35 hrs of fieldwork per week
1:6 staff to participant ratio
Includes GVI Experiences
Experience historic Greece by living and working with an international team, contributing to the conservation of loggerhead and green turtle habitats. Based on the island of Kefalonia, we work in collaboration with local partner organisations to ensure the protection of these amazing turtles, offering an impactful experience in conservation. Get ready to make waves in this breathtaking corner of the globe!
Join us in Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. From our research station at the picturesque Ammes Beach, you’ll play a crucial role in protecting loggerhead and green turtle habitats in Greece.
Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This is due to threats like entanglement in fishing gear, predation and marine litter.
To address these challenges, we work in close collaboration with a number of partner organisations in Kefalonia. Through research, projects and community involvement, we aim to protect endangered turtles and the marine environment. Together, we gather essential data on sea turtle ecology and habitats.
This program offers loads of hands-on activities focused on marine conservation and habitat preservation. You’ll learn about local species like loggerhead and green turtles, as well as Posidonia oceanica, a key seagrass for marine ecosystems. Get involved in identifying and mapping seagrass meadows, turtle and megafauna foraging spots, and even assist our drone pilots on missions to survey marine areas around Kefalonia. You’ll pick up skills in drone tech while capturing orthophotos to assess seagrass and count marine megafauna.
From mid-April to November, you can join snorkel expeditions to monitor Posidonia seagrass meadows and understand their vital role in marine biodiversity.
During March to mid-April, you’ll be part of the team supporting data collection through capture-mark-recapture initiatives. And from April to May, it’s all about observing turtle behaviour at the harbour, documenting their foraging and social interactions.
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to stay cool during the summer heat, especially in July and August. Remember to bring your own mask – fins and a life jacket will be provided.
Please note: participants will observe but not handle turtles, focusing on observation and contributing to conservation efforts.
When you’re not busy with conservation work, explore Kefalonia’s stunning beaches, limestone cliffs and the iconic Mount Ainos, a haven for hikers and nature lovers. Svoronata, where our accommodation is at Ammes Beach, offers a relaxed atmosphere, cosy dining spots and historical sites. Ideal for adventure and relaxation!
Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.
Some of the partners we work with on base.
Experience the laid-back vibes of Mediterranean living in Kefalonia, Greece, where our research station is situated. Wake up to breathtaking views from your accommodation at Ammes Beach, which is just a five-minute walk from the beach. With its quaint village charm and proximity to the pristine beaches and clear waters of the Ionian Sea, Ammes offers the perfect backdrop for your island adventure.
Kefalonia’s underwater world is teeming with life, from colourful fish to graceful sea turtles gliding through the waves. Contribute to the preservation of endangered sea turtle species, including loggerheads, by joining in conservation efforts aimed at protecting their natural habitat. Your involvement will play a crucial role in ensuring the survival of these majestic creatures.
Since 2013, we’ve been teaming up with local partner organisations to safeguard the sea turtle population in Kefalonia. From conducting surveys to participating in beach cleanups, our efforts are aimed at preserving the island’s precious marine ecosystems.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the beach or diving into marine conservation efforts, there’s a vibe here that’s all about embracing the beauty of Kefalonia’s natural wonders.
You’ll have a project vehicle dedicated to scheduled shifts. Transportation is also provided for start and end dates to keep things running smoothly.
Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi at your accommodation to keep in touch with friends and family back home.
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 contribute to preserving unique ecosystems but 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.
While Greece is a secular state, the majority of the population identify with the Greek Orthodox Church faith.
Enjoy the local food scene at nearby tavernas. From classic Greek dishes like moussaka to fresh seafood, there’s no shortage of delicious options.
Hang out at Ammes Beach for the day. Relax on the golden sands, go for a swim and soak up the sun. With sunbeds and beach bars, it’s the perfect spot to chill.
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.
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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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.
Based on the island of Kefalonia, our project work focuses on conserving loggerhead and green sea turtles and their habitats along the coast of Greece.
We undertake a variety of activities, including snorkel surveys, conducting harbour surveys and bird surveys, as well as learning to identify marine species. We also engage in coastal vegetation maintenance and restoration, utilise drones to explore seagrass and megafauna foraging sites and participate in beach profile and cleanup activities. Additionally, we use drones for sea turtle photo-ID at foraging sites and conduct mountain surveys.
We assist in the conservation of endangered sea turtles and directly contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as Goal 13: Climate Action, Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 15: Life On Land.
GVI Ammes Kefalonia’s long-term Objectives:
1. Carry out seagrass surveys to monitor loggerhead turtle foraging areas in the Mediterranean. This data supports the ongoing protection of this threatened species and its ecosystem.
2. Contribute to the efforts of our local partners to protect marine animals in Kefalonia.
3. Reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the turtles’ nesting area.
4. Educate participants on environmentally sustainable practices and the importance and impact of climate change.
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 what seagrass is, its importance, how it is formed, and how this ecosystem works.
An introduction to different survey techniques and best practice guidelines for surveys; introduction to different types of data and how to record information via a datasheet.
Learn about biodiversity and how biodiversity is measured, and classifying different species and how to identify species that indicate the health of the habitat.
Learn about issues with plastic and measures that can be taken to help reduce plastic consumption.
If you have a passion for wildlife conservation then this course will provide you with the foundational skills and understanding needed to achieve your conservation-related goals. You’ll learn about the various methods of wildlife monitoring, as well as exploring the delicate balance involved in terrestrial ecosystem management. 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.
Learn more about what is contributing to the decline in the health of the world’s ocean and marine species and what can be done to prevent it. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the field of marine conservation, explore how to protect marine ecosystems and discover how you can contribute towards conservation-related initiatives. 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.
