Best Volunteer Organizations in Palestine: Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that is both meaningful and life-changing? Volunteering in Palestine offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in a rich cultural landscape while making a tangible impact on local communities. Whether you’re passionate about human rights, education, journalism, youth empowerment, or community development, there is something for everyone in Palestine.
Established in 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed volunteers from all over the world to Hebron in the West Bank, providing diverse opportunities to engage with Palestinian society. From teaching English to working with refugee communities, supporting women’s empowerment initiatives, or writing about life under occupation, volunteers gain firsthand insight into the realities of Palestinian life.
The Excellence Center in Palestine offers flexible and accessible programs, welcoming volunteers year-round for stays ranging from one week to three months. In addition to hands-on volunteer work, participants receive Colloquial Arabic instruction, helping them integrate into the local community and communicate with the people they meet. Beyond daily volunteering, weekends offer the chance to explore Palestine’s historical and cultural treasures, from Bethlehem and Jerusalem to refugee camps and bustling city markets.
In this guide, we explore the diverse volunteer opportunities available, the experience of living and working in Palestine, and practical steps to apply. Whether you are looking to contribute your skills, expand your understanding of Palestine, or simply engage in a deeply rewarding experience, volunteering with the Excellence Center in Palestine is an opportunity worth exploring.
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Why Choose the Excellence Center in Palestine?
Established in 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine is a trusted organisation with over a decade of experience hosting volunteers in Hebron, the West Bank.
We have a diverse range of volunteer and intern opportunities that can cater to people of many different backgrounds and interests. Some of our most popular programs include Human Rights, Journalism, Volunteering in Palestinian Communities, Teaching English, and Volunteering with Palestinian Refugees. In addition to these themed programs, we offer Arabic instruction in Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic for beginners.
Our immersive programs are fantastic for cultural and linguistic exchange. Volunteers gain invaluable experience living and working within another culture, interacting with local people on a daily basis, and learning in-depth about the historical and political context of Palestine as part of our close-knit community. Every volunteer at the Excellence Center in Palestine receives Colloquial Arabic language instruction, helping them to settle into the community and speak with the locals.
Some program providers have strict schedules or certain times of the year when they accept volunteers. The Excellence Center in Palestine has fully flexible programming, allowing you to choose a suitable program and timing. Our volunteers arrive when they like and stay with us anywhere from a week to three months! Compared to many other similar programs on the market, ours offers a high-quality option suitable for most budgets.
Volunteer Opportunities at Engage in Palestine & the Excellence Center in Palestine
There are a variety of different programs offered by the Excellence Center in Palestine, designed to suit many interests.
Teaching English & Language Exchange
Teaching English is an incredibly valuable way to help the Palestinian community. As the global language, English helps increase future opportunities for young Palestinians and helps them better tell their stories to the world. According to our students at the Excellence Center in Palestine, practicing English with native speakers is one of the most valuable ways they were able to improve their skills.
Human Rights & Advocacy
Learn about the human rights situation in Palestine from local NGOs and activists who fight injustice every day. This program allows you to see past the headlines, gain a deeper understanding of the human rights abuses happening in the West Bank, and arm yourself with the knowledge and stories to advocate for Palestine.
Palestinian Youth & Kids Programs
With a large population of children and young people, there are plenty of opportunities to help support a brighter future for the youth. Some programs include volunteering at orphanages in Hebron, at one of the refugee camps like Al Fawwar, or in a local Palestinian village.
Writing & Journalism
In this program, volunteers will meet with local citizen journalists and news organizations to learn more about the state of reporting and media in Palestine. Volunteers are encouraged to write articles about their experiences living in the West Bank.
Women’s Empowerment Programs
There are many local programs that support women’s rights and women’s empowerment, including many that help with finding reliable jobs and a good income. Spend time meeting, working with, and hearing from inspiring women who are doing their part to help create a better future.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities in Palestine
There are many different ways to volunteer in Palestine, and every single one makes a big difference.
1. Volunteer & Study Arabic in Palestine (1-13 Weeks)
Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine: At the Excellence Center in Palestine, we provide diverse volunteer and internship programs in Hebron, West Bank, suitable for short-term and long-term commitments. Volunteers in Palestine can join us for 1-13 weeks (spring, summer, fall, and winter) and engage with various local community members, including Palestinian children, youth, women, refugees, young adults, university students, and families.
2. Volunteer in a Journalism Program in Palestine
Volunteer in a Journalism Program in Palestine: The Excellence Center is proud to offer our Journalism and Media Internship Program, based at our headquarters in Hebron (الخليل), West Bank. This program is ideal for students, graduates, and travelers seeking volunteer opportunities in media, journalism internships, or communications internships abroad. It’s an excellent opportunity for those interested in gaining hands-on experience in journalism and media in Palestine.
3. Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine
The Volunteer in Technology Program in Palestine provides a unique opportunity to share your computer and technical knowledge with Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and life. As technology increasingly shapes our world, this program allows volunteers to share their knowledge in computing, coding, programming, editing, and any other area of technological proficiency.
4. Volunteer in A Medicine-Healthcare Program in Palestine
Volunteer in a Medicine & Healthcare Program in Palestine: The Excellence Center in Palestine offers a Volunteer in Medicine and Healthcare Program in the West Bank, Palestine, that may interest you. Our program is designed for healthcare professionals and students, including doctors, nurses, medical and pre-medical students, public health workers, and physiotherapists.
5. Volunteer in the Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine: You are invited to join us and volunteer in our Environment and Conservation program, which teaches Palestinian youth, refugees, and children the importance of preserving the environment. In the West Bank, Palestine, there is a pressing need for such programs as many residents of Hebron are unaware of the harmful effects of littering and environmental neglect on their own lands and streets.
