Regenerative 2030

Regenerative 2030 is our long-term sustainability ambition, aligned with our commitment to regenerative travel, not just to minimise harm, but to actively leave destinations better than we found them by creating positive outcomes for local people, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the landscapes we explore.

Led by the World Expeditions Foundation (WEF), Regen 2030 supports the rollout of regenerative travel projects in all regions we operate in by the year 2030, in collaboration with local NGOs and communities.

World Expeditions Schools donates $5 per travelling student to Regenertive 2030 projects.

Regenerative 2030 is one part of our sustainability commitment. In addition, our Service Learning programs engage students in hands-on community projects, including safe housing builds and development initiatives, in partnership with local organisations.

Building Hope: A Partnership Built on Meaningful Outcomes

Since the 1980s, World Expeditions Schools has been pioneering Service Learning programs that equip students to become responsible global citizens. With the support of student participants and their schools, we have delivered over 400 Service Learning programs across developing countries, addressing a wide range of meaningful causes including social justice, environmental conservation and community development.

Cambodia has been a key location for Service Learning partnerships. Through our collaboration with a local NGO, school groups have supported local communities by helping to construct safe, long-term housing for families most in need. Students build durable, steel framed Khmer style homes in rural villages where few other aid organisations are active. The result is a partnership that delivers life changing impact for families while giving students the opportunity to engage in real world service and personal growth.

Service Learning in Action: Cambodia Housing Builds

Since 2019, schools from across Australia have worked with World Expeditions Schools to contribute to this important project. To date, school groups have raised over $82,500, enabling the construction of 18 homes for vulnerable Cambodian families. Each home costs USD $3000 and is allocated through a careful selection process led by social workers, village chiefs and local leaders.

On a recent Service Learning program, one of our school groups reached an exciting milestone, building the 535th and 536th homes through the program. Over just three days, a team of 29 student participants worked side by side with local builders to complete the homes for two multigenerational families. For these families, stable housing provides immediate protection, health and safety benefits while supporting financial stability and future opportunities.

Transformative Outcomes for Families and Students

The impact of each house extends far beyond the construction itself. For the recipient families, these homes provide:

Protection from harsh weather and seasonal rains
A secure living environment that supports overall health and safety
Greater financial stability with working adults able to earn income confidently
Increased school attendance for children
Opportunities for small scale farming or income generation at home
Reduced strain on the wider community

For the students involved, the experience is equally profound. Through hands on Service Learning, participants form personal connections with the families, gain deeper insights into Cambodia’s culture and history and return home with a new perspective on global challenges. As one Deputy Principal reflected:

“The impact on our students was profound. From working alongside local communities on meaningful projects to gaining insight into Cambodia’s rich history and complex past, the tour offered experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Kate, Deputy Principal – Wellbeing & Operations

Aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Each Cambodia Housing Build contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which many schools align with as part of their curriculum:

No Poverty: Supporting families to lift themselves out of poverty through safe, secure housing
Sustainable Cities and Communities: Creating stable, inclusive communities with access to housing and essential services
Reduced Inequalities: Targeting support to the most disadvantaged families
Quality Education: Enabling children to attend school regularly by improving living conditions
Gender Equality: Supporting female headed households and promoting equal opportunities
Decent Work and Economic Growth: Enabling adults to engage in work while knowing their family is safe

A Lasting Connection

Following each program, the NGO provides schools with ongoing updates at six months, one year and two years after construction. These updates often share stories of improved health, financial security and renewed hope. Importantly, they reflect not only the lasting impact on the families but also the long term learning outcomes for the students who participated. Students carry their Service Learning experience forward into future studies, careers and global citizenship.

Research into the impacts of climate change on the Risso’s dolphins in the Azores waters near Portugal

Restoration of Uru Uru Lake, Bolivia, affected by hazardous mining activities, plastic pollution, and climate change

Community-Led Projects being funded in 2025

1. Biosand School Water Filter Project (Guatemala)

In the village of Xeparquiy, access to clean drinking water is limited. This project provides a large biosand water filter and multiple handwashing stations for the local school. Led by Guatemalan NGO The Good Neighbours, the filters are based on traditional Mayan water purification methods. Students gain access to safe drinking water, which helps reduce illness and improve school attendance. Hygiene training and regular water testing are also included to ensure long-term benefits.

2. Combating Plastic Waste in Bali’s Rivers (Indonesia)

Plastic pollution in Indonesia's rivers is a major contributor to ocean waste. In Bali, the NGO Sungai Watch is addressing the issue by installing floating river barriers to trap plastic before it reaches the sea. This project supports the installation and maintenance of one mini barrier, creates local employment for waste collection and sorting, and funds education programs about waste management. It helps protect ecosystems and builds environmental awareness in nearby communities.

3. Improving Literacy through Book Provision (Botswana)

In Maun, a local author is improving literacy through a grassroots reading and tutoring program. This project provides 360 books for Year 4 to Year 6 students and supports after-school tutoring led by trained youth and women. The books reflect local culture and language, helping children connect with stories that feel relevant to their lives. The program not only improves literacy but also supports youth employment and family engagement.

4. Marine Protected Area in the Azores (Portugal)

Risso’s dolphins in the Azores are facing pressure from climate change and competition for food. Marine biologist Karin Hartman has spent years tracking their behaviour. This project funds satellite tagging to monitor their movements and better understand how to protect them. The research supports the creation of a new Marine Protected Area and has already helped change tourism practices on Pico Island. Whale watching companies are shifting to more sustainable approaches as a result.

5. Menstrual Packs for Equal Rights (Zambia)

Many girls in rural Zambia miss school during their periods due to lack of access to safe menstrual products. The Ufulu Project provides reusable menstrual packs made from breathable fabrics and includes education about menstrual health. Each kit can be used for up to two years. The project helps girls stay in school, reduces stigma, and creates employment for local women who sew the packs. It improves health, confidence, and long-term opportunities for girls in the region.

6. Restore Key Wetlands and Uru Uru Lake (Bolivia)

Uru Uru Lake is a Ramsar-listed wetland in Bolivia that has been severely damaged by mining and plastic pollution. A local group known as the Uru Uru Team is restoring the lake by building floating rafts made from collected plastic and planting native totora reeds that naturally filter heavy metals. The project also supports a community garden, environmental education, and advocacy to push for stronger protections. It is helping to restore biodiversity, food security, and cultural identity for seven Indigenous communities.

7. Restoring Skiddaw Forest in Cumbria (England)

Despite its name, Skiddaw Forest has few trees. Years of degradation have stripped the land of biodiversity. This restoration project, led by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, aims to return the area to a healthy ecosystem by planting 620 acres of native Atlantic rainforest, restoring peatlands, and recreating heathland habitats. The goal is to reintroduce native species, store carbon, and improve access to nature. The project will take decades but is already creating momentum for landscape-scale restoration across northern England.

Views to Keswick, Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake are seen straight over from Catbells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England | Michael Conrad

The Future of Regenerative Travel

These seven projects are just the beginning. Regenerative 2030 is growing every year through donations from the World Expedition Travel Group. From clean water in Guatemala to rainforest restoration in the United Kingdom, these projects show what is possible when we support communities that are already leading change.

Every booking helps make this work possible. When we travel with care and intention, we can protect what matters and help build a better world. Regenerative 2030 invites us to go beyond leaving no trace and instead to leave something positive behind.