Code of Good Practice

A set of standards for Volunteer Sending Agencies involved in facilitating international volunteer placements. The Code is based on a vision of volunteers working in solidarity for a just, equitable and sustainable world and aims to promote responsible international volunteering

Comhlámh’s Code of Good Practice is a set of standards for Irish Volunteer Sending Agencies facilitating international placements. The Code is based on a vision of volunteers working in solidarity for a just, equitable and sustainable world and it promotes responsible and responsive volunteering to ensure a positive impact for the overseas project and community, the volunteer and the sending agency.

The Code supports volunteer programmes to be led by a belief in global justice, to be based on good development practice and to address identified needs in partnership with local projects and communities. The Code promotes development education, which enables people to more deeply understand the world around them and to address the root causes of inequality and poverty.

Every Volunteer Sending Agency, which is party to the Code of Good Practice, commits to the implementation of the Code’s five values that underpin the work of international volunteer programmes. Under each value, there are a set of principles and indicators which provide guidance for the development and implementation of volunteer sending programmes. 

You can find out more about our Code of Good Practice here. 

THE CODE SUPPORTER NETWORK

Comhlámh also partners with organisations that do not directly send volunteer but wish to promote good practice among their members, helping to protect volunteers, host communities and host organisations. This growing network currently has 15 organisations. These are: Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, Board of Irish College Societies, Department of International Development – Maynooth University, Health Service Executive, Irish Development Education Association, Irish Federation of University Teachers, Irish Global Health Network, Irish National Teacher Organisation, Irish Nurses and Midwifes Organisation, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists International Health and Development Group (ISCPIDHD), National University of Ireland Galway Student Societies, National Youth Council of Ireland, Student Volunteer.ie, Volunteer Now and Worldwise Global Schools