Register for a build
Once your organisation joins the build, you’ll receive a registration link to sign up. Some builds require a registration fee. After registering, you’ll get all the information you need to prepare for your trip.
International Build Projects
Our overseas volunteering programme, Global Village, accelerates our efforts and commitment to fulfil our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Volunteer Enquire about volunteering
Why build with us?
Today, 1.6 billion people live in slums and informal settlements where the walls aren’t sturdy enough, doors are missing, and roofs are leaking. Whether you’re headed to Malawi, Kenya, Romania, Zambia or North Macedonia, every short-term build trip includes a donation which helps to support other programmes in the local community seeking to end housing poverty.
As well as helping to create local jobs, you provide a crucial boost to our productivity, allowing us to build more homes at a faster pace than ever.
Interested in organising a Global Village build?
Through our Global Village programme, teams of participants work hand in hand with communities, building not just homes, but hope. Over the course of a week, teams collaborate with local residents to construct homes and essential infrastructure that directly address housing poverty. We ask that each team is made up of 15 or more members who are already committed to meeting the fundraising target, which starts at £3,000 per person.
This contribution covers all in-country expenses – accommodation, meals, transport, and building materials – plus a donation to the Country Programme supporting a local community project, and a donation to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, helping us continue our work in the UK and around the world. At this time, we’re unable to accommodate individual participants or open teams.
Your Global Village Experience Explained
Start fundraising
We’ll provide you with support and tips to successfully reach your target. If you have any questions about fundraising, your team leader is an excellent source of support too!
Hit your target!
All funds need to be raised at least 45 days before you depart for your build. We often find that being on the build inspires team members to continue to fundraise (and inspires your donors to keep giving!) so don’t be afraid to go above and beyond your target.
Your impact worldwide
Every year, our volunteers participating in charity work abroad help build dozens of new homes and send well over £200,000 in raised donations as part of their volunteer trip costs (fundraised or not).
For the families we work with, you are a valuable reminder that compassionate people regularly go out of their way to help them break the cycle of poverty. Join our mission to build resilient communities that can weather any storm (from cyclones to joblessness). Our work carries on well beyond home construction, as we provide skills and financial training to empower local communities.
Fundraising Guides
We’re constantly developing new material to help you raise the money needed to take part in your Global Village build and create a successful fundraiser.
Where We Build
Global Village: Romania
Over 5 million Romanians live in poverty, including 1.5 million children. 41% lack running water, 35% of housing needs urgent repairs, and real wages have fallen 40%, hitting the unemployed, farmers, and housewives hardest.
Global Village: Kenya
In Laikipia, Kenya, 55% live in poverty, 65% in inadequate housing, and nearly half travel 15+ minutes for water. Since 2015, HFH Kenya has tackled housing, sanitation, and livelihoods through community-led, affordable construction initiatives.
Global Village: Malawi
58.9% of Malawi’s 4.8 million homes are substandard, with 21,000 new units needed annually. HFH Malawi has helped 75,000+ families access decent housing, improving sanitation, disaster resilience, vocational training, and land tenure advocacy.
Global Village: North Macedonia
In North Macedonia, 12%+ of homes are officially substandard, lacking water, sewage, and basic maintenance, with the average home over 40 years old. Since 2004, HFH Macedonia has assisted 3,045 families with housing improvements and 3,080 with support services.
Global Village: Zambia
Makululu, Zambia’s largest informal settlement, houses 65,000 people in flood-prone, substandard mud structures. This year, 4,000+ families were left homeless by flooding. HFH Zambia partnered with local authorities to provide emergency shelter support.
Frequently asked questions
Our volunteer abroad programme is unique, because we put you in touch with an active project. Check out these FAQs to understand how we create long-lasting impact.
