Greentalist volunteers
Youth-led · Costa Rica

Your energy.
Your leadership. Your impact.

We are a youth-led nonprofit in Costa Rica that empowers young people aged 18–24 to become real environmental leaders — through volunteering, education, and action.

Next program starts
Oct 02, 2026 · Applications Open
Why Greentalist

Not just volunteering.
Real transformation.

Most volunteering programs put you in a classroom or give you a shovel and call it a day. Greentalist is different. We combine hands-on fieldwork, structured leadership training, and genuine community partnerships to create an experience that changes how you see the world — and your place in it.

Learn about our approach →
Youth-led
Every program is designed and run by young people, for young people.
Real fieldwork
No simulations. You build, restore, and lead in real communities and national parks.
Leadership focus
Structured training that develops confidence, teamwork, and cross-cultural skills.
Costa Rica
One of the world's most biodiverse countries — an unmatched setting for environmental work.
Our programs

Join a Greentalist Costa Rica Program

Transform your passion for sustainability into real impact. You'll lead environmental projects, develop essential skills, and connect with a global network of changemakers.

Lead With Purpose
Develop real leadership skills through hands-on environmental projects that create lasting community impact.
Build Your Toolkit
Learn sustainable practices, conservation techniques, and project management skills you can apply anywhere in the world.
Connect Globally, Act Locally
Build a global network of changemakers while creating real, measurable change in Costa Rica's communities and ecosystems.
Grow As A Changemaker
Gain the confidence, experience, and credentials to drive environmental action wherever life takes you next.
How it works

Three steps to becoming a leader

The process is simple. The experience is anything but.

Step 01
Apply online

Fill out our application form. We'll review it and schedule a short interview to get to know you and find the right program for you.

Step 02
Train virtually

Complete 5 weeks of online training before you arrive — covering ecology, community development, leadership, and field preparation.

Step 03
Go make an impact

Arrive in Costa Rica and get to work. Build, restore, teach, lead — and finish with a wilderness expedition that pushes every limit.

What you gain

Skills that go beyond the classroom.

Every Greentalist program is designed around your growth — not just the project. You'll leave Costa Rica with tangible experience, real credentials, and a network that genuinely stands out to employers and communities alike.

See our programs
Real project leadership

You don't observe — you lead. From day one, you manage tasks, coordinate with communities, and make decisions that matter on the ground.

Recognized certificate

Graduate with credentials valued by employers worldwide — proof of leadership, sustainability work, and cross-cultural experience.

Global network

Connect with changemakers from 20+ countries. The people you meet during your program become lifelong allies in environmental action.

Cultural immersion

Live and work in Costa Rica's unique natural environment, alongside indigenous communities and national park rangers.

Voices from the field

Straight from our volunteers

"

Organizing clean-up days in Tuis taught me that real change starts with small steps and committed individuals. I witnessed my community unite to clean up illegal dumping sites, and they began taking ownership of our shared spaces.

Viviana Brenes
Viviana Brenes
Sustainable Development Student & Volunteer
"

Being part of the Conservation Project opened my eyes to how much young people can do for the environment. Leading workshops in schools not only helped me inspire others but also allowed me to grow my own confidence and voice as a changemaker.

Francinie Mora
Francinie Mora
Environmental Advocate & Volunteer
"

Greentalist was more than just an educational program — it was a family. I found people full of powerful ideas and people taking action, which motivated me to do more. Just hearing the name Greentalist sparks curiosity and inspires others to join the movement.

Jihad Brais
Jihad Brais
Youth Leader & First-Generation Volunteer
Join us

Ready to become a
Greentalist?

Applications are open for our 2026 programs. Take the first step — your community, your environment, and your future self will thank you.

Thank you for joining Greentalist

Fotografía grupal del programa Greentalist al aire libre.

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