ESC: I know how, empower the group, and heal the Earth

Name: ESC: I know how, empower the group, and heal the Earth
Start: 2024-09-01
End: 2024-10-30
Location: Gabrovo, Bulgaria

Code: 8186e8a7-f64a-11ee-aae3-fa163ef8d720 Copied

Bulgaria Culture Environment European Voluntary Service Culture Environment +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Our partner organization was created in 1998 in Sofia.

Main objectives:

to promote skills and inspiration for sustainable and ecological lifestyle, building a community, sharing these values and inspired by nature;
to apply and promote innovative methods and practices for education in the sphere of formal and non formal education;
to safeguard Bulgarian historical, cultural and spritual values, traditions and crafts;
to assist the creation of European cultural identity;
to promote volunteering.
Since 2008, our partner has operated a Permaculture demonstration center in the town of Shipka, organizing educational activities. In 2011, a book on permaculture was translated into Bulgarian and published. Since 2014, our partner has collaborated with the local Community Center and other institutions to attract young people to Shipka, strengthen bonds between community members, and foster awareness among people. Activities have been organized to preserve authentic skills, crafts, and traditions. In 2019, our partner established an educational center called "Golden Apple" for children aged 5 to 11 in the town of Kazanlak. The target groups include children and youth (aged 4-18) as future citizens contributing to the global good, along with their parents (aged 18+) who play a role in ensuring that their children's acquired knowledge remains permanent and continues to develop. Another target group is older citizens above 50.

💼 What the programme involves

Join our community of people, focused on enhancing biodiversity, social unity, and personal growth! Master and be the host of our places. Give a hand and share authentic lifestyles! During your stay we will be focused on : self-improvement, family and community life, healthy daily regime and habits, morning practices, regular sharing circle, healthy nutrition, teamwork. Helping local community and eco/educational projects in Shipka and Zhelen, Bulgaria. Developing green skills : handling tools, growing food sustainably, renovate and build a home, organise an eco-friendly household, balance between nature, local community, markets, & institutions, regenerative ecology and agriculture, simple living and natural birth, learn to create sustainably productive living environments under changing conditions and climate change. Please, read: http://vegetarium.info/our-rule and https://omind.org/about/.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Shared bedroom. Outdoor compost toilet (preferrable to use, weather permitting). Indoor toilet available. Wood stove heating. Meeting/library/yoga room and community space.

🍲 Food

Cooking and meals are arranged on a communal basis with taking turns for cooking. Communal meals are vegetarian.

📍 About the location

The project is split between 2 locations : Shipka and Zhelen. Vegetarium home is one hour walk from the train station with regular connection to Sofia (60km) / Svoge (15km).

Shipka and Zhelen, in Bulgaria, are localities rich in history and natural beauty. Shipka is famous for its decisive battle during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, while Zhelen is known for its monastery and picturesque landscapes. Located in the heart of the Balkan Mountains, these towns offer spectacular panoramic views and are surrounded by lush forests.

The associative sector in these regions is dynamic, with local organizations working on various community, cultural, and environmental initiatives. Projects for environmental preservation, education, and rural development are frequently conducted in collaboration with local and international partners. The people of Shipka and Zhelen are known for their warm hospitality and commitment to preserving their cultural and natural heritage.

🎒 Leisure activities

In Shipka and Zhelen, Bulgaria, there are various leisure activities to enjoy. The volunteers can explore the natural beauty of the surrounding area by hiking in the nearby mountains or taking leisurely walks through picturesque landscapes. Additionally, historical sites such as Shipka Memorial Church or the Shipka Pass offer insights into the region's rich cultural heritage. For those interested in eco-tourism, there are opportunities to participate in sustainable farming practices or learn about local flora and fauna. Furthermore, the volunteers can engage in community activities, such as visiting local markets or attending cultural events, to immerse themselves in the vibrant local culture. Overall, Shipka and Zhelen provide a diverse range of leisure activities for volunteers to enjoy.

⚠️ Requirements

No previous experience is required. The volunteers should possess strong motivation and determination to embrace the values and principles of the project, adopt its lifestyle, and be eager to learn. They should be open to implementing desired habits related to food, daily routine, and program activities, as well as ready to take on responsibilities. Volunteers should demonstrate attentiveness, flexibility, diligence, and a willingness to persist. Specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes imparted require openness and respect for the project's 20-year experience.

Application deadline: 15/06/2024.

🤝 Meeting point

ℹ️ Additional information

Old bikes are available (Shipka) for local transport, bus every one hour to Kazanlak train station (12km).

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, volunteers need to enroll themselves at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify their 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.