UNICEF Volunteering for Students: A Complete Guide

Every child, no matter where they live, deserves the chance to be healthy, educated, and safe. If this is something you’re passionate about, and you want to translate that into action, you can consider being a UNICEF volunteer through high school clubs. Here, you can work alongside powerful advocates and volunteers for UNICEF USA, transforming global challenges into local action.

Keep reading to learn what UNICEF is, how you can get involved, and why you should volunteer.

• What Is UNICEF?
• UNICEF Volunteering Opportunities
• UNICEF Volunteering Application Deadline
• UNICEF Volunteering Requirements
• How to Become a UNICEF Volunteer
• Why Volunteer for UNICEF?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is UNICEF?

UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) is a global agency of the United Nations devoted to the well-being of children worldwide. Created in 1946 to help kids in the aftermath of World War II, UNICEF now provides humanitarian and development aid in 190 countries and territories.

Some of the areas UNICEF focuses on include:

• Early childhood development
• Education
• Health and immunization
• Humanitarian emergencies
• Nutrition
• Water, sanitation, and hygiene

UNICEF receives significant voluntary contributions from governments, but it still operates independently as an intergovernmental organization rather than a direct arm of any single government. This structure means UNICEF can maintain neutrality and operate effectively across diverse political landscapes, giving its advocacy a powerful global reach.

UNICEF Clubs

For high school students, the primary way to be involved with UNICEF is through UNICEF Clubs. These clubs represent a dynamic, student-led grassroots movement found in high schools and colleges nationwide. They’re formed to promote UNICEF’s core values and mission within their local communities.

UNICEF clubs partner directly with UNICEF USA, empowering you and your members to become active participants in global change by:

• Advocating for children’s rights
• Organizing fundraising initiatives for international programs
• Educating your peers and communities about global issues affecting children.

The adaptability of these clubs, covering advocacy, education, community building, and fundraising, means that students with diverse interests and skills can find meaningful ways to contribute to UNICEF’s work.

UNICEF Volunteering Opportunities

As the leading United Nations agency for children, UNICEF has many volunteer opportunities open to people with diverse skills, experiences, and time commitments. Here are the common ways most people can volunteer at UNICEF:

• United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program. This is the primary way for individuals to serve as “UN Volunteers” with various UN agencies, including UNICEF. You can be deployed to UNICEF country offices or programs globally for a few months to up to a few years. During this time, you’ll be supporting UNICEF’s different missions.
• UNV Online Volunteering. If you can’t commit to an on-site assignment, the UNV Online Volunteering service lets you contribute your skills remotely from anywhere in the world. You can be involved in tasks like translation, graphic design, research, and data analysis.
• UNICEF National Committees (like UNICEF USA). UNICEF National Committees are independent non-governmental organizations that support UNICEF’s global work through fundraising, advocacy, and education within their respective countries. You can be involved with community outreach, lobbying and policy advocacy, fundraising events, and administrative support.

If you’re in high school, you should join UNICEF High School Clubs since they engage directly with UNICEF’s mission. Below are some specific activities you can expect to be a part of:

• Host informational sessions. You’ll organize meetings or school-wide events featuring presentations, documentaries, or guest speakers to educate members and the wider school community on topics like the importance of education for all children, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and child protection issues.
• Letter-writing campaigns. In these campaigns, club members write letters to their elected officials (like Congress members and state legislators) urging support for specific legislation or funding that benefits children.
• Public awareness campaigns. An example is sidewalk chalk art, where you’ll use chalk art to relay UNICEF facts and messages in high-traffic areas of the school to spread awareness. Another example is making regular announcements about child rights issues or organizing short presentations during school assemblies.
• Signature UNICEF campaigns. Many clubs participate in well-known events such as “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,” where students collect donations instead of candy on Halloween, and the “UNICEF Tap Project,” which raises funds for clean water initiatives.
• Fundraising events. Outside of those signature campaigns, you can get creative on how to raise funds. These can include food drives, benefit concerts, setting up online fundraising pages, and merchandise sales.

UNICEF Volunteering Application Deadline

The application process for UNICEF volunteering (including clubs) is generally rolling, so you can apply anytime during the academic year. If applications are temporarily closed, you can join the waitlist.

For the 2025-2026 school year, registration will open again on July 15.

UNICEF Volunteering Requirements

Before applying, you should check each program’s rules. However, here are the general requirements:

Eligibility

Many youth volunteer opportunities start at age 14. For example, UNICEF USA’s National Youth Council accepts volunteers ages 14–24, and the UNICEF High School Clubs program accepts all high school students.

However, you can’t expect to get international volunteer placements, since those roles require at least a bachelor’s degree and some work or internship experience.

Required documents

UNICEF High School Clubs typically won’t require documents as long as you attend the school where the club is based. If you’re registering a new club, you’ll just need to submit the primary application form to UNICEF.

Program cost

Being a UNICEF volunteer is free. Any costs for travel, training, and program materials are handled by UNICEF and its partners.

Instead, UNICEF is more concerned with financial accountability for funds raised by the clubs. In fact, strict guidelines include the rule that fundraising activity expenses are limited to 25% or less of the generated revenue, and all money raised in the name of UNICEF must exclusively benefit UNICEF’s programs.

How to Become a UNICEF Volunteer

As a high school student, you can become a UNICEF volunteer through the UNICEF High School Clubs program. If your school has a UNICEF club, you can easily join it to be a volunteer.

