunteers and skilled construction workers to build or renovate homes in countries throughout the world.


How is a Global Village trip different than a normal holiday?
A Global Village trip is a holiday with a purpose. You will help build or renovate a simple, decent and affordable home with a family in need. The homeowners and other volunteers will be working alongside you sharing your joy and frustrations. You will see another country and culture in a way that no tour group can. You will see it through the eyes of those who live there and sometimes struggle to survive. Global Village is an adventure. The adventure is found not only in discovering a different culture or learning a new skill, but also in learning more about yourself and what you can contribute to the world.


Why should I join a Global Village team?
Global Village trips last for one or two weeks and offer a challenging, yet deeply rewarding cultural experience for volunteers. Individually tailored itineraries ensure that the team’s needs and interests are met, and that both the local community and the team have many chances to interact, share stories and build lasting relationships. Global Village itineraries ensure that participants have a meaningful and educational service experience, therefore they are balanced with plenty of work, rest and free time.

Participating in a Global Village team offers a unique travel experience and an unforgettable opportunity to be fully immersed in the local community. Team members experience great personal growth through cultural and linguistic challenges, and return to their home countries transformed.


How much does it cost?
Trip costs vary depending on trip length and destination. Most Global Village host countries have standard budgets for each volunteer team trip. The standard one week trip to Europe and Central Asia range is from 700€ to 1,150€.

Cost includes:

• A donation to the Habitat host program and HFH

• Meals and accommodation

• Transport

• Medical emergency evacuation

• Local cultural activities

• Team coordination

• Orientation materials

Cost does not include:

• Airfare to the host country

• Applicable visa and /or exit fees

• Additional sightseeing

In addition to contributing volunteer labour, Global Village teams also contribute financially by raising funds and awareness for their host Habitat program. This money is used to build or renovate even more Habitat homes in the host country.

How can I raise the money?
Fundraising for a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip is half of the fun! Habitat volunteers have let their creativity flow in their fundraising adventures, including events like: ‘bid on a date’ evening, arts & craft sales, car washes, entering a ‘bike-a-thon’ and much more. For more ideas on fund raising, contact us at gv.europe@habitat.org .


What kind of construction work would I do?
Construction work varies depending on trip location, the local construction techniques and the stage the building the programme has reached at the time of your trip. You could be digging foundations, mixing concrete or mortar, laying blocks, raising timber frame walls, making window frames, plastering, painting, or landscaping.

Global Village trips can be physically demanding. However, physical disability or a medical condition should not prevent you from taking part. If there is likely to be a problem, we will let you know and suggest an alternative (e.g. another trip where medical facilities are more easily accessible).


Where will I stay? What will I eat?
You will need to have a sense of adventure and be flexible. Depending on the particular trip, accommodation may vary from a shared room, a guesthouse, or a tent! You will also have the opportunity to sample local cuisine. There will also always be a plentiful supply of clean drinking water and we try to cater for specific dietary requirements.


What about safety on the build site?
Your safety is of paramount importance for us and we always try to minimize risk. International travel always contains some degree of danger, and Global Village team members participate at their own risk. Should there be an accident, there will be access to qualified medical consultation and services regardless of your team’s location.

To learn more about the insurance policy that covers Global Village team members, please visit www.habitat.org/gv/pdf/Travel_Medical_Insurance.pdf .


What kind of travel documents do I need?
You must hold a valid passport, which has at least 6 months left after you return home. Although you are responsible for obtaining your visas, you will be notified if one is required.


How do I apply!?
Please contact us at gv.europe@habitat.org and we can offer you more details.

Join us in a journey of adventure, life enrichment and joy! Choose a country and start making a difference now!

Download the PDF version of this fact sheet here