📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
This project is actively working for SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGS15 (Life on Land), organized together with Hokkaido Eco-village Promotion Project (HEPP) since 2015. They started to promote "sustainability of our lifestyle and community", to create better environmental and social model for next generation in Hokkaido since 2012. They want to produce necessities that are needed for our daily life (foods, energy, etc.) by themselves as much as they can, and want to share them to the local area. They provide various chances to learn comprehensive skill and knowledge about "sustainable development" by organizing training programs and events for the local adults and kids. They also aim at connecting urban area and rural area, producers and consumers and to contribute local revitalization.
They restarted to welcome the international volunteers from 2022 summer and 2 vols. from UK did nice job for one month!
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will work for 40 hours a week with one day off mainly to 1) do organic farming which crops are eaten by the visitors and local people such as growing seedlings, seeding, weeding, thinning, harvesting, etc., 2) help the vineyard and food production of wine, vegetables and fruits, 3) take care of the domestic animals, 4) maintain the facilities to make comfortable environment for the visitors including cleaning and weeding, 5) cook the meals for the visitors and staff, 6) help to prepare and run the programs of HEPP, 7) help to construct the garden and the tiny houses and 8) help the farm nearby and local events.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Shared room in the main house or a container house (male and female are separated). Cooking with the local and members by turn, vegetarian food is possible. There is limited wifi.
📍 About the location
Located next to the city of Otaru, Yoichi is a place where one can fully enjoy Hokkaido tourism, from history and nature tourism to fruit fields and fresh seafood. There is the famous Nikka Whiskey factory.
⚠️ Requirements
Motivation letter is needed. Good level of speaking for the daily conversations of English or Japanese is needed. Skills of driving a car (valid in Japan), maintenance of the agricultural machines, experience of work in the tourism/ hotels are not needed, but useful! Having work experience is desirable. Strong physical health, open mind to actively exchange with others, good cooking skills, PC skills and loving team work/ collective life are also welcomed!
ℹ️ Additional information
- Study theme
Theory and various practices of the sustainable living style
- Other activities
Joining the local festivals, exchange with local people, short trip (hot springs, famous places)
- Other
The first/ last 2 days are On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama. HEPP website=http://ecovillage.greenwebs.net/english.html
*Outcome of this project: In 2022, 2 vols. from UK greatly contributed for one month to their farming and other activities as well as the mental empowerment of the host!
- Participation fee
12,000 JPY (90 USD by the rate on 2022 Dec. 23rd) per month till the 3rd month and 6,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free.