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Environmental Education Volunteering in Bali - Ubud

Environmental Education Volunteering in Bali - Ubud

Love spending time in nature and want to be an Environmental Education volunteer in Bali - Ubud? International Volunteer HQ’s Environmental Education project enables volunteers to teach local elementary school children about recycling and sustainable living, as well as sharing English language skills. Volunteers will gain teaching experience and children will learn how to clean up and look after their home and the natural environment.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from AU$621 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Teach children to live sustainably for a cleaner future

  • Explore Bali’s ancient temples, rice terraces, and vibrant arts scene

  • Stay with other volunteers in scenic villages near Ubud

Key information

Teach communities how to live sustainably
Based in schools in the heart of Ubud
Dormitory-style volunteer houses
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$621 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
Introduction Week available
3 - 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers with an interest in conservation and supporting the delivery of environmental education campaigns. You'll need to be happy to work with children and able to take initiative in the classroom.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Plastic waste and other rubbish litter the streets of Bali. It’s a real problem for most of the country. Traditionally Balinese food was wrapped in banana leaves which would rot away when thrown on the ground, but locals now discard their plastic packaging in the same way, leaving their beautiful home strewn with trash. Teaching young children about recycling and what to do with their rubbish will help repair and protect the environment.

As an Environmental Education volunteer, you’ll be teaching local elementary school classes about recycling, sustainability and conservation. You’ll need to plan what and how you’re going to teach, keeping in mind that being creative, dynamic and fun will help keep students engaged. The students may also not speak much English, and schools are often poorly resourced so if you need anything special, bring it with you.

Environmental Education volunteers will:

  • Teach classes about responsible waste disposal and recycling
  • Plan lessons and activities
  • Lead community clean-up campaigns

Important dates to note for 2024:

  • 13th to 17th of May 2024 - School Exams: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in the Childcare project.
  • 9th of September to the 13th of September 2024 - Midterm School Exams: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in the Childcare project.
  • 23rd of September to 5th of October - All projects closed except Construction and Turtle Conservation - During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in cleaning, repairs and renovation activities in local schools for approximately 4 hours a day and have the remainder of their time free to enjoy the festivities.
Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Cities account for approximately 70% of global carbon emissions and over 60% of resource use, with low-socioeconomic areas hit hardest by overburdened infrastructure and worsening pollution. Cities must evolve to provide better access to basic services for all, including housing, transportation and clean air.

Why do Environmental Education volunteering in Ubud with IVHQ?

When you volunteer on the Environmental Education project in Ubud, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Helping teach children how to live sustainably
  • Cleaning up the local environment
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in Balinese life
  • Exploring Ubud’s rich culture and natural environment

Volunteer requirements

  • It is important to note, if a volunteer will be in Bali for less than 30 days and has chosen to join one of the add ons available such as the Introduction week, Adventure week or theYoga and Meditation Week, the volunteer will be able to join with a visa on arrival.
  • Alternatively, all volunteers joining the Bali program must obtain the Social Cultural Visa (C6B). This type of visa is required to join the program, no matter your nationality or duration in Bali. The visa can typically take up to 15 working days to process and once registered you will be provided with instructions on how to apply for this visa.
  • To respect the local culture and customs in Bali, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

AD
Agnieszka Dzietczyk
27 Oct 2023

Go with an open mind and be flexible - I read it in previous testimonials and totally agree with it. The positive, open-minded attitude helps a lot to adjust to the new local culture, especially if you're planning to volunteer for several weeks. And do ask for help if you have any questions - I relied a lot on the guidelines provided by the local coordinators. They were always happy to share their knowledge and experience, and it's been a huge pleasure partnering with them to make an impact on the local community.

...
RK
Ruby Kingsley
19 Sep 2023

It was great to meet new people from all over the world. Loved the cultural aspect of it that I wouldn’t have gotten to experience in the same way if I went as a tourist.

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EA
Emily Appleby
06 Sep 2023

I feel I gained not only friendships through this program but a greater appreciation for the people of Bali and their culture.

