📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Partner: The Slatinka Association was established in 1993 as a reaction to the opening of the Slatinka water dam on the Slatina River. The association’s mission is to work at the basin of the Slatina River, to protect the environment and preserve natural areas while spreading consciousness of the project’s effects on nature. One of their main aims is to bring life back to the village of Slatinka, since many people had to leave due to the dam construction. Workcamps like this one have been organized in Slatinka since 2011.
💼 What the programme involves
Work: The work will be done around and in the village of Slatinka. The volunteers will help with reparation of the area in Eco Center (formerly a school building) –, repairing fences, etc. Other environmental projects like grass cutting and river clean-up will be done near the Slatina River. The volunteers will restore "forgotten" small wells in surrounding areas by cleaning them, putting small stones on them, creating wooden shelters and benches as well as preparing and installing information boards.
Study Part: The workcamp will have a rich environmental study part as the local partner is an ecologically-focused organization. Volunteers will learn about environmental protection efforts in Slovakia and all the issues related to the dam construction. Participants will also learn about the history of Slatinka and Zvolen. The workcamp will be visited by INEX Messenger, who will organize a workshop focused on current issues in Europe. The volunteers will prepare "Feast of cultures" - an international food festival for the local community, and will join the “volunteering footprint” workshop. Our camps will follow the rules of Sustainability campaign.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation & Food: Volunteers will stay at a local school called the Eco Center. The center has an outdoor shower that requires participants to manually heat water before each shower and toilets are dry (outhouses). There will not be access to running water, so water will be delivered or taken from a well pump for showers. On-site access to electricity is available. There are two bedrooms with mattresses, but a sleeping bag and mat are required. Those who really love nature will have the ability to sleep outdoors in tents.
Meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves. The food will be mostly vegetarian.
📍 About the location
Location and leisure: Slatinka is a little village near Zvolen located in the Central part of Slovakia. The village is surrounded by beautiful nature with many touristic routes and hiking opportunities. The volunteers may visit Zvolen, where they will find a castle, a historical center and other interesting historic sites.
⚠️ Requirements
Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit, headlamp, penknife and a smile on your lips :) You may also bring music instruments and CD with your favourite songs from your country to share/play with the group.
ℹ️ Additional information
The camp is organized with the support of Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability dates back to its roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through its growth strategies and by increasing market share, Johnson Controls is committed to delivering value to shareholders and making its customers successful.