About BTCV International
History
1968 The first of many international exchanges took place to countries such as Czechoslovakia, where volunteers studied local land management techniques.
1988 As BTCV's international activities became better known, more organisations came to us for advice on conservation issues. European Commission funding enabled BTCV to appoint an International Development Officer to meet this demand, and the International Department was established. The aim, initially, was to develop a programme of activity in Europe. The formation of BTCV International coincided with major political changes in Eastern Europe. This produced a great interest in practical conservation and how to involve people in improving their environment. BTCV responded to the demand for advice on implementing conservation volunteering projects. We continue to focus on Central and Eastern Europe.
1989 The first international conservation holiday brochure was produced with projects in Iceland, France, Greece, Portugal and Spain. The programme of international holidays has expanded over the years so that we now offer holidays in 30 different countries.
1997 Funding was obtained from the National Lottery’s Community Fund for a five-year programme to work with environmental organisations in Central and Eastern Europe. BTCV worked in: Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovakia giving training, support and advice to partner organisations.
1999 BTCV established its first overseas office in Iceland and subsequently the Icelandic Ministry of Environment has taken on the management of this programme. This year BTCV took the lead role in establishing the Conservation Volunteers Alliance too.
2000 BTCV holiday programme won the British Airways Tourism Tomorrow Award.
2004 A Tsunami struck the Indian Ocean on 26 December. Four BTCV volunteers managed to escape, but sadly colleagues from our partner organisation, Naucretes, lost their lives. BTCV established a fund to support the communities and the restoration project on the Island of Phra Thong.
2005 BTCV's international activities focus on the support and development of groups, governments and communities to enable local people to have a direct impact on the conservation of the environment in which they live.