ESC: ESC at the Edge of the World – Metsäkartano
Code: 46405 Copied
Finland
European Voluntary Service
Education
European Voluntary Service
Education
Fixed dates
About the project
ESC: ESC at the Edge of the World – Metsäkartano
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Metsäkartano is one of nine Finnish Youth Centres specialised in youth work. Our function is to develop the methods used in the field of youth work, to further the skills of the youth, and to enable young people’s travelling domestically and abroad. We are supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture and we follow the current Youth Act and Youth Policy Programme.
As a Youth Centre the purpose of Metsäkartano is to promote international youth co-operation, non-formal education and environmental education. We offer a safe and secure environment for camps, courses, trainings and activities - 365 days a year. Our facilities are designed for the youth and the premises are in the heart of the beautiful Finnish nature.
We want to empower kids and young people in various ways, mainly by organising over night camps, youth exchanges, voluntary service opportunities and social youth work camps, camp schools and family camps.
Metsäkartano has strong responsible and sustainable values, which are visible in our everyday actions. The basis of our work is at environmental education and experiential learning - and exploring the great outdoors. We want to create opportunities for people to get stronger connection with themselves and the nature. We have made connecting with the nature easy as possible, since our learning environment is the Finnish nature. We are awarded as a social enterprise, as we target our profits for promoting our youth work.
💼 What the programme involves
Come volunteer at Metsäkartano, a youth and nature centre located deep in the Finnish forest, 20 km from the nearest village. This is a unique opportunity to live surrounded by lake, wilderness, and silence—while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.
Our work focuses on youth empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainability. We host youth camps and educational activities for young people with fewer opportunities, and we use nature-based methods like “nuotiopedagogiikka” (campfire pedagogy) to build connection, confidence, and community.
As a volunteer, you will become part of our close-knit team and support our youth work in different ways—from helping during youth camps and seasonal events, to working behind the scenes with communications, social media, photography, and daily practical tasks.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The volunteer will be accommodated in a shared apartment on-site. Meals are provided by the Metsäkartano kitchen, either as ready-made meals from the restaurant buffet (when there are guests on-site) or as ingredients for self-cooking.
Metsäkartano is located in a remote area with no public transportation available. However, staff members occasionally offer car rides to nearby villages when running errands or commuting. If the volunteer has a valid driving license, they may also book and use the Metsäkartano van sometimes. A store/village cannot be reached by walking or bicycling normally.
🎒 Leisure activities
The volunteer will have a personal work mentor and a mentor to reflect learning goals. There will also be a one-week on-arrival training in another city in Finland.
At Metsäkartano, the volunteer will receive orientation training and be introduced to the permanent staff, interns, and seasonal employees to help them settle in and get to know the community. It is important that the volunteer enjoys spending time alone and has independent hobbies such as hiking, cycling, or crafts. Being proactive and open to connecting with others will also help the volunteer make the most of their experience
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: We welcome open-minded, self-motivated people who are:
• Motivated
• Not at the moment in work or school
• Personal values fit to the values of ESC
• Interested in youth work, inclusion, and nature
• Comfortable with rural living and quiet surroundings
• Able to enjoy solo hobbies (reading, hiking, crafts, etc.)
• Willing to be proactive and get involved
• Ready to challenge themselves and learn new things
HOW TO APPLY:
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us in remote Finland! Please read the following instructions carefully and include all requested information in your application.
What to Send Us:
• Your CV
• A Motivation Letter (1–2 pages) added at the end of your CV (same file is fine)
Important:
Please write the application in your own English – not with AI or translator help. It doesn’t have to be perfect – we also don’t speak perfect English! :)
We want to hear your real voice and personality through your words.
Please Answer These Questions in Your Motivation Letter:
1. Why do you want to live in remote Finland?
(Metsäkartano is located 20 km from the nearest village.)
2. Why do you want to commit to youth work in Finland?
3. Why do you want to volunteer? What motivates you?
4. Do you have any previous experience living in an international setting?
(E.g. exchange programs, international camps, studies abroad.)
5. Have you lived away from home before?
If yes, where and how did you experience it?
6. What kind of volunteering or educational activities have you done in your free time?
Have you worked with non-profits? What were your tasks?
7. Do you have experience updating social media for organizations or as an influencer?
8. Do you have photography or video making skills?
If yes, please send us something you’ve created!
9. What are your hobbies and what do you like to do in your free time?
(We’re especially interested in hobbies you enjoy doing solo.)
10. Do you have a valid driving license?
11. Do you already have a local supporting organisation?
(This is required in ESC projects.)
12. Do you belong to the group "young people with fewer opportunities"?
See explanation here:
SALTO Inclusion: Who are young people with fewer opportunities?
13. Do you have any special needs or health conditions?
(No problem – we can arrange extra support if needed.)
14. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?
Feel free to express your personality, values, and interests. We look forward to getting to know you!
We only take applications via this portal. Any applications coming outside of the portal will be ignored.
Questions can be asked: [email protected]. Reach out to us only via this email address.
We will fill the spot soon.
Deadline: 07/06/2025 23:00
Deadline: 07/06/2025 23:00
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 ?
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.
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.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
FI46405
13/07/2025 → 31/12/2025
Volunteers registered
0 / 2
♂ 0/1
♀ 0/1
Deadline: 07/06/2025
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
Metsäkartanontie 700, 73900 Rautavaara, Finland
Finland
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Eastern European Summer Time
Local time: 22:05 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
Finnish