What’s involved?

Edinburgh Global Partnerships SCIO provides the opportunity to volunteer both abroad and at home, in Edinburgh. Members can form part of a dynamic team, working together to fundraise the project budget and ensure the project’s success. Throughout the year, members learn a host of new skills whilst forming amazing memories and friendships.

​Between November and the end of May, EGP members partake in fundraising, training sessions and volunteering in Edinburgh, through our Edinburgh Links programme. During the summer, teams travel to the project area and work alongside their host community to achieve the project.

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Training

All members are required to attend evening training sessions which are held between November and April; this ensures they will be fully prepared for volunteering. Some examples of training sessions are Fundraising Basics, Project Specific Training, HIV/AIDS information and talking with past volunteers. Each year we also include one presentation from the university doctor and we are delighted to have been joined by a number of other guest speakers in previous years.

Socials

We organise a number of social events throughout the year which include weekly drinks after training,  flat crawls, and our Annual Ball in March (an event not to be missed!).

Fundraising

Members must play an active part in their team by helping to raise the funds required for a successful summer project. It’s up to individual teams to come up with an efficient fundraising plan.
In the past, teams have put on club nights, taken part in sponsored runs and organised bake sales – the possibilities for fundraising are endless. The committee are also always on hand with ideas and support!

Travel to project in the summer

Members work alongside the community in the host country for six to ten weeks, depending on the project, to ensure its successful completion. Last year, members travelled to Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal (find out more in our Past Projects section).