Your program fee will cover your pre-departure support and materials, food, accommodation, GVI experiences, training and orientation, long-term GVI field staff, 24-hour in-country support, and project equipment and materials. Not to mention the unforgettable life-changing experiences!

The GVI Foundation Grant contributes towards the program fees of eligible participants based on their motivation and circumstances, with a goal to allocate up to £2 million worth of grants each year. 

The grant also ensures that our conservation and community development programs always have enough participants to deliver our project work, while meeting our impact goals and our partners’ needs.

To apply for a grant, please apply for your chosen conservation or community development program on the website. On the application form, you will be asked to supply some information about your grant requirements. Once submitted, a member of our enrolment team will contact you to discuss your application and eligibility for a grant.

The GVI Foundation Fund can cover up to 80% of an individual’s program fees, up to a maximum value of zar100000.

The GVI Foundation Grant can be used to cover GVI conservation and community development programs abroad, including volunteering, under18/teen volunteering, internship, professional apprenticeship and research fellowship programs. 

The following GVI programs do not qualify for grants: virtual internships, group programs and online programs.

The grants are made according to specific criteria which include your motivation and your circumstances. 

To assess your circumstances, we will discuss your situation and ability to pay for a GVI program. 

To assess your motivation, we will discuss your reasons for wanting to join a GVI program, focussing on the impact you want to create as well as the personal goals and motivations you have for doing a GVI program. 

Please note that we require participants to cover as much of the program fees as they possibly can, so that the fund’s resources can help as many other participants as possible.

Once you’ve submitted your application form, our enrolment team aims to contact you within 2 hours during working hours. When the enrolment manager contacts you, they will be able to tell you what value of grant you are eligible to receive. The process is very straightforward and fast.

On top of applying to receive a partial grant through the GVI Foundation Grant, we see most participant fund their full program fees through a few other channels: 

• Personal savings
• Fundraising (please see GVI’s own fundraising platform)
• Loans
• Family or caregiver support 

The GVI Foundation was created to enable participants to amplify their impact on GVI’s meaningful social and environmental projects worldwide, and is GVI’s partner in achieving sustainable impact goals. 

Launched in 2024, the GVI Foundation Grants allow for increased impact across the globe.

Absolutely! Our team of enrolment managers are here to answer any and every question you have about our programs. Send us your questions via our enquiry form or live chat, and one of our enrolment managers will reach out to you.

No, our trained field team will provide you with all the training you need when you join your project. Some of our diving programs require participants to be PADI Open Water certified prior to joining, please contact your enrolment manager for more information.

No, there is no age limit to join our projects and in fact, our oldest participant to date was 80! Our projects do have a minimum age of 18, with the exception of our under 18 projects that are specifically designed for 15-17 year olds and our family programs for 14+ when accompanied by a guardian.

We have a collated list of external bursaries on offer by universities and government organisations if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom and a variety of special offers and ways to save on programs.

GVI has a National Scholarship Program for the countries we work in. Local nationals can join GVI projects and receive training at little to no cost. Our National Scholarship Program is very competitive and interested candidates will need to submit information outlining their suitability to be considered for the program. More information can be found here.

Yes. We accept participants from around the world. GVI field staff are fully trained to advise on any special visa and travel requirements.

Many participants book months ahead of their program start date, especially for popular programs and busy seasons. However, we do also get participants who book much closer to their program’s start date.

Yes. Couples, families and friends are welcome. Please note that we cannot always guarantee private accommodation.

Yes, a completed application form is required for all programs. This is essential for your safety and enjoyment as well as the project’s success. You will receive a call to discuss your eligibility and motivation for the program you have applied for from one of our dedicated enrolment managers.

Yes, you can!* Many participants arrive early to start exploring or join a GVI program halfway through a longer trip around the world. A GVI program offers participants the chance to slowly acclimatise before you head off in a new country, as well as introducing you to a large group of potential travel companions. We are happy to assist post program travellers with insurance policy alterations.

*Please note that due to immigration regulations, in some locations it is not possible to travel before or after your GVI program.

GVI is one of the most well respected international sustainable development organisations. Our programs have been featured in various international newspapers and magazines, including The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Geographical magazine, BBC Wildlife magazine and various international television programs including a six-part series on the Sky Travel channel and a feature on the BBC Holiday program. We work with some of the most prominent organisations in the field including Panthera, PADI, Coral Watch, The Endangered Wildlife Trust and the South African National Parks. Since 1997, we have sent more than 3,000 participants away each year. You can also meet us and our network of alumni at any event we attend throughout the UK or one of our online events.

View the individual program pages for specific information on dates, fees and what is included.

