📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Reykjavik is a city full of energy, just waiting for you to experience it. Powered by heat from the earth below, with ever-changing weather sweeping across the landscape, its natural features are matched by the energy of its residents. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, culture, nature, clean air - and Reykjavik has them in spades. All the advantages of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by the beautiful natural setting. In a country of only just over 300,000 people, the Reykjavik capital area has a population of about 200,000. However, since it's the only major city in the country, Reykjavik has a lot of the amenities that you would only expect to find in a much larger center elsewhere in the world.
Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital city and is centered on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Arrive at the right time of year, and in favorable conditions you will see the city's skyline silhouetted against the glowing, shimmering curtain of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Reykjavik is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay to the north, while rugged lava-fields spread to the southeast. On a clear sunny day, the Snaefellsjökull glacier glitters on the western horizon like a crystal.
💼 What the programme involves
The organization has a farmhouse on the outskirts of Reykjavik, 15 km from the center of the capital. Since the creation of Worldwide Friends, the organization has been looking an opportunity to set up a project that aims to promote sustainable living. Volunteers will do some renovating in the house and on the property, and take care of the work in the farm. We have few chickens, a cat, a greenhouse for growing herbs and vegetables and a piece of land where we grow potatoes, carrots and lettuce. All the vegetables grown in the farm are consumed by the volunteers living in the farm.
Volunteers will help with all tasks related to the farm, as the work varies depending on the season.
This year we will also have special topics to discuss in the workcamps. Volunteers will do some researches and share the knowledge related to the topics.
A Sustainable Living is a good, useful and practical way to learn and use actions which reduce your environmental footprint. It gives you better living skills for a healthier lifestyle and a new approach to make better consumer choices. The main topics that we will explore are: growing food in your home, smart food shopping, food wasting, recycling, eco-building design, water efficiency, avoiding toxic chemicals and lower-carbon transport options.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Worldwide Friends volunteers will be staying in our house in Sveinsstadir, which is located on the outskirts of Reykjavik. This place is like a farm in the city, so you can enjoy pure nature and the city life of the capital at the same time. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags and towels, but beds/mattresses and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge and volunteers also have free access to shared desktop computers in communal areas.
Food is included for the duration of the workcamp, however everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorites recipes from home!
📍 About the location
On weekends, the volunteers can enjoy Reykjavik‘s amazing nightlife, which is world-renowned for its wide array of bars, clubs, and concerts.
WF Iceland will also organize reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.
ℹ️ Additional information
€300/head for minimum 4 weeks and every extra week cost €50/head.Maximum duration 24 weeks