📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The project is implemented in close cooperation with the Municipality of Syros and a variety of partners whose work commits to environmental protection: the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (MedINA); the environmental enterprise Ecological Recycling Company; and the newly established Administration Body of Protected Areas of Cyclades.
💼 What the programme involves
This workcamp aims at benefitting the local community of the island of Syros; preserving its cultural heritage, encouraging voluntary work; promoting hiking and alternative tourism; protecting green areas against fires; and fostering environmental awareness. More specifically, the municipality of Syros has an extended network of footpaths which spread over a wide area and have been signaled and chart mapped by the Cyclades prefecture and the Municipality. The island of Syros has a long history in pedestrian courses, thanks to its developed network of footpaths which goes back to ancient times and offer local and tourist ramblers the possibility to get to know the island by walking through picturesque courses which cannot be reached by vehicles. Under the guidance of experienced staff of the partner organizations, volunteers will improve, conserve, and clean from vegetation, some of the most important footpaths in the Northwestern part of Syros. They will also renovate signals wherever needed, hence highlighting some of the most important trails of old times which used to be the main routes of communication among the villages and the ports of the island.Moreover, volunteers will clean the beaches where footpaths end.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will be accommodated in a Primary school. There are toilets, showers (no hot water) and a kitchen. Sleeping bag and carry mat are necessary. Two volunteers of the group, every day in shifts, will be responsible for maintaining the teams accommodation place clean, as well as for the preparation of all the meals of the day for the rest of the group with supplies that they will provide themselves from stores around the area.
📍 About the location
Syros is an enchanting Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. It is surrounded by the islands of Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros to the East, by the islands of Sifnos, Serifos, Kythnos, and Kea to the West, and by the island of Gyaros to the North. It is located 144 km South-East of Athens and the ferry ride to Syros lasts no longer than 4 hours. The area of the island is 83.6 km2 and it has 21,507 inhabitants. Hermoupolis, its capital city, is known as -The Lady of the Aegean Sea-. Syros mountainous northern part is called -Apano Meria-, while the southern parts flatlands host the majority of the island settlements, villages, and beaches. Picturesque and serene, Apano Meria is ideal for exploration: its roads and paths lead to the islands pristine, hard-to-reach beaches through a stunning rocky landscape dotted with caves and small bridges.In their free time, volunteers will have the opportunity to discover the beauty of the island. They may attend events organized by the authorities during the period of their stay (concerts, performances, etc.) and communicate with locals and tourists. Volunteers will discuss their free time activities with their camp leaders; together they will organize excursions and visits around the island.
⚠️ Requirements
We are looking for people in good physical condition and who enjoy working outdoors. We ask for a motivation letter, in order for us to learn more about the volunteer, her/his ideas and motivation for this workcamp. Volunteers will need to bring some equipment, for instance sun creams, hat, hiking boots, etc.