📝 Detailed information
💼 What the programme involves
The goal of the Icelandic Forestry Association (IFA) and the other forestry associations in Iceland is to restore Iceland´s lost forest cover, provide green recreational areas (open to anyone), and protect the forest remains of Iceland. IFA will host 5 ESC volunteers for 5 months, from 9th of May until 9th of October. The project involves various outdoor activities, including: planting (most significant), path making, basic wood/stone construction and forest maintenance. The team will be led by a forestry educated supervisor who will work with and instruct the group. The main location of the project is in and around the farm of Úlfljótsvatn, which will be the home of the volunteers during their stay. Additionally, the group will travel to different sites around the country where the volunteers will assist small forestry associations with their recreational forests. Applicants should consider that the tasks will be physically demanding and the weather conditions can be challenging.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The volunteers´ base camp is in a spacious farmhouse in Úlfljótsvatn in the countryside of South Iceland. The house is equipped with all modern utilities and each volunteer will have a room of his/her own. The surroundings are spectacular and many sites of interest close by. The nearest town is only a 20 minutes drive away and Reykjavík city, the capital of Iceland, is only a one hours drive away. The volunteers will be provided with a gift card to buy food and other necessities for the home. They will also have a 4x4 vehicle at their disposal to use both on and off work hours.
🎒 Leisure activities
Participants will be trained to conduct the different tasks during the hosting period, including planting technique and theory, work safety, use of forestry equipment, path making and construction. They will also get training in driving 4x4 vehicles on rough forest paths and in difficult terrain. Therefore, it is important that the volunteers have a valid driver‘s license and some driving experience. Last but not least, they will have a crash course in Icelandic language and culture.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profil: Participants should first of all be interested in nature and physical outdoor work, knowledge and experience can be beneficial but not necessary. Communication skills (working language is English) and a positive mind-set are vital, since the tasks are performed in a group. However, anyone is taken into consideration and strong motivation and passion is very important. This project can include young people with fewer opportunities, but there is no adapted frame for physically and mentally disabled people. Once training completes participants need to be able to work and live independently.
Deadline: Application deadline: 14/02/2022
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.