Get involved
Senior volunteering and international cooperation in Spain
A lifetime of experience can also serve international cooperation. Here is what public sources say about the association and about opportunities for older people in Extremadura, western Spain.
The Asociación Cooperantes Seniors de Extremadura (“Senior Aid Workers of Extremadura”) is based in Mérida, the capital of Extremadura — a region in western Spain bordering Portugal, known for its Roman heritage. It is registered in the Register of Associations of the Regional Ministry of the Presidency, Government of Extremadura, under number 8267. Its documented public activity spans international cooperation, global citizenship education and the rights of older people. Its logo is signed «Emeritus».
What does the association do?
- Global citizenship education. In 2026 it is one of 19 organisations funded by the Provincial Council of Badajoz (Diputación de Badajoz) for projects that bring international cooperation, human rights and solidarity to the province’s towns (news in Spanish).
- Older people’s rights. On 1 October 2024, a member — a retired lawyer and human rights expert — spoke at the official event for the International Day of Older Persons organised in Mérida by SEPAD, Extremadura’s public service for personal autonomy and dependency care (news in Spanish).
- Links with public institutions. On 4 June 2024, the president of the Provincial Council of Cáceres met the association (news in Spanish).
- A meeting point. The association describes its public Facebook group as «un punto de encuentro e intercambio de ideas y propuestas» (“a meeting point for exchanging ideas and proposals”, our translation).
Are there public opportunities for older people who want to cooperate?
The Government of Extremadura has promoted specific training. In December 2022, the Extremadura Agency for International Development Cooperation (AEXCID) and the Association of Popular Universities of Extremadura (AUPEX) presented the Programa Mandela for people from Extremadura over 56: a free 40-place course on Fridays from February to April 2023, followed by a second selection of 15 people with grants to train in Colombia. It is a public programme, separate from the association.
Senior volunteering is also on the regional agenda: at the 2026 Older People’s Fair, SEPAD held a session of experiences on senior volunteering and meditation. And Extremadura’s new Strategy on Ageing and Longevity, presented on 1 October 2026, lists active, healthy and participatory longevity and reducing unwanted loneliness among its priorities (news in Spanish).
How can I take part or become a member?
The association has not published membership requirements, fees or a calendar online. The most direct way to find out is to email contact@cooperantesenior.org, follow its public Facebook group or visit its headquarters at Av. de la Libertad 7, Mérida. Most of its activity takes place in Spanish.
If you are mainly interested in awareness-raising activities in schools and towns, see also our page on global citizenship education in Extremadura.
«Iniciativas para acercar la cooperación internacional, los derechos humanos y la solidaridad a los municipios.»
“Initiatives to bring international cooperation, human rights and solidarity to the towns and villages” (our translation). Source: Diputación de Badajoz, 16/09/2026, on the call the association is part of.