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.
Plataforma del Voluntariado de EspañaNational network of regional and provincial volunteering platforms; a starting point to find an existing local volunteering entity.https://plataformavoluntariado.org/hacesfalta.org — Voluntariado presencialFundación Hazloposible's national volunteer-matching site; search in-person volunteering opportunities by province and cause.https://www.hacesfalta.org/oportunidades/voluntariado/presencial/FESBAL — Bancos de alimentosFederación Española de Bancos de Alimentos; find and contact your nearest member food bank about volunteering.https://fesbal.org/bancos-de-alimentos/Proyecto LIBERA — FAQs / register a cleanup pointSEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes' national anti-litter ("basuraleza") project; join an existing registered cleanup point or add your own.https://proyectolibera.org/faqsGlobal 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
MITECO — Guía para organizar limpiezas de playasOfficial Spanish environment ministry guide to organising and taking part in beach cleanups, including the permit process for organised cleanups on the coast.https://www.miteco.gob.es/content/dam/miteco/es/ceneam/recursos/mini-portales-tematicos/reeducamar/Guia-para-organizar-limpiezas-de-playas.pdfBOE — Ley 45/2015 de Voluntariado (Código del Voluntariado)Spain's national Volunteering Act, including the insurance and accident/illness cover volunteers are legally entitled to — background for any net-new group.https://www.boe.es/biblioteca_juridica/codigos/abrir_pdf.php?fich=430_Codigo_del_Voluntariado.pdfProyecto LIBERA — FAQsExplains how to register your own new cleanup point ('basuraleza') location and take part using LIBERA's data-collection app.https://proyectolibera.org/faqsEarth 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
Centre de la Platja / city-backed NGO cleanup sign-upNo licence needed on this route: join a city-backed cleanup (with Surfrider, WWF etc.) by phone (932 565 194) or email (centreplatja@bcn.cat); the city supplies bags/gloves and removes the waste.https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/ecologiaurbana/ca/serveis/la-ciutat-funciona/educacio-i-sensibilitzacio/equipaments-municipals/centre-de-la-platjaPublic-way activity licence, up to 1,000 people (online portal)The actual online application ('Llicència per a espectacles públics i activitats a la via pública sense pirotècnia ...') linked from the district's own 'Formularis i documentació' page. Submit digitally at least 30 days before the date; it's free for a plain community activity.https://seuelectronica.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/oficinavirtual/ca/tramit/20230001664