Community Conservation Internship
Programme overview
Embark on an immersive conservation experience across two islands in the Philippines. Spend at least 8 weeks diving into marine conservation, engaging with the local community and earning valuable professional skills.
Our internship program offers hands-on experience in real community-based conservation efforts. You’ll participate in a range of projects – depending on your background – such as biodiversity conservation, education, fisheries management, solid waste management or community resilience. Whether it’s engaging with local youth, working on sustainable fishing practices, or developing waste reduction solutions, you’ll be asked to contribute your skills and energy to ongoing projects, working with our on-site team, and have meaningful impact.
The opportunity to participate in diving activities and the Reef Training Program is also an option. However, this depends on the duration and timing of your internship (it requires 12 weeks minimum).
No worries, you can ask as many questions as you want, we always have a long briefing zoom call before arranging any placement to ensure we find the right assignment that will both fit your skills and our current projects.
We intentionally accept a small number of interns to ensure the quality and the learnings of your placement.
About the organisation
People and the Sea is a registered non-profit organization working to empower coastal communities in the Philippines to lead marine resource management. While our primary focus is on empowering communities to protect marine resources, our approach includes environmental education to instil ocean awareness, eco-entrepreneurship to promote sustainable livelihoods, waste reduction initiatives for cleaner environments, participatory management to engage local stakeholders, and responsible fishing practices to balance ecological health with community needs.
About the programme
Week 1 – Malapascua Induction
Begin your journey on Malapascua Island, where you’ll get a full introduction to our conservation programs, meet the team, and understand the impact of our work. This first week is about getting familiar with our mission and being trained across all our core programs, from marine protection and sustainable fishing to waste management and eco-livelihoods. It’s the perfect foundation to dive deeper into your experience with purpose and perspective.
Week 2+ – Become a full member of the team, and start working on your project
Interns are encouraged to actively engage in a project, contribute to their chosen initiative, or even propose new ideas! Whether you’re passionate about marine conservation, education, or community work, there’s plenty of room for creativity and making a real impact. We make sure the projects align with our organization’s objectives and your own interests and goals.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in real-world community conservation efforts, working on existing projects and having the opportunity to develop new initiatives that make a lasting difference.
Interns will be involved in a wide range of activities led by the organization. You won’t be limited to just one project, in fact, a key part of the experience is contributing across different areas, gaining insight into how holistic conservation really works.
This includes activities such as:
- Summer Camps (May–June): Always seeking fresh ideas and active volunteers to engage children through fun, environmental learning.
- Monthly Environmental Activities: Join kids in snorkelling, mangrove exploration, waste management sessions, and seagrass studies.
- Youth Club (ages 14–20): Support local youth as they take the lead on their own community-driven environmental projects.
- Crown of Thorns starfish monitoring and management
- Beach and community clean ups
- Community outreach sessions
Your enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, and dedication are equally important to us. We firmly believe each person’s unique perspective enriches our work and helps create meaningful change.
Past Placements: Real Projects, Real Impact
Here are examples of past placements:
Marine Science & Fisheries
- Alina (Germany) – 3 months – Conducted species-specific research to better understand and manage priority commercially-important fish species.
- Juliette (France) – 4 months – Implemented seagrass gleaning survey – Juliette identified gleaners willing to share their catch (species, weight) to start documenting the importance of seagrass gleaning for the community.
- Sofia (Mexico) – 6 months – Supported the re-development and implementation of training protocols for reef surveys and Crown-of-Thorns (COT) monitoring.
- Alex (USA) – 3 months – Studied the development of LMMAs in the Philippines context. Trained the local fisher association about the benefits of LMMAs.
Community Resilience
- Christelle (France) – 1.5 Month – Homestay audits and improvement recommendations
- Ashleigh (UK) – 3 months – Reviewed the CoMSCA club process and analysed our data to better understand and develop CoMSCA for the benefit of the community.
- Yuna (France) – 6 months – Development of the Inatô Website to promote homestay on Malapascua
Waste & Sustainability
- Josh (UK) – 2 months – Promoted the use of reusable diapers and napkins with the community and government agencies.
- Mia (Australia) – 2 months – Conducted tourism impact surveys, analyzing how tourism activities affect the local environment and community.
- Lena – 4 months – Produced short movies presenting our projects and initiatives.
Organizational development/Association support
Some interns with a business or management background have worked on supporting the running of the organization
- Arthur (France) – 6 months – Worked on partnership development and funding strategies.
