Environmental and sustainable projects
from around the world

50,000+ projects

local communities, individuals and families

162 Countries

for volunteering, working and cultural exchange

582791 Feedbacks

the world‘s leading community

Low cost travel

without having to pay expensive agency fees

Environmental Projects from around the world - Workaway

With Workaway you can find 2382 hosts and organisations for sustainable project work around the world.
Low cost travel without having to pay expensive agency fees.


Environmental and sustainable projects worldwide

Feedback from Workaway members

There are 16192 reviews for 1760 Workaway hosts for Sustainable project help from Workaway members.
1760 Hosts for Sustainable project were rated at least 4.9/5!

I stayed with Michał and Riam for over 2 weeks and it was great. They are good hosts that are understanding and don't want you to work in direct sun s...

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Best workaway experience ever! There are no enough words to describe how amazing was my time there! Bianca is the coolest girl and host! It was my hon...

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I was here for a month (March/April 24)
And I loved every minute of it.
I was picked up by Benja and Jesus the two brothers of the ranch and even tho...

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Sue and Henry were our first work away hosts, and it was a good experience joining them for our first time. They tought us alot about gardening and th...

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Kora, Chalo, and Mateo: thank you for such a wonderful experience! My partner, our 6 year old son and I stayed for 2 and a half weeks in March 2024. W...

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Environmental Projects with Workaway

Are you passionate about protecting our precious planet? Then stop scrolling, we need you. There are thousands of environmental projects worldwide that are dedicated to making the world a better place, but they need your help.

From marine conservation to sustainable farming, there are environmental volunteer opportunities to suit all types of skills and interests. Through Workaway you can meet like-minded people and connect with communities whom all share the same vision – making a difference.


What is environmental volunteering and why is it important?

One of the many amazing things about sustainable environmental volunteering is that there are so many ways to describe it therefore so many ways you can get involved. In a nutshell, it refers to volunteer projects that benefit the natural environment.

Examples include organic farming, rainforest conservation, tackling pollution, and environmental education. Unfortunately, these projects do not usually receive adequate time or funding so rely on volunteers.

The urgency for help with environmental projects continues to grow as natural disasters, plastic pollution and deforestation continue to plague our planet. At Workaway we champion slow and responsible travel because we want to protect the natural world for future generations.

While it may seem a mammoth task, we know a collective effort can make a significant impact. That’s why environmental volunteer opportunities are vital as they allow individuals to connect and share the same vision, in turn creating a more powerful catalyst for change.


Why do environmental volunteering with Workaway?

Here at Workaway, our very ethos is centered on sustainable and meaningful travel. As a leading community of conscious travellers, we offer over 50,000 opportunities with local communities, families and individuals across 170 countries.

With so many opportunities at the touch of a button, we want to enable and encourage every person in our travel community to consider their environmental impact. One of the many ways we do this is by helping to fight climate change through our partnership with Ecologi.

Each month we are committed to planting over 1000 trees to go towards reducing our own carbon footprint. As well as planting a tree for every new active user on the Workaway platform.

Alongside a genuine appreciation for the planet at our core, environmental volunteering with Workaway has many benefits:

  • Low cost, high impact – Unlike other volunteering platforms, we do not charge expensive agency fees per project. Instead, it is a nominal fee for an annual membership allowing you to embrace as many projects as you wish within that time. Our membership fees are simple, with no hidden costs.
  • Global membership – From conservation projects in Costa Rica to beach cleans in Bali, with Workaway we offer a global membership and mean it. We have hosts in 170 countries around the world, so you can start doing good with a sustainable project close to home or venture further afield.
  • Join solo, as a couple, or as a family – If the prospect of joining solo sounds overwhelming, we’ve got you. Not only can you find a travel buddy via Workaway, but we also offer couple and family membership options so you can travel the world with your favourite people in the world.
  • No experience? No problem – Whether you’re just starting a gap year, or you’re a volunteering veteran, we believe there is a perfect host for everyone regardless of your skills or experience. While some environmental projects need specific skills such as carpentry or a driver’s licence, the majority just ask that you bring an open mind, a willingness to learn, and an enthusiasm for the environment.

What to expect from environmental volunteering with Workaway?

Many people assume environmental volunteering means getting their hands dirty planting trees or living off-grid without home comforts. While Workaway is the perfect platform to experience those things, there is so much more to it.

Generally, hosts will expect around 5 hours of your time each day, in exchange for food and accommodation. Some hosts also offer a paid allowance, this will be marked on their profile. Schedule agreements and accommodation will vary depending on the skills you offer but will all be discussed beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.

