Voluntourism
How to ensure your volunteer trip is ethical and sustainable
If you’re considering volunteering abroad, it’s absolutely right to ask whether the experience will genuinely benefit the people, communities, or environments involved.
International volunteering (often described as “voluntourism”) has faced significant criticism over the years. Some of that criticism is justified, particularly where programmes are designed around what visitors want to experience rather than what local communities actually need, or where harmful practices such as orphanage tourism are involved.
But that doesn’t mean volunteering abroad is inherently problematic. Done responsibly, international volunteering can support locally led work, contribute to long-term goals and create meaningful cultural exchange between participants and host communities.
The difference lies in how programmes are designed and delivered. At Projects Abroad, we believe responsible volunteering starts with local priorities.
Programmes should exist because local organisations and communities have identified a genuine role for volunteers, with local people involved in shaping and leading the work. Volunteers should support that work rather than displace local expertise or employment.
So how can you tell the difference between responsible volunteering and poorly designed “voluntourism”? Here are some of the things we believe you should look for before choosing a programme.
Read: Beyond the bucket list: the personal growth behind international volunteering.
Moving beyond “Voluntourism”: The shift to community-led Impact
The root of the problem with voluntourism is when “help” is imposed on a community without asking them what they need. A truly ethical programme flips this paradigm entirely by working with local people to prioritise their needs through community-led initiatives.
To guarantee that volunteers (and interns) create positive outcomes in host communities, the local people must be driving every stage of the process.
This means:
Locally defined needs: Community members and local leaders are best placed to understand what they need socially, economically, and environmentally—including how multiple factors overlap (such as exploiting the environment to make a living). Volunteer projects and international internships should only exist because local people need your support.
Local leadership, from planning to delivery: Community members and local leaders are best placed to understand what they need. Volunteer projects and internships should only exist because local people want that support, and volunteers work under the supervision of qualified local staff throughout, never replacing them. This way, no culture of dependency is established as local capacity continues to grow long after volunteers have returned home.
Child safeguarding and ethics: Responsible providers like Projects Abroad explicitly reject short-term residential childcare visits, which can incentivise family separation and cause a range of other issues. Instead, we have rigorous child protection policies, require criminal background checks for our participants, and focus on early childhood development within established learning environments.
Rigorous partner selection: Every partner should be carefully selected based on their commitment to ethical practice. They also need to share the values of the provider, such as robust procedures, standards, and safeguards—before any volunteer or intern is placed with them.
Integrating environmental sustainability into every project
An ethical trip must acknowledge its environmental and social impact, which are intrinsically linked.
It’s important to understand and ensure local environments are protected (even improved) by the introduction of volunteers.
This is done by:
Wildlife welfare: Ethical policies on animal welfare strictly prohibit direct contact with wild animals and activities that incentivise animals to remain in captivity. Responsible programmes therefore prioritise rescue, rehabilitation, and restoring habitats.
Ecosystem restoration: Properly run programmes have measurable impact—like monitoring at risk species, collecting data, or restoring habitats—guided by biologists, conservationists, and other local experts.
Operational footprint: Responsible providers reduce waste, source supplies locally, support sustainable accommodation, and offset carbon emissions linked to their operations.
The role of certified B Corps in ethical travel
Finding and navigating ethical volunteer abroad providers can feel overwhelming. Which is why we recommend looking for independent third-party certifications that are the hallmark of a responsible business (or travel organisation).
Certified B Corporation members—such as Projects Abroad—follow a transparent framework that balances purpose with profit.
Learn more about what being a B Corp means.
Becoming a Certified B Corp is much more than a badge. Members must meet verifiable standards of social and environmental business practice.
Providers like Projects Abroad , which is one of ~11,000 B Corps globally (and only one of 90 travel companies) stand out because we:
- Align to global standards: Projects are tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adhering to clear management plans that monitor long-term progress.
- Protect local labour markets: At Projects Abroad, our programmes are designed so volunteers support locally-led work rather than replace paid local roles. This approach is consistent with the wider principles of responsible business reflected in our B Corp certification.
- Maintain ongoing accountability: B Corps are required to re-certify on a regular basis, where they must show continued improvement. This means they’re “walking the walk”, as well as talking the talk.
Being a B Corp means that we embed our purpose and plans for positive impact in our company DNA, so that we’re aware of our impact on people and the planet.
How to volunteer responsibly: A checklist
Before you book your international volunteer trip, here’s a few things to consider when choosing a provider:
- Who benefits? Look for programmes using local staff that have long-term relationships with the host community.
- What are the requirements? Organisations that don’t perform background checks, such as criminal record checks, should be avoided.
- What’s the long-term plan? Ask how your two-week trip translates to longer-term community impact.
- How are local partners chosen? Does your provider vet its in-country partners for ethical standards and shared values
- Do they have independent verification? Winning awards is not enough. Look for properly audited and fully independent accreditations such as B Corp or Learning Outside of the Classroom and affiliation with bodies like the UN Volunteer Groups Alliance.
- Where does the money go? Ask where your money goes, such as host family accommodation in destination, local project staff, and similar.
View our Accreditations, Partnerships & Awards.
If you’ve come this far, you’ll understand that when it’s done well volunteer travel must benefit everyone involved. It should be anchored in local leadership, making it genuine and much more than a transaction. It becomes what exactly it should be—a collaborative partnership that builds a better world.
Learn more about Our Impact and browse all of our available projects.