Volunteer Hub
Renewable Energy Volunteering - Peru (Summer 2027)
Organisation Details
EcoSwell
Sub theme: Environment, International, Science and Technology
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: EcoSwell is a multiple award winning non-profit located in Lobitos, the surfing paradise of northern Peru. Students who have participated in EcoSwell's volunteering programme have described their experience as life altering and transformational. The organization focuses on helping vulnerable communities in Peru develop sustainably by carrying out infrastructure projects, socio-environmental and educational initiatives, thus implementing the United Nations SDGs.
Students can choose to volunteer at EcoSwell in the following disciplines:
- Renewable Energy
- Public Health
- NGO Management
- Ecosystem restoration & reforestation
- Water and Sanitation
- Research
- Marketing and social media
- Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
Through their work EcoSwell have impacted over +99,000 people, working hand in hand with local communities, with local government, private sector entities and with some of the best universities in the world.
Students can choose to volunteer at EcoSwell in the following disciplines:
- Renewable Energy
- Public Health
- NGO Management
- Ecosystem restoration & reforestation
- Water and Sanitation
- Research
- Marketing and social media
- Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
Through their work EcoSwell have impacted over +99,000 people, working hand in hand with local communities, with local government, private sector entities and with some of the best universities in the world.
Description of role: DESCRIPTION OF ROLE
EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired and multiple award winning sustainable development non-profit (NGO) driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of sustainability. We develop environmental, educational, infrastructure and socio-economic projects working hand in hand with local communities and international volunteers.
Many of the areas we work in face frequent power outages and high energy costs, which affect the well-being and development of the communities we help. EcoSwell’s renewable energy projects aim to solve these problems, and those of other similar places in Peru, by offering clean and affordable energy that reaches the most vulnerable groups.
As a volunteer intern, you will have the chance to join us in various renewable energy initiatives, such as:
- UPS + Solar systems for medical centres
Help us install backup power systems that protect vital medical equipment and services from blackouts. We have already completed three projects in Lobitos, Talara and Suyo, and we are installing 5 other UPS systems in other regions as we expand to more locations.
- Solar systems for off-grid homes & communities
Get involved in bringing clean and reliable electricity to remote villages that have never had access to the energy grid. We have successfully implemented a hybrid wind-solar system in Justo Pastor, Nazca, and we are looking for more partners and sponsors to replicate this model in other areas. Participate as well in residential PV systems for off-grid families: Help design and install solar panels for individual households that lack energy access. We have given families their first taste of modern amenities, such as lighting, refrigeration and entertainment, and we want to help more families achieve first time access to energy with renewable energy.
- Solar distillers for water purification
Build and test solar devices that produce fresh water from seawater. Water scarcity is a serious problem in the northern coast of Peru, and we are working on finding a scalable and sustainable solution.
- Improved cookstoves for health and environmental sustainability
Help us create and improve cookstoves that reduce smoke and wood consumption. Many families in the region still rely on open fires for cooking, which harms their health and also the ecosystem. We want to offer them a better alternative that are better for health, saves money and protects nature.
- Energy consultations for energy efficiency:
Raise awareness and empower families to become more energy resilient and independent. We offer free energy consultations where we assess their needs and provide them with advice and assistance on how to reduce their energy bills, adopt energy efficient habits, and install solar PV systems if possible.
BENEFITS OF JOINING THIS PROGRAM
We need volunteer interns with a strong interest and/or background knowledge in renewable energy or sustainability to come and support us in these ongoing projects in northern Peru. The benefits of taking part in this volunteer experience include:
- Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience managing sustainability projects in an international NGO, having a real positive impact on vulnerable communities.
- Work and learn alongside experienced & passionate people from a range of disciplines & backgrounds.
- Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer.
In-person Financial contribution
We require a financial contribution from participants. This covers all of your expenses while you are with us (food, accommodation, local transportation, and staff guidance/supervision) for our in-person program; it also funds our community projects and operations, in other words, our impact. For every volunteer intern that joins our program, we also plant a tree with local families to help restore the degraded forest ecosystem found in our region.
