Volunteering in Colombia: types, requirements and how to choose an organization

Last updated: July 2026

Almost no one becomes a volunteer because they read a law: they become a volunteer because they saw something they couldn't ignore. But then come the practical questions—can they ask me for money? Will it look good on my resume? How do I know the organization is legitimate?—and that's when it's helpful to know that the volunteering in Colombia It has been recognized and regulated by law since 2001. Here we translate it for you without legal jargon and give you a path to choose wisely where to invest your time.

We are Hepacom, the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation (NIT 900.841.914-1), and from Itagüí we work for the right to decent housing through our own volunteer days. We are writing this because we get asked the same question every week, and because those who arrive informed contribute more and stay longer.

What is volunteering in Colombia according to the law?

It is the action of service to the community that a person freely offers, with their time and talent, without receiving remuneration of a work nature. That's the definition in Law 720 of 2001, the law that recognizes, promotes, and regulates voluntary action by Colombian citizens. And from that law come three things worth understanding before signing up anywhere.

The first is the definition itself. A volunteer is «"any natural person who freely and responsibly, without receiving remuneration of a labor nature, offers time, work and talent for the construction of the common good"». No contract, no salary, and no obligation to stay: freedom is the first principle recognized by the law.

The second point is that not all organizations are the same. The law distinguishes between them. Volunteer Organizations (DOV) —with legal status, non-profit and created precisely for that purpose— of the Entities with Voluntary Action (ECAV), Those who carry out voluntary work even if it is not their primary purpose. A foundation like ours belongs to the first group; a company that organizes a day out with its employees belongs to the second.

The third one is almost unknown and is the most useful: the paragraph of article 7 says that the volunteers They can request a certificate of the services provided.. Your time is documented in writing. If you're in college, looking for a job, or applying for a scholarship, that matters, and asking for it isn't being presumptuous: it's your right.

What types of volunteering exist in Colombia?

The law does not speak of "types" but of activities of general interest, And that list is much broader than people imagine: not all volunteering involves carrying bricks or distributing food baskets. Here's a practical explanation of the areas recognized in Article 4, along with what each typically entails:

Hepacom was developed based on the activities of general interest outlined in Article 4 of Law 720 of 2001. The requirements for each area are defined by each organization, not by law. Last updated: July 2026.

Common mistakes when starting a volunteer program in Colombia

• Paying to be a volunteer: No one should charge you a fee, a mandatory course, or a kit to let them help you. It's a different matter if an outing outside the city has transportation and food costs that are explained in advance.
• Promising more time than you have: Being absent does more harm than never showing up at all, because someone is left waiting. It's better to be there on a Saturday each month than to disappear for three weeks every Saturday.
• Do not request certification of services: The law gives you the right to request it, but most people leave without it. Request it as soon as you finish, with dates and times, while the record is still fresh.

What are the requirements to be a volunteer?

Law 720 does not set entry requirements: it does not require age, degree, or prior experience. The specific requirements are set by each organization based on the risk and responsibility of the task, which is why they vary so much from one to another. In practice, this is what they will almost always ask for:

• Your identity document, contact information, and the information of someone to call in an emergency.
• You must be of legal age, or arrive with the authorization of your guardian if you are a minor. That age is set by the organization, not the law.
• Go through the induction before the first day: it's short and they explain what you do and what you don't.
• Confidentiality regarding what you see of the families —also in article 7— and respect for the rules of the place.
• Specific requirements only if the role requires it: professional card for clinical or legal roles, physical condition for a workday.

Which No They can ask you to pay for the quota, to sign an employment contract disguised as volunteering, or to permanently replace a worker who should be employed.

How to choose a reputable volunteer organization?

Here, you need to consider two things simultaneously: that the organization actually exists, and that it treats you well as a volunteer. The route we suggest to the person writing to us is this:

1. Verify that it exists and is registered. Ask for their Tax Identification Number (NIT) and look for their certificate of existence and legal representation in the public registry. An ODV, by definition of the law, has legal personality and is a non-profit organization.
2. Ask what he does with what he receives. How many families does it support, where, and since when—without brochure-style language. If you're also thinking of donating, check out our guide. How to choose a reliable foundation to donate to.
3. I demanded induction and safety conditions. What to bring, what not to do, who coordinates, and what happens if someone gets hurt. An organization that doesn't guide you doesn't protect the families you'll be staying with either.
4. Confirm that they give you the service certification. Ask before you start: the answer tells you if they keep track of their people or if they improvise.
5. Start with one day, not one year. You go, you see how they treat people, and then you decide.

If you already know that construction work is your thing, see how a workday works in construction volunteering. And if you don't have free Saturdays right now but you do have the money, there are other options. ways to help a homeless family, as sponsor a family.

Where can I volunteer in Bogotá, Medellín, or another city?

The supply is concentrated in large cities, but the channel for finding it is the same throughout the country. Bogotá There are more organizations and a wider variety of causes, so the problem isn't finding them but filtering them, and that's where the checklist above saves you time. Medellín and the Aburrá Valley —the territory where we operate— a large part of the housing volunteering goes through community action boards and foundations that work community by community. In mid-sized cities and rural areas there are fewer formal organizations and fewer people volunteering, so your contribution carries more weight.

Three paths that work in any city: the mayor's office that manages social participation or development, which almost always has youth volunteer programs; the community action board of your neighborhood, the most direct route and the one used by the fewest people; and the National Volunteer System, which Law 720 created to coordinate the country's organizations.

How Hepacom accompanies you

For us, volunteering isn't just a decoration: it's one of the ways a family in the Aburrá Valley goes from a leaky house to a home where they can sleep peacefully. If you'd like to join us for a volunteer day, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or from contact us And we'll tell you what's open and what's needed. If you're looking for something else, we'll also guide you, free of charge, in choosing an organization in your city, even if it's not ours. And if you want to understand what all this is for, start by looking at what it means. decent housing in Colombia. However, we will never charge you for being a volunteer, and Hepacom does not handle paperwork or receive payments on behalf of any entity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is volunteering in Colombia paid?
No. Law 720 of 2001 defines a volunteer as someone who offers their time, work, and talent without receiving any employment-related compensation: there is no salary or contract. Some organizations cover transportation or meals for the day, but that is a reimbursement of expenses, not a payment.

Does volunteering help your resume?
Yes, and you can back it up in writing: paragraph 7 of Law 720 states that volunteers can request certification of services rendered. Request it upon completion, including dates and times.

What is the minimum age to be a volunteer?
The law doesn't set a minimum age. Each organization defines it according to the risk of the activity, and for minors, they usually require parental/guardian authorization, so ask before signing up.

Is it normal to be charged for volunteering?
No, not if the charge is for the spot. It is legitimate for a trip outside your city to have transportation, accommodation, or food costs, as long as they explain them to you in advance.

How do I verify that a volunteer organization is legal?
Ask for their Tax Identification Number (NIT) and check their certificate of existence and legal representation in the public registry of the chambers of commerce. If they don't give you the NIT, don't proceed.

Last updated: July 2026. Information guide. The procedure is carried out by the official entity. Sources: Law 720 of 2001 — Regulatory Manager, Public Function y RUES — Single Business and Social Registry. The conditions for each volunteer opportunity are defined by each organization and may change: always check with them before committing. Hepacom does not charge for volunteering and does not handle payments or paperwork. If you want to help on specific dates, see also How to help at Christmas in Colombia.