FREE ZONE FOR CICULAR ECONOMY
France
Environment
Social work
Environment
Social work
Fixed dates
About the project
FREE ZONE FOR CICULAR ECONOMY
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
We have been established for 12 years in the Sablons district for the implementation of various volunteer actions and international projects, in order to participate in the opening of the district to the outside world. Most of our actions take place in the public space.
Since last year, we are working on the theme of waste reduction, being actively involved in a collective of neighborhood non-profit organizations with whom we work during the year. The goals of the Free Zone project are to encourage a responsible consumption dynamic in the heart of the Sablons district, to raise awareness among the inhabitants by organizing an outdoor event, and to maintain social links in the district through festive activities.
Through this team of volunteers, we also wish to create a meeting between the inhabitants of the district (young and old people) and young international volunteers.
💼 What the programme involves
Since 2021, the delegation Normandie Maine of Concordia is committed into waste reduction through the organisation of Free Zones, one joined action in July, to promote the Circular Economy.
The Circular Economy consists of producing goods and services in a sustainable way by limiting the consumption and waste of resources and the production of waste. The aim is to move from a completely disposable society to a more circular economic model. The Free Zone is a space where objects that are no longer used can be dropped so that they can be given a second life with someone who needs them. This process would allow the reduction of 13kg of waste per person per year.
The Free Zone will be organised over one day, one morning where the objects are collected and the afternoon where they are picked up.
The project is run all year by a team of volunteers working in civic service and long-term social services. In conjunction with this team, you will participate in the logistical organisation of the Free Zone in July, and in the running of workshops on ecological transition.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will share a basic collective accommodation in 2 flats in the neighbourhood. There will be rooms of 2 or 3 people with mattresses provided by Concordia with toilets and a shower in every flat. Bring your sleeping bag with you. French volunteers will be able to share their internet connection (no WIFI) and laundry will be done by hand. The group will share the cleaning tasks and prepare meals together. The budget will be allocated to the group leaders, you will participate in the preparation of meals with products from the market and local producers. The organisation of the accommodation will be adapted to the sanitary situation.
📍 About the location
Le Mans (143.000 inhabitants) is located in the West of France. It is the administrative centre of the Sarthe County, in the Pays de La Loire region (50 min from Paris, and 1h30 from Nantes by train). You will have time to discover the city. Le Mans is a beautiful artistic and historical city, it is the third one of the Pays de la Loire region when it comes to culture and tourism. The old city centre is surrounded by Roman walls and the most recent renovation works organised to preserve the oldest parts of Le Mans have helped to enhance its local heritage. Two rivers cross the city which has been named one of France greenest cities. You can find various parks and gardens, in addition to the two big forests bordering the city. For more information about the city: www.lemans.fr
⚠️ Requirements
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues happen on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
This project is supported by the program European Solidarity Corps for young people between 18 and 30 years. It is open to all volunteers that fit the ESC criteria.
The participation to the ESC volunteering teams is subjects to several principles and conditions, presented on the ESC webpage: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/mission_en
• volunteers do not have to pay any fee (not sending, nor participation fee) to attend the project;
• volunteers need to enrol in the PASS, the European Solidarity Corps Portal; Concordia France will organize their matching, on the online system, with the volunteering project;
• volunteers will receive pocket money, calculated on basis of 6€/day, once they arrive on the project in France;
• volunteers will receive a financial support for their travel, according to a maximum amount established in accordance with their travel distance and upon the presentation of original tickets;
• volunteers will have to complete a participation report, submitted online through the portal.
ℹ️ Additional information
The project takes place in an urban environment; in a working-class district. You should be interested in working with children/youth, come with ideas (original games, outdoor activities, theatre or music workshops, workshops about recycling and materials recovery…), of the creation of an artistic fresco.
We ask you to write a motivation letter to validate your inscription on the workcamp.
Bring rain clothes, clothes for outdoor activities, and sports shoes.
Do not hesitate to bring activities from home such as, musical instruments, recipes, games and/or specialties from your region or country.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
CONCF-7207-ESC
12/07/2023 → 28/07/2023
Volunteers registered
0 / 14
♂ 0/7
♀ 0/7
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–30 years old
Solidarity donation
0.00
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Le Mans, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:06 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French