We work in economically developing countries generating partnerships with civil society organisations on the ground. Our partners address issues of poverty reduction, environmental protection and social justice on their own terms. Through 2Way Development, these organisations have a direct link to skilled volunteers that would otherwise be unavailable. By assisting with capacity building, volunteers can contribute to development in a sustainable way, whilst building their own skills and knowledge. Our placements are about an equal exchange of benefits between our partners and our volunteers.

All our placements are personally tailored to suit a volunteer's skills and abilities. That's why we only take on skilled individuals - with either a formal education in the area they are pursuing abroad, or at least two years experience in a relevant field. Except in rare cases, volunteers are aged 21 or over. All our volunteers undergo a CRB check, and we verify their qualifications and experiences. We provide volunteers with advice on planning their placement - issues such as travel, visas, vaccinations, insurance and health and safety. Volunteers use this information to help them in their responsibility of organising the practical details of their placement.

Our partners are not-not-for-profit, civil society organisations that are locally run, addressing issues of poverty reduction, environmental protection or social justice. All of our partners undergo a comprehensive vetting process to ensure they are suitable as a host organisation and in genuine need of volunteer skills. Partners are responsible for volunteers while they are abroad, for meeting them at the airport, providing an initial orientation period, and arranging accommodation. They also provide volunteers with a supervisor throughout their placement.

We don't set up our own projects overseas. Instead, we provide a link to well-established grassroots organisations around the world. We believe this is a far better way to match the skills and ambitions of volunteers to the needs of communities. All volunteers are provided with a choice of a minimum of three placement options, personally tailored to match their skills and preferences. We make sure that details of a volunteer's role, accommodation and supervisor are finalised well in advance of a placement start date. We recommend that placements should last for a minimum of 2-3 months and a maximum of 2 years.

2Way Development is financed solely through the fee we charge to volunteers, which goes entirely towards administration. Our partners suffer no administration fees of receiving a volunteer, allowing us to access to a variety of otherwise neglected charitable groups. 2Way Development receives no government funding so we don't eat up precious government aid budgets. Volunteers are required to cover all costs associated to their placement.

Search some examples of our partners to give you a taste of the areas we work in.