This is dependent upon your chosen program. Volunteer programs and internships include all your food, accommodation, training, GVI experiences, project equipment and global support unless stated otherwise (see your specific program page for more detailed information).

GVI programs do not include flights, insurance, visa costs or spending money.

We have three payment plan options. Please visit our payment plans page for more details.

Yes, you can raise all the money for your program! Take a look at our fundraising page for more details.

Your program fees are used to fund high quality, ethical and sustainable conservation and community development projects worldwide. 

Here is a breakdown of what your program fee goes towards: 

40%: Local projects and activities

27%: Accommodation, meals and transport 

19%: In-country staff

6%: Pre-departure support 

5%: Profit 

3% Safety, insurance and crisis training

No, we recommend consulting the various flight comparison and airline web pages to get the best possible flight price to your chosen GVI program destination.

Absolutely, this is an essential part of joining any of our programs. You will not be allowed to join unless you have fully comprehensive insurance. Your enrolment manager will speak to you about the available options.

This depends on your country of origin and the location of your program. Your support coordinator will discuss the details with you.

On most programs you will be met by a GVI representative at the airport if you arrive on the designated pick up dates. Your support coordinator will discuss the details of your arrival logistics.

The very best! We pride ourselves on our local knowledge and network of knowledgeable staff and representatives. On our programs, you will be working directly alongside full-time GVI staff with the experience and skills to make your experience fun and fulfilling. Our partner projects are chosen for their commitment to the projects and to you as a participant. We provide you with regular updates before departure and are always available via phone or email throughout and after your trip.

Accommodation will often, though not always, be more basic than what you would expect on a  holiday or guided tour and is often shared with your fellow participants. For details contact us via our enquiry form.

The food will be nutritious and healthy throughout your stay. Most locations will serve vegetarian meals, utilising locally sourced produce.

Most of our locations can provide for special dietary requirements. However, if you have any specific concerns we would encourage you to contact us via our enquiry form. 

Most locations require a moderate level of fitness, especially if you want to get the full amount out of your time there. If high levels of fitness are required, this is highlighted on the program page.

Yes. We try to allow for participants to have weekends off to explore the surrounding areas.

The health and safety of all GVI participants is very important. In view of this, GVI has compiled strict systems and procedures, including the presence of long-term staff on the ground who work closely with local partners to ensure they are up to date with local developments. We periodically review risk assessments for each location and project. We also have emergency action plans in place for a variety of scenarios, protocols for incident and near miss reporting, and weekly reporting to senior GVI managers to ensure we are always up to date with local and regional developments. All our participants and staff receive a full orientation and have access to a 24-hour emergency support system, including senior experienced staff on standby both in-country and regionally in case of any incident or concern. Participants always have permission to decline to participate if they feel unsafe. 

GVI staff and field representatives are fully trained to deal with any type of emergency and all our projects are linked with GVI staff 24-hours a day. In case of an emergency we link up with field members to arrange local medical treatment or air evacuation.

All participants will need to sign off on any disclosed medical conditions from a qualified GP/doctor. Admission to your chosen program is subject to consideration of all medical conditions so we can ensure the safety of all participants. Marine projects may require a medical assessment as well. Exclusion from one option for medical reasons does not necessarily prevent participation from all of our programs. Our enrolment managers will be happy to help you find the most suitable program.

It depends on the country you are travelling to and their regulations. Some countries do not require vaccines.

Yes. Just chat with your assigned enrollment manager, who will gladly assist you.

We do have Wi-Fi at all our bases, but at the more remote bases, it is reserved for staff and emergencies. You can usually buy a local SIM card and use data that way, which most participants do.

Yes. You will need to check any visa requirements of the country you are planning to travel in.

Yes. However, you would need to give us notice at least 4 weeks before the start of your current program, and the new location would be dependent on availability. There will likely also be a difference in price which would need to be discussed with your enrollment manager. Ts&Cs apply.

The volunteering options are not paid. To look at jobs at GVI you can visit www.careersabroad.co.uk

Absolutely! At GVI, we’re committed to making our programs safe and welcoming for everyone.This is something we take very seriously and we have stringent diversity and inclusion policies and practices. For more information on LGBTQ+ inclusive countries, take a look at our LGBTQ+ Travel Guide.

You’ll have 24/7 access to mental health support from licensed professionals, making your journey with us a supportive experience.

This is dependent on the program and the project work. Check with your enrollment manager to find out whether diving qualifications are required prior to joining a program or if you can earn your certification during your program.

Yes, we have many vacancies around the world. Please visit GVI Careers Abroad for all current job listings.