How to Volunteer in Morocco: Tips and Resources

Last Updated on 17th January 2026 by Jessie

A guide to volunteering in Morocco. Tips and resources for scoring a work exchange gig, whether for an NGO, a surf camp or a Berber family in the desert. 

I’m a huge advocate for volunteering in all capacities. Whether that be giving your time and skills to help those who are less fortunate, or checking in guests at a hostel in exchange for free accommodation. It’s a good reminder that we each have an abundance of resources to offer, worth far more than the superfluity of money. Despite how much the big dogs urge us to believe otherwise. 

As a country that’s less financially endowed, volunteering in Morocco seems particularly appropriate. As a wealthier foreigner, accepting payment from a small Moroccan business feels a bit morally dubious. Especially if that means fewer employment opportunities for the locals. 

There is no shortage of volunteering opportunities in Morocco. Though it is fairly heavily weighted towards the tourism industry. For those interested in contributing their time and skills, here are my tips and personal experiences of volunteering in Morocco. 

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I use affiliate links throughout my posts. This means that if you make a purchase through any of the links, I’ll get paid a small percentage – with no additional cost to you. I appreciate any and all support to keep me afloat so I can continue bringing honest, accurate travel tips to you.

Types of Volunteering in Morocco

There are four main categories of volunteer positions in Morocco: NGOs and charity organisations, tourism, agriculture and construction, and family help. I’ll give an overview of each below. 

NGOs & Charity Organisations 

The first is the not-for-profit sector. This can vary from large international aid organisations like the Red Cross and the UNHCR, to smaller local charities that develop youth programs and support women’s financial independence. Most of these positions tend to be situated in the cities, with the occasional placement in a rural village. 

Whilst I’d say these jobs are the most rewarding, they often require the most commitment, with the least physical resources in return. For instance, it’s less common to find NGO volunteer positions that include accommodation. And the ones that do may ask for a small fee for meals and housing. 

I still highly recommend exploring volunteer opportunities with not-for-profit organisations. If you’re fortunate enough to have the resources to support yourself, it’s a great way to genuinely give back to Moroccan communities. These are also super valuable experiences for anyone embarking on a career in social services, humanitarian aid or community development. 

Example roles:

• Teaching languages and other subjects
• Building and construction
• Animal refuge 
• Research and report writing
• Education and awareness raising

Tourism 

Next up, you’ve got the tourism sector. These are positions offered in hostels, guest houses and surf camps. They usually include accommodation and some meals, in exchange for around 20-30 hours of work per week. If you want to be based in a surf town, these are your best bets. 

Surf camps will usually give you free access to surfboards and wetsuits, and allow you to join the guests on surf expeditions and other activities. Often, you will have one or two days off per week, with the express purpose of allowing you to explore the area and still get your holiday fix. 

I think these exchanges are an ideal way to travel cheaply within Morocco. I prefer slow travel in which I can fully immerse myself in a place for a few months or so. And these jobs allow just that. As an employee of sorts, you tend to ingratiate yourself deeper within the community than you would as a guest. You befriend the locals and learn more about the local culture and customs. 

Example roles:

• Social media management and content creation
• Reception and guest liaison
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Yoga instructing
• Website design

Agriculture & Infrastructure 

Then, there are the positions that fall within the agricultural and construction sector. Things like picking dates, restoring an old Berber dwelling, or helping to establish a biodynamic garden. You find most of these positions in rural inland villages. They’re great opportunities to spend some time in the Sahara Desert or the High Atlas Mountains. And to get a proper feel for the local villages rather than just a superficial once-over, as you would with a tour. 

These jobs are great for those with a particular trade, for example, carpentry, painting, or farming. However, you don’t necessarily need to have previous experience to apply. Often, hosts are just looking for people who are proactive and willing to get their hands dirty. It’s a great chance to learn new skills too. 

There is quite a lot of crossover between these jobs and the above two sectors. For example, there are NGOs that need volunteers with construction skills to build skateparks or schools. And there are tourism operators that want help with building a guest house or DIY maintenance projects. 

Often these are longer-term positions with hosts wanting volunteers to commit to a 1-3 month stay. However, on the upside, workers are usually rewarded with housing and meals in return. 

Example roles:

• Gardening
• Picking olives or dates 
• Building and restoration 
• Animal care

Au Pair & Child-Minding

Lastly, there’s the home-help sector. Positions that involve babysitting, cooking, cleaning and other domestic duties. Often, these are live-in positions with a family, in which you’re given a private room in their home. 

Usually, you will have one or two days off per week to do as you please. It’s a nice way to fully immerse yourself in a community. However, I have noticed that most of these positions in Morocco are with expat families from Europe or the USA. 

These hosts also often prefer long-term applicants. Which is fair, as inviting someone into your home and introducing them to your children is quite an intimate affair. Previous experience with children is usually necessary. And language and cultural exchange is highly valued.

