The five criteria have been set with the above objective in mind, creating and maintaining the balance of benefit for volunteer and project. They have been developed in consultation with established volunteering organisations, local project partners and gap year and volunteering advisers.

They are not a black and white set of rules because there are a whole host of different types of project and placement out there, and each one is developed and run differently. It would be impossible to say for example that "every project must receive a cash donation of £XXX" or "volunteers must always commit to a minimum period of XXX" - what is right for one project may be extremely damaging for another. At the same time however, the criteria and assessment process do ensure that projects and volunteers do receive what is right and appropriate for each organisation's structure.

FTV has been created and established by leading volunteer organisations and advisors in the travel industry to enable volunteers to make a choice as to which volunteer experience they would like to have, and to give organisations wishing to provide FTV projects guidelines, help and support to be able to deliver them. Over the past few years, the number of volunteering opportunities and the organisations which provide them has grown substantially, and there now exists a whole range of type and quality of placement for the prospective volunteer. The volunteer 'models' used are all different and as a result the level of benefit to the local community are different. Some give more money to the local project and less time, whilst others may give more volunteer resource and time and less money. Many do both. In some cases a small amount of your money will make a massive difference locally. In others you are part of a bigger, wider effort meaning your direct input and impact, whilst smaller, helps an overall bigger picture over time.

It is up to the volunteers to choose which 'model' suits them best. Whilst some may like the idea of seeing their money and input being used to great effect locally overseas, others may prefer a less hands on experience and to be part of a bigger picture. This is similar to the production of Fair Trade goods in the food industry such as Fair Trade tea, coffee and chocolate. As a consumer you have a choice to support the 'model' that works for you.

Most people assume that every volunteering place is set up purely to benefit local communities and in some instances this may not be the case. The aim of FTV is to identify a FTV model, establish a fair balance between all parties involved and to ensure placements are developed to provide genuine benefit to the project and the volunteers which take part in them. All organisations which are signed up to the FTV Trade Mark meet the five FTV criteria, created to help achieve this balance.