Sólheimar - The Ecovillage

Name: Sólheimar - The Ecovillage
Start: 2022-04-18
End: 2027-01-04
Location: Sólheimar, Iceland

Code: 96e50161285147d8945f05a6d2edf1da Copied

Iceland Farming Construction Culture People with disabilities Education Environment Farming Construction +5 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Worldwide Friends (WF) is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 with the mission to promote nature conservation, intercultural understanding, and peace through volunteer activities in Iceland. In 2026, our focus will be on climate action, community resilience, and sustainable lifestyles â empowering participants to take meaningful action in their daily lives and local communities. WF organizes a variety of programs, including international workcamps, seminars, local community projects, and exchange programs, open to both young people and adults who wish to make a positive impact while experiencing Iceland's unique culture and natural beauty.

💼 What the programme involves

Sólheimar, Iceland‘s first and only eco-village, is located in southwest Iceland, 80 kilometers long (50 miles) east of Reykjavík. Founded in 1930 by a young visionary named Sesselja Sigmundsdóttir (1902-1974), the place has become reputable for its innovation and its ecological concept, attracting visitors and volunteers from all over the world. It is a community where people with or without special needs live and work together. Sólheimar is a pioneer in practicing organic farming. In Sólheimar, there is an organically certified greenhouse, forestry, and arboretum. Other environmentally friendly projects in Sólheimar include geothermal energy and recycling. The heart of the Sólheimar ideology is to give all individuals a fair chance and to maximize their potential. Sólheimar focuses on individuals' possibilities, not their limitations. This approach creates a space where each resident can seize every opportunity for growth and development. Versatility is the strength of Sólheimar, so people with special needs who reside here will always be the center of the community. This concept is based on the idea of reverse integration, where individuals without special needs adapt to the abilities of those who do, and they can work together to create a community that is equal and sustainable. The foundation of the ideology of Sólheimar derives from the visions and lifework of Sesselja herself. The main work in this camp will be in forestry, called í–lur, and also in the greenhouses, called Sunna. Volunteers will work in the greenhouses, planting and harvesting vegetables, performing weed control, and occasionally gardening. The work might involve work around the property, painting, or fixing things. During the winter, volunteers will also have to help remove snow and keep the walk paths clear for the residents. Working hours are 09.00 to 16.00 with one one-hour break for lunch, and there are some coffee breaks as well. Our work will depend on weather conditions, which is why we must be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, as they say: if you don't like the Icelandic weather, just wait 5 minutes, it might change.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Volunteers will be staying in the house of Worldwide Friends in Sólheimar. The house is across the village and has 4 double rooms with a private bathroom each, a fully equipped kitchen, and common areas. The common areas are shared with some of the local workers. Total capacity: 8 people (including Camp Leaders) Washing machine available on site Access to the local swimming pool and gym, restricted time (please review Icelandic pool regulations before use) Food is included for the entire duration of the work camp; however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of cooking and cleaning. Since it’s always fun to try new and different dishes, Volunteers are encouraged to bring their favorite recipes from home! We also invite everyone to try vegetarian food during their stay with us. We provide a well-balanced and healthy variety of ingredients, including whole grains, seasonal fruits and vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, and vegetarian/vegan options. To help reduce our carbon footprint, we limit meat consumption and promote sustainable, plant-based meals. We do not provide soft drinks or candies, but we do offer plenty of ingredients for baking delicious snacks. As we bake our own bread, feel free to bring your favorite golden-crust recipe from home! Please inform us in advance if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs, so we can accommodate you properly.

📍 About the location

A number of interesting attractions are located within the Sólheimar village itself, such as the charming coffee shop GrÞna Kannan, Vala Market & Art Boutique: to shop for beautifully hand-crafted pieces, visit Skalholt Cathedral, and workshops run by local businesses like candle-making, carpentry, weaving, and soap-making. Surrounded by geothermal activity and stunning landscapes, it's a perfect place for both outdoor adventures and relaxation in the local swimming pool and gym. WF Iceland organizes affordable weekend and one-day excursions to Iceland's most stunning natural sites â including waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic and geothermal areas, lava fields, hot springs, and more. Explore available trips at: wf.is/excursions (A minimum number of participants is required to run excursions.) Nature is always within reach here â go hiking, play golf, try ocean swimming, or even skiing. Remember to plan your hikes safely, respect nature, stay on marked trails, and never climb steep mountains without a professional guide. The Northern Lights can be seen from September to April, when the skies are dark and clear. Please note there is NO Public Transportation in the village!

⚠️ Requirements

Volunteers should bring appropriate clothes for outdoor work (waterproof), but also clothes for working inside the warm greenhouses.

ℹ️ Additional information

The first day of the camp is Arrival Day and the last day of the camp is Departure Day. The minibus will be at the meeting point in Reykjavik on the first day of the workcamp in the morning and arrive again at the Meeting point / BSI station in Reykjavik in the evening on the last day of the workcamp. Remember that you must arrange for your stay in Iceland before and after the work camp!

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