6. Volunteer in the Community Development Program in Palestine
The Volunteer in Community Development Program in Palestine is a unique opportunity for students, undergraduates, gap year students, professionals, teachers, retired people and anyone who seeks to volunteer or intern in Palestinian community development organizations in the area of Palestine and Israel. This program is for you if you wish to help Palestinian children, youth, Palestinian refugees in refugee camps, and other community members in and around Hebron, West Bank.
7. Volunteer in the Music and Art Program in Palestine
Our new Music and Art Volunteer Program in Hebron, West Bank, is a wonderful opportunity for artists and individuals in the art and music fields. By engaging with the local Palestinian community, particularly students and youth, you will have the chance to develop projects and courses in these fields while contributing and making a difference in the local community. This program offers real-world experience that can help you develop personally and professionally.
8. Volunteer In Local Schools In Palestine
Volunteering in local schools in Palestine is a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth. Our Volunteer in Local Palestinian Schools program in Hebron, West Bank, is a unique scheme that welcomes both native and non-native English speakers and students, graduates, professionals, and retirees interested in enhancing the English and life skills of local students.
The Volunteer Experience
Volunteering in Palestine offers a rich and varied experience, whether you join us for one week or three months! This is what you can expect from your time at the Excellence Center in Palestine.
A typical day starts at 10 a.m. at the Center with breakfast. We have everything that is usually found on a local breakfast table, including bread and hummus, labneh, zaatar, shakshuka, and avocado—all served with tea and coffee. Next, you will have an Arabic class. Every volunteer program includes some Arabic instruction to help you get around and engage with the community. After class, you will spend the afternoon on your program activities.
The first week is usually spent on orientation, where you will get to know your new surroundings and see some of the cultural and religious highlights in Hebron. This will include a tour of the old city, a visit to Ibrahimi Mosque, more information about the division of Hebron into Palestinian-controlled H1 and Israeli-controlled H2, and visits to local craft producers like ceramics, hand-blown glass, and the last authentic Keffiyeh factory in the West Bank.
People in Hebron are very friendly, and it is likely that you will be invited to people’s houses for coffee, a meal, or to meet their family. This is a great way to learn more about daily life and local food.
While in Palestine, you will also have the opportunity to travel on weekends if you wish! Local mini-buses called Services (pronounced Servees) take passengers from Hebron to different hubs in the West Bank, including Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Ramallah. This public transport option is cheap and pretty easy to navigate, helping you to see many of the cultural and historical wonders of Palestine.
How to Apply & Practical Tips
Application Process
It’s really simple to apply to volunteer with the Excellence Center in Palestine. Simply check our programs for the one you are most interested in and email Rafat@excellencenter.org with the dates you would like to attend. You will be forwarded a short application form to fill out and return before you are accepted into the program.
Visa & Travel Information
Once you have been accepted into your chosen program, it’s time to start planning your trip to Palestine! The first thing to know is that there is no separate visa to enter Palestine – you will need to get a tourist visa from Israel on arrival. We have some tips on traveling from Jordan to Palestine to help you with the process. As of January 1st, 2025, anyone traveling to Palestine needs to fill out an Electronic Travel Authorization form prior to departure.
Budget & Cost of Living
The next big thing to think about is budgeting for your study. Things to consider are tuition fees, accommodation, travel costs, and daily expenses. At some schools, like the Excellence Center in Palestine, tuition fees include accommodation and breakfast. Choosing a program like this can significantly reduce your costs. The currency in Palestine is the New Israeli Shekel. You can use a currency converter tool to see the rate and check websites like Numbeo to understand the current cost of living for everyday expenses.
Safety & Local Etiquette
Contrary to what you might hear in the news, life for internationals in Palestine is incredibly safe. Getting into the country can be a little bit difficult at times, as Israeli border security can be very strict depending on the security situation. Our best advice is not to mention Palestine or the West Bank or learning Arabic, and instead, talk about doing tourism in Israel. Once you are across the border, traveling to your destination is easy.
Hebron is quite a conservative city, so make sure you are respectful to the locals and dress accordingly. This means long, loose clothing for women and men whenever you are in public or with guests.
Testimonials & Success Stories
Since 2011, the Excellence Center in Palestine has hosted over 2000 international volunteers from all over the world. We are proud to have been recognized with multiple awards from GoOverseas, including the Best Internship Abroad Provider for Safety in 2024.
Volunteers often speak about the deep personal impact of spending time at the Excellence Center in Palestine. Some make lifelong friendships with locals and their fellow volunteers, and many return to spend time with us again.
Sofia, 28, from the United States, came to volunteer with us in 2024. She says: “The Excellence Center in Palestine offers a wide range of incredible topics to learn and invaluable in-person learning opportunities. They are so welcoming and kind, and answered all kinds of questions about the travel journey, making me really comfortable with the process. They provide wonderful accommodations and daily trips that make the experience a true cultural immersion and life-changing education. I highly recommend this center to anyone looking for more knowledge and insight about Arabic, Palestine, and any of the wide variety of topics they offer.”
Summary
Volunteering with the Excellence Center in Palestine is an incredibly impactful, meaningful thing to do. Not only are you investing in your own professional experience and self-development, but you are also making a real difference for the local community and showing your solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Find Us Online
WhatsApp: +972 599 479 880
Email: Rafat@excellencenter.org
Website: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
Tags: best places to volunteer in Palestine, How to Volunteer in Palestine: Best Organizations, Nonprofits and NGOs in Palestine for Volunteering, Top Volunteer Organizations in Palestine, Volunteer opportunities in Palestine
