Volunteer abroad
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Secure your place on Expeditions from April 2021 onwards! Please click here for more information on our Covid-19 response and our future plans.
Raleigh Expedition brings young people together from all over the world to impact change for the communities you will work with, environmental change, and change in yourself.
It’s a volunteer experience that you will never forget. You’ll build memories and develop leadership and teamwork skills to apply to your future career and personal life.
During the Expedition you will meet new people, become part of the local community and learn first-hand about local culture. We ensure that communities have the skills and knowledge to continue work done together after you leave.
Aged 25 and over? Find out more about becoming a Volunteer Manager.
Aged 17-24? Read on below to find out more.
Community | Environmental | Adventure
People are at the heart of Expedition – working together to inspire others to create change that lasts. On an Expedition, you could have the opportunity to do three different types of projects: Community, Environmental and an Adventure Leadership Trek.
| You X Community | Live and work with local communities, driving change where it really matters. Improve access to water and sanitation facilities and education. |
| You X Environmental | Play an active role in combating climate change. Help protect resources and vulnerable environments. |
| You X Adventure | Challenge yourself and discover amazing landscapes. Trek through incredible scenery whilst developing your leadership and teamwork skills. |
Community
You will live and work with local communities, improving facilities and influencing new behaviours that will support communities in the future. You will work with schools and community groups to create awareness about the importance of handwashing and safe water, building water tanks, toilet blocks and handwashing stations; or help improve access to education building schools in indigenous areas.
Environmental
Environmental projects give you the chance to play an active role in combating climate change. You will work to sustain natural resources with reforestation initiatives and infrastructure improvements, giving vital access to protected areas. You will work alongside local communities to change habits, for example, promoting firewood alternatives and encouraging the development of a more diverse range of crops.
Adventure
Adventure projects give you the chance to trek through incredible sceneries whilst developing your leadership and teamwork skills. We start and finish our treks together, but you and your team will navigate the route yourselves. It gives you a chance to go back to basics and learn to be self-sufficient, appreciating the environment we live in.
Where can I go?
Choose where to volunteer abroad below.
Tanzania Covid-19 update: at this time we have ‘paused’ delivering our programmes in Tanzania in 2021. See our Covid-19 update for more information.
We have chosen these countries because they have large youth populations and volunteers can make the greatest impact. They all face issues relating to water and sanitation and are heavily affected by climate change. We work in rural areas because the people that live there are often the most marginalised. They tend to have poorer access to basic services, lower education levels and a worse standard of living than those in urban areas. Women and children are often the most disadvantaged.
How long can I go for?
| 10 week Expedition | The 10 week programme is the most immersive Expedition. You will get the opportunity to take part in 3 different projects (Community, Environmental and Adventure Leadership Trek), in 3 different locations, with 3 different groups. |
| 6 and 7 week Expeditions | If you don’t have as much time, the 6 or 7 week programme is a great option. You will do 2 different projects, in 2 different locations (one Community or Environmental and the Adventure Leadership Trek) |
| 4 and 5 week Expeditions | We have 4 and 5 week options in July and August. You will work on 1 project and go on a shorter Adventure Leadership Trek. |
Expedition dates
Click the dates to choose when to volunteer abroad below.
Secure your place on Expeditions from April 2021 onwards! Please click here for more information on our Covid-19 response and our future plans.
April – June 2021
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr – 04 Jun | 6 | Places available | 02 Mar 2020 |
| 01 May – 08 Jun | 6 | Places available | 08 Mar 2020 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr – 01 Jun | 6 | Places available | 01 Mar 2020 |
| 28 Apr – 05 Jun | 6 | Places available | 03 Mar 2020 |
June – September 2021
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 05 Jul – 22 Aug | 7 | Places available | 10 May 2021 |
| 09 Jul – 26 Aug | 7 | Places available | 13 May 2021 |
| 01 Aug – 03 Sept | 5 | Places available | 07 Jun 2021 |
| 05 Aug – 07 Sept | 5 | Places available | 10 Jun 2021 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 07 Jul – 09 Sept | 10 | Places available | 12 Apr 2021 |
| 11 Jul – 12 Sept | 10 | Places available | 15 Apr 2021 |
| 07 Jul – 03 Aug | 4 | Places available | 27 Apr 2021 |
| 20 Aug – 16 Sept | 4 | Places available | 24 Jun 2021 |
September – December 2021
Please note: these dates are indicative only and subject to change at this time. Please check our Covid-19 update on why changes may be required.
