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Volunteer project: The international
workcamp is organized in cooperation with a local NGO promoting cycling and
healthy lifestyles, and the group will be involved with the preparation phase of
a large cycling project, “Cycle the circle”. Study theme: This project has an educational/awareness-rising approach, promoting outdoors, sports activities and healthy lifestyles. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.
Special requirements: Volunteers should
have a motivation for working with people in matters related to cycling and
outdoor activities. Being an experienced cyclist is
Language: English Accommodation: We will travel between five to six different towns during the project; the accommodation will depend on each municipality’s facilities. It may be sleeping bag accommodation or sometimes we may sleep outdoors in tents at the local camp site. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: This project is unique as
we will have the chance to visit different municipalities so it is a
great opportunity for us to travel and see different parts of the
country. Each town of the country has its own charm, speciality and
history. The first and last night we will stay in Reykjavík, the
capital, which is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with
beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and
glacial rivers. Terminal: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Volunteer project: Iceland is a country
extremely rich in water resources. Strong rivers and big lakes with fresh water
can be found all around the island and under the surface there are huge cold
water springs fed from high in the mountains by gradual filter of rainfall, snow
and ice melt. The international volunteer project will take place in “Fjarðabyggð" which is an association of villages in the Eastfjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður and Stöðvarfjörður, all tiny fishing villages with steep mountains towering just behind the houses. In this area you will see some of the features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with a rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife, and countless breathtaking hiking paths. You will explore the area during your stay in the east. Our tasks will depend on the general situation in Fjarðabyggð, the working site of this project. We will work five days a week with the weekends free. From 09.00 to 12.00 we will do some environmental outdoor work - possible tasks are planting trees, fixing hiking paths, weeding, etc. After lunch we will work on the study theme of the project: “Water, nature and sustainable energy”. We will have workshops and discussions and we will also visit geothermal- and hydropower plants and several waterfalls, Study theme: Water, nature and sustainable energy Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the geothermal swimming pools in the eastern fjords. Accommodation: The group will be staying in a local community centre. Location: Fjarðabyggð, Eastfjords of Iceland Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Volunteer project: The volunteers in this
project will have the unique opportunity to be working in two different
locations in Iceland, in the east as well as in the north. Language: English Leisure time: Free time activities will be organized for the group. We will have the unique opportunity to work in two sites and travel to two different areas of the country while working in meaningful environmental projects. Accommodation: We will have two different types of accommodation. In the east, we will stay within the reserve and will sleep in bunk beds in shared rooms. In the north we will be sleeping in a local house, on mattresses. We need to bring our own sleeping bags.
Location: The first week we will
stay in the East fjords. The heritage and nature conservation centre and
its reserve are located in a very isolated area in the East of Iceland,
far from any urban centre; we should be aware of the location remoteness
and its extreme natural beauty.
The second week of the workcamp will take place in
the north of Iceland, close to the biggest community there, Akureyri on the
shore of Eyjafjörður, which is the longest fjord in the country and is
surrounded by mountains reaching up to 1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km
north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to
25°C. Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Akureyri (AEY) and Egilsstadir (EGS). Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Beautifying
towns
and
coastline
areas
in the Eastfjords of Iceland Volunteer project: Eskifjörður is a beautiful fishing town (population: 972), which is located at the northern shore of the fjord Eskifjörður. It is built on a small sand spit and up the slopes of the mountain which rises above the town. Its main industries are fishing and small-scale farming. Eskifjörður became an authorized trade port in 1786 and has been a commercial center since 1798. One of the several shops in Eskifjörður, Gamlabúð, built in 1816, houses the Maritime Museum Of East Iceland. Eskifjörður town faces the mountain Hólmatindur, from the top of which you can view some of the tallest mountains in the Icelandic interior. One of the favored sights in the area is the Helgustaðanáman mine, which is one of the world’s best-known sources of Icelandic spar. The area, which is just a ten-minute drive from the town, is a nature reserve and open to all, free of charge. A swimming pool with hot pots (geothermal pools) and a sauna are located in Eskifjörður, as well as a gallery and a crafts shop.
