DIRECTORY:
1) Online Networks
- Homestays
- Volunteering
2) Travel/Volunteer agencies
- Volunteer/Job Placement
- Voluntourism/Adventure Tours/Ethical Holidays
3) General Information/Resources
Online Networks:
Homestays:
Couchsurfing
Website: Couchsurfing.com
Date established: 1999 in the USA
Provides: Network for free accomodation for travelers, opportunity to meet/host/be a guest of people from all around the world, discussion groups, meet-ups, gatherings, and community
Presence in India: 8,617 people are registered
Presence in Rajasthan: 208 people are registered
Presence in Jaipur: 134 people are registered
Costs: Free to sign up, free homestay, small fee to be verified as a host
Notes: Great deal of member overlap with hospitalityclub.org
Hospitalityclub
Website: hospitalityclub.org
Provides: Network for free accomodation for travelers, opportunity to meet/host/be a guest of people from all around the world, discussion groups, meet-ups, gatherings, and community
Presence in India: 6,259 people are registered
Presence in Rajasthan: 213 people are registered
Presence in Jaipur: 125 people are registeredCosts: Free to sign up, free homestay
Notes: Great deal of member overlap with couchsurfing.com
*World Without Obstacles (* has a base organization in India or was founded in India)
Website: worldwithoutobstacles.org
Date established: 2002 in India
Provides: Online network established in 15 countries that provides information for intercultural exchange, homestays, various educational courses, and foreign language tutorials.
Presence in India: network based in New Delhi
Volunteering:
* WWOOF (Worldwide opportunities on organic farms)
Website: www.wwoof.org/ or www.wwoofindia.org/home.htm (for India, specifically)
Date established: 1971 in the UK & 2007 in India
Provides: Online and print database of organic farms that need volunteers for work exchange around the world, monthly newsletters, resources on organic farming.
Presence in India: 41 farms
Presence in Rajasthan: 3 farms currently participating all just outside of Jaipur
1) Nirvana Organic Farm
2) Saharia Organic Farm (also listed in Lonely Planet guidebook) www.sahariaorganicfarm.com
3) M Foundation
Presence in Jaipur: see presence in Rajasthan
Costs: $20 per individual and $30 per couple to join WWOOF India
Voluntourism
website: voluntourism.org
Date established: 2004 in USA
Provides: Network of NGOs and organizations that are committed to voluntourism trips, information, resources, newsletters concerning voluntourism
Presence in India: 6 participating organizations
Action Without Borders
Website: idealist.org
Date established: 1995 in New York, USA
Provides: Network of volunteer opportunities, nonprofit jobs, internships, events, collectives, courses, and meetings around the world, community, discussion groups, and forums for members
Presence in India: 1,387 participating organizations
Presence in Rajasthan: 29 participating organizations
Presence in Jaipur: 12 participating organizations
Worldwide Volunteering
Website: Worldwidevolunteering.org
Date established: 1994 in the UK
Provides: Network of NGOs and organizations that seek volunteers or provide volunteer vacations, information, resources, newsletters concerning international volunteer work
Presence in India: 219 participating organizations
Independent Volunteer
Website: www.independentvolunteer.org
Date established: 2006 in Australia
Provides: Online network of low-cost or free volunteer opportunities around the world
Presence in India: Various projects in India
Costs: Free or low-cost
True Travellers Society
Website: www.truetravellers.org
Date established: 2006 in Canada
Provides: Low-cost or free volunteer opportunities around the world, discussion groups, and resources
Presence in India: Various projects in India
Costs: Free or low-cost
* ivolunteer
Website: ivolunteer.org.in
Date established: 2004 in India
Provides: Online network of volunteer opportunities in India and abroad, professional volunteer fellowships, volunteer literature and resources
Presence in India: Based in India
The Global Neighbour Network
Website: www.nabuur.com
Provides: Volunteer opportunities that are requested and created by local people in communities around the world
Presence in India: 17 projects in India
Help Exchange (HelpX)
Website: helpx.net
Date established: 2001
Provides: Online database of international hosts in need of volunteers to work in exchange for room and board.
Presence in India: 9 participants
Presence in Rajasthan: 3 participants
Presence in Jaipur: 2 participants (1 organic farmstay and 1 backpacker hostel)
Costs: Free to join
Workaway.info
Website: workaway.info
Date established: 2002
Provides: Online database of international hosts in need of volunteers to work in exchange for room and board.
