At the heart of the Coral Triangle, the “Refuse Plastic” project’s mission of solidarity and conservation invites you to take action against the plastic waste crisis that threatens Sulawesi’s marine ecosystems and communities. As an eco-volunteer, you will take part in practical activities: cleaning beaches and reefs, local sorting and recycling, awareness-raising workshops, ecological monitoring and mangrove reforestation. An unforgettable human and environmental adventure, supporting a project dedicated to ecological transition and solidarity, in one of the world’s most biodiverse locations. See all missions in Indonesia here.
The Refuse Plastic project for waste management
At the heart of the Coral Triangle, the Konawe region, in the south-east of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, is home to exceptional terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Yet this ecosystem is now under threat. The accumulation of plastic waste in the waters and on the beaches, combined with the lack of waste management systems, places a considerable ecological and health burden on local communities and their environment. In response to this critical situation, our partner has launched the “Refuse Plastic” project, which aims to establish sustainable management and recycling of plastic waste in the coastal villages of this region.
Project-related activities
- Reducing plastic pollution at source: installing waste collection systems in coastal villages. Organising clean-up operations on beaches, rivers and in mangrove swamps. Preventing waste from reaching the ocean.
- Raising awareness and educating people about ocean conservation: running awareness campaigns in schools and communities. Providing information on the impacts of plastic pollution and nickel mining.
- Encourage lasting behavioural changes in everyday life.
- Supporting local recycling and the circular economy: building residents’ technical skills in waste sorting and recycling.
- Develop local plastic waste recycling schemes.
- Support initiatives for the artisanal processing of waste.
- Supporting communities in waste management: Setting up village waste management committees. Training residents in local environmental governance. Working together to develop sustainable solutions tailored to local circumstances.
- Engaging authorities and environmental advocacy: Working with local institutions to integrate waste management into public policy.
- To promote a model of sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism in the region.
Eco-volunteers in the Refuse Plastic project
The proposed assignment is part of the “Refuse Plastic” project. You will play a direct role in the following key activities:
- Helping with waste management: organising waste collection drives in villages, on beaches and on fringing reefs, in collaboration with local residents. Collecting, sorting and recycling plastic waste at the workshop in Kendari.
- Helping to organise awareness-raising workshops: Organising talks in schools and within local communities on the dangers of plastic to ecosystems and health.
- Help monitor the reefs: go snorkelling to assess their health. Help collect regular scientific data, which is essential for monitoring purposes.
- Contributing to coastal reforestation: planting mangroves as required.
If you wish, you can also:
Creating artistic and/or audiovisual content: if you have artistic and/or audiovisual skills (video, photography, illustration, content creation, etc.), you can keep a diary or capture the beauty of the surroundings.
|
Departure from Kendari |
Back to Kendari |
Duration |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
13 July 2026 |
24 July 2026 |
2 weeks |
€1,800 |
|
7 September 2026 |
18 September 2026 |
2 weeks |
€1,800 |
Price: €1,800 – All costs associated with your assignment, including your flight ticket, are tax-deductible: up to 66% for individuals, 75% if you are liable for the IFI, and 60% for businesses.
Not included in the price
- International flight + airport taxes
- Personal equipment (tent, clothing, footwear, sleeping bags, water bottle, rucksack, headlamps, etc.)
- Antimalarial drugs and vaccines
- The visa
- Additional drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs
- Hotel accommodation and any other expenses incurred outside the official dates of the mission
- Cancellation insurance for your flight tickets
Included in the price
- logistics costs
- Transport*, meals, hotel accommodation
- The on-site mission management team
- The equipment required to carry out the mission
- Planning ahead to ensure everything goes smoothly during your stay
* It should be noted that transport is our main cost item because: hiring the motorboat that enables us to reach and then carry out our operations in the Sombori-Labengki archipelago is relatively expensive. The canoe journeys along the Lalindu River to reach the Matarombeo massif are also very costly.
- Management fees
- Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes and impacts of missions
- Measures to promote the missions
- The administrative processing of registrations
- Repatriation insurance and third-party liability
- Membership of the partner association
- Donate to the conservation programme:
- Salaries for project staff in the field throughout the year
- Research and development of strategies and measures aimed at ultimately safeguarding all the region’s ecosystems
- Travel by our teams required for the development of the project
- The day-to-day management and fundraising activities in France, which are essential to the success of the conservation programme
- Purchases and investments that enable the development and smooth running of projects
- On-site supervision: the local team at Naturevolution’s Indonesian branch will be responsible for supervising the missions.