- Josephine (France) – 6 months – Worked on the artificial reef project management.
Whatever expertise you bring, we welcome your contribution:
- Data skills (Excel, GIS, information management)
- Communications and social media strategy
- Fundraising capabilities, design work, and more
- And a lot more!
Our team thrives on diverse knowledge backgrounds, including:
- Marine biology and environmental science expertise
- Experience in fisheries management
- Education and youth program development
- Waste management systems
- Community engagement initiatives
- Organizational leadership and project coordination
Location
Malapascua is a vibrant island located in the Visayas in the Philippines. The island is about 2.5 by 1 kilometre in size, making it easy to explore. Malapascua is quite populated, yet it remains a rural area with very limited infrastructure. There are no cars on the island, no medical centre, most homes are built with cheap materials, water and electricity are scarce. In Malapascua, the main language spoken is Cebuano, which is native to the Visayas region. Additionally, most people also speak Tagalog, the national language. Malapascua Island is a traveller’s paradise. There are many white sand beaches and restaurants serving every food imaginable. However, the island’s rapid tourism growth has led to environmental challenges but that is the reason we are here!
Higatangan* is a peaceful and secluded island in the Visayas, offering a stark contrast to the bustling tourist spots of the region. As one of the first organizations that has ever dived here, we are exploring untouched reefs teeming with marine life. The island is home to a small, tight-knit fishing community with whom we share a strong connection. Life moves slowly in Higatangan, there are no crowds, no rush, just the rhythm of the ocean and the warmth of the locals.
With its quiet atmosphere and welcoming community, Higatangan is the perfect place to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with nature. Electricity is available from 3PM to 11PM. From exploring clear waters to working alongside local fishermen, you’ll gain authentic hands-on experience in marine conservation practices.
*Visiting Higatangan depends on several factors:
- Time of year: Access and weather conditions vary
- Your volunteer mission: Priority is given to interns whose work aligns with our ongoing conservation efforts in Higatangan (e.g., reef surveys, community engagement).
- Team needs: Visits may be arranged when additional support or specific skills are needed on the island.
Accommodation options
Throughout your expedition, you will stay with a local family, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the community. On the Inatô Homestay website, you can learn more about our homestay initiative and the participating families on Malapascua.
It’s a chance to fully immerse yourself in Filipino culture: eat, sleep, and live the local way! Families love to share their traditions and daily life and are always happy to connect with the people they host. You’ll have your own private room; the family will provide towels and bed linen. It’s a warm, authentic experience that makes you feel at home from day one.
Visit our partner organization Inato Homestay to learn more about accommodation options.
Duration
Arrival on the 1st Saturday of each month.
Minimum of 8 weeks.
Costs and pre-requisites
Arrival on the 1st Saturday of each month. Minimum of 8 weeks.
On-site internships are available year-round in Malapascua. Reef training is being conducted on the island of Higatangan, and can only be arranged in the months of June to September.
- From €2130 for non-diving project
- From €3485 for dive-related project (June to September)
Internship/Reef survey training combo expedition
It is possible to combine an 8-weeks placement and our reef survey training program.
Minimum time for the combo-placement: 12 weeks
- From €4215 (4 weeks)
What’s included
INCLUDED:
- Homestay accommodation in a local community family in Malapascua and Higatangan
- Unlimited water, tea and coffee
- In Malapascua, breakfast and lunch on working days
- In Higatangan, breakfast, lunch and dinner are on all days (there aren’t any eating options outside cooking on the island!)
- Transfer Malapascua to Higatangan
- A People and the Sea t-shirt
- Full on-site logistical support
- Comprehensive support and advice for support at departure and during the mission
- The opportunity to work alongside our Filipino team, in the heart of a community working for marine conservation.
INCLUDED IN DIVING AND COMBO PLACEMENTS:
- Open Water dive training
- Advanced Open Water dive training
- First Aid training
- Reef survey training
- Reef species identification and survey techniques training
NOT INCLUDED:
- Membership to People and the Sea: 15 euros
- Flights and transfer costs to/from Malapascua at beginning/end of placement
- Travel to the Philippines and to/from Malapascua/Higatangan
- Evening meals and meals on non-working days whilst in Malapascua
- Visas fees (including travel costs for extension)
- Dive and travel insurance (mandatory)
- PADI certification fees
- All your personal diving gear wetsuit, computer, mask, snorkel and fins and dive computer. We can rent dive computers for 10 euros/week if needed.
- Personal expenses
How to apply
To apply fill in the volunteer application form
