APPLICATIONS OPEN TODAY FOR SERBIA’S LARGEST-EVER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME: EXPO 2027 IS LOOKING FOR 20,000 PLAYMAKERS
Applications for the Expo Playmakers volunteer programme are now officially open, offering thousands of young people the opportunity to become the face of the largest international event ever hosted by Serbia. More than 20,000 volunteers will take part in Expo 2027 Belgrade, a global event that will bring the world together in Serbia over the course of 93 days.
Applications are open to all adults from Serbia, the region, and around the world through the dedicated volunteer platform available at: https://join.volunteer.expobelgrade2027.org/login.php.
Further information about the Expo 2027 volunteer programme is also available on the official Expo 2027 Belgrade website: https://expobelgrade2027.org.
Volunteers will be able to apply for one of 48 different roles across the organisation of the Exhibition, ranging from visitor and delegation services to logistics, event operations, and support for international teams.
Applications are open to all candidates who will be at least 18 years of age by 15 April 2027 and who are available to volunteer for a minimum of 15 days during the Exhibition.
The most intensive phase of recruitment and training is expected to take place between September 2026 and April 2027. Selected candidates will participate in a comprehensive programme of training and development designed to enhance their skills and build on their existing experience.
The programme is also open to international volunteers, creating opportunities for people from Serbia and abroad to collaborate, connect, and exchange experiences. Organisers emphasise that Expo 2027 will serve as a unique platform for networking, learning, and personal development, enabling participants to strengthen their organisational, communication, and intercultural skills while building relationships that may prove valuable in their future professional and personal lives.
Through a dedicated benefits programme developed with partner organisations, volunteers will have access to a wide range of advantages. These include the opportunity to earn additional ECTS credits during their studies, discounts on Air Serbia flights of up to 27 per cent, special benefits provided by Telekom Srbija, as well as complimentary access to selected passenger rail services operated by Srbijavoz within the Republic of Serbia for the duration of the programme, subject to the terms and conditions of the Expo volunteer programme and the possession of a valid volunteer accreditation. All participants will receive an official uniform, a welcome package, training opportunities, and a certificate recognised within educational and professional environments.
Experience from international exhibitions demonstrates that volunteer programmes often become one of the most enduring legacies of every Expo. In Dubai, many volunteers secured their first employment opportunities as a result of the experience gained during the Exhibition, while in Lisbon the volunteer programme eventually evolved into a permanent youth academy. Similar models have been successfully implemented at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which engaged 45,000 volunteers, and in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where applications have been opened for as many as 65,000 volunteers.
Volunteerism has deep historical roots in Serbia, from the traditions of the Red Cross and the Sokol movement to contemporary examples of solidarity demonstrated during times of crisis and at major sporting and cultural events. Expo 2027 is now elevating that tradition to a global stage.