Practice Sustainable Farming in Peru

Peru is a tropical country, with more than half of its territory covered by the Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world. It is also home to the Andes, the planet’s second-highest mountain range. It was here that the Inca Empire was established 600 years ago, which thrived until its conquest by the Spanish in 1532. Today’s Peruvian economy has a strong reliance on agriculture. Several NGOs and farming cooperatives are currently trying to incorporate organic, sustainable and traditional practices into their farming operations. On this trip, volunteers are sent to the Sacred Valley and the Huyro Region in the highlands of the Amazonian rainforest. They will help local tea, coffee and cacao growers in a collective farming project. The famously fertile Sacred Valley is rich in Inca history and has been an agricultural site for hundreds of years. Volunteers can visit many Inca ruins including Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the New World and a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is thought to have been built around 1450 and remains an impressive testament to the Inca Empire’s power and architectural prowess. 

This Maximo Nivel volunteer program aims to give volunteers a life-changing experience while positively impacting local communities. All Maximo Nivel volunteer programs are supported by professional program managers, multilingual teams and 24/7 in-country support. This project costs $685 for one week, $945 for two weeks, $1125 for three weeks , and $1295 for four weeks. Airport transfers, breakfast and dinners, 3–4 hours per day of practical work (Monday–Friday), letters of recommendation, an emergency contact number and accommodation will be included.

Support a Community Garden in Romania

Food production currently accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions released annually, and has become a focus for climate activists in past decades due to the industry’s destructive use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other unsustainable farming practices. Community gardens have emerged in recent years as a sustainable way to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and to grow food for disadvantaged communities. In this project, volunteers will help cultivate and maintain a community garden in the Romanian city of Miercurea Ciuc. Because the local citizens often live together in small apartment complexes, the community garden gives families space to grow their own vegetables and creates a public area for children to play. Volunteers will be crucial in maintaining these gardens and will undertake a variety of tasks in support of the local community, including planting, watering, harvesting, composting, maintaining drainage systems, and doing other general upkeep. On the weekends, volunteers can spend their time visiting local markets, participating in outdoor activities, and exploring Romanian cities. Volunteers will share a volunteer apartment or house while they are in Miercurea Ciuc, be provided with groceries by the accommodation manager and receive one cooked meal per day at either a restaurant or their work location.

This trip lasts between one and 24 weeks, and costs $504 for one week and $6,521 for 24 weeks. Due to winter temperatures, the project is closed between November and February. Included in the cost is all accommodations, meals, 24/7 support and airport pickup. Volunteers have the option to participate in Introduction Week for an additional $540, during which they will have an immersive experience visiting historical sites and local villages while they begin learning the Hungarian language, before beginning their volunteer work.

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Volunteer in Marine Conservation in Lisbon

According to a 2020 National Oceanography Center study, there is at least ten times more plastic in the Atlantic Ocean than previously believed. Such astronomical numbers are indicative of the rapidly worsening pollution issues afflicting the world’s marine environments and testify to the increasing need for marine conservation. During this experience, volunteers will be directly involved in such conservation efforts, with a specific focus on the marine ecosystem in the south coast of Portugal. Based in Lisbon, the program begins with a certified scuba diving course in which participants receive comprehensive training on diving techniques and the marine ecosystem from an experienced diver. Once volunteers have received their certifications, they will begin their open ocean dives near the coast where most of the rubbish discarded by local fishermen can be found. Besides the dives, volunteers will also assist with beach and marine clean-ups and take part in small-group tutorials on the local ecosystem, which are provided by local instructors. Volunteering for 3 to 4  hours per day, Monday through Friday, participants will have plenty of time to explore the culture and history of Lisbon as well.

This minimum 1-week and maximum 4-week experience starts at $1,279 per person for 1 week and $3,789 per person for 4 weeks. Accommodation, meals and scuba diving lessons are all included.

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Volunteer in Environmental Restoration in New Zealand

Punakaiki, a small island on the South Island of New Zealand, is home to the famous Pancake Rocks – layered rock formations that resemble stacks of pancakes – and a wealth of other topographical wonders. However, rising pollution levels and increased tourism over these past decades have caused significant damage to the natural terrain, necessitating dedicated conservation efforts. During this experience, volunteer travelers will work on projects in a number of locations in the Punakaiki area that aim to maintain and restore the diverse native flora and fauna ecosystem. Building on a decade’s worth of work in the area, volunteers will work in groups of  four to ten people under the guidance of a trained and experienced Team Leader. Tasks for volunteers include planting trees, eradicating pests, constructing walking trails, conducting wildlife rescue and surveys, collecting seeds and cleaning up beaches and rivers. Volunteers will work 4 to 6 hours per day, 4 to 5 days per week. On the weekends, they will have the opportunity to learn more about the people, land and culture of New Zealand while exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of the Punakaiki area. 

This minimum 1-week and maximum 6-week experience starts at $459 per person for 1 week and $2,729 per person for 6 weeks. Accommodation and meals are all included.

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