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EC
Estelle Coderey
24 Aug 2023

I rediscovered myself during this trip. This was my first solo trip and I was afraid to face this trip. Finally, I made a place for myself in the house of volunteers, I made real friends who wanted to get involved with Balinese children, just like me. I'm proud to have been with the children for two weeks, I learned a lot from them and I hope they learned something about the environment (picking up waste, sorting it, etc.). I am happy to have participated in this experience with IVHQ and the local team and would certainly do a humanitarian project again.

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BQ
Brendan Yuuki Quinn
20 Jul 2023

It was my first solo travel experience, and with the help of the local team, I gained confidence in navigating Bali. Volunteering was an enjoyable part of the journey, and it didn't consume all of my time. I was amazed by the tremendous freedom to explore and do as I pleased on the island. While it may be fun to go with a friend, I personally had a fantastic time and made wonderful acquaintances during my solo adventure, and stepped out of my comfort zone!

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NR
Nishka Rane
19 Jan 2023

My highlight on the program was during break time when one of the kids and I started playing the djembe together and rest of the kids and volunteers just danced around. My biggest block was the language barrier but in that moment we were able to freely communicate without any barriers and that moment was beautiful.
Then another day, we asked the kids to draw their favourite objects on the playground and 7 girls just wrote my name all over the playground and I will never forget that moment of joy.

It helped push me out of my comfort zone, especially since things had gotten a little stagnant for me since lockdown. It really pushes you to look deeper within yourself and offers a different perspective of new places and introduces you to people from different backgrounds. Volunteering gave me a new sense of confidence for travelling solo, as it offers a good balance of structure and freedom to explore (depending on your project, of course)

It really is the best way to see a new place and immerse yourself in the culture while also receiving the experience of a lifetime and making a positive impact on the local community. Would 10/10 recommend to anyone who likes to travel, explore different cultures, engage in community work or wants to push their boundaries.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit
Volunteer Abroad in Ubud, Bali with IVHQ

Location

Set among lush rice paddies and ancient temples, IVHQ’s Ubud program will send you back in time. The 14 villages that make up the historical town of Ubud have streets lined with statues and ornate temples that ooze old-world charm. Ubud is also known for its artistic flair, with countless art galleries, artists’ workshops, craft shops and markets to explore.

Arrival and orientation

The Bali volunteer program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Bali on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are in Bali prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Ubud or Denpasar on the day before your program orientation.

There are two options for orientation for the Bali - Ubud Program:

1-day Orientation:

The 1-day orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting with the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day. Volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project choosing this option will need to arrive into Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on the Sunday before 1pm. As you will be transferred straight to Nusa Penida for your one-day orientation the following day.

5-day Introduction Week:

The second option is Introduction Week, hosted by our Bali team in Ubud. The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Bali, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off a must-do Bali experiences! The Introduction Week will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

While volunteer schedules depend on the particular projects and placements, a typical day might look like this:

8:00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house
9:00 AM Volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours planning for their projects.
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Volunteers head to their placements.
5:00 PM Work at the project usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping.
5:00 - 6:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer house.

Weekends

Whether you’re into arts and crafts, ancient history, exploring nature or after an adrenaline rush, there’s plenty to satisfy you in and around Ubud. You can fill your weekends with statues, museums and temples, hiking to the summit of Mt Batur, seeing waterfalls, snorkeling, white-water rafting, art galleries, shopping at markets or visiting small farms and rice paddies.

Ubud’s central location also makes it easy to get to other places in Bali like the capital city of Denpasar and the glorious beaches and villages that line the southern coast - all less than an hour away by taxi.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be staying in a volunteer house, located about 15 minutes’ drive from central Ubud. The volunteer houses are set in small villages, which it’s a great way to see typical Balinese life.

Living conditions are comfortable and all volunteer houses have fans in the bedrooms. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to seven other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender. The bathroom is shared with a hot water shower and western toilets. There is a large outdoor dining area for volunteers to socialise and enjoy their meals together.

WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and there are great internet cafes in Ubud if you would like to access a higher speed connection.

Each volunteer house has a security guard at night and there is 10:30pm curfew every night at the volunteer accommodation, please be considerate and reduce noise.

