How do you foster respectful, long-term partnerships?

As a consulting company, our role is to facilitate connections between organizations seeking to implement sustainable travel practices and our network of experienced local partners. By focusing on strategic partnerships and knowledge sharing, we aim to amplify the impact of these local organizations and ensure the sustainability of their initiatives. This approach allows us to work with a diverse range of partners, each with unique needs and goals, while maintaining a high level of quality and effectiveness.

How do you prioritize sustainability as a travel company?

While we recognize the environmental impact of travel, we also acknowledge its essential role in our increasingly interconnected world. Travel offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, fostering intercultural understanding, and inspiring innovative solutions.

To minimize our environmental footprint, we prioritize sustainable travel practices outlined by the UN Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Such practices include carbon offsetting, encouraging the use of local transportation, supporting eco-friendly accommodations, and promoting responsible consumption. We also conduct pre-departure orientation. This management of expectations is a priority to us in order to ensure cultural preservation for our partners. By balancing the desire for exploration and the importance of cross-cultural understanding with environmental responsibility, we strive to create positive impacts on both people and the planet.

How are community development projects decided?

We prioritize projects that are community-led and community-driven. Our approach is to support existing projects and organizations rather than imposing our own ideas. By collaborating with local communities, we ensure that volunteer efforts are aligned with local priorities, address genuine needs and contribute to sustainable development. We believe that this approach fosters a sense of ownership and empowers local communities to drive their own initiatives.

How do you balance short-term volunteerism with long-term sustainable development?

While short-term volunteer programs can have a limited impact, our approach focuses on building long-lasting relationships between participants and local communities. We facilitate ongoing connections through post-program support, encouraging participants to stay involved and contribute to the communities they've experienced. By fostering these relationships, and always defaulting to a community-led structure, we aim to maximize the positive impact of your programs.

Our unique company structure allows us to maintain lasting relationships with local communities long after volunteers leave. By leveraging our network of partners and alumni, we can provide ongoing support and facilitate continued engagement. This ensures that the benefits of volunteer engagement extend beyond the initial volunteer experience and contribute to sustainable development.

How do you ensure cultural sensitivity and respect in your programs?

We prioritize cultural sensitivity and respect in all aspects of our programs. Before departure, participants undergo comprehensive cultural orientation and training to foster intercultural understanding and respectful interactions. We also provide ongoing support, guidance and educational activities throughout the program to ensure that participants are mindful of their impact on the community.

How do you address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?

Our program design and communications prioritize being inclusive and accessible to participants from diverse backgrounds. We work to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected, these values extend to our international partners as well. We gather important details about each participant to ensure we can provide the necessary support, including mental health resources. Our orientation activities encourage group dynamics and explore concepts of intersectionality, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse experiences and perspectives. By emphasizing cultural exchange and empathy, we aim to foster positive relationships between participants and local communities.

We conduct thorough research on local laws, customs, and cultural norms to ensure that our programs are culturally sensitive and respectful. We also consider how these factors may impact participants from diverse backgrounds, and we provide guidance and support to help them navigate these differences.

How do you approach risk management?

Risk management is an important piece of our pre-departure preparation and trip leader training. Preparation is integral to running a smooth program. Our comprehensive risk management protocol adheres to standards set by International SOS. This protocol ensures that potential risks are mitigated and emergency protocols are in place before participants embark on their journey.

This includes:

• Robust Risk Assessment: Rigorous pre-departure risk assessments and preparation are conducted, including site visits to validate itineraries and service providers.

• Comprehensive Pre-Departure Training: Participants receive thorough training on safety protocols, cultural sensitivity, emergency procedures, and mental health strategies.

• Experienced On-the-Ground Support: For your program, we curate a team of experienced professionals with relevant first aid and emergency response qualifications/training to oversea participants throughout the program. We can also train any current trip leaders you have.