UNV's Online Volunteering service lets anyone aged 18 or over contribute remotely to UN agencies, governments and non-profits. Here is how it works and how to apply.
The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) runs an Online Volunteering service that connects people anywhere in the world with organizations that need help but do not require anyone to travel. Non-profit organizations, including UN agencies, governments and public institutions, and civil society groups, register with UNV, which reviews their eligibility. They then describe the tasks they need done, and UNV publishes the assignments that meet its criteria on the Unified Volunteering Platform. Typical online work is project-based and carried out from your own computer, so it can suit students, professionals and career changers who want international experience.
According to UNV's official page, you must be at least 18 years old to sign up and apply, and no specific background is required, because each assignment sets its own requirements. Assignments run for up to 20 hours per week and for a maximum of 12 weeks, and a single assignment can engage up to 25 online volunteers. Online volunteers are not under contract with UNV or the host organization and receive no living allowance or other financial compensation. The main benefits are practical experience, a professional network and an electronic certificate of appreciation issued by the organization at the end of the assignment.
To apply, create an account on the Unified Volunteering Platform, use the filters to show online assignments, read each description carefully and apply to those that match your skills and availability. There is no single programme deadline: new assignments are published continuously, and any deadline appears in the individual listing, so check each one. Verified on 29 October 2026 from UNV's official website. Never pay anyone for a volunteering placement; UNV maintains a scam alert page for fraudulent offers. Official links: https://www.unv.org/become-online-volunteer and https://app.unv.org/?type=online
