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.
Volunteer Ireland — Become a Volunteer
National umbrella body; browse current volunteer roles or use it to find your nearest of Ireland's 29 local Volunteer Centres.
https://www.volunteer.ie/find-a-volunteer-role/
Volunteer Ireland — Your local Volunteer Centre
Directory to find and contact the independent Volunteer Centre covering your county, which can match hosts to existing local projects.
https://www.volunteer.ie/your-local-volunteer-centre/
FoodCloud — Get Food / Community Foodlink
Map of FoodCloud's community food partners across Ireland; use it to find and contact an existing local food-redistribution group.
https://www.food.cloud/get-food
An Taisce National Spring Clean - How to organise
Ireland's nationwide anti-litter campaign (each April); register your event with An Taisce to get a free cleanup kit and join the national network.
https://nationalspringclean.org/holding-a-spring-clean/how-to-organise-a-spring-clean/
Global FoodBanking Network — Global Reach map
GFN'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) — Members
FEBA 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 OpenStreet Map 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.
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.
World Cleanup Day — Get Involved
Register 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.
Start your own event
You choose the cause and place, and handle permission, safety and disposal.
Steps
- Pick the cause and the recipient first (a shelter, food bank, school or park), and ask what they actually need.
- 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.
- Check the small-group rule. Staying under it (no tables, tents, sound or public advertising) usually means no permit.
- If you go past it, file the official form early and ask whether you need insurance naming the city.
- Write a one-page risk assessment: hazards, first aid, weather plan, who to call.
- Collect waivers or sign-in sheets if the partner or venue asks for them.
- Arrange supplies and disposal (bag pickup, drop-off slot or delivery) before you invite people.
- Afterwards, count what you did and send the totals to the group and the recipient.
Starter kits
An Taisce National Spring Clean — How to organise a Spring Clean
Step-by-step official guide (register with An Taisce for a free kit) usable as a general template for organising any cleanup in Ireland, not only in April.
https://nationalspringclean.org/holding-a-spring-clean/how-to-organise-a-spring-clean/
Volunteer Ireland — Your local Volunteer Centre
Local Volunteer Centres also advise independent/community groups setting up their own one-off projects — a first call for basic guidance and Garda vetting advice.
https://www.volunteer.ie/your-local-volunteer-centre/
Earth Day / EARTHDAY.ORG — Great Global Cleanup Toolkit
Free, 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-.pdf
World Cleanup Day — 10 Steps to Organize a Cleanup
Let'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-day
KU Community Tool Box — Toolkits
Free, university-hosted library of practical guides for planning any community event or initiative from scratch — outreach, logistics, sustaining momentum.
Where to submit
Community Clean Up bag/equipment collection request (Citizen Hub)
Dublin City Council's online Citizen Hub service to request equipment and book collection of filled bags after a community clean-up.
https://citizenhub.dublincity.ie/service/Community_Clean_Up_Collection
Park activity/event application form (DCC parks)
Downloadable Word form for any organised activity in a Dublin City Council park; email the completed form to parkevents@dublincity.ie at least 4 weeks ahead.
https://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/2025-11/park-activity-application-form.docx
Guidelines for an event/activity in DCC parks (PDF)PDF guidance to read alongside the application form: insurance, fees and what counts as commercial branding.
Phoenix Park (OPW) event policy framework (PDF)OPW's own PDF policy for organising any activity in Phoenix Park, which is separate from DCC parks and needs its own OPW permission.
https://www.phoenixpark.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Event-Policy-Framework.pdf