Balangoda Restoration Project: Volunteering for Rainforest Recovery in Sri Lanka The Balangoda Restoration Project, initiated by Rainforest Protectors in the foothills of the wet zone near Balangoda, offers an immersive, hands-on ecological restoration experience. Set within a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, the initiative works to reverse decades of deforestation, land fragmentation, and unsustainable agriculture. Through practical regeneration methods—including planting native rainforest trees, assisted natural regeneration, soil and watershed restoration, agroforestry systems, and riverine habitat protection—the project restores ecological connectivity while improving water regulation, soil stability, and climate resilience. Volunteers actively contribute to every phase of the project based on season and need. Work includes seed collection, nursery maintenance, soil preparation and composting, native planting, plot maintenance, mapping, and monitoring restoration areas, offering deep practical insights into tropical forest ecology. The living experience is intentionally low-impact and immersed in nature. Volunteers stay in simple eco-structures, such as mud or bamboo houses surrounded by wildlife, and experience traditional rural Sri Lankan culture. This includes authentic home-cooked meals, local farming techniques, traditional ecological knowledge, and meaningful community interaction. To complement field labor, the experience balances hard work with recreation across the region’s rich landscape. Participants can swim in pristine local rivers, hike to hidden forest waterfalls, explore nature trails, visit nearby villages, spot wildlife, or embark on safaris in neighboring natural areas. This program is ideal for individuals seeking a deep, direct contribution to rainforest conservation and living landscape regeneration beyond standard tourism. Volunteering Inquiries & Contact: Email - sajwijesingha@gmail.com Phone - 94 777 77 1348
The Impact Center by ZeroPlastic is a craft experience and environmental learning space in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. It connects visitors with local craftsmanship, plastic alternatives and the work of ZeroPlastic Movement. The center is based in Rotawewa, on Sigiriya Road, and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. As a Local Craft and Artisan Empowerment Volunteer, you will support the center’s daily operations and help bring greater visibility to products made by 352 local artisans. You’ll work alongside the center team and in-house artists to welcome visitors, support craft workshops and exhibitions, and share the stories behind local products. The center offers hands-on coconut shell and bamboo craft experiences, displays handmade products, and uses creative activities to introduce visitors to reuse and plastic reduction. Depending on your skills and the team’s priorities, you may also help improve product displays, product descriptions, visitor information and the way artisan stories are presented. Any product feedback or development work will be done in collaboration with the artisans and center team. No previous craft experience is required. We welcome volunteers who are interested in sustainability, local culture, crafts, tourism, communications or community-based work, and who are ready to learn and help with practical tasks.
ZeroPlastic Movement works to reduce plastic pollution through education, community action and practical changes. Join our team in Sigiriya, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and help build awareness of plastic reduction in the surrounding community and tourism businesses. Based near the ZeroPlastic Impact Center, you will support initiatives with hotels, villas, homestays and restaurants in Sigiriya. Working with business owners and employees, you’ll help share practical ways to reduce plastic consumption and encourage alternatives that suit each business. You may also help with community awareness activities and environmental education at local schools. Activities are planned with our local team and partners. You’ll help prepare and share awareness materials, support discussions and promote practical steps that protect the environment and the character of this important heritage area. Teaching or environmental qualifications are not required; curiosity, respect and a willingness to communicate are more important.
