Give direction to international youth exchange
Would you like to use your experience and perspective to support international youth exchange and global citizenship? Are you looking for a voluntary role where you can provide direct and meaningful support to young people from abroad living in the Netherlands? Then this mentor role at SIW could be a great fit.
About SIW
SIW International Volunteer Projects is a Dutch non-profit organization that has been bringing together young people from all over the world for more than 70 years. For volunteers, by volunteers. Through international volunteer projects and training courses, we stimulate personal growth, intercultural understanding and active involvement in society.
What we made possible last year:
· 140 international young people active in projects in the Netherlands.
· 98 Dutch young people on a volunteer project abroad.
· 126 participants in Erasmus+ training courses at home and abroad.
Your role as Mentor
SIW is looking for a Mentor to support incoming European Solidarity Corps (ESC) long-term volunteers in the Netherlands.
As a Mentor, you support volunteers’ personal well-being and development during their placement. You are independent from their daily work supervision and offer an approachable, confidential space for reflection, practical questions and challenges during their volunteering experience.
What are your main responsibilities?
· Have regular check-ins with assigned ESC volunteers throughout their placement.
· Support volunteers in adapting to life in the Netherlands and their new social and cultural environment.
· Support volunteers with challenges or conflicts, encourage them to find their own solutions, and flag serious concerns to the ESC Coordinator when needed.
· Help volunteers reflect on their learning process, personal goals and Youthpass where relevant.
· Stay in regular contact with the ESC Coordinator about the general progress of the mentoring relationship, while respecting the volunteer’s privacy.
· Occasionally meet volunteers in person or join informal/social activities.
· Help deliver training to the group of long-term volunteers 2–3 times per year.
· Take part in the online mentors’ meeting once a month.
What do you bring?
We are looking for someone who is:
· A good listener and communicator.
· Empathetic, patient and approachable.
· Able to build trust with young people from different cultural backgrounds.
· Open-minded and culturally sensitive.
· Able to maintain clear boundaries and recognise when an issue should be referred to the ESC Coordinator or another professional.
· Comfortable communicating in English.
· Available for approximately 3/4 hours per week.
Experience in mentoring, coaching, youth work, education, social work or international volunteering is an advantage, but empathy, reliability and the ability to listen without judgement are most important.
Experience with the European Solidarity Corps, Erasmus+, international volunteering or living abroad is a plus.
What do you get in return?
· A warm and diverse (international) network.
· Space for your ideas, perspective and personal growth.
· A flexible role, with contact online, in person and at our office in the heart of Utrecht.
· Free participation in international volunteer projects and Erasmus+ training.
· This is a volunteer role with no salary; travel and expenses are of course reimbursed.
Interested?
Contact us before October 10, 2026. Send a short motivation (text, video or voice message) and your CV to po@siw.nl, to the attention of Ludovica Del Vecchio (ESC Coordinator). Are you unsure whether this is the right position for you? No problem, we are happy to think along with you.
