Responsible Volunteering
Ecoteer prides itself on being a truely responsible volunteering company.
But what does responsible volunteering mean and how is ecoteer being
responsible?
Responsible volunteering has three aspects social awareness,
fair economic benefits and environmental protection. In order for a
company to be considered responsible all three
aspects have to be demonstrated.
Social Awareness
Ecoteer placements are not your run of the mill volunteer projects. You will not volunteer with lots of other western volunteers but will become one of the local community as you will be working with local employees. This cultural immersion helps you to think like a local and ultimately repsect them in a way they would like to be respected not using stereotypes.
Ecoteer is also in the process of creating a list of useful phrases for each of our projects using the local language and dialects. This will further help you to understand the local people.
Ecoteers projects are helping the local people through teaching and health issues. If you would like to help at one of our teaching English or humanitarian projects click on which one you would like to join.
Fair Economic Benefits
Ecoteers projects are cheap and cheap for one reason, we do not take any commission when you pay for your project. The majority of volunteer companies charge a commission of 33% we do not charge anything and we do not charge projects to be listed on our site. The only money Ecoteer makes is through the membership fees.
Environmental Responsibility
Environmental resposibility is probably the biggest part in being responsible. Ecoteer has conservation projects and ecotourism placements that all have to show true environmetal stewdardship before they are allowed to be placed on our site.
However travel is a big factor and Ecoteer would like to promote local volunteering. Air travel to placements around the world releases alot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There are hundreds of volunteer placements that can be found in the UK, Australia and the USA. Clic below for Ecoteers partners in these countries.
Ok you may still want to volunteer in a foreign country
then you have two options - either you can travel via land or sea (using trains,
buses and boats) - for more information please visit our
Green Travel Section
Tips to reduce carbon emmisions while volunteering
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Volunteer close to home
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Use trains or boats to travel to destinations
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Buy direct flights as take-off and landing produces most carbon emmissions
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Pay into a carbon off-setting scheme.
Find out how to be a responsible volunteer