How Vaya Planet selects its projects: Our criteria for truly ethical volunteering

Alexia T
Jul 31
3 min read

Volunteering isn’t just about “going to help”

It’s about joining a local project, getting involved in a real cause, and acting responsibly. But today, not all volunteering opportunities are created equal.

Some are genuine, committed, and well-organized. Others, unfortunately, have turned into products to be sold.

At Vaya Planet, we take selection seriously. If we suggest a mission to you, it’s because it has passed our criteria for ethics, on-the-ground relevance, and impact. Here’s how and why.

1. Visiting, verifying, connecting: A rigorous, human selection process

At VAYA PLANET, every mission is selected with care, never rushed or automated.

Some missions have been personally tested or visited; others are recommended by trusted former volunteers. But in all cases, nothing is added without thorough discussions, detailed exchanges, and in-depth checks.

Whenever possible, I go on-site to meet the teams and see how things work from the inside. Some projects are currently being visited or scheduled for future evaluations.

👉 That’s also why you won’t see 100 organizations listed on VAYA PLANET.

We focus on quality over quantity. It takes time to validate a mission, because we are committed to its coherence, seriousness, and ethics.

2. Real impact, not just a feel-good activity

A volunteering mission must address a concrete local need — not an “external demand.”

We make sure that:

The organization has requested help
The volunteer does not replace a local job
The mission is useful, measurable, and supervised

We refuse projects where volunteers are there just to “look good” or fill time when there’s no actual need.

👉 A volunteer is not a tourist wearing an NGO t-shirt.

3. Fee transparency: Know where your money goes

We often hear: “Why should I pay to help?”

It’s a fair question. That’s why we ask every partner organization to clearly explain:

How the volunteer fees are used
How much actually goes to the local organization
What’s included (accommodation, meals, local transport, etc.)

👉 The result: you get a clear, honest mission brief. No hidden costs, no bad surprises.

In some cases, we also offer free missions or paid nonprofit positions.

4. Proper support and supervision for volunteers

A good project isn’t just about a good cause.

It also means having people ready to welcome you, train you, and support you.

Before adding a mission, we check that:

You’ll be useful and trained, not just “present”
There are on-site coordinators
The organization provides a clear, respectful, human framework

👉 You’re not being sent off alone into the unknown. You’re expected, supported, and guided.

5. Ethical consistency — Even where you might not expect it

There are things people don’t always think about... but at Vaya, we do:

💥 Example 1: Animal volunteering ≠ tourist attraction

→ We don’t offer missions where animals are used for selfies or given poor care. A sanctuary is a refuge, not a zoo.

💥 Example 2: Working with children? Strictly supervised

→ No standard “orphanage” missions: too many risks, emotional harm to kids, and sometimes even institutions that keep the problem alive just to attract funding. We prefer stable, well-structured educational projects run by professionals.

💥 Example 3: Local logic before catalog logic

→ We’re not here to have “as many missions as possible.” We prefer fewer, better ones and ones that are truly needed.

In summary: Every VAYA PLANET mission meets these 5 pillars :

Personally tested or validated
Real, identified local impact
Full transparency on fees
Reliable, human support on-site
Consistent, thoughtful ethics

🌍 You’re not just “going somewhere to help” you’re part of something meaningful.

At VAYA PLANET, we help you find a mission that matches your values — one that is useful, respectful, and genuinely human for you, for the cause, and for the world.