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 17 Sept – 26 Nov | 10 | Places available | 22 July 2021 |
| 21 Sept – 30 Nov | 10 | Places available | 27 July 2021 |
| 11 Oct – 28 Nov | 7 | Places available | 16 Aug 2021 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 09 Oct – 16 Dec | 10 | Places available | 12 Aug 2021 |
| 09 Oct – 25 Nov | 7 | Places available | 12 Aug 2021 |
| 29 Oct – 16 Dec | 7 | Places available | 02 Sep 2021 |
February – April 2022
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Feb – 17 Apr | 10 | Places available | 14 Dec 2021 |
| 08 Feb – 27 Mar | 7 | Places available | 14 Dec 2021 |
| 02 Mar – 17 Apr | 7 | Places available | 05 Jan 2022 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb – 25 Apr | 10 | Places available | 22 Dec 2021 |
| 16 Feb – 04 Apr | 7 | Places available | 22 Dec 2021 |
| 08 Mar – 25 Apr | 7 | Places available | 01 Feb 2022 |
June – September 2022
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 01 Jul – 07 Sept | 10 | Places available | 06 May 2022 |
| 01 Jul – 17 Aug | 7 | Places available | 06 May 2022 |
| 23 July – 07 Sept | 7 | Places available | 30 May 2022 |
| 07 July – 09 Aug | 5 | Places available | 12 May 2022 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 29 Jun – 05 Sept | 10 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
| 29 Jun – 15 Aug | 7 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
| 19 July – 05 Sept | 7 | Places available | 24 May 2022 |
| 29 Jun – 27 July | 4 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
| 30 July – 27 Aug | 4 | Places available | 02 June 2022 |
September – December 2022
Nepal
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 12 Oct – 19 Dec | 10 | Places available | 17 Aug 2022 |
| 12 Oct – 28 Nov | 7 | Places available | 17 Aug 2022 |
| 03 Nov – 19 Dec | 7 | Places available | 08 Sept 2022 |
Costa Rica
| Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
| 09 Oct – 16 Dec | 10 | Places available | 11 Aug 2022 |
| 09 Oct – 25 Nov | 7 | Places available | 11 Aug 2022 |
| 29 Oct – 16 Dec | 7 | Places available | 05 Sep 2022 |
If an Expedition is full, call us on +44 (0)20 7183 1270 to talk about your options or +1 833-660-9738 if calling from the US.
How much does it cost?
As a charity we talk about fundraising rather than costs and set a minimum fundraising target. This contributes towards Raleigh’s programmes and secures your place. We encourage everyone to do some fundraising activties for their Expedition.
Expeditions are much more than what is achieved in 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 weeks. They are about creating lasting change. As well as the communities whose lives you will be impacting, don’t forget you will also be developing skills for your future too.
| Expedition length | Minimum Fundraising Target |
| 4 week Expedition | $3,400 |
| 5 week Expedition | $3,950 |
| 6 week Expedition | $4,350 |
| 7 week Expedition | $4,950 |
| 10 week Expedition* | $5,500 |
We offer lots of ways to help with fundraising and we have supported thousands of young people to reach their target. Find out more information about what’s included and fundraising.
There are several Trusts and Foundations that offer funding for young people to engage in international volunteering. To find out what funding may be available to help with your fundraising, please get in touch.
*If your household income is £23,000 or under then you could be eligible for the Raleigh Bursary Fund, which provides financial support for fundraising.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to find out more about Raleigh Expedition, attend one of our information events or download a copy of our Expedition Guide which is filled with information on the projects our volunteers contribute to and the countries we work in.
Feeling inspired and ready to get started? Apply now!