Please bear in mind that there is a minimum of a 2 week stay at EcoSwell and maximum can be up to 6 months.
Two weeks (price per week $686) = $1,371
Three weeks (price per week $674) = $2,022
Four weeks (price per week $657) = $2,627
Five weeks (price per week $639) = $3,195
Six weeks (price per week $639) = $3,834
Eight weeks (price per week $639) = $5,112
12 weeks (price per week $610) = $7,325
Online Placement Financial contribution
The financial contribution required from volunteer interns for our online position is 33% less than that of our in person placement - please see details below.
Two weeks (price per week $469) = $937
Three weeks (price per week $462) = $1,385
Four weeks (price per week $450) = $1,799
Five weeks (price per week $438) = $2,188
Six weeks (price per week $438) = $2,625
Eight weeks (price per week $438) = $3,501
12 weeks (price per week $419) = $5,023
Since we have limited spaces, if you have been accepted we will need you to secure your placement by depositing a non-refundable 30% of your placement’s total financial contribution within 1 week of being accepted. Full payment will be required 4 weeks prior to your arrival. Any refund of the 70% of the full payment (minus all transaction costs) will only be available if cancellation is confirmed before more than 30 days of confirmed arrival date. No refunds of any kind will be available within 30 days of the confirmed arrival date.
All payments must be made in United States Dollars (USD$) according to the amounts shown in the tables above - Exchange rate fluctuations of other currencies are not considered. Taxes, insurance and financial costs (eg: costs of sending money, bank commissions, etc.) and any other extra costs (flights, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, personal spending money, etc.) are not included. The details and information of the selected insurance will have to be sent and approved by EcoSwell beforehand, as being appropriate.
In order to ensure that all participant expenses are covered, the final financial contribution amount needs to be paid in USD. We do this in order to avoid exchange rate fluctuations from other currencies which may result in not the right amount being paid.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES (applicable to the in-person placement)
Volunteer interns work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays, evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. The northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches, and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:
- Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, and if you are an experienced surfer, rent a surfboard from our partner Surf School and head out to the waves by yourself.
- Yoga classes
- Swimming with turtles
- Fishing, sea-lion, and whale watching trips with local fishermen
- Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem
- Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants
- Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.
Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of your volunteering experience, they are highly accessible nonetheless.
EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired and multiple award winning sustainable development non-profit (NGO) driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of sustainability. We develop environmental, educational, infrastructure and socio-economic projects working hand in hand with local communities and international volunteers.
Many of the areas we work in face frequent power outages and high energy costs, which affect the well-being and development of the communities we help. EcoSwell’s renewable energy projects aim to solve these problems, and those of other similar places in Peru, by offering clean and affordable energy that reaches the most vulnerable groups.
As a volunteer intern, you will have the chance to join us in various renewable energy initiatives, such as:
- UPS + Solar systems for medical centres
Help us install backup power systems that protect vital medical equipment and services from blackouts. We have already completed three projects in Lobitos, Talara and Suyo, and we are installing 5 other UPS systems in other regions as we expand to more locations.
- Solar systems for off-grid homes & communities
Get involved in bringing clean and reliable electricity to remote villages that have never had access to the energy grid. We have successfully implemented a hybrid wind-solar system in Justo Pastor, Nazca, and we are looking for more partners and sponsors to replicate this model in other areas. Participate as well in residential PV systems for off-grid families: Help design and install solar panels for individual households that lack energy access. We have given families their first taste of modern amenities, such as lighting, refrigeration and entertainment, and we want to help more families achieve first time access to energy with renewable energy.
- Solar distillers for water purification
Build and test solar devices that produce fresh water from seawater. Water scarcity is a serious problem in the northern coast of Peru, and we are working on finding a scalable and sustainable solution.