With regard to volunteering itself, the possibilities are endless. While some hosts require manual labour such as harvesting vegetables, repairing fencing or rearing livestock, other environmental projects need assistance with collecting data, creating marketing material, and raising awareness..

Every single host offers a unique experience, with no two volunteering experiences being the same. What you can be guaranteed however is to expect to make a positive impact on the environment, all while exploring a beautiful, new destination and making lifelong friendships along the way.


Find the Perfect Project with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

If all that info is making you feel more overwhelmed than inspired, there is actually a super-easy way to find hosts that share your excitement for the environment. Once you hit search on the host list look for hosts with the colourful “Sustainable project icon”. This means they support the SDG’s.

Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals that the UN is committed to working towards. Their aim is to create lasting positive change and freedom in areas including People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.

Their purpose is to provide a framework for programs that will support the eradication of poverty, violence, disease, fear and hunger. This will be achieved through projects that focus on education, equality, sanitation, human rights, and mental, physical and social well-being.

While some environmental projects focus on just one or two of these goals, others offer a wealth of ways you can support this incredible cause. For hosts with the sustainable project icon, the goals which they support will be visible on their profile. This makes it easy for you to find a project that aligns with your mission too!


Best Environmental Volunteer Opportunities

You may have your backpack ready and know exactly the type of environmental project you want to be a part of. If you have no clue however, our environmental volunteer opportunities can be summarised into a few categories that might help narrow your search.

As a bonus, many of our environmental volunteer opportunities allow you to work alongside experts in the field, providing you with knowledge and skills for free. Workaway is an ideal way to test your future career and learn from mentors without the expense or commitment of a degree. All while making the world a better place. It’s a win for the planet and the people!

  • Conservation – Whether you have a drive to protect endangered animals, preserve fragile ecosystems or protect humanity through conserving indigenous cultures, we’ll help you find the perfect project. From marine conservation to wildlife rehabilitation in the rainforest, your dream host is just a few clicks away.
  • Agriculture – Learning and teaching sustainable farming practices is a vital way to reduce greenhouse gases, protect nature and decrease poverty. Whether you want to learn more about permaculture, organic farming, or giving off-grid a go, Workaway is the perfect place for those who want a greener planet while getting their hands dirty.
  • Education – There are so many Workaway hosts making a difference through education. Sharing your knowledge and passion for the planet with local communities is an exciting way to drive change and raise awareness. After all, what better way to protect our planet than by teaching future generations? Your message won’t just be kept to the classroom either, it's inevitable that kids will discuss your teachings with their parents, neighbours and grandparents – ensuring your message is spread far and wide!

Found a few volunteer opportunities that you’d like to support? Don’t forget to add them to your favourite host list! This will make applying and planning so much easier.


What will I gain from environmental volunteering?

While we can all donate money to charity or keep up with our recycling, we can sometimes feel powerless when reminded of the bigger picture. That’s why volunteering is so empowering. You can actually witness your support making an impact.

As part of an environmental project, you will experience how small changes by many people can and will make a difference to our world. Thanks to incredible hosts, you won’t just feel part of a team you will feel part of a family, working towards a shared goal.

Regardless of the skills or abilities you offer, every minute of your time will be valued, especially when the climate clock is constantly ticking. As well as an overwhelming sense of achievement and pride, you will gain friendships, skills, and an appreciation for our environment that is unparalleled.

By volunteering with Workaway you aren’t just moving towards change, but you will inspire others to do so also. We all play a part in improving our planet and as Greta Thunberg once said, “you are never too small to make a difference”


How to get started with environmental volunteering

You’ve learned about the benefits, expectations and the endless environmental volunteer opportunities, so how do you get started? It’s as easy as one,two,three!

  1. Join – Start by signing up for a membership – remembering you can sign up solo, as a couple or even as a family. Each sign up will also add a tree to the Workaway forest. Then it’s time to perfect your profile. Alongside listing any skills or experience you feel your fellow eco-warriors will appreciate, don’t forget to include photos that showcase your ability to work as a team and your love of nature.
  2. Connect – Now for the real fun to start! Search for your perfect host using the tips we’ve covered so far. You can filter by location or keywords. Once you’ve favourited a few hosts, it’s time to connect! Our biggest tip when contacting hosts is to personlise your message. Don’t copy and paste the same thing to all your potential hosts. You want to stand out and that little extra effort will go a long way.
  3. Pack your bags – Once you and your host have agreed dates, projects and expectations it’s time to pack your bags and get ready to travel like a local while preserving the planet. In fact, sustainable travel isn’t just great for the planet’s health, it’s great for your health too! Talking of health, don’t forget travel insurance – because you need to be safe when saving the world.