Network
Friends around the world
Older people sharing their experience across borders: a selection of organisations whose work we admire, described in their own words from their websites.
A lifetime of experience knows no borders. In many countries, organisations channel retired people’s time and knowledge into volunteering, development cooperation or the defence of older people’s rights. Here are some of them, for anyone curious about other ways to keep contributing.
Please note: these organisations are not partners of the Asociación Cooperantes Seniors de Extremadura and have no formal relationship with it. We list them because we admire their work. Each description summarises what the organisation says on its own website (consulted 11/10/2026).
In Spain
-
SECOT – Seniors Españoles para la Cooperación Técnica
An association of senior volunteers — retired professionals, managers and business owners — offering free business advice and training to entrepreneurs, small businesses, the self-employed and non-profits. Source: its website.
-
Grandes Amigos
A nationwide volunteering foundation that keeps older people living alone company, in person and by phone, builds neighbourhood networks and stands up for their rights against ageism. Source: its website.
In Europe
-
Senior Experten Service (SES)
Describes itself as Germany’s largest volunteer organisation for retired professionals and managers; since 1983 it has supported know-how transfer in development cooperation. Its website lists 14,959 experts with an average age of 68. Source: its website, in German.
-
PUM
A Dutch organisation that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses abroad through experts who share their knowledge on a voluntary basis: 1,200 experts and 1,500 projects a year. Source: its website.
-
ECTI
A recognised public-interest association and a pioneer of senior skills-based volunteering in France and abroad: 1,800 volunteers, all former professionals, supporting businesses, local authorities and the social economy. Source: its website, in French.
-
AGIRabcd
A recognised public-interest NGO whose name begins “Association Générale des Intervenants Retraités” (General Association of Retired Contributors): it mobilises its retired volunteers’ skills for vulnerable people in France and in developing countries. Source: its website, in French.
-
AGE Platform Europe
A European network made up of organisations of and for older people and non-profits working on ageing. Its motto: “Toward a society for all ages”. Source: its website.
Worldwide
-
HelpAge International
A worldwide network working with and for older people, with a special focus on low- and middle-income countries, to promote their wellbeing and inclusion and reduce poverty and discrimination in later life. Source: its website.
-
United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
The United Nations programme that mobilises volunteers for UN entities, both on assignments and through online volunteering (from age 18). Source: its website.
How we chose
We included organisations with an active website and a clear link to volunteering by older people, development cooperation or older people’s rights. If you want to start in Spain, read our guide to volunteering in Spain after retirement. Do you know another organisation that belongs here? Write to contact@cooperantesenior.org (our association works in Spanish).