ESC: Promoting and protecting biodiversity in Les Courmettes
Code: 43129 Copied
France
European Voluntary Service
Environment
European Voluntary Service
Environment
Fixed dates
About the project
ESC: Promoting and protecting biodiversity in Les Courmettes
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
A Rocha France est la branche française de l'organisation non-gouvernementale A Rocha, membre de l'Alliance mondiale pour la nature (IUCN). Elle a été créée en 2000 et possède un centre d'étude près d'Arles depuis 2001. Depuis 2008, A Rocha France gère le Domaine des Courmettes près de Nice, une zone naturelle de 600 hectares ouverte au public. A Rocha France a pour objectif d'agir concrètement pour protéger la nature et l'environnement sur les territoires où elle est implantée. Elle travaille également à la sensibilisation de tous les publics locaux à ces questions, et au niveau national en France elle possède une audience particulière auprès du public Chrétien, pour lequel elle développe des supports et des actions de sensibilisation à la protection de l'environnement. Dans ses locaux d'Arles, A Rocha France emploie 2 personnes (dont le directeur scientifique) et accueille 2 à 6 bénévoles et volontaires à temps plein. Une quarantaine de bénévoles et stagiaires se joignent à l'équipe à des moments différents chaque année et prennent une part active aux projets. Dans la région d'Arles, A Rocha
travaille principalement dans la Vallée des Baux et effectue des études scientifiques et des actions de gestion des zones humides des marais des Baux, dont le marais de l'Ilon (Réserve Naturelle Régionale). Localement, A Rocha collabore étroitement avec le Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles mais aussi de nombreuses autres organisations comme la Tour du Valat, le Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue ou le Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. A
Rocha collabore également étroitement avec les propriétaires privés et les agriculteurs sur ce territoire. A Rocha a par exemple mené une action de concertation sur les anciens marais des Baux de 2006 à 2008. De 2013 à 2018, A Rocha France a été partenaire du programme européen Life des Alpilles, qui visait à protéger 13 espèces d'oiseaux menacées du Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles. Au niveau international, A Rocha France a développé une expertise reconnue sur l'écologie et la conservation du Rollier d'Europe, un oiseau migrateur emblématique. Les publics cibles d'A Rocha France sont tout d'abord les communautés locales sur les sites où elle intervient, ainsi que les écoles et établissements d'enseignement secondaires. Elle forme également de nombreux étudiants chaque année à travers des stages, ainsi que de nombreux jeunes à travers le Service civique et le Corps européen de solidarité. A Rocha France a également une action ciblée envers les communautés chrétiennes : églises, paroisses et autres communautés religieuses, pour les sensibiliser aux questions de protection de la nature.
💼 What the programme involves
Les Courmettes is a natural site of 600ha in a Natura2000 area. Located nearby Nice, scientific studies and monitorings are implemented along side actions to raise awereness and train people. The volunteers, under the direction of the nature activities manager, will participate in protecting this rich site by reconciling both nature conservation and welcoming the public. They will develop competences in environmental education, scientific studies and natural site management.
They will take part in:
- raising public awareness (through panels, discussion, educational tools)
- species and habitats studies (fieldwork, data analysis)
- site management (trail marking, site defence etc.)
- learning french (10% of the time), communicating about the ESC (through videos, stands, articles) (10%)
- tasks related to the proper functioning of the Les Courmettes centre: welcoming visitors, maintenance of the domain and its park, various tasks related to Community life (30%).
🏠 Accommodation on site
The volunteers are housed at the centre of Les Courmettes, which is also the logistic base for the projects, the head office and the hub for running the life of the team. They share rooms (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper are eaten together during the week with the team and any other participants at fixed times. They are prepared by a cook. When the cook is absent, the team members take turn. Breakfasts are self-service. Vegetarian diets can be offered. Cars are available (with a fee) to get around. The Rules of life might be adapted due to the COVID situation.
🎒 Leisure activities
Training will be provided on arrival concerning the modus vivendi at the centre community life, week planning and project and activity description. Field work training is provided for the volunteer all through the project such as: species identification skills, protocols, use of observation tools and other field equipment. Training in welcoming public and environmental education will be provided at arrival.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: We are looking for volunteers who have a real interest in raising awareness and protecting the environment. They will need to enjoy life in the country and contact with people and the flora and fauna which means sometimes putting up with difficult weather conditions and be ready to welcome visitors at Les Courmettes and talk about the site’s regulations. Volunteers will have to show that they can take initiatives in the tasks they undertake and take them through to completion. A basic knowledge of French and a driving licence are an advantage for the volunteers.
Deadline: 31/01/2025 23:59
Deadline: 31/01/2025 23:59
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
FR43129
01/01/2025 → 31/12/2025
Volunteers registered
0 / 2
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Deadline: 31/01/2025
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
Les Courmettes, 06140 Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:36 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French