📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Mas Les Vinyes Cooperative was born with the aim of creating a system that would allow a more sustainable way of living that respects nature and, at the same time, be a formative and demonstrative space of an ecological and regenerative system. The Cooperative manages a farm and a training center in the center of Catalonia (Lluçanès) following the principles of permaculture to design the farm where food production (biodynamic agriculture, food forests and integrated livestock) coexists with the community life, regenerative forest management and resilience.
The short and long term objectives can be summarized in working to reduce our needs, to be less and less dependent on external energy (fossil energy, nutrients, etc.) moving towards a greater resilience,closing cycles, greater production, more nutrients .
For this we have planned, And have in progress the following actions or systems: stabilize the productive organic Orchard getting reduce the energy provided, transform cereal fields into food forests or similar forestry, establish rational integrated grazing for soil regeneration, continue working to close cycles (water purification ponds, compost creation, vermiculture, etc.), design the management of the 20 forest hectares , rebuild the hoy se spaces with bioconstruction principles, among others.
All our team is constantly Increasing Their knowledge in topics related to permaculture, agriculture, bioconstruction, PRV, organic beekeeping, phytotherapy, etc.
We are part of the Woofing and Workaway volunteer networks from the beginning of the project and we value very positively the exchange of energy and knowledge that we are having with the volunteers.
Being a holistic project which includes projects of different characteristics, allows people with different concerns and profiles to approach to the project where they can learn and contribute the most.
The principles of Permaculture talk about taking care of the earth, the people and sharing knowledge and surpluses. transmitting these values to people who collaborate with the project is an opportunity to share the social, economic and environmental changes that we propose and carry out to practice.
Sharing our experiences we feel that we are giving new tools to young people to change their view on food production, their relationship with nature and the many possibilities they have to satisfy their needs.
💼 What the programme involves
We are looking for ESC volunteers to join our community farm from May to November 2023.
We are 4 adults and 3 youth living in a 24 hectares farm located in el Lluçanès, Catalonia (Spain). We’ve been transforming and regenerating this beautiful place for 9 years. During this time, we’ve hosted dozens of volunteers and placed many trainings related to Permaculture, Regenerative Agriculture, natural building, personal development, etc.
We need help taking care of the animals (sheep, chickens, ducks, bees…) and gardens, building, forestry management, maintenance of the place, cooking, etc.
This is a perfect opportunity to meet a lot of people, because we’ll be hosting some trainings (manly Permaculture Designs Courses) with big groups and a youth exchange, and also to experience living in community in a rural area but, most of al, to learn a lot about Permaculture and Regenerative Agriculture.
🏠 Accommodation on site
As a volunteer, you will share a room with another volunteer.
Food will be provided by us. As we live on a farm and we are compromised with food sovereignty, we follow an omnivorous diet. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to host vegan people as we also eat eggs, milk, cheese, honey, etc.
The expenses of the travel from your place to ours and back will be covered by ESC program. The closest bus stop is 10 min by car and we can take you there if you need taking advantage of the trips we do every day.
🎒 Leisure activities
We are looking for volunteers that speak Spanish or want to improve it considerably before getting here because we would like them to join one of our Permaculture Design Courses. We think this is a great chance to learn a lot about what we do and why and to meet people with the same interests and a way to see life.
Independently, in our daily tasks we like to explain to volunteers why we do everything, how we take decisions, how we've done it in the past, etc. For us, this is the best way to empower them, make them feel involved and understand our way of functioning.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: We are looking for people aged 20-30 years and with a good level of Spanish and English. We prioritize experience with Permaculture, agriculture, animals, forestry management and natural building. We value interest in community life in a rural area, social skills, open minds and people that are not afraid of getting their hands dirty.
Deadline: Application deadline: 15/03/2023
ℹ️ Additional information
Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organiser, for recognition of their competence development during the activity. Read more about Youthpass:https://www.youthpass.eu/en/
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label. The Quality Label certifies that the organisation is able to run projects in compliance with the principles and objectives of the European Solidarity Corps.