ESC: Planting Syntrofia partIIb- A permaculture project in Crete

Code: 46280683079670dd52 Copied

Greece Environment European Voluntary Service Social work Environment European Voluntary Service +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Evolving Cycles is a Civil Non-Profit Company (NGO) which was founded in 2018 and operates in the field of education, culture and ecology. The organisation is a network through which synergies are built between projects, joint projects are created and implemented, new projects are supported in their first steps and an alternative paradigm of business and interpersonal relationships between partners is established in Greece.

The company actively organises events, formal and non-formal training, implements European and national programs, provides consultancy and design services, promotes youth work, volunteering and giving back to the community and supports local projects that serve as examples of Ecotopias, spaces where the NGO’s values are practised.

Evolving Cycles has the Quality Label certification from Greek National Agency for the implementation of solidarity projects in cooperation with other European countries (Erasmus+), and has a network of partners across Europe who share the same tools and values as our organisation.

At the same time it cooperates with public institutions (schools, universities) to implement educational programs in the local projects and promotes alternative forms of education (non-formal learning, forest schools).

We are the first national member (of Greece) of ECOLISE, the European network for community-led initiatives on climate change and sustainability.

💼 What the programme involves

Community Lab is part of Evolving Cycles NGO and designs social permaculture projects to create regenerative hubs in Crete and southern Greece. Inspired by degrowth, rural revival, and the transition movement, we offer alternative models of living, working, and collaborating. Our mission is to rediscover what it means to be indigenous to the land we inhabit. Our vision: to grow a permaculture education center for dry Mediterranean climates. At Syntrofia, our current focus is regenerating the land by establishing food forests and annual gardens. Located in Garipa village near Chania, the project also plays an emerging social role within the local community. This summer, we welcome 1 more community member - more than just a short-term volunteer - who will live and learn with us. Read more: https://shorturl.at/91fEv

🏠 Accommodation on site

The volunteer will stay in a handmade treehouse at Syntrofia Permaculture Project, with access to a compost toilet, shared hot shower (4 min walk), and communal cob kitchen. The site is off-grid with solar power. Travel costs are reimbursed per ESC rules. Public transport is available from Chania, with occasional carpooling options from locals.

🍲 Food

The project provides ingredients for 3 nutritious vegetarian meals per day. Drinking water comes from a nearby natural spring.

🎒 Leisure activities

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for committed volunteers passionate about permaculture and land regeneration, prepared mentally and physically to work outdoors. Prior experience in gardening, forestry, environmental engineering, botany and facilitation tools will be appreciated but they are not prerequisite. A PDC diploma is also a plus. Our work is based on clear, commonly consented agreements, followed by feedback processes and collaboration procedures that respect each one’s emotions and perspective, taking into consideration privileges like race, class, sex, etc. Join us and be part of our community!
Deadline: 05/06/2025 23:58

ℹ️ Additional information

Volunteers will receive hands-on training in permaculture principles, water management and syntropic agriculture. Activities include annual vegetable production, olive harvesting, composting and natural building with upcycled and natural, local materials. They will learn to use manual and electric tools, manage renewable energy systems and care for the land. The experience includes feedback and reflection practices, plus immersion in rural life and local cultural traditions.

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

EL46280

10/06/2025 at 00:00 → 02/08/2025 at 00:00

Closed

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♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1

Deadline: 05/06/2025

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

Garipa 731 00, Greece

Greece

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)

Timezone

Eastern European Summer Time

Local time: 22:18 (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 Greek