ProZ Pro Bono news, October 2025
Updated: 15 hours ago
Working smarter, gaining recognition, making impact
Dear volunteers,
As we move into the final stretch of 2025, we’re celebrating how the ProZ Pro Bono (PPB) community continues to grow, evolve, and make a difference. Your linguistic expertise, generosity, and professionalism are the driving forces behind our collective impact.
This month’s edition is all about working smarter, gaining recognition, and expanding your reach—with updates on project workflow, WWA, new NGO partnerships, and our featured tool, Bureau Works.
Thank you for being part of this movement. Your work doesn’t just translate words—it translates hope, understanding, and opportunity around the world.
PPB project workflow: a quick refresher
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to how Pro Bono projects flow—from invitation to completion:
Project notification:
You’ll receive an email titled “New Pro Bono opportunity! [LOOP]” with project details and a direct link to apply.
Application & assignment:
Click the link to apply via LOOP as a translator or reviewer. If selected, your status updates to “Assigned” and you'll receive a confirmation email from your Project Manager (PM) with detailed instructions.
Delivery & collaboration:
Translators should reply to the PM’s confirmation email with their completed work, copying the reviewer for seamless collaboration and feedback. Submit the final version in the same email thread after revisions.
Client submission:
The PM forwards the final file to the client.
Project completion & recognition:
Once approved, the project is officially closed and your PPB badge points are credited to your profile.
What is WWA — and why it matters
Many of you have asked about receiving WWA (Willingness to Work Again) entries or references from your Pro Bono Project Managers, and we’re happy to support you! Recognizing and fostering the professional growth of our volunteers is one of the core goals of the PPB program.
WWA is a valuable trust signal on your ProZ profile—it shows that clients and agencies would gladly work with you again. It strengthens your reputation not only within the Pro Bono community but across the entire ProZ platform.
To be eligible for WWA recognition, here’s what we look for:
Complete multiple projects – Consistency and reliability help build trust.
Be professional – Meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and deliver clean, well-formatted files.
Stay adaptable – Be open to learning and using tools like Bureau Works, Canvas, and others.
Collaborate effectively – Accept feedback, make revisions, and support a smooth workflow.
Uphold ethical standards – Maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and respectful communication at all times. View our Code of Ethics.
We truly appreciate your commitment, and we’re proud to acknowledge your efforts when these standards are met. Keep up the great work—you’re making a real impact!
Expanding our reach: new NGO partnerships
We’re excited to announce that PPB is expanding its network of NGO partners across various sectors—education, healthcare, environmental justice, human rights, and more. These partnerships span multiple regions and bring a steady flow of diverse, meaningful projects to the platform.
This growth creates more opportunities for you to apply your skills to causes that matter, in languages and topics that align with your interests and expertise.
Stay tuned to our emails and social media for updates on new partnerships and project opportunities!
If you’d like to play an active role in this growth, consider becoming a PPB Ambassador!
Call for ProZ Pro Bono Ambassadors
We’re growing — and we need you! As the ProZ Pro Bono community expands, we’re seeking passionate volunteers to help us connect with new partner organizations worldwide.
Become a ProZ Pro Bono Ambassador and help build bridges between translators, interpreters, and non-profits that need language support. Ambassadors reach out to local organizations, represent PPB on social media and at events, and help grow our global impact.
Our mission: expand partnerships, reach more languages, and amplify positive change.
Interested? Email us at volunteers@prozprobono.world Know an NGO that could benefit? Share their website and contact person — we’ll take it from there!
Spotlight on tools: Bureau Works
At this year’s International Translation Day, Bureau Works was highlighted as a key tool helping translators and reviewers streamline workflows and improve project efficiency. Many of our volunteers are already using it in ProZ Pro Bono projects, and we want to ensure everyone feels confident navigating this platform.
Why Bureau Works matters for PPB volunteers:
Consistency & file formatting: Even though project coordination is currently managed by PMs via direct mailing, Bureau Works helps ensure consistent formatting and adherence to project standards.
Experience with CAT tools: All PPB volunteers are added to our corporate profile. Whenever a project requires the use of a CAT tool, you’ll be offered the opportunity to explore BWX—gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard technology and enhancing your professional profile.
By familiarizing yourself with tools like Bureau Works, you strengthen your skills, uphold high-quality standards, and prepare for future projects where these platforms may be fully integrated.
The ProZ Pro Bono Blog
On the ProZ Pro Bono Blog, our volunteers have a platform to share their thoughts on the language industry, the development of new technologies, personal growth, or any topic that aligns with their values and the ProZ Pro Bono mission. It’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and meet people who can walk alongside you on your career journey.
We can all learn from one another — sharing our experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons — and find support within our community.
That’s why we invite you to contribute your ideas and reflections to our blog. Let’s make this space one where we exchange knowledge, inspire each other, and grow together.
Take a look at the inspiring posts written by our dedicated volunteers, or find motivation in Subrina Afrin’s post, “Ten Reasons to Write a Guest Blog!”
We’d love to get to know you better through your contributions to the ProZ Pro Bono Blog! You can share your posts with Subrina, our Blog Ninja, at subrina.afrin169@gmail.com.
Don't forget...
Make the most of your PPB experience—explore the free training courses offered exclusively to our volunteers.
Read our blog and uncover the hidden gems you can find there.
We’re reviving our channels — Discord, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn — and you’re the heartbeat of it all!
With appreciation,
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