ESC: The Harmony Orchard

Name: ESC: The Harmony Orchard
Start: 2025-03-01
End: 2026-02-28
Location: Steyerberg, Germany

Code: 440596798f9dbd2890 Copied

Germany Culture Education Environment European Voluntary Service Culture Education +2 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

FPD was founded in 2009, thanks the Regional Governament which granted its foundation on the basis of the activities planned for the social development of the regional rural areas. It is a non-profit regional civil organization, made by young and senior people. It's mission is to promote and facilitate the development of rural areas of the Puglia Region, thanks to the implementation of projects concerning volunteering, youth, social inclusion, environment protection, sustainable development, promotion of the importance of biodiversity, organic farming, nature and sport and outdoor activities. FPD focuses its attention on European mobility, both for the personal development of its single members and for the growth of local partner organizations at International level. The main target group is youth under 35 y.o., but the organization also works with senior people. Both the categories have in common the fact they are made of disadvantaged people from rural areas. The young people are mainly NEET, which means FPD offers them several opportunities to learn, be trained and educated at local and European level in order to enrich their curricula and get more chances for their job-placement or self-employment. FPD cooperates with several Public and Private entities at all levels, such as: a) Municipality of Taurisano (IT) - FPD cooperates in the organization of local events in several fields (waste collection, Music festivals, youth participation in decision making processes, cultural activities, music events, photo exhibitions....); b) Province of Lecce (IT) – FPD had a project concerning young people's involvement in local initiatives concerning ecology and biological food, re-use of different materials and recycle of waste; c) Region of Puglia (IT) – FPD cooperates with its Region on projects concerning promotion of natural resources of rural areas; d) Several EU NGOs are partners in the implementation of Youth Exchanges, Youth and Democracy projects, Training Courses, seminars, workshops, volunteering activties in different fields. What is more, FPD is member of numerous European Networks financed by the Europe for Citizens Programme, for the valorization of the EU Cultural Heritage (tangible, intangible, digital and natural), the promotion of Youth Mobility for learning, training, working, studying and volunteering abroad, the active participation (mainly digital participation) at EU level of youth and seniors.

💼 What the programme involves

Welcome to The Harmony Orchard, an incredible opportunity to spend a year immersed in one of Germany’s oldest communities and eco-villages—Lebensgarten, located in the serene town of Steyerberg. Lebensgarten is more than just an eco-village; it’s a vibrant community where sustainability, collaboration, and personal growth are at the heart of daily life. Here, you'll find a unique balance between modern ecological practices and the timeless values of living in harmony with nature and people. Lebensgarten is a place where people connect through shared experiences—regular events, group activities, and cultural exchanges. As a volunteer, you will: Support the Caia Academy Team with cooking, cleaning, and meal preparation. Assist in organizing events for both the Academy and the community. Engage fully in community life, sharing experiences and building bonds. To apply, send an e-mail to [email protected] with your CV and your motivation for such a project. ONLY BY MAIL.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Travel costs will be covered according to the budget set by the European Union based on distance. You will have your own private room in a house belonging to Caia Academy, while the bathroom and kitchen will be shared with other residents.

🍲 Food

Meals will be available in the Caia Academy kitchen when food is prepared there. Additionally, you will receive a food allowance and pocket money.

Regarding meals, we offer both vegan and vegetarian options, which all
volunteers can enjoy during their stay.

🎒 Leisure activities

Sonntag Café: Every Sunday, the local community gathers at this café.
Volunteers can join in, socialize with the villagers, and have the
opportunity to practice German in a real-life setting. (Personally, I
volunteered here, and within a year, I reached a C1 level in German, so
I can confidently say that this experience is highly beneficial for
language learning.)
Saturday Evening Bar: The café transforms into a bar on Saturday
evenings, where locals gather for drinks and conversations.
Kulturküche: A space where people come together for cultural activities
and social events.
Caia Academy Activities: Staff members at the academy organize various
events from time to time.
Weekly Sauna: Every Sunday evening, volunteers can take part in a sauna
session, a great way to relax and unwind.
Exploring Nearby Cities: Volunteers can visit Nienburg, a nearby town
with various activities. Additionally, Hannover and Bremen, both about
1.5 hours away, are also great places to explore. Since volunteers will
have a monthly transportation ticket, these trips will be free and easy
to arrange.
In addition to these activities, we also encourage community
integration, cultural exchange, and language practice through casual
gatherings. Volunteers can join tea/coffee afternoons, baking sessions,
or cooking events with local residents.

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for young people who are ready to embrace life in a small village and fully integrate into the daily activities of Caia Academy. This includes assisting with kitchen tasks and supporting the team with various day-to-day responsibilities. The ideal participant is someone who loves nature and dreams of living surrounded by it. Lebensgarten is located right next to a forest, offering endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, explore, and reconnect with yourself. If you are adaptable, enjoy community life, and are excited to experience living at the heart of an eco-village, this opportunity is perfect for you!
Deadline: 10/02/2025 12:00

🤝 Meeting point

Upon arrival, I, as the project coordinator, will personally pick up
participants from the airport and bring them to Lebensgarten.

ℹ️ Additional information

You will also participate in two training seminars organized by the German National Agency.

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.