Spain – Barcelona Food Rescue & Community Empowerment

Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, is the vibrant heart of Catalonia, celebrated for its Renaissance art and Gaudi architecture. Neighborhoods like Gràcia, Gótico, and Born showcase the city’s rich history through their narrow, history-laden streets. Famous for Mediterranean tapas and a high quality of life, Barcelona enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, making its beaches like Bogatell, Mar Bella, and Barceloneta popular spots.

The Food Bank volunteer program operates in El Turó de la Peira, in Barcelona’s Nou Barris district. It is a culturally diverse neighborhood with residents from 97 nationalities, primarily from South America and the Caribbean. Despite its rich diversity, it’s one of Barcelona’s poorest areas, with 25% of its 18,000 residents facing vulnerability or exclusion.

Nestled in the heart of the Collserola mountain range, the eco hostel offers a serene escape into one of Barcelona’s most distinctive natural parks. Collserola is home to a rich variety of Mediterranean flora and fauna, making it a vital green space and a biodiversity hotspot. Often referred to as the “lungs” of the metropolitan area, the park stretches between Barcelonès and Vallès, flanked by the Besòs and Llobregat rivers.

The eco hostel is located a 10-minute walk to the metro station, 30 minutes commute from the center of Barcelona, and 60 minutes from the NGO with the food bank program.

As a volunteer, you will work with two organizations during your program.

The first organization is an inclusion hostel that provides a Special Employment Center for hospitality and catering. Founded in 2004 by a non-profit, it is Europe’s first hospitality service with a 90% disabled workforce. These workers are directly involved in a new version of tourism called Solidarity and Eco Tourism.

As a volunteer, you’ll assist two days a week with hostel operations, sustainability initiatives, and community-focused activities. You’ll help ensure a supportive and welcoming environment while contributing to social programs that strengthen the community.

Examples of Volunteer Tasks

• Supporting eco-tourism initiatives like gardening and upcycling
• Preparing shared spaces and assisting with housekeeping
• Assisting with summer camp activities during July and August
• Organizing cultural and social inclusion events

The second organization is a social NGO in Barcelona. They assist families and individuals in vulnerable situations and promote social projects to improve the community. Their primary method is to support communities and solidarity networks through volunteering and providing professional training.

As a volunteer, you will work three days a week helping reduce food waste and hunger. Volunteer shifts include collecting food from local supermarkets, preparing portions, and distributing meals to families, as well as participating in community workshops.

Examples of Volunteer Tasks

• Preparing and distributing meals for the community
• Sorting, portioning, and storing surplus food
• Conducting hygiene checks and maintaining storage areas
• Supporting educational initiatives on food waste
• Organizing charity and cross-cultural events

Volunteers will work 35 hours a week, from Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 6 PM, but schedules might vary based on needs. Weekends are free to enjoy the city of Barcelona!

Training: Across the week, volunteers receive 2 hours of training on topics like cross-cultural volunteerism, NGO management, and food regulations.

Important note: From June 26th to September 1st, activities center in the summer school, Casal de Verano. Most tasks involve engaging with kids, which might affect some workshops and training sessions.

Planning to come for 3 weeks or more? If so, you can combine this project with our Marine Conservation program in Barcelona for a diverse experience. Once you apply, we can help you organize both programs.

Internet: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel.

Laundry: There are laundry facilities available.

Accommodations: Volunteers stay in shared rooms with 3-5 bunk beds at the eco-hostel located in Vallvidrera. The hostel fosters a community-driven environment with stunning views of Barcelona and direct access to hiking trails in Collserola National Park. Volunteers staying for 5 weeks or more can stay in shared rooms in an apartment in the city, organized by the program. There are several apartments within a 20 to 30-minute walk to the NGO center. These rooms typically have 1 or 2 bunk beds, accommodating 2 or 4 volunteers. If you prefer a single room, upgrades are available for an additional fee, subject to availability and the duration of your stay. Some apartments are mixed gender and some are single gender. Please notify GoEco at the time of your application if you have a preference.

• • Note: Minors will be placed either in the eco-hostel or an apartment based on the program’s recommendations and the number of volunteers. However, they will always be accommodated in a single-gender room.

Food: Groceries are provided for volunteers to prepare their own breakfast and dinner at the apartment, while a cooked lunch is shared at the program site. Vegetarian options are standard, with occasional meat dishes. Volunteers with dietary restrictions should notify the program in advance.

• Age 16-80 years
• Solo volunteers 16 & 17 need parental concent and an interview with their parents and our team
• Families with children over the age of 13 are welcome to join the program
• Being able to get a Schengen tourism visa, we don’t provide Visa support.
• For airport pick up, you need to arrive during the weekend between 10:00 am – 18:00 pm.
• GoEco interview
• Good level of English
• Spanish highly valued, other languages a plus
• High level of independence, responsibility, and flexibility
• Adaptability and appreciation for diversity, as we work with people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures.

Volunteers have weekends off to visit all the attractions that Barcelona offers, such as the stunning Sagrada Familia, the colorful Park Guell, the historic Gothic Quarter, and the vibrant La Rambla. Explore neighborhoods like Gràcia, Gótico, and Born, known for their historic streets and vibrant atmosphere. Weekly city excursions are also self-organized by the volunteers themselves. In addition, during long weekends, they organize group outings to the towns and beaches closest to the city, such as Costa Brava. Barcelona also has many national and local festivals during which the city organizes concerts and celebrations in the streets and plazas.

Access to the program activities and events, including Open Mic, Cacao Ceremony, eco-climbing or hiking excursions, snorkeling (in summer) are free.