On this gender equality internship in Madagascar, you’ll work with a group of women who have created a learning and support network to advance gender equality. You’ll support this community network with initiatives designed to improve women’s and girls’ access to vocational and life skills, develop economic resources, and provide mentorship across career and personal skills development.
Live and work on a sustainable eco-base on the edge of one of Madagascar’s oldest wilderness and most beautiful communities. Our programs are driven by partnerships with local community organisations who determine, design, manage and own the project’s objectives and goals. You’ll work closely with local women’s groups and at schools to develop and implement initiatives that promote gender equality, access to equal educational and employment opportunities, as well as economic empowerment.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts specialising in sustainable development, permanently based in Madagascar with a deep understanding of the local environment. Learn about best practices, tools and approaches used to address gender disparities and be part of a team of passionate individuals who share your values and vision for a more equitable world. You’ll also have the opportunity to take on meaningful professional and leadership responsibilities, including project management, capacity building, designing and implementing team-building activities, and supporting GVI or partner staff with other research or administrative tasks.
This internship will provide you with a unique perspective on the challenges that women and girls face in communities where gender equality has not been realised, and a front row seat to how local organisations work to address these challenges ethically and sustainably.
This internship is specifically useful for someone who has or is actively studying the below subject areas at school, university or college, or has an interest in these subject areas.
Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.
General | |
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Food | |
Safe and basic accommodation (usually shared) | |
Airport pick up (unless stated) | |
All project equipment | |
24-hour in-country support from local staff | |
24-hour emergency desk | |
GVI Experiences |
Activities | |
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Sustainable project work | |
Data collection and research | |
Leadership responsibilities | |
Personal project |
Mentorship | |
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Weekly group sessions | |
Internship supervisor guidance |
Pre-program training | |
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Pre-departure webinar | |
Pre-departure training (online) | |
University of Richmond endorsed specialisation course | |
University of Richmond endorsed leadership course |
Welcome training | |
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GVI welcome presentation | |
Health & safety | |
Local culture & environment | |
UN SDGs | |
Impact & ethics | |
Child protection |
Advanced leadership training | |
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Personal development record | |
Project planning and management |
Career services | |
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University of Richmond careers course | |
Career coaching sessions (x2) | |
Career guarantee | |
LinkedIn reference – upon request | |
Job portal |
Certificates | |
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Program certificate | |
University certificate – specialisation (University of Richmond) | |
University certificate – leadership (University of Richmond) | |
University certificate – careers (University of Richmond) |
Not included |
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Flights |
International and domestic airport taxes |
Medical and travel insurance |
Visa costs |
Police or background check |
Personal items and toiletries |
Additional drinks and gratuities |
Our base is located on Nosy Be island – also known as the “Perfumed Island” because of its ylang-ylang plantations, which give off a beautiful floral scent during their flowering season. This island is also renowned for its extinct volcanoes, ancient rainforests and an abundance of rare and incredible species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, such as the Nosy Be panther chameleon, the Hawks’ sportive lemur and the Madagascan fish eagle. Nosy Be means “big island” in the local Malagasy language, and is located off the northwestern coast of Madagascar.
On our community development programs, you’ll have the opportunity to work on projects with a focus on teaching English or gender equality.
On our teaching programs you’ll assist with teaching the English language – supporting the younger students with the language, as well as assisting with their grasp of environmental education. That will take place in the mornings. In the afternoons, you will be doing the same for adults. English is a vital skill for people to learn as it’s highly sought after in the local job market and tourism industry.
When you join a gender equality program, you’ll help tackle gender disparities. On Nosy Be island, women and girls have created a network centred on mutual support, confidence and skill growth. This initiative covers areas like career advancement, conservation awareness and gender equality. Your role involves collaborating, leading workshops, and assisting with community empowerment initiatives.
If you choose to complete a wildlife conservation program in Nosy Be your work will include trekking through the Lokobe National Park, (a “strict reserve”), looking for signs of critically endangered lemurs and the great variety of bird, reptile, amphibian and butterfly species that call this rainforest habitat home. Forest surveys are conducted in the morning or at night. With spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the Indian Ocean, there are bound to be many priceless photo opportunities during the course of your program.
We want you to make the most of the chance to live in – and contribute towards – the most diverse and unique wildernesses and communities on earth. Introducing GVI Experiences – immersive adventure, cultural and wellness activities exclusive to GVI that have been specially designed in collaboration with our local partners to support and stimulate sustainable economic development.
Enhance your impact. Expand your adventure. Explore your world.
By joining a GVI program, you not only have the opportunity to work in collaboration with local communities, you also get the chance to explore the surrounding area or venture further to see what else the region has to offer on weekends.
Our field staff are a great source of advice on local travel options. Many participants choose to travel before or after their experience, solidifying friendships made on the program.
Engaging with a new context teaches global awareness, adaptability and critical thinking – skills highly valued in today’s world. Cultural immersion is encouraged, and there are many activities to enjoy during your free time or before and after your program. Please note, these suggestions aren’t included in the program fee and are at your own expense.
