A lifelong journey to protect

About Us

We know you have a deep connection to nature. You feel compelled to live a meaningful and adventurous life to help preserve the future of our beautiful planet.

You want to make the most of your time on earth. To leave a legacy. But you don’t know how. 

At GVI, we have been connecting thousands of change-makers, like you, with impactful environmental projects in some of the most vulnerable habitats all over the world, for over two decades.

We offer an extensive range of nature conservation programs through which people from all walks of life can volunteer, intern and study. Our programs are led by our partners who are local to the communities we’re based in, and focused on making a data-driven, sustainable impact. With GVI, you get access to real-life practical experience to kick-off or advance your career. We also offer immersive social development programs in communities and cultures all over the world.

We know that creating lifelong connections with like-minded global change-makers is important to you. That’s why we go to great lengths to set the scene for you – so you can enjoy the most memorable experiences together. Just ask our alumni.

GVI is also a proud member of the Gap Year Association.

You’ll see that we’re serious about ethics and sustainability – we partner with expert locally-led organisations and align ourselves to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). 

Over the years, we have been moved, educated and impelled by our many conservation partners. Our work with them has won numerous awards and has been featured across global media. 

Whilst you’re immersed in the abundant ecosystems of our locations, we don’t want you to worry about a thing. That’s why our team offers support every step of the way, taking care of the admin, logistics and health and safety on your behalf. You’re in good hands.

With the climate crisis intensifying, GVI is more determined than ever to follow our mission. By joining a GVI program, you’re not only contributing to positive change on the planet, but also within yourself. This we can guarantee: you will never be the same again. Join us.

20+ years of sustainable impact

Meet the team

We're experts in impact & science

GVI employs a global network of dedicated on-the-ground and support staff, who are all experts in their fields and share a love for the environment. We believe in collaborating with local partners, so when you join one of our programs, you essentially become part of a collective of like-minded and passionate change-makers, who are working towards the same conservation goal in each location. Here are just a few of our team members who you could be joining forces with:

Padraig O’Grady
Padraig O’Grady
Program Manager
Ale Carvallo
Ale Carvallo
Tenerife Program Manager
Maria Ingreso
Maria Ingreso
Ambassador Outreach Coordinator
Meet the team

Impact and ethics report

Decades of stories and data

Decades of stories and data

Get informed and inspired by downloading GVI’s impact and ethics report. Read articles relating to conservation and environmental impact and the UN SDGs, as well as touching stories from our ambassadors. You’ll also find our metric measurements, which try to quantify the thousands of stories of connection, collaboration, learning and achievement.

Download