Look East can help you to find volunteering opportunities in many of the countries in which we have partner organisations. Volunteering is a great way to help local organizations, and the benefits are huge for both the organization and the volunteer. The organisations listed below can provide visa support and help with finding accommodation, be it renting an apartment, home stays (recommended!) or summer camps in tents in the Siberian wilderness. Knowledge of Russian is advised for many projects, however one can quickly pick up a basic understanding and many of the people there can speak English and very much enjoy the practice.

Worried about how to get there? Check out our advice page on low-impact overland travel .

Volunteering for Lake Baikal NGO Baikal Environmental Wave, Baikal WAve, based in Irkutsk, has a long history of hosting volunteers. Some come just for a few weeks, others pop in a few times per week while studying at the university, while some complete EVS projects with the organisation. Some come on formal placements, while others make more informal arrangements. There are also local Russians volunteering for the organisation. Tasks include office-based work (e.g. helping with translations) and a wide variety of other work, from environmental education with children or projects involving trips out and about round Lake Baikal. Find out more here .	European Voluntary Service EVS, part of the European Youth in Action Programme, provides funding for people aged 18-30 to spend 6-12 months taking part in a community project in another European (or Eastern European) country. We are registered to send EVS volunteers from the UK to other countries, and if you join LEWE as a member, we may be able to help you find sending and hosting organisations to enable you to take part in an EVS project in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia or Czech Republic. Get in touch to find out more! Email: katy ( AT ) lookeast.org.uk More on the EVS programme here .
Great Baikal Trail Great Baikal Trail aims to build a long-distance walking trail around Lake Baikal, supporting the development of eco-tourism around the lake. They run volunteer workcamps of 2-3 weeks over the summer period. Projects involve practical work on the shore of the lake, including trail building and other tasks in collaboration with National Park authorities. Accommodation is usually in tents - a great way to experience the wilderness and beauty of Baikal, while contributing to a project that aims to enhance the lives of local communities and the local economy, while protecting the beauty of Lake Baikal. Russian language useful but not essential. More information here.	Ecologia Youth Trust Ecologia Trust promotes and fosters the process of positive and creative change in Russia through focus on youth, ecology and education. They have a children’s community based in the Kaluga region of Russia, 300km south of Moscow. Kitezh Children’s Community, a place of happiness and joyful refuge for abandoned or orphaned Russian children, is the cornerstone of Ecologia’s financial and practical aid in Russia. Ever since it began they have been actively involved in the growth and development of the fostering community in the region. Kitezh community welcomes visitors of all ages from anywhere in the world for as long as they wish to live with a family and join in the life of the community. All skills are valued, especially teaching English, working with children, building and gardening. Ideal GAP Year experience for school leavers and students. For more information click here.