Have you ever thought deeply about the word “volunteer”? I never really considered it much until I moved to Denmark. Here, the concept of volunteering is not just common but an essential part of the culture. The dictionary defines a volunteer as “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task,” but in Denmark, this definition is embodied in a way that is both inspiring and remarkable.
Why Danes volunteer?
When you live in Denmark, you quickly understand why volunteering is such a significant part of daily life. People living here are committed to staying active and giving back to their communities. What is especially striking is how international residents also embrace the idea of volunteering, seeing it not only as a way to contribute to society but also as an opportunity to build their professional profiles. In Denmark, volunteering is often considered a valuable addition to a CV, and Danish companies place a high regard on those who actively engage in it.
What’s most fascinating is the genuine enthusiasm people have for finding time to volunteer, even when their schedules are packed. Volunteering is not something people do out of obligation—it’s something they genuinely enjoy. It allows them to be part of something bigger than themselves, create new connections, learn new skills, and make an impact on causes they care about. This sense of fulfillment is contagious and forms the foundation of Denmark’s vibrant volunteer culture. There are countless opportunities, ranging from events and activities to long-term projects, all creating an inclusive space for anyone willing to contribute.
How volunteering can help us internationals?
For internationals, especially those new to Denmark, making social connections can be a daunting task. It’s easy to feel disconnected when you don’t know anyone and everything is unfamiliar. But volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to meet people, form lasting friendships, and start feeling like you are also part of the community. It’s not just an activity; it becomes a gateway to belonging. Volunteering offers a way to integrate into the social fabric of Danish life, helping you feel at home and fostering a deep sense of connection. It’s this sense of community that sets Denmark apart and is at the heart of the volunteering experience here.
My Volunteering Journey
I moved to Denmark in October 2024, bringing with me a rich history of volunteering from Turkey. My journey into volunteering began when I was 16, driven by my passion for running and cycling. I started by assisting at sports events, helping with organization, logistics, and supporting athletes. Being part of these events not only fueled my love for sports but also taught me the value of teamwork, dedication, and giving back to the community.
Beyond sports, I also found joy in language and cultural exchange. I volunteered for an online platform dedicated to translating TV dramas, helping make content accessible to a wider audience. This experience sharpened my translation skills, deepened my appreciation for storytelling across cultures, and connected me with an international community of volunteers who shared the same passion. Through these early experiences, I realized that volunteering is more than just giving time—it’s about building bridges, learning from diverse perspectives, and making meaningful contributions to communities, no matter where I am in the world.
At 18, I embarked on my first international volunteering experience. Through AIESEC, I traveled to a small town in Italy called San Benedetto del Tronto, where I lived with a host family for two months. My role was to teach English to children aged 10 to 12. At first, I felt nervous—teaching in a foreign country was outside my comfort zone—but as I adapted, I discovered how rewarding it was to help students gain confidence in their language skills. This experience was a turning point, reinforcing my love for cultural exchange and showing me the profound impact of stepping into new environments.
Now, at 26, moving to Denmark has opened a new chapter in my volunteering journey. During my first week, I attended an expat gathering organized by volunteers. It was my first glimpse into Denmark’s vibrant volunteer culture, and the connections I made there sparked my desire to get involved. I later joined career groups like Career Club DK and participated in mentorship programs, which helped me expand my network and grow professionally.
Wanting to contribute more actively, I became a super host on the Dovento app (if you haven’t heard of Dovento yet, check out my latest article!). I started organizing events such as the Danish-speaking club, which began as a small initiative but soon evolved into a thriving community for Danish language beginners. Creating a space where people could practice and connect gave me a deep sense of fulfillment, reminding me how powerful community-driven initiatives can be.
Volunteering in Denmark has also led to unexpected opportunities. Through the Last Week in Denmark community, I met Ahmet Akkoç, who invited me to participate in a YouTube program on his friend’s channel, GrønTv, dedicated to the Turkish community in Denmark. What started as a simple collaboration has now become a regular project, allowing me to engage with my heritage while strengthening my connection to Danish culture. It has also sparked a new passion for content creation, something I never expected to explore.
