ESC: Discover the castle: circular sustainability and history

Name: ESC: Discover the castle: circular sustainability and history
Start: 2026-05-01
End: 2027-04-30
Location: Maastricht, Netherlands

Code: 50795 Copied

Netherlands European Voluntary Service Social work Culture European Voluntary Service Social work +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

💼 What the programme involves

Imagine waking up every morning with views of a castle and green hills. This project can make that happen. You'll be working on an estate with gardens, forests, and farmland, and work to protect its cultural heritage and nature. Sustainability is very important: food is grown on site, waste is reused, and local production helps reduce transport and CO2 emissions. In the shared garden, food is grown for the restaurant. All profits from the hotel and restaurant are being used to restore the estate for the future. As a volunteer, you help care for the land and support circular living. Your tasks change with the seasons. In spring, summer and autumn, you work outside: planting, weeding, harvesting, and maintaining gardens and green areas. In winter, you may help with indoor tasks like events, communication, or marketing. You will work with local farmers and learn new skills, such as gardening, food growing, and creative activities. This project combines nature, community, and heritage.

🏠 Accommodation on site

You will stay in an appartment overlooking the estate. You will have simple private bedroom for yourself, and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom with one other person. You will get budget to cook for yourself. On some working days, you'll eat together with the farmers. The estate is located on the edge of Maastricht, and it's easy to explore by bike, foot or public transport. Maastricht is a beautiful city with many international students and a lot of things to do in you free time.

🎒 Leisure activities

After arrival in the Netherlands, volunteers will take part in two trainings from the National Agency. They will also get support from a local mentor. Youthpass will be used to help volunteers reflect on what they learn during the project. For the project, volunteers will receive clear instructions about working safely on the farm, including how to use tools and equipment. They will also get guidance and supervision when needed.

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: You: - are very motivated to contribute to circular sustainability - like working outside and are interested in agriculture - don't mind rolling up your sleeves and doing physical work - take initiative and are able to work independently - help where needed. You can express yourself well in English - like to go out and create a social life for yourself outside of the project !! We have a mandatory infomeeting on Tuesday 7 April at 11.00 (Dutch time). Participation in this meeting is mandatory for continuation of the selection process!!
Deadline: 03/04/2026 07:00

ℹ️ Additional information

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

Training before and after the project
Health insurance during your project
round-trip travel reimbursement
accommodation and food
pocket money
language course
Return Week-end
Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

NL50795

01/05/2026 → 30/04/2027

Closed

0 / 2

♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1

Deadline: 03/04/2026

ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–30 years old

Solidarity donation

0.00 EUR

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

Maastricht, Netherlands

Netherlands

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)

Timezone

Central European Summer Time

Local time: 21:39 (12/11/2026)

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Dutch