JOA’s 2026 Volunteer Programme
Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), the Island’s official, publicly funded aid and development agency, will launch its 2026 Volunteer Programme at a special event on Wednesday 1st October at the Royal Yacht Hotel. Islanders are warmly invited to attend. Tickets are free and available via Eventbrite.
In 2026, JOA will select three teams of 12–14 Islanders to volunteer in Nepal, Malawi and Zambia. These projects are not about charity, but about solidarity; working side-by-side with local communities, sharing skills, and supporting locally led solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges.
Deputy Carolyn Labey, Chair of JOA and Jersey’s Minister for International Development, said: “Our volunteering programme is about far more than building schools or homes. It is about building relationships, learning from our partners, and standing alongside communities as they shape their own futures. It embodies the values of partnership and mutual respect that lie at the heart of international development.”
For over 50 years, Jersey volunteers have worked alongside communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. Guided by the Global Volunteering Standard, JOA’s programme ensures volunteering is ethical, responsible and delivers sustainable impact, offering as much to volunteers as it does to the communities they support. Islanders interested in finding out more are encouraged to attend the launch event.
Why Volunteer with JOA?
Volunteers don’t need prior experience, just energy, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Projects are designed with realistic, need-driven goals where Islanders can make a genuine contribution while also deepening their own understanding of international development. Many return with lifelong friendships, a stronger sense of global citizenship, and extraordinary personal growth.
Islanders wishing to apply must be 18+ with at least five years’ Jersey residency. Applications open following the launch event.
Bursaries
Attendees will also hear about JOA’s bursary programme. JOA’s two bursary programmes, Professional and Personal, seek to financially support professionals, young people or career changers to exchange and share knowledge while learning new skills and experiencing new cultures. For more information, please visit Bursaries - Funding for Overseas Volunteering | Jersey Overseas Aid Commission.
Tickets to the launch event are free and can be booked at Eventbrite at JOA Volunteer Programme: 2026 Launch Event Tickets, Wed, Oct 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite. The event will take place from 6pm-7.30pm at the Royal Yacht Hotel.
