Co-Impact Teams

Co-Impact teams are typically organized by team leaders and co-leaders who express interest in a specific construction project or mission trip. These leaders reach out to EduDeo to discuss potential projects and travel dates. The team leader then recruits participants from their church, family, workplace, or community. Throughout the process, EduDeo’s Community or School Relationship Managers provide ongoing support to the team leader, ensuring they have all the necessary project details and assistance with planning and execution—from initial coordination to post-trip debriefing. EduDeo also works closely with our partners in-country to manage all logistics, including flight bookings, accommodations, and transportation. In addition, we offer resources for cross-cultural learning, fundraising ideas, and presentations to your support community. Above all, we are here to walk alongside every Co-Impact team, offering support, encouragement, and a listening ear throughout the journey!

A typical Co-Impact team consists of 8-12 participants, although school teams tend to be larger, ranging from 20-40 members. Participants range in age from energetic youth to experienced retirees. The minimum age to join a Co-Impact team is 16 years old at the time of travel. For participants aged 16 and 17, notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian is required. At a minimum, each team with minors must have 1 male and 1 female chaperone, regardless of the number of team members. Where a team has even one team member under the age of 18, there must be at least 1 chaperone (adult team member age 25+) accompanying them. Where there is a team with minors age 16+, EduDeo requires there to be 1 female and 1 male chaperone per 10 minors.

Co-Impact teams begin their preparation, including fundraising and travel coordination, 7–9 months before departure. The actual time spent traveling varies, but most teams are in-country for 7–14 days. This includes travel, work, worship, and cultural days. Unique school teams, such as International Block, travel for 4-6 weeks, offering an extended experience. Contact our School Relationship Manager for more information about these opportunities.  Co-Impact teams currently travel to four main destinations: Belize, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Zambia.

No specific construction skills are required to participate in a Co-Impact team. EduDeo welcomes individuals of all skill levels, understanding that the work is about more than just construction—it's also about building relationships with team members and local communities. Team leaders are encouraged to communicate with EduDeo’s Community or School Relationship Managers to determine the level of construction difficulty that the team is comfortable with, ensuring that everyone can contribute in a meaningful way, regardless of their construction experience.

A typical day on a Co-Impact team depends on whether you are part of a construction or vision team. Your day might include working on a school construction project, sharing meals together that are prepared by local hosts, and participating in other educational ministry or service projects. You will also spend time in worship and devotions with your team. Your trip will include a cultural day to visit local sites, as well as attending a Sunday worship service at a local church. While knowing the local language can help build relationships with the community, it is not required to join a Co-Impact team. Learning a new language takes time, so EduDeo ensures interpreters are available to assist with communication. Additionally, before your trip, EduDeo will provide a list of common words and phrases to help you engage in basic conversations with the local community.

Smoking (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis products) and alcohol consumption are strictly prohibited while on a Co-Impact team trip. These activities can have negative cultural implications in the countries where EduDeo partners and they are seen as disrespectful by local communities. In extreme cases, a participant may be sent home at their own cost if they are found to be violating these policies. Additionally, participants are not permitted to remain in-country for vacation after the team’s work is complete or book vacation in-country before the trip. The goal of the Co-Impact program is to focus on mission and ministry, and adding a vacation could detract from the team’s mission and unity, as well as create a negative perception in the host community. Vacation plans should be made prior to the trip. Furthermore, under Canadian charitable law, we are unable to issue tax receipts for flights that are not directly related to charitable activities. If a vacation is added to the service trip, the flight would no longer qualify for a tax receipt.

EduDeo Ministries provides travel medical insurance for all Co-Impact team members during their time volunteering, with more details provided during the onboarding process. Additionally, each participant must submit a satisfactory background check before traveling. Depending on your team's structure, EduDeo may require either a Criminal Record & Judicial Matter Check or a Vulnerable Sector Check. EduDeo’s Church or School Relationship Managers will advise on the required check when the team is formed. EduDeo places a high priority on the safety of its teams, international partners, and the communities they serve. We work closely with our partners to assess the political, environmental, and general conditions of travel destinations. Additionally, we monitor travel advisories from the Government of Canada and evaluate regional differences within countries. Even if a country has a travel advisory, certain areas may still be deemed secure for travel. EduDeo continuously evaluates these circumstances before and during the trip to ensure the safety of all participants.

EduDeo must comply with Charity Law, the Income Tax Act, and Canada Revenue Agency policies. Funds designated for specific Co-Impact team projects are accepted with the understanding that, if the project cannot proceed, EduDeo maintains the authority to reallocate them to its other charitable projects or activities. If a Co-Impact team is canceled, EduDeo will consider alternative partner projects or how the funds can best advance ministry goals. Under Canadian charitable law, EduDeo cannot refund donations, as they are considered gifts to support the charity’s work and must be used for its charitable purposes.

EduDeo’s work is driven by our partners’ requests, and we regularly consult with them about their interest in receiving teams. While funds are crucial, teams also demonstrate Christ’s love and foster global community. Our partners often express how meaningful it is to spend time with teams, serving and growing together. EduDeo ensures that teams are educated on cross-cultural experiences to avoid the potential harms of short-term missions. We hope teams return with a refreshed perspective on Kingdom work and are inspired to advocate for Christ-centered education in their own communities.