Discover Volunteer Opportunities in The Hague

Overcoming Your Apprehensions About Volunteering When speaking with potential volunteers at our recruitment events, we sometimes hear a few common concerns about signing up. That’s completely normal! Let’s take a look at these worries—and how easy they can be to overcome. “But I’ve only been here for a couple of weeks” Many volunteer roles don’t require any special knowledge of local culture. If you can find your way to the organization’s location by public transport or car and arrive on time, you’re ready to get started! A great way to begin is with a one-time opportunity, such as helping out at an event. It’s a simple, low-commitment way to see how volunteering feels. You’ll meet other volunteers and local non-profit staff, which can quickly help you feel more connected to your new community. “I’m too old / too young” Volunteers come from all age groups, and every generation brings something valuable to the table. In fact, many volunteers in the Netherlands are aged 50+. One project that welcomed around 100 international volunteers each year, The World in Your Classroom, had a star volunteer who joined at age 70 and continued until the project ended four years later. Teachers and high school students loved his guest lectures, and many students eagerly lined up to chat with him or take a photo together. For him, inspiring young people was incredibly rewarding. At the same time, international university students also volunteer with us in large numbers. They often shine in roles involving IT or digital communication. With such a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available, there is almost certainly a role that fits you perfectly, whatever your age. “I don’t have special skills” You might be surprised by how simple some volunteer tasks are. For example, you could greet visitors at an event, hand out promotional material, or check names on an RSVP list. Food banks are always grateful for volunteers who help pack food parcels for clients. Prefer something more active? You could help set up and dismantle stands and podiums at festivals and fairs. Or you might assist in preparing vegetables and cleaning up in a kitchen for a meal for senior citizens at a local community centre. No task is too small: every volunteer contributes to making these projects possible. “I’m nervous about joining alone” Starting something new can feel a little daunting, but that initial discomfort usually fades quickly. Volunteer coordinators are experienced at welcoming newcomers and making them feel part of the team. Remember: every volunteer started as a newcomer once. People keep returning because they find the experience meaningful and enjoyable. If it helps, you can also team up with someone you meet at a volunteer recruitment fair and sign up together, especially for roles where many volunteers are needed. “I don’t have much time” Busy schedules are very common, and volunteer organizations understand that. Flexible volunteering has become increasingly popular, and many non-profits now offer short-term or one-off opportunities. When browsing the Volunteer The Hague vacancy page, simply select the “one-off” option in the left-hand column to see opportunities that only require a single commitment. Some roles take place in the evenings or on weekends, making them easy to combine with work or studies. Others are during office hours and can be ideal if you’re looking for project experience, professional references, or simply the joy of contributing alongside other kind-hearted people. “My Dutch isn’t perfect” Good news! Volunteer The Hague only offers opportunities that do not require fluency in Dutch. Organizations on our platform value your English and other language skills. If you would like to practice Dutch while volunteering, you can contact our sister organization Den Haag Doet. They offer volunteer roles where Dutch is required. They can guide you about which roles involve conversations about simple everyday topics, and organizations whose staff are used to speaking clearly with non-native speakers. “I don’t know where to start” With so many possibilities, choosing a role can feel overwhelming. That’s why Volunteer The Hague created the Talent Scan tool. This short quiz helps identify volunteer roles that match your lifestyle, skills, and interests. After completing the quiz, simply scroll down past the recommended categories to see current vacancies that fit your volunteer profile. From there, you can apply directly and start your volunteering journey. Volunteering doesn’t require perfection, just a willingness to show up and contribute. You might be surprised by how quickly it becomes one of the most rewarding parts of your week.

Your City, Your Voice: Can Internationals Vote in The Hague City Council Elections? Living in an international city like The Hague means people from all over the world contribute to its vibrant communities. But did you know that many internationals can also help shape the city’s future by casting a vote during the 2026 local elections? Voting is one of the most meaningful ways to feel at home and to influence the place where you live, study, work, and build your life. Why Your Vote Matters Local elections determine who sits on the city council and makes decisions that affect daily life in your neighbourhood. The councillors you elect will help shape policies on issues such as: ✓ Public safety ✓ Housing and infrastructure ✓ Social and healthcare services ✓ Sports and community facilities ✓ Language education and libraries ✓ Local taxes ✓ Waste collection ✓ Business support and permits ✓ Economic development ✓ Culture and events ✓ Support with income and employment These practical matters range from the quality of parks and libraries to how waste is collected or how new housing is planned. However, it’s good to know that local elections do not decide national policies. Issues such as immigration policy or the national systems for education, healthcare, and social security are handled at the national level. Who Can Vote? The Netherlands has one of the most inclusive local voting systems in Europe. You may be eligible to vote in the 2026 municipal elections if you: ✓ Are 18 years or older ✓ Were registered with your municipality by 2 February 2026 ✓ Belong to one of the following groups: Dutch citizens EU nationals Non-EU nationals who have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years continuously and hold a valid residence permit Many internationals working with international organisations in the region are also eligible. However, staff of embassies and consulates generally cannot vote unless they also hold Dutch nationality. When Are the Elections Held? Municipal elections in the Netherlands are held every four years. The next round will take place in 2026, giving residents across the country the chance to choose their local representatives. How to Vote If you are eligible and registered, you will receive a voting pass (stempas) by mail before election day and a list of all candidates for all parties. You will vote an individual candidate by marking the circle before their name with a red pencil. On the day itself, you can simply: This article is based on a presentation given by Work in South Holland given during the The Hague Local Election Night on 10 March 2026 co-organised by ACCESS, PEP Den Haag, Volunteer The Hague and HPM. Volunteer The Hague is a project of PEP Den Haag, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to fostering civic engagement and strengthening the social fabric of The Hague. Initiated in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague, Volunteer The Hague site hosts hundreds of volunteer activities for every age, skill-set, and availability. Importantly, the volunteer listings on Volunteer The Hague’s website do not require Dutch language skills. You can browse these vacancies or use our Talent Scan tool through which you can find individualized listings after answering a series of questions about your skills and interests. All listings will provide you with information about the tasks expected, preferred availability in days and number of hours, and perks offered.

Settling into a new city can be quite a challenge. Join The Hague International Centre's Feel at Home event for an informative and engaging evening on Monday, March 30 2026 ! Volunteer The Hague is one many organizations present at Feel at Home event to inform new and long-term international residents of The Hague about support services. Speak directly with experts and get answers to your questions about housing, childcare, taxes, healthcare, social clubs and more. Connect with others, enjoy some drinks and snacks and the lovely live music performance. Participating organizations include Childcare providers Communities Education Exploring The Hague Healthcare providers Housing services: Language learning and intercultural training Legal and financial services Neighbourhood associations Relocation services Volunteering and Career When? Monday, 30 March 2026 17:00 to 20:00 hrs Where? Madurodam George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ The Hague Parking is free at the parking space of Madurodam. The Volunteer The Hague team is excited to meet all visitors at this awesome event at the Madurodam park. Entrance is free but registration is required. Places are getting booked up fast so please register today.