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.
Röda Korset (Swedish Red Cross) — Bli volontärSweden's largest volunteer-led humanitarian organisation, with roles nationwide including food/meal support for people in need; browse current local uppdrag.
https://www.rodakorset.se/bli-volontar/Sveriges
Stadsmissioner — MatcentralenNational network of city-mission food centres (a Swedish equivalent of food banks); find your local Stadsmission's matcentral to volunteer with or donate to.
https://sverigesstadsmissioner.se/fattigdom/matcentralen/Håll
Sverige Rent — Hela Sverige plockar skräpSweden's national anti-litter organisation; find and join an existing registered litter-pick event or register your own.
https://hsr.se/hela-sverige-plockar-skrap
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.
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 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.
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
Håll Sverige Rent — Guide: så ordnar du en skräpplockningNational anti-litter organisation's page for registering and running your own litter-pick event, with guidance and materials.
https://hsr.se/hela-sverige-plockar-skrap
Sveriges Stadsmissioner — MatcentralenCan be contacted directly for advice on safely running a new food-collection or meal initiative modelled on their matcentral approach.
https://sverigesstadsmissioner.se/fattigdom/matcentralen/
Earth 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-day
KU Community Tool Box — ToolkitsFree, university-hosted library of practical guides for planning any community event or initiative from scratch — outreach, logistics, sustaining momentum.
Where to submit
Police permit e-service (allmän sammankomst/offentlig tillställning)Online e-service linked from polisen.se's 'Anordna arrangemang' page. Only needed if the event is open to the public; a closed, unadvertised private group arguably doesn't need it. Apply well ahead — the page warns of long processing times.
https://etjanster.polisen.se/etillstand/asot
Stockholm stad public-space event guidance (Trafikkontoret)Explains the parallel city step: the police forward your same application to Trafikkontoret, who assess and bill the site-use fee. No separate submission — this page tells you what to attach (site sketch, dimensions) before you file the police e-service application above.