Slums 🏘️
Photo: Valter Campanato / Agência Brasil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 BR. Kibera, Nairobi, 2007. Illustrative image.
Explore slum volunteering opportunities and community projects working in informal urban settlements. Activities may involve education, community development, housing improvements, fundraising, health awareness or support for locally organised initiatives.
These projects are often connected with neighbourhood organisations and grassroots groups addressing challenges related to housing, access to services, education and economic opportunities.
What is a slum? 🏘️
A slum is generally understood as an urban residential area where households experience inadequate housing conditions. According to UN-Habitat, relevant indicators include access to water and sanitation, sufficient living space, durable housing and security of tenure. The term overlaps with informal settlements, although local definitions and conditions vary. Such neighbourhoods are also places where people live, work, organise and maintain community relationships.
Volunteering with urban communities
Volunteer roles may include helping community organisations with administration, grant writing, educational activities, practical improvements, communications or skills training. Some projects focus on children, women, young people or access to essential services.
Local residents and organisations should have a meaningful role in deciding what support is needed. Visiting an informal settlement or observing poverty is not, by itself, a volunteer activity. Photography and storytelling should respect residents’ privacy, dignity and consent.
How to use this page
Check the publication date and confirm current activities, supervision, working hours, days off, accommodation, meals, minimum stay and any mandatory fees directly with the host. Some older projects may have changed or stopped accepting volunteers.
For activities involving children or vulnerable people, ask about safeguarding procedures, qualifications and appropriate supervision. Volunteers should not replace trained professionals or undertake responsibilities beyond their experience.
Publication on Voluntouring.org does not constitute verification or endorsement of an organisation, its working conditions or its community impact.
Related opportunities: Poverty programs · Community · Education · Human rights
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Browse slum volunteering opportunities 🏘️🤝
Browse the community projects below for volunteer roles connected with informal urban settlements. Read each listing carefully and confirm that the activities are still available and relevant to local needs.
Do you represent a community organisation working in an informal settlement and looking for volunteers with suitable skills? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.