If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at AU$83 per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.

Private room upgrades are also possible for an additional cost. These are subject to availability and once you have registered you will be able to request an upgrade.

Meals

Volunteers are served mainly Balinese style dishes and should expect light vegetarian meals like:

  • Rice, fresh vegetables and occasionally tempeh/tofu
  • Nasi goreng (fried rice and vegetables - often considered as the national dish)
  • Mie goreng (fried noodles and vegetables)
  • Gado gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce)

Western meals may be served during the week. Breakfast can include fresh fruit, toast, and eggs. Tea, coffee, and toast will be available throughout the day. Purified drinking water is also available in the volunteer house; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water.

On weekdays you’ll get three meals a day, but during the weekend only breakfast and dinner are provided. If volunteers wish to eat out in Ubud, there are a large number of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.

If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and need to be as flexible as possible. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$620 Equivalent to AU$89/day
2 weeks AU$914 Equivalent to AU$65/day
3 weeks AU$1207 Equivalent to AU$58/day
4 weeks AU$1509 Equivalent to AU$54/day
5 weeks AU$1794 Equivalent to AU$51/day
6 weeks AU$2047 Equivalent to AU$49/day
8 weeks AU$2545 Equivalent to AU$45/day
10 weeks AU$3044 Equivalent to AU$43/day
12 weeks AU$3542 Equivalent to AU$42/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$531) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Bali - Ubud generally find US$80-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Bali

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Bali! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Bali program.

Bali Adventure Week
Bali Adventure Week

We highly recommend the Bali Adventure program on your Bali trip! The Bali Adventure week is the perfect way to experience the adventurous side of this beautiful little island. Go on a cycle tour, visit an active volcano, tread into spice plantations and rice fields, hike into the mountains and take part in Turtle conservation. The program will unleash the adventure in you.

AU$724
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation

Bali is identified by many travelers around the world as a unique place for reflection and contemplation. Balinese Yoga is about feeling and appreciating the spiritual nature. A good combination of Balinese Meditation and Yoga will make your body and mind feel more relaxed.

AU$676
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week

Many people travel the world to experience Bali as they believe it is a unique place for reflection and contemplation. In fact, they take this a step further and say Ubud is a sanctuary within Bali, an idyllic environment in which you can experience true tranquility. Thus, this program shall help you to get rid of stress, anxiety and physical ailments by engaging in Yoga and Meditation.

AU$676
Ubud Introduction Week
Ubud Introduction Week

Learn more about the Balinese culture and tick off some must-do Bali experiences.

AU$577
Bali Adventure Week
Bali Adventure Week

We highly recommend the Bali Adventure program on your Bali trip! The Bali Adventure week is the perfect way to experience the adventurous side of this beautiful little island. Go on a cycle tour, visit an active volcano, tread into spice plantations and rice fields, hike into the mountains and take part in Turtle conservation. The program will unleash the adventure in you.

AU$724
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week
Bali Yoga and Meditation Week

Many people travel the world to experience Bali as they believe it is a unique place for reflection and contemplation. In fact, they take this a step further and say Ubud is a sanctuary within Bali, an idyllic environment in which you can experience true tranquility. Thus, this program shall help you to get rid of stress, anxiety and physical ailments by engaging in Yoga and Meditation.

AU$676
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation
Bali Lovina Yoga and Meditation

Bali is identified by many travelers around the world as a unique place for reflection and contemplation. Balinese Yoga is about feeling and appreciating the spiritual nature. A good combination of Balinese Meditation and Yoga will make your body and mind feel more relaxed.

AU$676
Lovina Introduction Week
Lovina Introduction Week

Learn more about the Balinese culture and tick off some must-do Bali experiences.

AU$577

Check what's required to visit Bali

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Denpasar
Population 4.22 million
Languages Bahasa Indonesia
Currency Indonesia Rupiah (IDR)
Time zone UTC+08:00

Weather and climate

Bali has a tropical climate with year-round warm weather and an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). High humidity can be expected during the wet season from October to April. The dry season is between the months of May and September and has the lowest humidity.

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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