Wildlife conservation projects undertake valuable scientific research and often directly responsible for preventing species from disappearing at a local or global level. Unfortunately, worldwide ignorance or apathy mean these projects are often without the funding they need to save these fragile ecosystems, and so rely on volunteers like you to help get the work done.
If you choose to undertake a conservation project as part of your gap year experience, you will be helping to give something back and to make a difference. It's easy to travel the world and see lots of new places, without actually doing anything. But it is so much more rewarding to give a little back along the way. You will be working alongside like minded people and will probably learn some new skills that will be valuable when you get back home, perhaps in your career.
Africa Asia Europe SouthAmerica Our Short-term Special Projects for 16-19 year olds offer teenagers the chance to volunteer and make a difference during their summer holidays! Projects Abroad has a wide range of projects from our Care & Panda Project in China to Conservation Projects in Peru.
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Projects Abroad
Europe Volunteer in a brown bear sanctuary in Romania, helping to sort through food donations and feed the bears. Over 100 bears have been rescued and now live in the huge enclosures, emerging from the trees when it's feeding time. Volunteers are vital for the running of the sanctuary, and you could help.
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Oyster Worldwide
SouthAmerica
Find yourself working with rural communities in the very heart of Costa Rica, working to protect one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet. Become part of the long legacy Raleigh has created in Costa Rica. More Details..
Raleigh International
Asia
Raleigh has relaunched it's Expeditions to Malaysian Borneo, having been there until 2017 for more than 30 years. Become part of the long legacy Raleigh has created in Borneo working to support projects combatting the effects of deforestation and helping rural communities with access to education. More Details..
Raleigh International
Africa Asia Australasia Europe NorthAmerica SouthAmerica
Make a real difference with Oyster’s global network of charities and organizations! Take part in an adventure to volunteer with exotic wildlife and support environmental conservation in breath-taking locations. Choose your own adventure length, from one thrilling week to an exhilarating 12 months. More Details..
Oyster Worldwide
Europe
Volunteer in a brown bear sanctuary in Romania, helping to sort through food donations and feed the bears. Over 100 bears have been rescued and now live in the huge enclosures, emerging from the trees when it's feeding time. Volunteers are vital for the running of the sanctuary, and you could help. More Details..
Oyster Worldwide
Africa Asia Australasia SouthAmerica
Volunteer on a Conservation & Environment placement with Projects Abroad and help to conserve some of the world’s most beautiful and fragile ecosystems. You may find yourself diving on our Shark Conservation project in Fiji, working in the heart of the Amazon rainforest or working with sea turtles More Details..
Projects Abroad
Africa
LAUNCHING IN 2026
Join a 5, 7, or 10-week Raleigh Expedition in Kenya! Volunteer on community and environmental projects, take on an adventure challenge, create a sustainable impact, grow personally, immerse in a new culture, and experience amazing wildlife. More Details..
Raleigh International
Africa
Volunteering on a stunning game reserve, you'll have the chance to see the Big 5 in their natural habitat - elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo and leopards. Participating in this project, you will contribute to the protection of these beautiful animals and their unique habitat. More Details..
Oyster Worldwide
Africa Asia Europe SouthAmerica
Our Short-term Special Projects for 16-19 year olds offer teenagers the chance to volunteer and make a difference during their summer holidays! Projects Abroad has a wide range of projects from our Care & Panda Project in China to Conservation Projects in Peru. More Details..
Projects Abroad
Africa Asia Australasia Europe SouthAmerica
Our Short-term Special projects are group trips for 16-19 year olds and run throughout the summer months. If you have time to spare over the summer holidays then why not join us on one of our short programmes designed especially for you.
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Projects Abroad
As more and more of the world's population become wealthy enough to travel to distant countries, the impact on the environment and upon local communities and wildlife become more noticeable and more reported. This has lead to a proliferation in the number of conservation based gap years and gap year projects focused on helping and giving back to the communities that are being visited. Many of the most fragile marine and terrestrial environments are located in some of the world's poorest areas. While many governments recognise the need to protect these valuable ecosystems, not least because of the tourist revenue that they generate, conservation often isn't at the top of their list of priorities. Gap year companies are increasingly working with local groups to offer gap year workers who can volunteer their time and skills.
The gap year conservation companies we work with offer a wide variety of exciting conservation projects all over the world, including animal conservation in Game Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Amazon Rainforest. Construction of model farms in India, sustainable development and agriculture. Plus many more.
