Nature School for the Youth of Kresna ESC
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About the project
Nature School for the Youth of Kresna ESC
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
For many years the old school in Vlahi village was abandoned and in a state of neglect. Today it has been brought back to life by helpful volunteer hands using traditional building methods. Interior walls of clay brick have been based on the old stone foundations and the roof repaired.
Particular attention has been paid to using ecological building materials and techniques. Walls of clay bricks, handmade in molds with clay dug from the surrounding area, internal partitions and knitted sealing clay, covered with white gypsum plaster. Solar panels on the roof cover some of the School’s energy needs.
💼 What the programme involves
Vlahi Nature School is a small educational project based on the principles of permaculture. We are located in a remote village at the foot of Pirin mountain (UNESCO World heritage). Vlahi is small and abandoned village with only 7 permanent inhabitants, but with local people taking care of their gardens and coming to spend a weekend in the nature.
We are looking for 2 volunteers to join and help at the Nature School: from taking care of the garden through dealing with small repairs in the house through researching and implementing new ideas to working with children and young people, there are quite diverse options for learning, growing up and experiencing life following the rhythm of nature.
The nearest town Kresna is 9 km away. The volunteer will be based in Blagoevgrad, a small university town situated 40 km from the school, with the opportunity to spend any amount of time in the Nature School. More info: http://vlahi.org/article/volunteers-for-a-school-volunteers-for-nature
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation: The volunteers will live in the nearest city of Blagoevgrad in shared rented apartment. Blagoevgrad is an University city with many young people. Blagoevgrad is at half an hour distance from Kresna by bus, where the project activities with students and kids will happen.
Local transport: by bus and by car when going to the village of Vlahi
Equipment (phone, internet, etc.): wi-fi in the rented apartment
🍲 Food
Food: The volunteer will cook for him/herself in an equipped kitchen of the apartment.
⚠️ Requirements
Open only to volunteers from Belgian or French residents
Mountain and outdoor lover; previous experience with activities, related to nature protection; initiative and independent; ability to work in a team; with communication skills and open for learning new things; English speaking; Students in natural sciences (biology, forestry, veterinary medicine etc.), people, who like to be outside. Driving license if possible.
ℹ️ Additional information
The volunteer will have the opportunity to learn about permaculture, nature protection, using traditional building techniques and sustainable use of natural resources. Time for observation and reflection about nature, the people and self. Practical skills for working with tools, gardening, educating children.
Language support: Bulgarian language through the on-line linguistic support of Erasmus+
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
SVI-ESC-VlahiNatureSchool-Bulgaria
15/02/2019 → 15/08/2019
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–30 years old
Solidarity donation
0.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Kresna, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Bulgaria Lev (BGN / лв)
Exchange rate
1 BGN = 0.515905 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Eastern European Standard Time
Local time: 22:21 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken