Raleigh International Trust
Explore the legacy that sparked youth-led change. Raleigh International Trust was a UK nonprofit active until May 2022, guiding young leaders.
Greentalist continues with its legacy.
Continuing a Legacy of Youth-Driven Change
With over 40 years of experience, Raleigh International Trust supported extraordinary youth action. Specifically, it empowered more than 55,000 young people from over 100 countries. Furthermore, its flagship programme, the Raleigh Expedition, transformed lives through volunteer service.
By 2022, Raleigh International Trust operated offices in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Nepal and Tanzania. Additionally, its main offices were located in the United Kingdom. Therefore, it created a truly global network of young changemakers.
While most volunteers initially came from the United Kingdom, participation grew globally. Also, the number of participants from the Netherlands and Belgium increased.
Consequently, the programme became more diverse and internationally representative over time, with national volunteers from the countries where the Expedition operated. As a result, this fostered rich cultural exchange and deeper community connections.
Upon completing an Expedition, participants joined a global Alumni network immediately. Across the world, former volunteers established National Societies (UK, Bermuda, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Borneo, Singapore, Costa Rica) to continue the work. Plus, they kept the Raleigh spirit alive and expanded its impact locally.
In May 2022, after two years of fighting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, difficult decisions had to be made. Raleigh International Trust officially ceased operations due to financial challenges, unfortunately. However, the story didn’t end there.
The Legacy Lives On
Determined to carry forward the legacy, the Costa Rican National Society acted. In 2025, it launched Global Greentalist, a new expedition-style programme combining training and environmental action.
Global Greentalist empowers young people to lead impactful projects for the planet. Moreover, it helps them contribute to solving our most urgent environmental challenges. Therefore, the spirit of Raleigh International Trust continues through this new chapter.
The Raleigh Expedition Programme is still running under Impact Travel Group today. This organization has continued promoting Raleigh International values since 2022. Consequently, the expedition experience remains available to young people worldwide.
The Origins of Raleigh International Trust
1978 – Operation Drake
In 1978, HRH Prince Charles launched Operation Drake, with Colonel John Blashford-Snell as co-founder, a groundbreaking initiative focused on inspiring a generation of young people, with a scientific exploration and community service ethos from the start.
1984 – Operation Raleigh
By 1984, Operation Drake had successfully evolved into Operation Raleigh. This pioneering programme empowered young people to volunteer on global projects. Nearly 4,000 volunteers participated in its early years alone.
Participants gained life-changing experiences while making a real impact in communities. Therefore, Operation Raleigh became a model for youth-led international development work.
1992 – Raleigh International Trust
Operation Raleigh became Raleigh International Trust, the global organization we know. Since then, thousands more young people worldwide have driven sustainable change together. Additionally, work has focused on climate action, water, sanitation, and enterprise.
Through Expeditions, International Citizen Service (ICS), and national youth programmes, impact grew. Young people became leaders, playing vital roles in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Last Years of Raleigh International Trust
The Final Chapter and New Beginnings
In 2020, Raleigh officially became a global youth action organization, launching its first worldwide campaign with clearly defined, ambitious goals.
Action Not Excuses emerged as a movement dedicated to tackling the climate emergency directly. Through this campaign, young people led environmental initiatives in their own countries. Specifically, work expanded across Malaysia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Nepal, and the UK.
This is the moment when Greentalist was created for youth leaders in Costa Rica. Consequently, a new chapter in the Raleigh International Trust legacy began locally.
By 2022, Raleigh offered meaningful volunteering opportunities through multiple programmes: the Expedition and National Youth programmes operated in Nepal, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Tanzania.
Re:Green launched as the first UK-based programme in Scotland. Enabling young people in the UK to participate in environmental conservation efforts.
The Spirit of Raleigh International Trust Continues
Today, organizations like Greentalist carry forward Raleigh International Trust’s vision globally. Moreover, we empower young people to create meaningful change in their communities. Therefore, the legacy of youth-driven action lives on through new generations.
Learn how you can be part of this continuing story today. Join us in honouring the spirit of Raleigh International Trust through action.
Raleigh Expedition in the UK
In July 2022, the Impact Travel Group acquired the Raleigh International brand and committed to upholding the values at the core of Raleigh Expedition: supporting young people to take action on the world’s most important issues through international volunteer programmes.