Pocket money 💰
Explore volunteering opportunities with pocket money, including European Solidarity Corps projects, funded volunteering programmes and other opportunities that provide volunteers with a modest personal allowance.
Pocket money is not a salary. It is generally a small allowance intended to help volunteers cover personal day-to-day expenses during a project. The amount, payment schedule and conditions depend on the programme, destination and host organisation.
What does pocket money mean?
In a structured volunteering programme, pocket money is normally separate from the main costs of participating. A project may also provide or reimburse accommodation, food, travel, local transport, insurance or other necessary expenses.
For example, European Solidarity Corps volunteering generally covers basic project costs such as accommodation and food, provides travel support and insurance, and also gives volunteers pocket money for personal expenses.
Always read the individual opportunity carefully. A listing tagged as pocket money does not necessarily include all travel or living expenses, and the amount of the allowance can vary considerably.
Pocket money is not a salary
Pocket money should not be confused with wages, a professional salary, commission or profit sharing. If an opportunity involves regular paid work or compensation linked directly to productivity or commercial activity, it may be employment rather than volunteering with pocket money.
Likewise, reimbursement of a train ticket, flight or other documented expense is not normally the same as pocket money. Before accepting a project, ask the organisation to explain clearly which costs are covered, which expenses are reimbursed and what personal allowance you will receive.
European Solidarity Corps
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is one of the main sources of structured volunteering opportunities with pocket money on Voluntouring.org.
For most ESC volunteering activities, participants must be between 18 and 30 years old when the activity begins. Humanitarian Aid volunteering has a higher age limit of 35. Eligibility also depends on your country of residence and the countries accepted by the individual project.
ESC volunteering is not paid employment. Depending on the project, support can include accommodation, food, travel costs, insurance, training, language support and pocket money.
For current eligibility and programme conditions, consult the official European Solidarity Corps volunteering information.
You can also browse Erasmus+ opportunities, although funding and financial arrangements vary according to the type of programme.
How to use this page
Open the opportunity that interests you and check the publication date, activity dates and application deadline. Some older projects may already be closed or may have changed their financial conditions.
Read the complete listing and look for the contact details at the end of the announcement. Depending on the project, these may include an official website, email address or application form.
Before applying or accepting a place, ask the host or organisation to confirm:
- the exact pocket money amount and how often it is paid;
- whether accommodation and meals are included;
- which travel costs are reimbursed and under what conditions;
- whether local transport is covered;
- insurance arrangements;
- the expected activities and weekly schedule;
- any costs that remain the volunteer’s responsibility;
- visa or residence requirements where applicable.
Voluntouring does not organise placements, distribute pocket money, manage reimbursements or mediate payments between volunteers and organisations. Financial arrangements should be confirmed directly with the responsible organisation.
Before making travel plans
Funding conditions can change between different editions of the same programme. Never assume that an older listing accurately reflects the allowance, travel reimbursement or accommodation conditions of a new project.
For additional general guidance, read Voluntouring’s information about safety and legality in volunteering and work exchanges.
Important: pocket money amounts, funding, eligibility conditions, project availability and immigration requirements can change. Confirm current conditions directly with the organisation before making travel or financial commitments.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Browse volunteering opportunities with pocket money 💰
Browse the opportunities below and use the “Older Posts” navigation to continue exploring previous projects. Always check the publication date and confirm that the pocket money and other financial conditions are still current before applying.
Do you represent an organisation offering a genuine volunteering opportunity with pocket money or a personal allowance? You can submit your project to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.
