Join an existing organization, or start your own event
Joining an organization that already runs volunteer projects is the least work, and you can do it on your own or with a group. Starting your own event gives you more control, but you handle permission, safety and disposal.
How the two options compare
Join an existing organization
Volunteer-matching sites, food bank locators and national cleanup programs. Each city guide also lists its December partners.
frivillighed.dk — Danish Institute for Voluntary EffortDenmark's national volunteering knowledge centre; use it to find your local frivilligcenter (volunteer centre) or the frivilligjob.dk job board it links to.https://frivillighed.dk/danish-institute-for-voluntary-effortFødevarebanken — ModtagerorganisationerDenmark's national food-rescue bank; lists partner organisations it supplies food to across all five regions — a route to an existing local food programme.https://foedevarebanken.dk/modtagerorganisationer/Affaldsindsamlingen (DN's annual cleanup)Danmarks Naturfredningsforening's annual nationwide litter collection; find and join an existing registered cleanup near you or start your own.https://www.affaldsindsamlingen.dk/Global FoodBanking Network — Global Reach mapGFN's member map shows food-banking organisations in over 50 countries outside Europe; use it to find a national partner in markets not listed below.https://www.foodbanking.org/global-reach/European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) — MembersFEBA lists its one-member-per-country food-bank network across 28+ European countries; use it to find the national food bank in a European market not covered here.https://www.eurofoodbank.org/members/HOT Tasking Manager (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team)Remote-volunteering option: sign in with an OSM account and pick an open mapping task (roads, buildings, flood/disaster response). Disaster-response mapping projects were recruiting volunteers as of Sept 2026. No mapping experience needed.https://tasks.hotosm.org/Smithsonian Digital Volunteers Transcription CenterRemote-volunteering option: transcribe or review scans of Smithsonian archival documents and biodiversity field notes, no application or assignment needed. Open to volunteers as of Sept 2026. The site may show a brief loading check first.https://transcription.si.edu/World Cleanup Day — Get InvolvedRegister a cleanup (or join one) on the global World Cleanup Day map, coordinated by Let's Do It World; works alongside the national pages listed per-country below.https://www.worldcleanupday.org/get-involved
Start your own event
You choose the cause and place, and handle permission, safety and disposal.
Steps
- 1. Pick the cause and the recipient first (a shelter, food bank, school or park), and ask what they actually need.2. Pick the place and find out who owns it: city street, city park, a separate parks agency, private land or your own office. The owner sets the rules.3. Check the small-group rule. Staying under it (no tables, tents, sound or public advertising) usually means no permit.4. If you go past it, file the official form early and ask whether you need insurance naming the city.5. Write a one-page risk assessment: hazards, first aid, weather plan, who to call.6. Collect waivers or sign-in sheets if the partner or venue asks for them.7. Arrange supplies and disposal (bag pickup, drop-off slot or delivery) before you invite people.8. Afterwards, count what you did and send the totals to the group and the recipient.
Starter kits
Affaldsindsamlingen (Danmarks Naturfredningsforening)Register a brand-new cleanup under Denmark's national annual litter collection for guidance materials, or use its format independently.https://www.affaldsindsamlingen.dk/frivillighed.dk — Danish Institute for Voluntary EffortNational knowledge centre can point a net-new group to basic guidance on running a volunteer activity safely and legally in Denmark.https://frivillighed.dk/danish-institute-for-voluntary-effortEarth Day / EARTHDAY.ORG — Great Global Cleanup ToolkitFree, practical step-by-step guide for planning and running your own litter cleanup anywhere in the world — supplies checklist, safety tips, promotion tips.https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-The-Great-GLobal-Cleanup-Toolkit-.pdfWorld Cleanup Day — 10 Steps to Organize a CleanupLet's Do It World's own step-by-step guide to starting a brand-new cleanup, usable any time of year, not just on World Cleanup Day itself.https://www.worldcleanupday.org/post/10-steps-to-organize-a-cleanup-for-world-cleanup-dayKU Community Tool Box — ToolkitsFree, university-hosted library of practical guides for planning any community event or initiative from scratch — outreach, logistics, sustaining momentum.https://ctb.ku.edu/en/toolkits
Where to submit
Miljøpunkt Østerbro equipment lendingNo permit needed for a private litter pick. Contact this page (or a staffed playground) to borrow bags and grabbers; no application form, just a request.https://miljopunktosterbro.dk/lan-grej-til-affaldsindsamling/Outdoor event permit application (online, login required)The actual digital application linked from Københavns Kommune's 'Trin 2: Søg tilladelse til udendørs arrangement' step. Needed for a public event on a square or in a park; apply as early as possible, at least the stated lead time ahead. Requires logging into the erhvervsportal (MitID/login wall).https://erhvervsportal.kk.dk/ansoegning/arrangement/opret