However, if your school doesn’t have one yet, here’s how you can start a club:

Step 1: Look for interested students.

Start by finding students who also care about global issues, especially those affecting children. Look for people who are willing to take on officer roles like president, treasurer, or events coordinator. UNICEF requires four leaders upon club registration. You can learn more in UNICEF’s guide on leading a club.

Also aim to involve students from different grade levels so that not everyone ends up graduating in the same year. This helps make the leadership transition easier as well.

You can still recruit members later on once you’re an official club, but presenting a roster of students to your school can more easily convince them that your proposed UNICEF Club is worth supporting.

Step 2: Choose an on-campus advisor.

Ask a teacher, counselor, or staff member to serve as your faculty advisor. Of course, they should also share the same passion as you and your potential members do in helping children around the world.

This person will also help guide your club, support logistics, and act as your liaison with the school administration. Make sure your advisor understands the time commitment and is willing to help with meetings and paperwork as well.

Step 3: Talk to school administrators.

Speak with a school administrator, like your principal or activities coordinator. Ask what’s required to officially form a club at your school, since being recognized means you can host meetings, use school space, and publicize events. You can even open up knowledge and resources (like funding from the school) that can help your UNICEF club operate more smoothly.

Step 4: Register the club.

Check when UNICEF opens for new club registrations. You’ll be contacted by email with your next steps if you’re approved.

While supplies last, you can also expect a Back-to-School Kit, with materials like posters, flags, pins, and shirts you can use for recruitment.

Step 5: Contact Your National Council Member.

All US regions have a National Council representative who’ll be your connection to the US Fund for UNICEF. You can reach out to them at [email protected].

This National Council member will be in regular contact, providing consistent support, guidance, and a direct link to UNICEF USA’s broader youth network. Because of that, you should start a good relationship with them early on.

Step 6: Attend a new volunteer orientation.

All leaders (and members who want to) should attend one of UNICEF’s next online orientations for new volunteers. In this session, you’ll basically hear about what UNICEF is, what its projects are, and how you can help.

You’ll also be introduced to a list of resources that can help your club plan your year with events like fundraising, advocating for children’s rights, and community building.

Why Volunteer for UNICEF?

Becoming a UNICEF volunteer through active participation in a high school club lets you make a tangible difference in the world while also developing skills and discovering a deep, lasting sense of purpose.

1. Develop leadership and practical skills

UNICEF clubs are youth-led, providing students with genuine leadership opportunities. You’ll be responsible for organizing and executing events, managing budgets, and coordinating club activities. You’ll also learn to articulate complex global issues and effectively communicate UNICEF’s mission through educational campaigns, presentations, and community outreach.

You’ll also learn about policy, advocacy, and how to influence public opinion and governmental actions to support humanitarian causes.

Active involvement and leadership roles in a UNICEF club can be a great addition to college applications, showing dedication, commitment, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. Colleges look for depth and quality of involvement, and UNICEF clubs offer many opportunities for this.

2. Make a global impact

As a UNICEF volunteer, you help improve children’s lives directly. UNICEF high school clubs can be involved in various UNICEF programs. You can also help in fundraising, knowing that the money you receive can help children around the world eat healthier food or live in cleaner areas.

You can also be involved in writing letters to elected officials, signing petitions, and raising awareness about legislative actions that impact children’s well-being. Knowing you helped a child get access to education or health care can give you personal satisfaction that no ordinary experience can match.

3. Learn and educate others about global issues

As a UNICEF volunteer, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge about various global and humanitarian issues affecting children, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

While you’re learning, you’ll also take that newfound knowledge to educate your school and local community about the challenges children face and UNICEF’s efforts to address them. You can help spread awareness through campaigns, social media, and school newspaper articles.

4. Connect and network with others

Being a UNICEF volunteer gives you a supportive community of peers who share a passion for helping others and making a positive difference. By learning about the realities faced by children globally, you and your members will develop a deeper sense of compassion and empathy.

Depending on the events that your club hosts, you might also be able to interact with children in your local area.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I volunteer for UNICEF?

As a high school student, you can primarily be a UNICEF volunteer by starting or joining a UNICEF Club at your school. These student-led clubs advocate, educate, fundraise, and build community for children’s rights.

2. How old do you have to be to volunteer at UNICEF?

For UNICEF high school clubs, there is no specific age limit since they’re designed for high school students. For more advanced roles like the UNICEF USA National Youth Council or Youth Representatives, applicants must be between 14 and 24 years old.

3. Is UNICEF a government agency?

No, UNICEF is not under a specific government. Instead, it’s a program of the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization. UNICEF may receive significant voluntary contributions from governments, but it operates independently to promote children’s rights globally.

Takeaways

• UNICEF Clubs give high school students a powerful platform to advocate for children’s rights, educate their communities, and fundraise for global impact while operating as a student-led initiative within their school. This hands-on experience lets you directly contribute to UNICEF’s mission of protecting the world’s most vulnerable children.
• Being a UNICEF volunteer is as easy as joining a UNICEF Club at your school. If your school doesn’t have an existing club, the organization has a guide to help you easily start one.
• Some of the benefits of being a UNICEF volunteer include developing leadership and practical skills, making a global impact, learning and educating others about global issues, and connecting and networking with others.
• Want to volunteer for other advocacies or look for activities that nurture your other interests? Get your profile evaluated to see what opportunities you can take to present a well-rounded college application.