Volunteer in Iceland

Environmental awareness workshop
Reykjavik       April 22 - April 30, 2019

Volunteer project: The Environmental awareness workshop allows participants to share and learn about global and local issues through theory and practice. If you are concerned, for example, about climate change, waste management, animal protection, sustainable solutions and other environmental topics, then this project is the one for you. Local Icelandic environmental issues as well as issues from the participants’ countries will be addressed.

Please note that this project is a learning/sharing camp, in which everybody is expected to contribute their own knowledge and experience, and not a standard workcamp. The main focus of the project is to learn about different aspects of environmental and sustainability issues through a selection of workshops, discussions and visits. Topics may include issues like renewable energy, food waste, and sustainable practices such as collaborative consumption or veganism. The over 2 million tourists coming to Iceland every year leave a mark on the country. This project will help you to be an environmentally aware traveller and consumer.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit local projects focused on the environment, such as a local recycling centre where a tour of the plant is given and the activities are explained. The group will also visit a Geothermal power plant and have a guided tour of the facilities via interactive multimedia installations, wall displays and presentations to learn about Iceland's geothermal energy utilization.

The participants may also get a chance to improve the local environment through hands-on activities. In most cases, the project includes a day or two of voluntary service but in some cases it will not be possible, as the weather does not always allow activities to take place outdoors.

This is a project that combines learning, sharing, exploring Reykjavik and having fun. Participants should also use this opportunity to share something about environmental issues in their home country with the group. Participants should be ready to walk around the city for different activities, visits and sightseeing.

Language: English

Leisure time: Other excursions (e.g. Aurora Hunting /Northern lights, South Shore, Hot River hike, Reykjanes or Snæfellsnes) can be arranged for the volunteers at discount fares.

Accommodation: Participants will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers, washing machine and everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal- and hydropower. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides.
Reykjavik is often called “the nightlife capital of the north”, but there is more than pubs and clubs. It also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicate new global trends. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.

The music festival Sónar Reykjavík takes place April 25-27. Sónar is an experiment in how music can reach those who truly seek it by those performing it and seeing that it is not the largest stage or the biggest crowd that matters but also about the relationship that forms and the memories for all. Tickets for the festival are not provided but participants will however have free time to attend if they wish.

Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 350 Euro
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site and back (on the first and last day), as well as the visits to the Geothermal power plant, the recycling centre and the Golden Circle excursion.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project and is payable upon arrival.


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