Through these experiences, I’ve come to see that volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s a journey of personal growth, meaningful relationships, and lasting impact. The dedication and enthusiasm of the people I’ve met continue to inspire me, pushing me to stay engaged and contribute wherever I can.
Now, let’s dive into the perspectives of other expats in Denmark and explore how their volunteer experiences have shaped their lives, helped them build connections, and made Denmark feel more like home.
“Volunteering has given me so much more than I expected” – Danielle’s Journey
Danielle Pink lives on Fejø, a small island in the north of Lolland, Denmark. Living on this island has shown her just how much a community can come together. “If someone needs something, like a missing ingredient or even a special tool, all it takes is a message on a community mailing list, and more often than not, someone will offer what’s needed without hesitation.” This spirit of support inspired Danielle to become involved in numerous volunteer projects, from helping put up a pontoon bridge in the summer to taking on the role of scout leader for the local children.
But one of Danielle’s most memorable experiences about the power of collective action was when Fejø’s public school was threatened with closure. The loss of the school would mean no educational options for the children living there, which was a devastating prospect for the community. Danielle and her neighbors rallied together, working tirelessly to change the law in Denmark so the school could remain open as part of a private institution. “I remember standing in a meeting, looking around at all these people who were just refusing to give up. It wasn’t just about the school—it was about our future, our identity as a community. Winning that fight showed me what’s possible when people come together.”
Danielle’s volunteer work also extended to a larger island nearby, where she lends her time to a unique music festival held every July called Fejø Kammermusik Festival. Musicians from all over the world come to stay on the island for a month to practice and perform. Danielle’s role in the festival is to manage the food logistics, ensuring the musicians are well-fed and comfortable as they prepare for their performances. While she admits that overseeing the food isn’t her greatest passion, she loves being a part of something special.
Throughout all her volunteer experiences, Danielle has faced challenges—language barriers, time constraints, and balancing her commitments with family life. But she’s always seen these obstacles as opportunities to grow. Volunteering has taught her resilience, brought amazing people into her life, and reminded her that even small contributions can make a real difference. Whether it’s supporting her local school, helping organize a community event, or ensuring that the musicians at the festival feel at home, Danielle embraces the challenges because they bring her closer to her community and allow her to make a real impact.
“Volunteering helped me find my place in Denmark.” – Alina’s Journey
Alina began volunteering here in 2015, six years after she moved to Denmark from Romania. During those early years, she was looking for ways to practice her Danish. At the time, she was unemployed and felt the need to find a meaningful way to spend her time. One day, she stumbled upon an opportunity to volunteer at a secondhand shop/Genbrug in her small town near Billund. There, she began sorting children’s toys and clothes. “At first, I just wanted to improve my Danish, but I quickly realized that volunteering was about so much more. It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging,” she recalls. The cozy, community-oriented environment made her feel connected to the town, and she quickly realized how rewarding it was to give back.
But that was just the beginning. As Alina became more comfortable in Denmark, she began to seek out new ways to contribute. She found herself drawn to the international community and, in August 2022, she joined LWID as part of the social media team, and later on, she became the team lead. The newsletter, started in Aalborg by Narcis, wasn’t local to her, but it gave her the opportunity to use her digital marketing skills to help fellow internationals stay informed. Over time, she began to see the impact her work had on the community. Engagement grew, and she was able to make a real difference in helping others feel more connected to their new home.
Alina’s volunteering work didn’t stop there. She also became involved at her children’s school, where she helped organize events and raise funds for various school initiatives. But perhaps one of the most personal projects she’s taken on is her Romanian children’s book initiative. Living in Billund, she felt there was a need for a space where Romanian-speaking families could access books in their native language. “Books are such an important part of childhood. I wanted Romanian kids in Denmark to have the same experience I had growing up—reading stories in their language,” she explains. Alina started hosting monthly workshops and providing Romanian books to the families who needed them. It was a small but powerful way to keep the Romanian culture alive in Denmark and give families a sense of belonging.