Presence in India: 5 participants (farms, schools, homestays)
Costs: 15 Euros to join (part of the fee benefits Amnesty International)
Travel/Volunteer Agencies:
Volunteer/Job Placement:
* Ananda (from good alt. guide)
Website: www.anandacrafts.org
Date established: 1999 in India
Provides: Conservation and sustainable volunteer projects within the Himalayan mountain region)
Presence in India: Based in India (Himalayan region)
Gapguru
Date established: 2004 in UK
Website: www.gapguru.com/
Provides: Volunteer projects (with limited paid work opportunities) and holidays specifically geared towards individuals taking a gap year
Presence in India: All trips based in India
Presence in Rajasthan: 2 holidays go through Rajasthan
Presence in Jaipur: 1 holiday stops in Jaipur
International Childcare Trust
Website: www.ict-uk.org/
Date established: 1982 in the UK
Provides: Job placement, internships, and volunteer opportunities, advocacy campaigns, resources, sponsorship opportunities, and literature
Presence in India: Various projects in Tamil Nadu, Cycle India challenge 2008 www.cycleindia.com (fundraiser for ICT in Kerala)
Global Crossroads
Date established: 2003 in USA
Website: www.globalcrossroad.com/
Provides: Short and long-term volunteer trips, internships, foreign language trips, jobs, and voluntourism
Presence in India: 11 programs in India
Presence in Rajasthan: 2 short-term trips travel through Rajasthan
Presence in Jaipur: 2 short-term trips visit Jaipur
Cross Cultural Solutions
Date established: 1994 in USA
Website: www.crossculturalsolutions.org
Provides: Short and long-term volunteer trips, internships
Presence in India: 2 programs in India
Notes: Partnered with CARE and CARE Corps
* Mass Education (from alt travel guide)
Website: www.mass-education.com/ www.developmenttourism.net/
Provides: 6 month field placement opportunities, short-term tours, resources, and literature
Presence in India: Based in India (West Bengal)
Presence in Rajasthan: Some placements and tours experience Rajasthan
* ROSE (Rural Organisation for Social Elevation)
Website: www.rosekanda.info/aboutROSE.htm
Date established: 1981 in India
Provides: volunteer opportunities, eco-tourist accommodation, resources, literature
Presence in India: Based in India (Uttaranchal)
Costs: Small fee for registration, food, and accomodation
Voluntourism/Adventure Tours/Ethical Holidays:
* Relief Riders International
Date established: 2004
Website: www.reliefridersinternational.com/
Provides: Volunteer trips to deliver supplies and medicine to rural villages
Presence in India: All trips based in India
Presence in Rajasthan: Trips go to villages in Rajasthan
Notes: Trips temporarily suspended while the organization focuses on infrastructure
Explore!
Date established: 1981 in UK
Website: www.explore.co.uk/
Provides: Travel agency that arranges adventure holidays
Presence in India: 32 trips in India
Presence in Rajasthan: 14 trips to Rajasthan
Presence in Jaipur: 11 trips to Jaipur
*Billion Star Hotel (from alt travel guide)
Website: www.billionstarhotel.com/
Provides: camel safari trips through the Thar desert run by a cooperative of camel drivers
Presence in India: Based in India
Presence in Rajasthan: Based in Rajasthan (Jaisalmer)
Ethical Escapes (from Go Differently)
Website: www.ethicalescape.com/
Provides: Guides, holiday and accommodation information
Presence in India: Lists various eco-friendly guides, accommodations, and holidays throughout India (largely in Kerela)
Presence in Rajasthan: 2 partners in Rajasthan (trekking company and accommodation)
Go Differently
Website: godifferently.com
Date established: 2006
Provides: Travel agency that arranges ethical holidays, volunteer trips, voluntourism, yoga holidays, community-based trips, and homestays
Presence in India: 5 tours
Presence in Rajasthan: 1 tour goes through Rajasthan
Hands up Holidays
Website: www.handsupholidays.com/
Provides: Travel agency that arranges ethical holidays, volunteer trips, corporate trips, and community-based trips
Presence in India: 5 trips in India
Presence in Rajasthan: 3 trips that experience Rajasthan
Presence in Jaipur: 3 trips that experience Jaipur
Costs: Fee for trip (10% of profits go to Hands up Foundation, a charity that aids development in partner communities)
People and Places
Date established:
Website: www.travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk/projects.aspx
Provides: Arranges volunteer trips
Presence in India: 2 trips
* Tashila Tours and Travel (from alt travel guide)
Website: www.tashila.com
Date established: 1990 in Sikkim
Provides: tours and treks in the Himalayas
Presence in India: Based in India (Sikkim)
General Information and Resources:
* Equations
Website: www.equitabletourism.org/
Provides: Resources, literature, newsletter, research, lobbying concerning responsible tourism
Presence in India: Based in India
Make Travel Fair
Website: www.maketravelfair.com
Date established: 2006 in the UK
Provides: Online network, discussion forums, print and online travel guides, airfare resources, projects and volunteer opportunities concerned with responsible travel
Presence in India: Partners with the Nila Foundation in South India
Oneworld
Website: oneworld.net
Provides: Online country guides with perspectives on development, sustainability, and politics
Presence in India: In-depth India guide is available
Tourism Concern
Website: www.tourismconcern.org.uk/
Date established: 1988 in UK
Provides: Resources, literature, newsletter, research, events, and lobbying concerning responsible tourism
Presence in India: Various projects and campaigns
Costs: Optional membership fee and/or donation
Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism
Website: www.ECOT.org
Date established: 1982 in Hong Kong
Provides: Resources, literature, newsletter, research, lobbying concerning responsible tourism in third world nations
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)
Date established: 1945 UN
Website: UNESCO.org
Provides: Resources, literature, internships, fellowships, employment
Other links:
responsibletourismpartnership.org/
www.icrtindia.org/capetown.htm
www.responsibletourism2008.org/keraladeclaration.php
