The news that GVI entered liquidation means many people who had booked volunteer placements with them are now without a project to join and are unsure what to do next. If you were planning a gap year, career break, or conservation travel experience with GVI, this news has likely drastically disrupted your travel plans.
Here, at The Great Projects, we are on hand to help you secure an alternative option. If you are searching for a project after GVI's liquidation, the key thing to know is that conservation volunteering remains very much active and open, and the opportunity to travel, contribute to wildlife conservation, and gain meaningful experience remains.
At The Great Projects, we offer a variety of long-established projects worldwide, and we operate long-running conservation projects with availability in July, August, and throughout 2026 and beyond.
What does GVI liquidation mean?
GVI has ceased operations and entered liquidation, meaning it is no longer able to deliver its volunteer programmes, with all programmes cancelled with immediate effect.
This affects:
- Confirmed bookings
- Upcoming departures
- Paid bookings or balances
- Trips built around specific projects
If you are affected, the best advice is to follow official communication regarding refunds or claims through the appointed liquidators.
For many volunteers, however, the immediate question is: What can I do instead?
Can I still volunteer abroad in 2026?
Yes. We have places available on our wildlife and marine conservation projects in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, supporting real conservation work, including:
- Wildlife monitoring and research
- Marine conservation and coral reef protection
- Animal rescue and rehabilitation
- Habitat restoration
- Community-based conservation
The opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation and embark on an incredible travel experience remains; the key is choosing an organisation with active, well-supported programmes, which is something we here at The Great Projects can help you with.
What if I already have flights booked?
If you already have your flights booked, it does not mean you need to miss out. The Great Projects offer a variety of projects across destinations that GVI offered, including South Africa, Namibia, Costa Rica, Madagascar, Borneo and more. Plus, we can currently match existing travel plans with a suitable conservation project in the same region and are working to offer more.
Our team of travel experts are on hand to discuss your travel dates, destination, and options with you.
Finding a trusted GVI alternative
When searching for GVI alternatives, trust matters as much as availability.
We offer peace of mind with:
- Active, long-term conservation partnerships
- Clearly confirmed availability
- Genuine conservation impact
- Structured volunteer roles
- Experienced pre-departure and travel support
Here at The Great Projects, we operate long-running conservation projects alongside renowned international charities and conservation organisations. This allows us to maintain oversight of quality, consistency and volunteer support.
Our most popular conservation projects:
African wildlife (including the 'Big 5')
Hands-on conservation in some of the world’s most iconic wildlife regions, including South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, supporting wildlife monitoring and protection efforts.
Marine conservation
Work in coastal ecosystems in Costa Rica, Belize and Mozambique, supporting marine life protection, coral reef monitoring and marine research.
Specialist wildlife projects
Unique and exclusive experiences working with orangutans in Borneo, sloths in Costa Rica and lemurs in Madagascar’s remaining natural habitats.
What to do next
If your plans have been affected by GVI’s liquidation, the best next step is to review your options early.
Contact us with:
- Your intended travel dates
- Your destination (or existing flights); and
- The type of conservation work you are interested in
From there, we can help match you with available projects that suit your plans, interests, timing, and needs.
Here to help
GVI’s abrupt closure is understandably worrying for many, but it does not mean you cannot travel as planned. Wildlife and marine conservation projects are still operating and in need of help, and with the right support, you can still take part in a meaningful, well-structured experience in 2026 and beyond.
If you are searching for GVI alternatives, The Great Projects is here to help. Get in touch and continue your conservation journey with confidence.