Most of the work will be planting trees, taking old fences down and beautifying the town and the surrounding area. We may also clean up the coastline and even make hiking paths. The work available will depend on the weather conditions and that’s why we have to be a bit flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though it will be nice most of the time, hopefully. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursions, such as guided hikes with locals or a fishing boat trip, will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: We will be staying in a nice community center. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. We will have showers at the local swimming pool and sports centre. Location: Eskifjörður Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Egilsstaðir airport is 40 km away from the project. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Help
organizing a
Heavy Rock Festival in Iceland Volunteer project: Neskaupsstaður is a medium size town by Icelandic standards. With its 1.420 inhabitants, it has the largest population in the East Fjords. The town has been growing and prospering since the early 1900s and is almost completely self sufficient thanks to the fishing industry. Sitting in the middle of nowhere, away from other villages and communities, the town is equipped with all the necessary facilities and stores: a bakery, a local dairy, supermarkets, banks, a post office, a school, a sports hall, a swimming pool, a church, a hospital, a harbor, an airstrip, a hotel, a jazz club, a rescue centre, etc. As a matter of fact, it has all the services and professionals you would expect in a larger town, with the exception of an optician! On the east side of the town, there's a wildlife reserve and a large recreational area facing the ocean. In the lower section of the reserve, called Hagi, lies the famous Páskahellir (Easter Cave), a rock vault over the shore. Holes left by thick, 10 to 12-million-year-old tree trunks can be seen inside the vault and, in true Icelandic spirit, various folk tales are associated with the cave. Neskaupstaður can be reached only driving through a one-way tunnel. Eistnaflug is a Heavy Rock Festival which this year will present its 5th edition. More than 40 bands will perform for an expected public of about one thousand visitors. It will take place July 9-12. The volunteers will help the organizers of the festival to carry out different tasks. For example, we will take care of the venues before and after the concerts, control the area and prepare the camping site. We will assist the local organization in keeping the area clean during the festival. We will also do some environmental work before and after the festival. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool, great places for hiking tours. We will have free access to the concerts during the festival. Accommodation: In a house owned by the local community in Neskaupstaður. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. We will take showers at the local swimming pool and sports centre nearby. It is possible that we will also stay in tents for one or two nights during the festival just to get the right spirit. Location: Neskaupsstaður, East Iceland Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Egilsstaðir airport is 40 km away from the project. Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Research project on invasive
species
and
various improvement works in
Reykjavik
Volunteer project: The volunteers in this project will have the unique opportunity to work at the largest National Park in Europe, the Vatnajökull National Park and in the capital city of Reykjavík. The first part of the project is in partnership with the Environmental agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun) and the volunteers will support a research project on invasive species conducted by a team of scientist from the University of Iceland and the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (Landgræðsla ríkisins). The Lupine plant (from Alaska) has been used in Iceland in order to control soil erosion and re-vegetate eroded areas, but in some places its spread is more than desirable and being a foreign specie endangers the native habitat in the National Park. The research project focuses on the use, management and control of invasive species in Iceland.
The work in Reykjavík will be varied combining
different tasks ensuring diversity in experiences for the participating
volunteers. The idea and tasks of the project is to keep Reykjavík and its
public areas lively, attractive, interesting and charming for both the locals
and the guests of the city. Volunteers’ work will be focused on improvements and
development of surroundings and environment all around Reykjavík. Tasks may
involve house painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and
face-lifting the city. Language: English Leisure time: Great combination: Isolated places of extreme beauty and the capital of Iceland!
Accommodation: Volunteers will have
two different types of accommodation. In Reykjavík, they will stay in a
volunteer centre, a fully equipped house; sleeping in shared rooms. Location: Part of the project will take place at the largest National Park in Europe, Vatnajökull National Park, stretching from the south coast to the north coast of the island. It is the largest protected wilderness in Europe. It covers around 15.000 km2 (15% of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajökull glacier, the former Skaftafell National Park, Jokulsargljufur National Park and surrounding area. Due to the size of the Park it is established and operated under special law, it is an autonomous government agency that requires cooperation between nine municipalities. The other part of the project will take place in the city of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland’s inhabitants live here. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Environmental
work and preparing the Happy days summer festival in Thorshofn
Volunteer project: The county
administration of the Langanes district (Langanesbyggð) will be hosting an
international volunteer project again. The volunteers will work now for the
fifth year in a row there. The work will be varied and will mainly follow up
projects started by past years’ volunteers: Study theme: This project has an educational/awareness-rising approach to environmental, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project. Language: English Leisure time: Free entrance to the local modern swimming pool and sports centre facilities. Excursions will be arranged by the local hosts. Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged in the local sports centre, sleeping on mattresses. Bringing a warm sleeping bag is needed. Luckily there will be access to the nearby local swimming pool and sport centre with top-quality facilities.
