Connecting cultures. Creating impact.

About Us

We know that you honour and admire the beauty of humanity.

You want to immerse yourself in the world’s diverse communities and cultures, and play your part in efforts to empower people all over the world. But you don’t know how.

At GVI, we have been connecting thousands of change-makers, like you, with sustainable impact projects for over 20 years.

We offer an extensive range of social development programs through which people from all walks of life can volunteer, intern and study. Our programs are led by our partners who are local to the communities we’re based in, and focused on making an ethical, data-driven, sustainable impact. 

With GVI, you get access to real-life practical experience to kick-off or advance your career. We also offer nature conservation programs where we focus on preserving the environment and protecting wildlife.

We know it’s important to you to create lifelong connections with like-minded global citizens who share your values. That’s why we invite you to enjoy meaningful exchanges based around language, music, cooking and cultural experiences. Just ask our alumni.

GVI is also a  proud member of the Gap Year Association.

You’ll see that we’re serious about ethics and sustainability – we partner with expert locally-led organisations and align ourselves to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). 

Over the years, we have been moved, educated and impelled by our many social development partners. Our work with them has won numerous awards and has been featured across global media. 

While you’re participating in the significant experiences that our locations have to offer, we don’t want you to worry about a thing. Our team offers support every step of the way – taking care of the admin, logistics and health and safety on your behalf. You’re in good hands.

With the climate crisis intensifying and the ripple effect it’s having on communities all over the world, GVI is more determined than ever to support measurable, sustainable and equitable efforts for the future of our people and the planet. 

By joining a GVI program, you’re not only contributing to something bigger than yourself, but also within yourself. You will never be the same again. Join us.

20+ years of sustainable impact

Meet the team

We're focused on ethics and measured impact

GVI employs a global network of dedicated on-the-ground and support staff, who are all experts in their fields and share a love for social impact. We believe in collaborating with local partners. When you join one of our programs, you essentially become part of a collective of like-minded and passionate change-makers, who are working towards the same sustainable development goals in each location. Here are just a few of our team members who you could be joining forces with:

Vanessa Rees
Senior Program Manager
Matt Craig
Country Director
Tara Prasad Gautam
Program Manager
Meet the team

Impact and ethics report

Decades of stories and data

Get informed and inspired by scrolling through GVI’s impact and ethics report. Read articles relating to ethics and social impact and the UN SDGs, as well as touching stories from our ambassadors. You’ll also find our metric measurements, which try to quantify the thousands of stories of human connection, collaboration, learning and achievement.

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