Voluntary work via European Solidarity Corps

Volunteers play a crucial role at AAP and they are as much part of the AAP-family as our regular staff. So it’s no wonder young people from all over Europe are interested in volunteering at our rescue facilities in The Netherlands and Spain!
Since 2008 AAP has participated in the European Solidarity Corps, a subsidy programme by the European Union. AAP is one of very few ESC-accredited organisations focusing on animals.

This programme has contributed in reaching AAP’s goals in animal rescue and public education, while at the same time it has enriched dozens of European youngsters by valuable working experience at one of the leading animal welfare NGO’s in Europe.

What’s in it for you?

As a volunteer at AAP you gain interesting and valuable working experience in the area of exotic wildlife. It also helps you to develop general skills and competences for daily life.

During the stay you receive a thorough training and guidance by AAP’s staff, next to external trainings organized by the national agencies in the receiving country.
Due to financial support by the Erasmus+ programme, AAP is able to fully cover the volunteers’ costs of living (accommodation included) and even to provide you with monthly pocket money.
Travel and vaccination costs are all reimbursed.
You can apply as a volunteer if you are between the ages of 18 and 30.

As an ESC-volunteer your work is never boring, because your work consists out of many different aspects. This makes working as an ESC-volunteer very divers and fun.

What will you do?

You will be working 32 hours a week at various departments, depending if you volunteer at AAP The Netherlands or AAP Spain. In the Netherlands, you’ll work in Quarantine and with mammals, primates, chimpanzees and in the central kitchen. At AAP Spain you’ll work with chimpanzees, primates and big cats. A big part of your job will be cleaning enclosures, feeding the animals, food preparation, small maintenance jobs, making enrichment plus giving it to the animals and the refurbishing of an enclosure.

Interested to participate?

You can apply for one of the ESC-positions at AAP The Netherlands or Spain, but only when the vacancies are open. Keep an eye on this page for more information.

Please note:

ESC-volunteers from outside The Netherlands can apply for AAP The Netherlands, Almere.
ESC-volunteers from The Netherlands can apply for AAP Spain, Villena.

ESC-volunteerwork at AAP The Netherlands, Almere

This is an vacancy at AAP The Netherlands in Almere and is available for everyone from outside of the Netherlands.

See vacancy

English

ESC-volunteerwork at AAP Spain, Villena

This is a vacancy at AAP Spain in Villena. Please note: it is only available for two volunteers from the Netherlands.

See vacancy

Dutch

Procedure

It’s important that you take the procedures of recruitment and selection into account. Be aware of the fact that it takes several months between the application and the actual starting date at the project.
Please keep in mind that AAP only accepts volunteers for the full period of 12 months.
ESC operates on basis of strict application deadlines each year. That’s why the recruitment and selection of new ESC-volunteers is restricted to a few short periods.

Due to practical reasons, we cannot reply to all individual information requests. Everyone who is seriously interested in the ESC-volunteering period at AAP is asked to send his or her or their CV and motivation letter during the period indicated in the published vacancies.

Extensive information on ESC can be found at the official website of Erasmus+ and through the National Agencies in the Netherlands and Spain. Detailed description of AAP’s ESC-projects is listed in the European Youth Portal.