VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Their vision is a world without poverty in which people work together to fulfil their potential. They bring people together to share skills, creativity and learning to build a fairer world. 

Since 1958 they’ve been placing volunteers to work with local communities across Africa and Asia-Pacific. Today they work in over 30 countries and they have recruitment bases in China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, the Philippines, the Netherlands and the UK. They work through both international and national volunteers.

VSO works in the most disadvantaged countries where they can make a significant contribution and where it is safe for them to have programmes. In each country, their staff work with local partner organisations to develop a country plan that guides their work. This plan focuses on several of VSO’s development goal areas.

In addition to their work in developing countries, VSO also works to build global understanding of the issues around poverty and disadvantage. Advocacy and development awareness activities by staff, returned volunteers and supporters are part of their ongoing work.

VSO recruits staff around the world to work together towards their vision of a world without poverty.

They commit to long-term development goals and long-term partnerships and focus on sustainable development rather than the short-term relief of certain problems. VSO also works to address the structural inequalities and barriers that prevent people from exercising their rights.They use their experience and their supporter networks to work for changes in policy and practice - rich and poor countries - that reduce disadvantage.