In the second episode of WordCamp Europe Insights, host Kasia Janowska dives into the world of WordCamp Europe volunteers with Celi Garoe, a member of this year’s Volunteers Team. Together, they unpack what it really means to be a volunteer at WordCamp Europe 2026 in Kraków, how the small Volunteer Team manages hundreds of helpers, and why so many people fall in love with this role. Even if they only step in for a few hours.
If you’ve ever looked at WordCamp Europe from the outside and wondered, “Could I actually do that?” This episode is your invitation to say yes.
What Does the Volunteers Team Actually Do?
WordCamp Europe only works because of the people who give their time to make it happen. The Volunteers Team is responsible for recruiting, forming, welcoming, and supporting the volunteers who show up on the event days.
In other words, they turn “someone who applied online” into “someone who knows where to stand, what to do, and who to ask when something unexpected pops up.” It’s a mix of logistics, communication, and community‑building – and it all starts with an open call that’s currently live on the WordCamp Europe 2026 website.
Who Volunteers at WordCamp Europe?
The short answer is: people from all over the world.
Celi explains that the call for volunteers is public and open to anyone who wants to help. Year after year, the team sees applications from Europe, India, Australia, Japan, the USA, and beyond. Many of them are returning volunteers – people who loved the experience so much they come back even when they’re not in Europe.
That diversity is exactly what makes the volunteer experience so rich. You’re not just helping at a conference; you’re joining a small, temporary community that spans time zones, languages, and cultures.
How Does the Call for Volunteers Work?
Anyone interested can visit the WordCamp Europe 2026 website, find the Call for Volunteers page, and fill out the form. The form is open until the end of March; after that, the Volunteers Team begins reviewing applications and sending out welcome emails with next steps.
Submitting the form doesn’t guarantee a spot – there are often more applicants than places – but the acceptance rate is very high. The team mainly looks for a WordPress profile (to confirm real community involvement) and, for visa‑requiring travellers, evidence that they’ve started the visa and ticket‑purchase process early.
Once accepted, volunteers receive a free ticket as part of their volunteer package, which includes special t‑shirts and access to the same conference experience as any other attendee.
From Application to the Event: How Volunteers Are Prepared
One of the biggest fears people have is that they’ll show up on the first day and feel completely lost. Celi is very clear that this is not the plan.
From the moment someone is accepted, the Volunteers Team guides them step by step: how to get to the venue, how to get their ticket, and how to join the private Slack channel where all volunteers gather. There are meetings before the event to introduce roles, assign shifts, and answer questions. Then, at the venue, there’s an on‑site briefing where volunteers meet each other, get a tour of the space, and connect with the teams they’ll be working with.
The goal is to make sure that no volunteer is ever alone in the middle of the action. The Volunteers Team is there – online and in person – throughout the event, ready to help with anything that comes up.
What Do Volunteers Actually Do?
WordCamp Europe has many moving parts, and volunteers are woven into almost all of them. Roles include, but are not limited to:
- Helping with registration and welcoming attendees.
- Distributing swag and managing the “gift tables” everyone loves.
- Supporting speakers before and after their talks.
- Guiding attendees through the venue, from rooms to the childcare area.
- Assisting sponsors and the social media team with photos, posts, or logistics.
The common thread across most roles is that volunteers are in direct contact with people. That’s why the volunteer team sometimes calls them “people people.” But they also stress that there are quieter roles available for people who don’t love being in the spotlight – the event is designed so that introverts and extroverts can both find a place that fits.
What’s in It for Volunteers?
Officially, volunteers receive a free ticket, two special‑design t‑shirts, and an invitation to the social dinner on Contributor Day. But when Celi talks about it, the real reward is something else entirely.
She describes the feeling of making the event happen with just a few hours of work: a rush of pride when you see people smiling because you helped them find the right room, or when you realise that the whole show is running smoothly because others have helped you hold your part. That sense of being part of something bigger – without carrying the burden of a year‑long organising role – is what keeps many volunteers coming back.
For Celi, the most rewarding moment is the transition from volunteer to organiser. She’s now on the organising team for the second year in a row, but she says that if she could, she would still do volunteer work too. That’s how much she values the experience.
Can You Volunteer Even If You’re Not a Developer?
Kasia pushes on this question, and the answer is a firm yes.
Celi explains that you don’t need to be a developer, a core contributor, or even a “WordPress expert” to be a volunteer. What matters is enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to learn. WordCamp Europe is a human‑scale event at its core: it needs people who can walk, talk, and help others.
If you organise projects, manage clients, or simply enjoy being part of a community, you already have skills that fit perfectly into a volunteer role. The diversity of roles mirrors the diversity of the WordPress ecosystem itself.
Everything You Need to Know If You’re Considering Volunteering
This episode is essentially a long, friendly invitation:
- If you’re curious about WordCamp Europe but unsure how to get involved, volunteering is a low‑commitment, high‑reward way to step in.
- If you’re worried you’re “not enough,” remember that the event deliberately creates space for people at all levels.
- If you’re concerned about time, keep in mind that most volunteers are only expected to work two half‑day shifts. That leaves you with plenty of room to attend talks, workshops, and Contributor Day on your own.
If you feel that pull of curiosity, you can learn more and apply through the official WordCamp Europe 2026 Call for Volunteers. To attend the event itself, you can secure your spot with a ticket on the WordCamp Europe 2026 tickets page.
WordCamp Europe’s volunteers are the dragon helpers Kasia jokingly referred to at the start of the episode. But they’re also the quiet architects of the warmth and energy everyone feels once the doors open. This blog (and the podcast) is their invitation to you: step in, lend a hand, and find out what it feels like to be part of the magic from the inside.
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