Are you coming to help us? Become a volunteer!

The COC is actively committed to a diverse and inclusive society. We believe that you can only achieve change together, because together you stand strong. With thousands of members, volunteers and donors, we make a difference. Thanks to our volunteers, and everyone who participates, we achieve change throughout the Netherlands.

Would you like to help the COC? Please! We could really use your help.

As a volunteer you can do many things, such as:

Educating in schools

Regional COCs regularly provide information at area schools. During such an education, volunteers (like you!) explain more about sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. 

Supporting youth groups

How we support young people varies by regional COC. For example, you can help school students set up a GSA, or supervise Young&Out encounter groups for lhbti+ youth. Fine guidance for young people is essential, which is why regional COCs regularly seek volunteers.

See vacancies

Standing up for pink seniors

Fortunately, most older lhbti+ persons have nice lives. Yet in (elderly) care, there is often little concern for older lhbti+ persons and pink seniors suffer relatively often from loneliness. As a volunteer with your local COC, you can change that.

Welcoming Lhbti+ newcomers

Lhbti+ newcomers are often unable to be themselves in their countries of origin. In the Netherlands, they find a safe space where they can meet others and find support. Volunteers (like you!) help make these groups possible.

Read more here

Listening via Switchboard

COC's Switchboard is there for lhbti+ persons and anyone who needs information, advice, support and a listening ear. Switchboard regularly seeks volunteers (like you!) to help chat, call or email.

To the website

And there are many more opportunities! Take a look at your local COC to see exactly what they are looking for volunteers for.

The COC is active not only nationally, but also regionally. We have a strong network of regional COC associations. Together we ensure that acceptance becomes the norm throughout the Netherlands (and beyond). 

Become a volunteer at your regional COC. That way you can make an immediate difference in your area. Volunteers are essential to us. Together we create change. 

"Volunteering helped me find my way in the Netherlands as a queer migrant of color."

Sonny Jermain, volunteer at COC Limburg.

We see Sonny Jermain, a volunteer with COC Limburg.

Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to volunteer for the national COC. Is that even possible?

There are a number of initiatives you can become a volunteer member of at the national level. You can find those below! For the rest, please refer to your local COC, where we can help you further.

Approximately how many hours do I spend volunteering per month?

It depends entirely on you, and how available you can be! A board position quickly requires, say, 4 hours a week. An information officer a few hours per month. A Jong&Out coordinator 4 hours per month. Bar volunteers are often on tap 2 days a week.

Can I apply to volunteer as an organization?

We would like to get in touch with companies that would like to make knowledge and/or time of their employees or facilities available to the lhbti+ community. To do so, please contact [email protected] or your local COC.

Is your question not listed?

We are happy to help you! Contact us here.

Participate in another way?

Logo for the Gender & Sexuality Alliance. This is an organization or group of students and volunteers that advocates for a safe environment at school for all.

Support the GSAs as a GSA coordinator

A Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a group of students who, with the support of COC, work to create a safe environment at school for everyone.

Want to know more? Look here
Logo for Jong&Out community. This community is for anyone up to age 18, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Join the Jong&Out community

Our Jong&Out community is there for everyone up to 18 years old, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. Jong&Out is the place to meet other (lhbti+) young people online and offline in a safe way.

More information can be found here
Logo for Expreszo. Expreszo is an online magazine for and by queer youth that provides lhbti+ youth with articles, tips and education.

Take a look at Expreszo

Expresszo is an online magazine for and by queer youth that provides lhbti+ youth with interesting and fun articles, tips and education. It is full of stories that do not yet get as much space in the mainstream media.

Check out the website here
Logo for Roze50plus. Pink 50+ community is here for queer seniors.

Join the Pink 50+ community

Are you looking for information, activities and opportunities to meet each other as a pink 50+ person? Then join our Roze 50+ community! Learn more at Roze50plus.nl.

Join
Pink Carpet logo. Roze loper is an official seal of approval for health and welfare organizations working toward social acceptance and inclusion of lhbti+ persons.

Apply for a Roze Loper through RozeZorg

The Roze Loper is an official seal of approval for health and welfare institutions. Institutions with a Roze Loper seal of approval work on social acceptance and inclusion of lhbti+ persons.

Read more
Logo of Respect2Love. Respect2Love is a community for and by lhbti+ persons of different cultural or religious backgrounds.

Join Respect2Love

Respect2Love is our community for and by lhbti+ persons from different cultural or religious backgrounds. Together we share information, advice and organize meetings. In our Respect2Love Empowerment program, lhbti+ persons from diverse backgrounds develop into leaders in their own communities and society.

Read more here
Logo for Autiroze. AutiRoze exists to help lhbti+ with autism find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community and society as a whole.

Visit an event of AutiRoze

AutiRoze exists to help lhbti+ with autism find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community and society as a whole. They regularly organize fun and social gatherings.

View website
Logo of Pink Gesture. Roze Geaar is the online community of, for and by deaf and hard of hearing lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and intersex persons (lhbtis) nationwide.

Join Pink Gesture

Roze Gebaar is the online community of, for and by deaf and hard of hearing lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and intersex persons (lhbtis) throughout the Netherlands. On RozeGebaar.nl you will find information about gay and bisexuality and gender identity and an overview of activities throughout the country.

Check out the website here
Logo of Zonderstempel. Zonderstempel is a website by and for lhbti+ persons with intellectual disabilities.

Check out our website Without Stamp

Zonderstempel.nl is a website by and for lhbti+ persons with intellectual disabilities. In their meeting cafes they regularly organize pleasant and enjoyable gatherings.

Find more information here
Logo of Switchboard. Switchboard is there for all lhbti+ persons and anyone else who needs information, advice, support and a listening ear.

Become a volunteer at COC Switchboard

Switchboard is here for all lhbti+ persons and anyone else who needs information, advice, support and a listening ear. You can talk and ask questions here without being judged.

Sign up