📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
ELIX in partnership with EcoMuseum Zagori have launched this project for the protection of the intangible cultural heritage of Greece. Most specifically, during the workcamp we will cooperate with local experts on nomadic livestock farming which is the annual movement of flocks of sheep and goats between summer and winter quarters, irrespective of the distance traveled or the means by which the latter is traversed.
EcoMuseum Zagori was founded to manage the protection and exploitation of the natural and cultural heritage of the area to the benefit of local development. The central principle it is based on is that an areas monuments should remain in situ as a living testament to a specific era. Here visitors learn about various aspects of social life, production processes and the socio-economic and natural history of the region. At the same time, they are given the opportunity to interpret the spiritual, social and economic evolution of the local population which is directly connected to the natural environment and its effect on the definition of its identity.
An important part of our project is the highlighting of the cultural heritage element of mobile livestock farming in Epirus, as it is part of the identity of the place, but also a potential driver of development in multiple sectors (tourism, architecture, materials technology). The EcoMuseum deals with mobile livestock farming through research proposals and projects, but also through educational programs for schools.
The project is sponsored and funded by the municipality of Pogoni.
💼 What the programme involves
The practice of moving is at the heart of the cultural and social constitution of montane livestock-breeding communities and has largely contributed to the formation of the landscape of the areas where it developed historically. Transhumant livestock farmers are bearers of knowledge and practices associated, on the one hand, with the optimal utilization of the natural resources available (meadows, water sources etc.) and of climate data and, on the other hand, with the output of quality agrifood products.
During the workcamp, our volunteers will collect the natural materials that will be needed for the construction of the traditional farming cabin-houses. They will construct a traditional cabin-house that will accommodate the nomadic livestock farmers.
At the same time, they will have the opportunity to gain knowledge on the social practices, rituals, and festive celebrations of the migrating livestock farmers.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The volunteers will stay in the guest house of the municipality of Pogoni which is located in a village called "Stauroskiadi". The guest house consists of 7 rooms with two bunk beds per its (4 beds per room). There are shared bathrooms in every room.
2 meals per day will be provided (lunch-dinner). There is a shared kitchen in the accommodation.
📍 About the location
Drymades (Postal Code: 440 05) is a small village in the Prefecture of Ioannina in the Epirus region of Greece. It is near the border with Albania at an altitude of 1,040 meters. Drymades is located in Greece about 485 km north-west of Athens, the country’ s capital.
The closest airport is Ioannina National Airport King Pyrros (68 km). You can reach Drymades by bus or car/taxi from Ioannina city or Kakavia Greek Border Station.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience the everyday life of this small and picturesque village of Drymades; they may attend different events during the period of their stay like hiking, guided tours, workshops, empowerment exercises, familiarity with the local community, group activities that will help foster socialization among the participants and give a special identity to the programme.
ℹ️ Additional information
Workcamp for Senior Volunteers (55+)
