📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The project is co-organised by Allianssi Youth Exchanges and Estyes Estonia. The volunteer team will take place in Kodade cottage and Matsalu Creative Space which are are social enterprise initiatives which aim to sustain cultural heritage and to provide a rich variety of nature travel services and activities in the setting of unique wild nature.
Another aim is to provide work opportunities for people living in rural area. A unique environment for creative
workshops, study camps, environment protection activities and various types of events have been created there.
Project values sustainable living and aligns its activities with Matsalu National Park value system. Matsalu National Park
has been founded to protect migratory birds and it is one of the most important protection areas of nesting and stop-
over of coastal birds in Europe. In addition to bird protection Matsalu protects specific semi-natural habitats (coastal
meadows and broods; woody meadows; reed bed and small islands) as well as the cultural heritage of the Väinameri
sea https://kaitsealad.ee/eng/matsalu-national-park More information in Matsalu National Park is here
https://loodusegakoos.ee/where-to-go/national-parks/matsalu-national-park
💼 What the programme involves
We offer a wide range of activities to volunteers – mostly in the field of environmental protection/ nature conservation, managing coastal meadows and some nature areas in cooperation with Estonian Nature Fund, but also maintenance and development of the visitor site and the territory but also related to in the surrounding area.
The range of activities that the volunteers can undertake: tidying up the area surrounding the camping houses, cutting
down the bushes, works with soil and creating flowerbeds around the Matsalu Creative Space; creating resting places
and playground areas for kids, repainting camping houses, etc. It is also possible to build traditional stonewalls, cut
down junipers, pick herbs, create nest boxes for birds or create local nature products. The working time each day could
be approximately 6-7 full hours which can vary depending on weather conditions and planned leisure activities. Most of
these activities will take place outdoors, but we will take weather conditions into account. The work will be supervised
by the local hosts with the help of the camp leaders.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The accommodation is at Kodade holiday cottage (http://www.kodade.ee/en/kodade-puhkemaja/maja-kirjeldus) or at
small camping houses (http://www.kodade.ee/en/loov-ja-kulastuskeskus/kojakesed) Bed linen and towels are
provided. There is a kitchen with all necessary equipment for cooking and there is sauna to use. Food will be obtained
from local farms nearby. Volunteers will be served food cooked by local host some days, otherwise it has to be cooked
by the volunteers in teams.
📍 About the location
Kodade Creative Space is located in Salevere Kula, Hanila parish, Pärnumaa county. Salevere is situated in the western part of Estonia, approximately 140km from Tallinn. More info on the websites www.hanila.ee; www.kodade.ee
There are a lot of interesting natural picturesque sights on the area as well as possibilities for swimming in the sea or hiking in the forest. It is possible to visit other parts of Läänemaa or Pärnumaa, Haapsalu or Pärnu www.visitestonia.com/en/where-to-go/west-estonia/haapsalu; www.visitparnu.com/en/ which is planned by the host.
Matsalu itself offers a lot of various cultural events in summer. Furthermore, there is a possibility to go on extra tours –
such as nature walk, bicycle tour or boat tour on Kasari River. Nearby there are two stables who provide horseback
riding (www.massuratsaklubi.ee and www.rannarantso.ee). In addition we can organise workshops and trainings with people from various fields of life. This project is perfect for people who enjoy being close to the nature and are interested in traditional way of rural living, who are curious and willing to use their creativity in the process of creating
new environments of living.
ℹ️ Additional information
This project is funded by the European Solidarity Corps and open for youth from EU countries aged 18-30