Her commitment to volunteering soon led her to an organization supporting expat spouses. She started helping organize events in collaboration with some of Denmark’s biggest companies, further expanding her network and making even more of an impact. “Moving to a new country is hard, especially for spouses. I wanted to create spaces where people could meet, share experiences, and feel supported,” she says.
Through it all, Alina has never lost sight of why she volunteers. She believes that volunteering in Denmark is a special experience because it’s deeply rooted in a culture of shared responsibility and support for others. “It’s amazing to see how people come together to help, even in the smallest ways. That sense of community is what keeps me going,” she says. For Alina, the joy comes from seeing the connections she’s helped foster, the skills she’s learned, and the way her work has contributed to the growth of the community. Even with four children and a small business to manage, Alina continues to give her time and energy to causes that matter to her, knowing that every little bit counts.
A way to connect, learn, and grow together
Volunteering in Denmark is far more than just an act of giving; it’s a way to connect, learn, and grow together as a community. For internationals, it’s a powerful tool for integration, helping individuals bridge the gap between cultures, build networks, and gain valuable skills. What stands out about Denmark’s volunteer culture is the genuine enthusiasm people have for contributing to causes they care about, regardless of their busy schedules. Volunteering here is not driven by obligation but by a shared commitment to creating a positive impact, both locally and globally. Whether through organizing events, supporting social causes, or fostering cross-cultural connections, volunteering has become a meaningful part of life in Denmark, making it a central pillar in shaping both personal and professional growth. It’s this collective spirit of support and collaboration that makes Denmark’s volunteer culture so unique and impactful, creating a truly inclusive environment for everyone to belong.
How can you get involved in volunteering?
In this article, we explored various volunteering opportunities in Denmark where you can connect with the community, learn new skills, and make a positive impact. Whether you’re new here or a long-time resident, there are plenty of ways to get started! Here are some key insights to help you begin:
- Join local community groups: Many towns and cities have community organizations where you can volunteer for events, initiatives, and social causes. Look for local clubs or groups that align with your interests. Such as Frivilligcenter in your area for opportunities to engage in community-driven projects.
- Volunteer with international organizations: Numerous global organizations are operating in Denmark that welcome volunteers. This is a great option for internationals looking to connect with people from their own or other cultures. For example, Red Cross Denmark (Røde Kors) offers volunteering opportunities.
- Get involved in cultural events: Denmark has many cultural and social events throughout the year that often rely on volunteers. Whether it’s a music festival, an art exhibition, or a sporting event, these offer great opportunities to meet people and contribute. For example, the Roskilde Festival has already started looking for volunteers!
- Support local charities: Many Danish charities, such as food banks or shelters, regularly look for volunteers. Volunteering for these organizations is a direct way to support people in need such as Mændenes Hjem, an organization that helps homeless people in Copenhagen.
- Contribute to environmental initiatives: Denmark is known for its environmental commitment, so consider volunteering for sustainability programs or local clean-up efforts, which are an excellent way to give back to nature. For example, Nordic Ocean Watch Denmark is organizing a clean-up event this month!
- Mentorship and career groups: Join mentorship programs or career-focused groups like Career Club DK, where you can help others while enhancing your skills.
- Language learning opportunities: If you are new to Denmark and looking to improve your Danish, volunteering with language exchange programs or assisting others in learning Danish can be a rewarding way to engage with the local community.For example: Volunteer for Sprachcafé (Language Café) in Copenhagen, where you can practice Danish with locals while helping others improve their English or other languages.
- Join a public speaking club: Many communities in Denmark offer public speaking clubs like Toastmasters, which is a great way to build communication and leadership skills while volunteering your time.
By getting involved in volunteering, you not only make a difference in the community but also build valuable connections that can enhance your personal and professional life in Denmark.