If you’d like to find out what the experience of joining a GVI project is really like, simply contact us and we’ll put you in touch with one of our many Alumni.
We’ll try to match you to an Alum based on your location, nationality, age, stage of academic career, gender, and program interests. This allows you to gain insights into the experience that is most relevant to you.
Depending on your location you might be able to speak to an Alum over the phone or online, or meet up with them face-to-face at a coffee shop nearby. We also run a series of small events around the world where you can speak to GVI Alumni, Ambassadors and staff members.
Program Manager
Meet Padraig, also known as Pod, our Program Manager in Nosy Be, Madagascar. Pod is a passionate wildlife photographer and used to work professionally in the film and TV industr ...
‘If only every student could do this. It changes your life in all the right ways,’ says Chris Heritage, parent of Luke Heritage, one of our teen volunteers who has participated on two GVI programs, one in Costa Rica and another in South Africa.
We are a parent-run organisation that is incredibly serious about health and safety, and increasing the impact, as well as the long-term career benefits of our programs. Our programs help young people develop the skills to select a career path that is personally fulfilling, and live a life aligned to the well-being of our planet and the global community.
GVI is a proud member of the Gap Year Association.
Ken and Linda Jeffrey, whose son Sam volunteered with GVI in Thailand, talk about how the experience affected Sam. He also went on to volunteer with GVI again in South Africa. ‘I know it sounds like a cliche but in a sense, he did go away as a boy and he came back as a young man. Both of us could recommend GVI without any hesitation to any other parent thinking about exploring an opportunity for their children to explore the world and to see different parts of it.’
Download the Parent Pack and learn more about:
Our staff: All our projects are run by staff, selected, vetted, trained, and managed by our central office.
Health and safety: Our safety practices include a child and vulnerable adult protection policy and high participant ratios.
Staying in touch: See what’s happening on base, by following a hub’s dedicated Facebook page.
Free parent consultations: We would love to talk to you about exciting opportunities available for your child.
When it comes to support, we ensure that each participant is provided with unparalleled, 360 degree support, from your initial contact with the GVI Family, all the way through your program, and even after, as you become part of the GVI Alumni Team.
As part of this promise, we will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. In most locations, we also set up a Whatsapp group to help with managing airport arrivals.
We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a GVI t-shirt or holding a GVI sign and wearing a friendly smile.
This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to your GVI base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.
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As GVI is providing this portal as a service we are not responsible for the accuracy of this site.
We are also not responsible for any loss, damage (including loss of profits or consequential damages), injury, illness, harm or death in relation to your flight and travel arrangements.
All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.
Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the UN SDGs. Then once you arrive on base, you’ll learn about the specific goals we have in this particular location, our various objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these.
Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to be an active global citizen after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.
With an abundance of diverse natural landscapes, a variety of unique, endemic species and a diversity of distinct cultures, there are many opportunities for expanding ethical and responsible ecotourism and cultural tourism throughout Madagascar, including on the Nosy Be island where we are based. The country’s truly special biodiversity makes it a precious conservation area. Our work on Nosy Be includes assisting local organisations and community members with gender equality initiatives and increasing their English language literacy so that they can better achieve education, economic development and conservation goals.
Conversational workshops with park rangers and other adults
We’re based at the edge of Lokobe National Park and work with the local community to improve their English language literacy through conversational English workshops. This skill assists them with achieving their conservation and professional development goals.
Primary school educator and student support
We work with several primary schooling educators in communities surrounding Lokobe National Park. We support them in improving their English language literary resources for learners between six and eleven years of age. In addition to creating resources for English language literacy, we also assist local educators with improving their resources on a range of other subjects and topics related to their goals for their students.
Community-led gender equality initiatives
Gender disparities exist in Madagascar, limiting opportunities for women and girls, especially in education and jobs. On Nosy Be, a women’s network promotes support, confidence and training, addressing key health and equality issues. We collaborate by expanding skill access, enhancing economic empowerment, and providing guidance for growth. This includes workshops, resource development, and capacity building within the network. Together, we work towards driving positive change.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals the GVI Nosy Be community hub contributes towards are Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
GVI Nosy Be long-term objectives:
1. Improve English language literacy resources for adults in the communities surrounding Lokobe National Park.
2. Improve English language literacy for Lokobe National Park park rangers.
3. Improve resources for primary school educators and their students in communities surrounding Lokobe National Park.
4. Support teacher training through workshops in educational approaches, skills and techniques.
5. Improve the opportunities and autonomy of local women and girls and raise awareness about the importance of women’s empowerment.
Below is a list of core ethics and best practices we believe are essential to the operation of high quality, ethical volunteer and sustainable development programs. We believe that all responsible volunteer and sustainable development operations should focus upon these principles. If you are considering volunteering, these are some of the key considerations you should question, to ensure that your time and money contributes towards positive change.
