Overview
Africa & Asia Venture (AV) is a not-for-profit social enterprise specialising in full-immersion volunteering programmes in Africa and Asia.
Established in 1993, AV is one of the oldest gap year operators of its kind and has supported nearly 6,000 young volunteers from over 30 countries. Collectively, participants have contributed the equivalent of more than 1,200 years of service to partner communities.
AV works with a deliberately small cohort each year, ensuring that every participant is treated as an individual and that community relationships remain deep, consistent and genuinely collaborative.
Mission and approach
AV’s vision is to create volunteering opportunities that allow young people to live and work alongside communities in the developing world, while promoting global citizenship, cultural understanding and personal growth.
The organisation is committed to providing participants with an ‘experience for life’ through long-term, community-based placements. Rather than short-term or superficial volunteering, AV focuses on full immersion, encouraging volunteers to understand local perspectives, share skills responsibly, and recognise that their worldview is one of many.
As an independent organisation, AV runs and manages all of its projects directly, without third-party providers. This allows the organisation to remain fully accountable, transparent and responsive, while ensuring long-term, community-led impact.
What they do
AV delivers group-based, full-immersion volunteering programmes in rural communities across Africa and Asia. Volunteers live and work in a single host community for an extended period, enabling them to build meaningful relationships and become genuinely integrated into daily life.
Projects are typically focused on supporting young children and community-led initiatives, balancing structured volunteering with opportunities for independent exploration and supported travel. By remaining in one place rather than moving between multiple sites, volunteers gain a deeper understanding of local culture, challenges and strengths.
Expeditions and participation opportunities
AV’s gap year and summer programmes are open to young people aged 17–25, with a strict annual limit of 100 participants. This small-scale model ensures high-quality placements, strong pastoral care and a personalised experience for every volunteer.
Participants are supported throughout their placement by AV’s dedicated, in-country management teams, who provide 24/7 guidance, assistance and safeguarding. AV is the only organisation of its kind to offer supported independent travel alongside structured volunteering, allowing participants to explore responsibly while remaining well supported.
What sets AV apart includes:
- Over 30 years of experience as a not-for-profit gap year provider
- Direct management of all projects, with no third-party agents
- Dedicated, in-country 24/7 support teams
- Small annual cohorts to ensure individualised support
- Full-immersion placements where groups live and work within one community
- A strong emphasis on long-term relationships rather than short-term volunteering
Last updated: December 2025.