Example roles:

• Babysitting
• Language exchange
• Cooking
• Cleaning 

Where to Find Volunteering Opportunities 

The internet is your oyster when it comes to securing a volunteer opportunity in Morocco. I recommend reaching out to hosts before embarking on your travels, as the more desirable positions are usually filled months in advance. However, if you’re already in Morocco, don’t fret, there are plenty of last-minute opportunities too. 

NGO & Charity Organisations

For a bit of context, I’m a social worker by trade, with a specialisation in child protection. When I moved to Morocco in 2023, I had big dreams of securing a job with an international humanitarian aid organisation. Whilst I did have a little success in a volunteering capacity, the illustrious career I had in mind didn’t eventuate. Alas, life moved me in different directions. 

You’d think NGOs would be champing at the bit to accept any eager volunteers. But positions with the bigger, international organisations are actually super competitive and hard to obtain. Often, they require you to have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, alongside several years of similar experience. If you happen to fit that bill, here are the places to find volunteer positions and internships:

• Impactpool
• ReliefWeb
• IFRC (Red Cross)
• UN Jobs
• Care 

Without a stellar resume, you’re likely to have far more success with smaller, local organisations. Here is a list of Moroccan-based charities that actively recruit volunteers. It’s worth checking out their websites as they usually provide details on what the volunteer positions entail, and have a specific portal for applying. 

• High Atlas Foundation – A community development initiative in the High Atlas Mountains with programs in agriculture, cultural preservation, women’s and youth empowerment, and capacity building. Long and short-term volunteer positions are available.
• Amal Women’s Training Centre – A skill-building program focused on women’s empowerment by promoting financial independence. In the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake, they partnered with World Central Kitchen to provide food relief to impacted villages. I assisted with this program for a few days at their Marrakech restaurant.
• SOS Villages d’Enfants Maroc – The Moroccan wing of an international child protection organisation providing residential care. I volunteered at their Agadir centre for 3 months, delivering an early childhood development program twice a week. This one is probably best for those with some kind of relevant skills or experience.
• Centre Fiers et Forts – A residential facility providing protection for children experiencing trauma or homelessness. They run a number of educational, sporting and creative programs.

You can also find plenty of language exchange positions on Workaway and WorldPackers. These are probably the easiest charity volunteer roles to obtain. 

Tourism, Agriculture & Childcare Positions 

For all other sectors, your best bet for finding a volunteer position is through Workaway or WorldPackers. These are online platforms specially designed to link volunteers with hosts in a work exchange arrangement. 

You can filter postings by region, dates and work types, then send a message to the host to apply for a role. I recommend reading through past volunteers’ reviews to get a sense of the living and work conditions you’re signing up for. Whilst there are many epic opportunities to partner with genuine, welcoming hosts, occasionally the positions can err on the side of exploitative. Some hosts are just seeking free labour and don’t offer any sort of cultural exchange. On the other hand, there can be volunteers who simply want free accommodation. If that’s you, maybe reassess. 

There are hundreds of surf camp and hostel positions advertised on Workaway and WorldPackers. But I also recommend checking out any community Facebook pages to see what’s listed there. You may also have success by simply messaging a business directly on Instagram or via email. You might get 9 rejections out of 10, but it’s still worth shooting your shot. 

I have personally used WorkAway several times in Morocco and Spain, and each one has been an incredibly rewarding experience. My favourite was in 2016, down in Tagounite – a Berber village on the edge of the Sahara. I stayed in the host’s mudbrick house, with a friend and a handful of other volunteers. Each day, we would pick dates to be sold at the market, tend to the family’s garden, drink copious amounts of sweet mint tea, and share traditional Moroccan meals together. I think we each contributed €5 per day towards food, which felt totally fair. The host organised an overnight trip for us all to the desert, with camel rides and dinner under the stars. After all my years of travel in Morocco, these remain my most precious moments in the country. 

Things to Note

For comprehensive travel advice, read my Essential Travel Tips for Morocco. 

• Visas: You don’t need a work visa to volunteer in Morocco. Most countries can visit Morocco for up to 90 days. Check your exact Moroccan Visa Conditions. 
• Qualifications: Specific trades and skills are often desirable (e.g. yoga teaching and social media). However, there are loads of positions you can obtain without prior experience. All you need is a good attitude and a solid work ethic. 
• Digital Nomads: Some hosts are happy to accommodate remote workers, as long as you are fulfilling your volunteer requirements. Check the WiFi situation with the host, as some rural villages won’t have internet connectivity. 
• Equal Exchange: Volunteering should be more or less a symbiotic relationship. Neither party should be exploiting the other for free labour/accommodation/etc. Treat others with respect, and leave if a situation doesn’t feel right. Whilst some NGO positions may not provide much in return, I’d say the karmic reward is of more value. 
• Travel Insurance: Volunteer positions don’t usually include any kind of health or personal belongings insurance. Always make sure you have solid health coverage with your travel insurer. I recommend SafetyWing. 

For more Moroccan travel tips, see:

• Booking a Surf Camp in Morocco
• Best SIM Card for Morocco
• Best VPN for Morocco
• Is Morocco a Cheap Holiday Destination?
• Best Moroccan Towns for Digital Nomads

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.