We want to constantly develop our own understanding of ethical best practice. In so doing, we aim to provide an exemplary industry standard for other education institutions, international development organisations, and social enterprises. Our Badge of Ethics stands for the drive to always do good, better. Find out more, click on the Badge below.
We aim to design all our projects in collaboration with local organizations and communities and ensure that they are locally driven.
We aim to clearly define short-, mid-, and long-term objectives with sustainable outcomes for all our projects.
We aim to track, record, and publish the impact of each of our projects.
We aim to build in-country capacity by assisting local organizations in becoming self-sustaining.
For each local organization we work with, we aim to have a plan in place for withdrawing support responsibly.
We aim to ensure that every participant is assigned a clear role and that they are fully trained and supported to carry out their work by specialized staff.
In all our actions we aim to respect the skills and efforts of all and seek to protect the rights, culture and dignity of everyone who engages with GVI.
We work to ensure that credit for the results of any project, along with any data collected, research conducted, or Intellectual Property developed, remains the property of local organizations.
We do not condone and aim to withdraw support of orphanages and residential care centers.
We will live by our Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult policies.
As an organization, GVI is committed to striving toward best practice, and to educating both our potential participants, our partners, and the world at large about them. Both the volunteering and sustainable development sectors are increasingly, and rightly, under scrutiny. Many recent local and global articles highlight poor practices and questionable ethics. GVI is widely recognized for striving to apply global best practice in the volunteering, education and sustainable development sectors throughout our operations by reputable organizations such as ChildSafe.
However, global best practice is always evolving and we dedicate both time and resources to engage with internationally respected experts and learn from the latest research to ensure our programs both fulfil their potential to create maximum positive impact, and minimise their potential to create unintentional negative impact. Along with and as part of the sustainable development and volunteering community, we are constantly learning and applying this learning to practice. We do not always get everything right, but we seek feedback from our community members, partners, participants and our staff, and react accordingly. We know are already doing a great job, and feedback we have received confirms this, but we aim to do even better and are continuously refining our operations to improve upon our already excellent reputation.
We don’t support the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes. This includes riding animals, having them perform tricks, feeding or bathing them or getting close to them to take photos
We don’t encourage, support or allow the rearing of “orphaned” wild baby animals kept at a “sanctuary”. The conservation value of these types of programs is negligent and would only ethically be used in extremely rare cases
When wild animals are restricted for conservation purposes we follow the guidelines of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
We ensure that the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are followed. These include the freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from distress, discomfort, hunger, thirst, fear, pain, injury or disease.
We ensure that conservation efforts are also always locally led, that community needs are front-and centre of any conservation effort and that our participants, projects and partners work to increase local community engagement in local conservation efforts.
We don’t offer any veterinary programs or animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. We don’t allow participants to do any work they would not be able to do in their home country.
We don’t support or allow participants to work in institutional residential care facilities, also known as orphanages. We partner with ReThink Orphanages and Freedom United.
Our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy requires all our staff and participants to complete a criminal background check and to learn why you shouldn’t reveal a child’s identifying factors in photographs. We support the ChildSafe Movement.
We don’t offer any programs where our participants engage in medical treatment. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country. Our participants only assist with public health programs.
We don’t offer any programs where our participants work directly with people with disabilities. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country.
A GVI program is an investment in your career. No matter which you choose, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise and earning qualifications in many cases. Most of our staff are, in fact, GVI Alumni, and we have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs. Each program includes introductory workshops, ongoing presentations, as well as on-the-ground professional support provided by our very own trained staff members. In addition, our training programs are critical for helping us to ensure the long-term impact of our sustainable development projects around the world.
Learn about the importance of child and vulnerable adult protection best practices and how to apply them while on project.
Introduction to the history and evolution of sustainable development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and how these related to your project work.
Learn about our country locations and further opportunities available to you during or after your program.
Learn about gender equality, skills development and examples of income-generating activities.
Learn about our empowerment principles.
In this course, you’ll explore the most common pitfalls of community development initiatives so that you can avoid them. You’ll also learn how to carry out community development work effectively and ethically and how local context impacts program development. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
Career paths in social and environmental impact are not as well-established as in other fields. That’s why we’ll provide our interns who have successfully completed their program with our Careers in Sustainable Development course. In this course, you’ll learn about current and emerging opportunities in a range of sectors, allowing you to make the best decision about your future.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all internships. Full course details can be found here.
Leadership is a critical skill set for anyone looking to make an impact or drive sustainable development. Develop your own leadership style and learn how to set achievable objectives, give effective feedback and manage conflict successfully. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
We won’t sugarcoat it — traveling abroad is usually a complex process that carries an element of risk. But this is exactly why we’re passionate about providing extensive support throughout the process as well as the highest safety standards during the in-country phase. We believe that volunteering abroad should not only be impactful, but an enjoyable experience that carries as little risk as possible. This is exactly how we’ve been able to maintain our reputation as the most highly respected volunteering organisations in the sector over the past two decades.
Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.