- Language skills: it is preferable for eco-volunteers to have a basic knowledge of English so that they can communicate easily with local teams.
- Project activities: activities are determined based on the needs of the “Refuse Plastic” project, as assessed by the local staff responsible for welcoming eco-volunteers. Scientific protocols and specific tasks are finalised one month before departure to best meet the needs on the ground.
- Remote areas: you’ll find yourself immersed in particularly remote and exotic locations, coming into contact with a new culture and new natural ecosystems. You’ll experience a unique adventure, far from your comfort zone and your everyday routine, whilst helping to protect Sulawesi’s underwater treasures.
- Unforeseen circumstances and the nature of the assignment: assignments may be subject to unforeseen circumstances and are not organised ecotourism trips! Eco-volunteering is a unique adventure, where your role will vary but will always be of great value.
- Physical fitness: you must be in good physical condition; a prior medical examination is required.
No scientific qualifications required: no need for a scientific background or specific qualifications – just motivation, enthusiasm and a keen desire to learn! What we’re looking for: Be friendly, open-minded and energetic! These assignments offer a genuine opportunity for meeting people, sharing experiences and engaging in intercultural exchange. Come with an open mind, ready to discover and appreciate other cultures and ways of life without judgement. Working together and drawing on collective intelligence is at the heart of our approach, because the most important thing is to learn together, from one another!
Location
The expedition is taking place in the south-east of the island of Sulawesi, a unique region situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle. This exceptional site comprises a mountainous karst massif and a wild archipelago of idyllic islets. Sulawesi is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity, home to endemic species with remarkable levels of endemism. In particular, the island boasts the world’s largest concentration of butterflies and some of the richest coral reefs on the planet.
Housing
The base camps are set up on various beaches, where you’ll spend most of your time surrounded by nature, by the water’s edge and in the water for diving activities. You’ll sleep in your own tent, lulled by the sound of the waves and beneath a starry sky. We sometimes visit coastal villages to meet local communities and carry out awareness-raising activities. These moments of sharing will allow you to discover the local way of life whilst actively contributing to environmental protection.
Food
Meals consist mainly of produce purchased in Kendari, complemented by fresh fish from local catches and locally grown fruit and vegetables. For drinking water, we collect fresh water from wells and rivers, which we filter or boil to ensure it is safe to drink. Some meals are eaten in local villages, allowing us to discover traditional cuisine whilst supporting the local communities.
Transport
The meeting point is on Sunday evening at Kendari Airport (code KDI) or at the hotel, located in Kendari city centre, which is easily accessible by taxi (€7 / 100,000 IDR maximum) if you arrive earlier. A welcome meal will be shared in Kendari, and accommodation for Sunday night is provided. The fieldwork begins on Monday morning. At the end of the trip, you will be brought back to Kendari on Friday evening, where a final night’s accommodation is also covered, so that you can catch your return flight on Saturday morning. Throughout the trip, travel between the beaches and dive sites will be by local boat. Transport is included in the trip package.
Laundry detergent
As conditions on the ground are fairly basic, there is no standard laundry service. Clothes will be washed by hand using an eco-friendly natural soap and local water, so we recommend packing light, quick-drying clothing.
Wi-Fi
As the site is particularly remote, there is little Wi-Fi available on site. This placement offers a unique opportunity to switch off, fully immerse yourself in the eco-volunteering experience, and focus on the environment and conservation work without any digital distractions!
Beyond your direct actions, your presence is essential to us!
As an eco-volunteer, you will help raise awareness of the environmental and social issues facing these regions, both in France and internationally. As a first-hand witness, you will help highlight the challenges and the actions taken by Naturevolution to address them. You will be part of an initiative promoting citizenship and international solidarity, committing yourself as a “global citizen” to the protection of these last remaining biodiversity sanctuaries and the empowerment of local communities in the region.
Essential financial support
Your participation in the mission constitutes a donation and helps to fund various local and sustainable development initiatives in the areas where our partner operates in Indonesia, Madagascar and France!
About our partner organisation
Since 2009, our partner organisation has been actively working to protect and promote the last remaining threatened biodiversity hotspots, notably the Makay Massif (Madagascar) and the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia), two areas of exceptional ecological richness. Born out of scientific and naturalist expeditions, our partner works hand in hand with local and international interdisciplinary researchers to study and document the richness of these unique ecosystems. At the same time, the organisation works closely with local communities to develop a holistic approach to sustainable development, focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects. Through documentaries, exhibitions and educational programmes, our partner introduces these areas to the general public and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect them.