We ask that each team is made up of 15 or more participants who are already committed to meeting the fundraising target, which starts at £3,000 per person. This contribution covers all in-country expenses, including accommodation, meals, transport to and from the build site, and the cost of building materials. It also includes a donation to the Country Programme, directly supporting a local community project, as well as a donation to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, which helps us continue our work both in the UK and around the world. At this time, we’re not able to accommodate individual participants or open teams.
When you register for a Build you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging that you have successfully registered. Within this email you will find instructions on how to begin setting up your fundraising page. Your Team Leader will be notified and will contact you to begin supporting you on your Build journey.
The full Build trip costs must be paid in full no less than 45 days before the trip departs. Please refer to our Payment and Cancellation Policy.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to make sure you’re well prepared for your Build experience. We recommend that you speak with your GP, a local travel clinic, or another qualified healthcare provider to get the most up-to-date advice on any vaccinations or medications you may need for your trip.
During the Build, participants should dress conservatively with their shoulders, knees, and chest covered.
Head coverage – We recommend that all team members bring a wide brim, or standard sports cap, along with suntan lotion to protect your head from the sun and prevent heatstroke or other heat-related illness.
Upper body – Building involves a lot of movement. Ensure that the tops you wear are comfortable and allow you to move freely. Tops should cover your shoulders and chest.
Lower body – Trousers or shorts should be worn during the Build. If wearing shorts, they should be no higher than the knee.
General clothing rules – Please do not bring any clothes that bear offensive slogans, have camouflage print, or show a political figure.
All volunteers must be over the age of 18.
Depending on the phase of construction you will mix mortar, build walls, lay blocks, install doors and windows, put up roofs or move materials. Each site is assigned experienced, local artisans and builders who will supervise the process and ensure the quality of work. No previous building experience is necessary – all you need to do is arrive ready to learn, get dirty, and have a great time! Please read our Volunteer Orientation Manual for more information about what a Global Village Build entails.
Our GV Builds typically last between 7 and 10 days. This will usually comprise 5 days on the build site and a day of social learning exchange activities with other local Habitat projects to help you understand the country and development context.
We organise hotel rooms for team members for the duration of the build. You may share a room with another volunteer or opt for a single room based on your needs. All hotels have been vetted for health and safety by local Habitat for Humanity staff.
All Habitat for Humanity entities that host international teams go through a rigorous vetting process every year to ensure that they are meeting all required health, safety, and security standards as set by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). This includes ensuring that the hotel is safe and secure, catering and restaurants meet hygiene standards, and that the situation on the ground is conducive to participants being able to perform their tasks in a safe environment.
Our Team Leaders are trained to constantly assess risks both on and off the build site. They are also fully trained in how to seek assistance if the situation on the ground changes over the course of the build. The risk assessment for Global Village destinations is performed by the HFHI Senior Specialist, Safety and Security on a yearly basis.
Medical and evacuation insurance is provided for team members in the case of injury, illness, or the need to leave the area or country due to factors out of Habitat for Humanity’s control.
Flights are not included in the advertised Build costs. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own travel to and from the programme country. However, Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, along with your Team Leader, will provide guidance on the most suitable arrival airport and recommended travel dates to support your planning.
Participants are expected to either fundraise or personally cover the full cost of their Build trip. However, please note that if your Build includes a registration fee, this portion must be paid directly and cannot be fundraised for. Fundraising may only be used to cover the remaining trip costs. Read our Fundraising Guide, which will give you some great ideas on how to get started with your fundraising.
The Build trip cost is comprised of three components:
- The registration fee.
- Trip costs – all in-country expenses, including accommodation, transportation to and from the build site, and meals during the build week, as well as comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
- Donation for Habitat for Humanity – split between the country programme where the GV build takes place and HFHGB.
The three components totalled together equal the Build trip cost.
HFHGB understands that the unexpected may happen and you may have to cancel your Global Village Build. Please refer to our Payment and Cancellation Policy.
Before you travel
Everyone joining a Global Village build agrees to the following. Please read them before you register.
Contact Us
Have questions or want to discuss how you can help?