A vital component of Island Conservation projects is the empowerment of local island communities. That’s why we were delighted to announce our partnership with Lenovo on their Work For Humankind initiative, which recruited volunteers from around the world to visit and leave long-lasting benefits to the community of Robinson Crusoe Island, just off the coast of Chile.  

With the project now in full swing, we’re excited to bring you the many updates, details and developments over the coming weeks – including providing a window into how the incredible Work For Humankind volunteers are getting involved! 

Why our work with local island communities is so important 

Whether we are aware of it or not, humans are not simply living within ecosystems, but are in fact a significant part of those ecosystems. Local inhabitants possess a wealth of inter-generational knowledge about the intricate balance between human intervention and natural biodiversity. Mutual interests and conservation gains rely on the community’s wellbeing, and understanding their conservation goals, livelihoods, and needs. 

The Work for Humankind volunteers come from 9 different countries and have a unique opportunity to bring their skills, expertise and passions to the island. They’re contributing through hands-on activities, and have already set up an AI server on the island and built a greenhouse. And thanks to Lenovo’s generosity, the initiative will leave a legacy of cutting-edge infrastructure, including high-speed internet and solutions-oriented technology workplace hubs. 

Keep an eye out for all the latest updates from Robinson Crusoe on our news feed and follow us on Instagram for a glimpse into the island’s beauty and majesty!