- Improved cookstoves for health and environmental sustainability
Help us create and improve cookstoves that reduce smoke and wood consumption. Many families in the region still rely on open fires for cooking, which harms their health and also the ecosystem. We want to offer them a better alternative that are better for health, saves money and protects nature.
- Energy consultations for energy efficiency:
Raise awareness and empower families to become more energy resilient and independent. We offer free energy consultations where we assess their needs and provide them with advice and assistance on how to reduce their energy bills, adopt energy efficient habits, and install solar PV systems if possible.
BENEFITS OF JOINING THIS PROGRAM
We need volunteer interns with a strong interest and/or background knowledge in renewable energy or sustainability to come and support us in these ongoing projects in northern Peru. The benefits of taking part in this volunteer experience include:
- Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience managing sustainability projects in an international NGO, having a real positive impact on vulnerable communities.
- Work and learn alongside experienced & passionate people from a range of disciplines & backgrounds.
- Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer.
In-person Financial contribution
We require a financial contribution from participants. This covers all of your expenses while you are with us (food, accommodation, local transportation, and staff guidance/supervision) for our in-person program; it also funds our community projects and operations, in other words, our impact. For every volunteer intern that joins our program, we also plant a tree with local families to help restore the degraded forest ecosystem found in our region.
Please bear in mind that there is a minimum of a 2 week stay at EcoSwell and maximum can be up to 6 months.
Two weeks (price per week $686) = $1,371
Three weeks (price per week $674) = $2,022
Four weeks (price per week $657) = $2,627
Five weeks (price per week $639) = $3,195
Six weeks (price per week $639) = $3,834
Eight weeks (price per week $639) = $5,112
12 weeks (price per week $610) = $7,325
Online Placement Financial contribution
The financial contribution required from volunteer interns for our online position is 33% less than that of our in person placement - please see details below.
Two weeks (price per week $469) = $937
Three weeks (price per week $462) = $1,385
Four weeks (price per week $450) = $1,799
Five weeks (price per week $438) = $2,188
Six weeks (price per week $438) = $2,625
Eight weeks (price per week $438) = $3,501
12 weeks (price per week $419) = $5,023
Since we have limited spaces, if you have been accepted we will need you to secure your placement by depositing a non-refundable 30% of your placement’s total financial contribution within 1 week of being accepted. Full payment will be required 4 weeks prior to your arrival. Any refund of the 70% of the full payment (minus all transaction costs) will only be available if cancellation is confirmed before more than 30 days of confirmed arrival date. No refunds of any kind will be available within 30 days of the confirmed arrival date.
All payments must be made in United States Dollars (USD$) according to the amounts shown in the tables above - Exchange rate fluctuations of other currencies are not considered. Taxes, insurance and financial costs (eg: costs of sending money, bank commissions, etc.) and any other extra costs (flights, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, personal spending money, etc.) are not included. The details and information of the selected insurance will have to be sent and approved by EcoSwell beforehand, as being appropriate.
In order to ensure that all participant expenses are covered, the final financial contribution amount needs to be paid in USD. We do this in order to avoid exchange rate fluctuations from other currencies which may result in not the right amount being paid.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES (applicable to the in-person placement)
Volunteer interns work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays, evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. The northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches, and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:
- Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, and if you are an experienced surfer, rent a surfboard from our partner Surf School and head out to the waves by yourself.
- Yoga classes
- Swimming with turtles
- Fishing, sea-lion, and whale watching trips with local fishermen
- Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem
- Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants
- Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.
Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of your volunteering experience, they are highly accessible nonetheless.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, IT Skills, Leadership, Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Project Management, Public Speaking, Research, Team Working, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Morning, Monday Afternoon, Tuesday Morning, Tuesday Afternoon, Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon, Friday Morning, Friday Afternoon
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: +30 hours per week
Location:
Villa de Oficiales 270, Barrio Centro
Lobitos
20820