About Us - Our Policy

Yearoutindia aims to represent, support and facilitate community development programs/projects in south India through professional and well planned volunteering programs. We are committed to direct involvement in local communities by running community owned and sustainable programmes. We aim to assist volunteers to come together for a common purpose, to promote and develop local volunteering and voluntary action and to enable local people to benefit directly from such activities. We constantly strive to develop our strategies and methodologies to ensure harmony between visiting volunteers and local social, culture and natural environment.

• We aim to work together with a strong team of international volunteers and local staff to engage, uplift and empower the communities we support through education, health care initiatives and community building projects.
• We prioritise the needs and aspirations of local communities, ensuring our projects are community-led and sustainable rather than dependent on external aid.
• We actively collaborate with local organisations, leaders, and stakeholders to co-design projects that align with long-term development goals.
• We aim to contribute in all ways possible for wildlife and forest conservation activities in the areas we operate.
• Recognising the importance of health and well-being, we implement stringent health and safety protocols to protect both volunteers and local communities.
• Volunteers receive guidance on public health practices, vaccinations, and emergency procedures before and during their placements.
• We promote hybrid volunteering models for those unable to travel but still eager to contribute.
• We brief our volunteers with advice & information about the local culture, traditions & values thereby encouraging respect and understanding for the community’s social & cultural values.
• We ensure that our volunteers and staff interactions with the local and indigenous communities are in accordance with their traditions and culture.
• We ensure all volunteers undergo comprehensive pre-departure training covering local customs, ethics of volunteering, cultural sensitivity, and environmental responsibility.
• Our projects emphasise skill-based volunteering, ensuring that volunteers contribute relevant expertise to maximise positive impact.
• We maintain ethical screening and placement processes to match volunteers with appropriate roles, avoiding harm or dependency.
• We aim to monitor our impact on communities, their ecosystems & local cultures. We actively promote local traditions & cultural activities.
• To minimise the impact on the community’s social & cultural values and the environment, the numbers of our volunteers are regulated.
• We make sure that the natural environment of the areas we work is not disturbed by our presence and activities.
• We aim to instil in our volunteers an understanding and appreciation of the culture and environment in which they travel and work by encouraging activities that are socially, culturally and environmentally conscientious.