| Raleigh International | |
| Location Country: | United Kingdom |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Focus: | Sustainable development |
| Leader Title: | CEO |
| Leader Name: | Greg Bows |
| Former Name: | Operation Raleigh |
Raleigh International is a youth expedition organisation based in the UK.
They work in remote, rural areas to improve access to safe water and sanitation, build community resilience, sustainably manage natural resources, and to protect vulnerable environments.[1]
Established in 1984 as Operation Raleigh, 40,000 young people have been part of a Raleigh expedition.
Raleigh International operates in Costa Rica and South Africa, with permanent offices in these countries. Long-term partnerships have been established with local communities, NGOs and government departments, ensuring projects are needed and sustainable. Past countries have included Chile, Ghana, Namibia, Malaysia, Mongolia and Fiji.
All volunteers are trained and supported to work alongside communities living in poverty. They work in remote, rural areas to improve access to safe water and sanitation, build community resilience, sustainably manage natural resources, and protect vulnerable environments. This is carried out in a number of ways, through raising awareness of health and hygiene, sustainable farming methods, as well as the construction of early childhood development centers, community buildings, rocket stoves, and other infrastructure.
Raleigh International runs expeditions in Costa Rica, Tanzania and Nepal for individuals aged 17–75, of any nationality or background. Volunteers (aged 17–24) work on community and environmental projects as well as undertaking tough adventure challenges, and are supported by volunteer managers (aged 25–75). Expeditions are 5, 7, or 10 weeks for venturers and 8 or 13 weeks for volunteer managers.
Raleigh's International Citizen Service (ICS) program is funded by the UK government's Department for International Development and led by VSO in partnership with other respected development organizations.[2] The programme comprises two opportunities, ICS and ICS Entrepreneur. UK volunteers aged 18–25 spend 10–12 weeks in Nepal, Nicaragua, or Tanzania working alongside local volunteers on community development projects.
Colonel John Blashford-Snell and Prince Charles launched Operation Drake in 1978, running youth projects from ships circumnavigating the globe, to develop self-confidence and leadership through adventure, scientific exploration and community service. In two years 414 young people took part in the round the world voyage, working on land-based projects in 16 countries.
Following the success of Operation Drake, the much more ambitious Operation Raleigh was established in 1984, and ran for five years until 1989. Two renovated ships – Sir Walter Raleigh and Zebu – carried 4,000 volunteers and almost 1,600 staff to take part in expeditions around the world.
The success of Operation Raleigh saw it continue on a permanent basis in 1988, with an emphasis on land-based expeditions. It became Raleigh International in 1992, reflecting the growing diversity of expedition volunteers. In 1994, transworld walker Ffyona Campbell completed the last leg of her walk around the world, which ran from Dover to John O'Groats, with the logistical support of, and raising funds for, Raleigh International. Today over 40,000 people have been part of a Raleigh programme, and Raleigh continued to work with young people alongside communities living in poverty across the world.
On 19 May 2022 Raleigh International Trust ceased operations and entered Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation. The Raleigh International brand was bought by Impact Travel Group on 11 July 2022 and will be relaunching with new expeditions in 2023.
Notable Raleigh alumni include: