Responsible gap year volunteering

Choosing the right gap year company

Choosing the right gap year company is just as important as choosing the right gap year volunteering project. Your gap year company has a responsibility to provide projects that have been carefully chosen for their benefit to either the local community, or the environment, or both. This is an area that is not regulated, therefore it is up to you to determine the ethics of your gap year company and how they ensure that they are meeting these criteria. You will find that some companies will be better than others. Some gap year companies are set up as charities, but you still need to check them as thoroughly as others.

In general, you would want to be involved in sustainable, long term projects that provide real benefits to the local community or environment. You should work with the local community and not instead of local people and have your skills matched to their needs. Your presence should not cost anything, but should provide visible or true benefits to those you work with. Your gap year company should be in communication with local community groups, village committees, elders, schools and hospitals to ensure that their project work is relevant and that the work you are involved in is truly benefiting the local community and not creating any adverse effects.

You will often be committing a lot of money in order to join up with a project. Don’t forget, you are the customer and are entitled to ask as many questions as you feel necessary to understand a company’s ethics & commitments. Don’t feel embarrassed about pushing for information – the gap year market is very competitive and lots of companies will be fighting for your business. They should be happy to provide you with as much information as you request.

Questions to ask your gap year company

There are 3 key areas to consider – the financial, environmental & social impact of your volunteering activity.

• How & where is your money used? Can they break this down to %’s?
• What % of money goes to the community project?
• How much of your money goes towards company profits?
• Is the project value for money?

• Do projects operate with sustainable practices? (eg. responsible waste disposal in remote areas, recycling materials, not exploiting the local wildlife or environment)
• Do they promote responsible tourism?
• Do they use local suppliers & businesses?

• Quality of information you will be provided with pre-departure
• What education & training will you receive?
• Will you receive on-site training in local customs & cultural norms?
• Do they hire staff locally?
• What education & training do their project staff receive?
• Are they a member of Tourism Concern or a similar organisation? (Tourism Concern promotes ethical tourism and seeks to ensure that local staff benefit from proper salaries & working conditions)
• Will you work with, not instead of, local people?