Our English Teaching Program gives international volunteers the opportunity to support children and young people in a local Sri Lankan community while experiencing everyday village life and culture. At Akuratatha, we believe that learning English can create valuable opportunities for children in the future. Many children in rural areas have limited opportunities to practise speaking English outside school. Volunteers can help make learning more enjoyable, practical, and confidence-building through friendly and interactive lessons. Volunteers do not need to be professional teachers. We welcome people who are patient, friendly, responsible, and enthusiastic about working with children. You can use your own ideas and skills to make lessons interesting through conversations, games, songs, storytelling, reading, drawing, educational activities, and simple sports or creative activities. The teaching environment is informal and supportive. Volunteers can work with children at different English levels and adapt activities according to their abilities. The main aim is to help children become more comfortable using English and to encourage them to communicate without being afraid of making mistakes. This program is also a cultural exchange. Volunteers will have the chance to meet local families, experience Sri Lankan village life, enjoy traditional Sri Lankan food, and learn about local customs and daily life. At the same time, children can learn about different countries and cultures from their international volunteers. Akuratatha is a simple, family-based organisation, and we personally welcome our volunteers and support them during their stay. Volunteers become part of our community rather than simply attending a placement. During your free time, you can explore the beautiful southern coast of Sri Lanka, including Weligama, Mirissa, Ahangama, Matara, and Galle. You can enjoy swimming, surfing, diving, beaches, local markets, cultural sites, and wildlife safaris.
For over 30 years, the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) has worked to protect Sri Lanka’s extraordinary wildlife and natural landscapes while helping people and wildlife thrive together. Our work is built on a simple belief: lasting conservation is only possible when local communities are part of the solution. Rather than focusing on wildlife in isolation, SLWCS places communities at the heart of its research and conservation efforts. We work to understand the challenges facing both people and wildlife, develop practical solutions to human-wildlife conflict, protect biodiversity, and create opportunities that benefit local communities. Our mission is to help communities balance ecosystem protection with economic development by pioneering innovative and sustainable solutions for wildlife conservation. Through research, education, community engagement, and field-based initiatives, we strive to create a future where people and wildlife can coexist. SLWCS programs provide tangible benefits to local communities, including employment opportunities and support for sustainable livelihoods. By involving local people directly in conservation, we encourage responsible stewardship of natural resources and strengthen the long-term sustainability of our work. Volunteers and conservation enthusiasts from around the world also play an important role. By participating in meaningful fieldwork, they directly support our research, conservation, and community initiatives while gaining an immersive understanding of wildlife conservation in action. Over three decades, our award-winning work has gained international recognition. Yet our greatest impact can be seen in the landscapes, wildlife, and communities we work alongside every day. Protecting wildlife. Empowering communities. Creating lasting coexistence.
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
The Foundation of Goodness is a Sri Lankan charitable organization dedicated to bridging the gap between rural and urban communities by creating opportunities in education, sports, vocational training, health, women's empowerment, digital literacy, and community development. Founded in 1999, the Foundation has grown into one of Sri Lanka's leading humanitarian organizations, impacting thousands of lives through its network of Village Heartbeat Empowerment (VHE) Centres across the country. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to build sustainable and independent futures. We welcome volunteers from around the world who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise. Volunteers can contribute in areas such as education, English language teaching, IT, sports coaching, healthcare, arts, environmental initiatives, business development, and professional skills training. We aim to match volunteers' interests and experience with projects where they can create meaningful and lasting impact. Corporate volunteer groups are also encouraged to partner with us through skills-based volunteering, employee engagement programs, and community service initiatives. We work closely with organizations to develop volunteer experiences that align with their expertise, goals, and available time while addressing genuine community needs. Our volunteer programs provide participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Sri Lankan culture, collaborate with local communities, and contribute to sustainable development in a responsible and impactful way.
The sole purpose of our project is to care for the welfare and well-being of domesticated elephants. At ECRF, we prioritize the mental and physical health of the elephants under our care. We do not engage in riding or exploitative activities with our elephants. Mornings begin with cleaning the elephants’ beds, collecting food for the day, preparing vitamin balls (sometimes containing necessary medicine), and assisting with day-trip visitors. Renting and maintaining elephants is extremely expensive, and the project relies solely on donations and volunteer support, which is why we ask for a fee to join. Our dream is to buy a piece of land where our elephants can roam as freely as possible. We aim to educate as many people as possible about the realities of tourist attractions and the logging industry, so we hope you will have many questions to ask.