Location: Þórshöfn is a compact,
busy little town at the base of the Langanes Peninsula in the North-East
of Iceland, located at the Þistilfjörður. The entire district (including
farms and the village of Bakkafjörður) has 480 inhabitants (2008) and
they base their livelihood on fishing, fish processing and commerce
serving the surrounding rural farming area. It is probably the best
place in Iceland to experience what it is like to live in an isolated
village, 100 km from the next one. Around 400 people live in the village
itself and the distance from the capital is 630 km by the Whale Bay
tunnel. Nature lovers spend days on end at the densely populated bird cliffs watching gannets, puffins, guillemots, brunnich's guillemots, black guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars etc. One of the best places for the observation of the gannets is Cliff Storikarl off the bird cliff Skoruvikurbjarg. Other bird species colonise different parts of the peninsula, such as the arctic terns near the farm Ytra-Lon. The name Þórshöfn means "the harbor of Þór". Þór is the thunder god. His wife’s name is Sif. Þór is the son of Odin the most powerful god. Odin’s horse Sleipnir put one of its eight feet down in Ásbyrgi, hence the horseshoes shape. It is a must to visit the ponds in Ásbyrgi on your way to Dettifoss. Terminal: Closest International Airports: Keflavík /Reykjavík (KEF) and Akureyri (AEY); nearest domestic airport is Þórshöfn (THO), while the closest bus stop is in town. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Forestry
and gardening
activities in the
Rehabilitation and Health Clinic
in Hveragerdi Volunteer project: Hveragerði is a small town of about 1,700 inhabitants that lies some 45 km east of Reykjavík. This friendly little community sits on top of a highly active geothermal field which provides heat for hundreds of greenhouses where fruit, flowers and vegetables are produced throughout the year. Even bananas grow in these greenhouses! The name Hveragerði means ‘hot springs garden.’ Geothermal energy is Hveragerði’s lifeblood, and you probably won’t find such a natural wonder in the middle of a populated area anywhere else in the world. A very interesting site is Gufudalur, the lovely ‘Steam Valley’ behind the town. The whole valley explodes with hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles and steaming vents.
Our host is the Rehabilitation and Health Clinic
which is a part of the Nature Health Association of Iceland located in
Hveragerdi. The Clinic is a place of choice for all those who are in need of
rehabilitation, regaining their strength or simply in need to rest. It has
earned a solid reputation, both in Iceland and internationally, since its
foundation in 1955 for personal and effective care of patients. It is the oldest
sanatorium in Iceland and, one of the two most important rehabilitation clinics
in Iceland. Every year approximately 2,000 patients and other guests enjoy the
diverse rehabilitation programs.
The work will mostly be focused on forestry,
gardening and greenhouse work. We will also pick some herbs for making tea. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool.
Accommodation: We will be staying
in a very nice fully equipped flat. Participants are asked to bring a sleeping bag. Location: Hveragerði, 45 km east of Reykjavík Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Improving
the environment and renovating old houses in small fishing villages in
the Western fjords
We will do different kind of environmental work in
the villages. Possible tasks are planting trees, taking down old fences,
cleaning the coastline and even making hiking paths. We will also help the
locals to paint and renovate old houses. Language: English Leisure time: Excursion or a boat trip and free time activities will be arranged for the volunteers. The volunteers will have a free access to the local swimming pools. Accommodation: In a community center. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. Location: Western fjords Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF, the closest domestic airport is Ísafjörður. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Lunga
youth arts festival Volunteer project: The long, calm, deep fjord of Seyðisfjörður twists and turns for 17 kilometres from its mouth to the end of the fjord, where the town by the same name finds shelter under Mt. Strandartindur and Mt. Bjólfur. In the valley above, the river Fjarðará falls from the edge of the heath above in innumerable beautiful waterfalls, down to Lón (the lagoon) at the end of the fjord. A road starts at the fjord and runs along the river until the Hérað district, 26 kilometres away, across the Fjarðarheiði heath. Once a hazardous place to travel, today the heath can be crossed in just half-hour on a pleasant and scenic road. The route (Stafirnir) that goes down into Seyðisfjörður by the Fjarðará river, is one of Iceland's most spectacular roads.
LungA is an art-festival for young people. With
unique artistic ambition and thanks to the participation of domestic and foreign
artists, it offers an eclectic program which draws much attention to the town.
Visual arts, music, circus and outdoor events create a lively event that appeals
to the large crowd of locals and foreign visitors. The volunteer group will help the local people with the preparation of the festival and with many activities during the hectic time of the festival, in some stage of the project we will work on shifts. The volunteers will have the opportunity to participate and help with the workshops. During the festival we will setup the venues before and after the concerts, and control the entrances if needed. There are many other chores awaiting us and we should be flexible and willing to give a hand whenever necessary. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursions will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In the local community center. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. Location: Seyðisfjörður Terminal: International Airport: Reykjavík - Keflavík (KEF). The closest national airport is located in Egilsstadir. Age range: 23 - 30 years old
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Environmental
work in the Westman Islands Volunteer project: The Westman Islands consist in a group of fifteen beautiful islands which are situated at a short distance off the south coast of Iceland. All the islands have been created in submarine volcanic eruptions during comparatively recent geological time. The colorful town, the beautiful bird-cliffs, the new lava and volcano and the landscape in general give the islands a scenic interest as varied in character as any in the country. Heimaey is the largest and only inhabited island in the group and is Iceland´s longest off shore island with an area of 13,4 sq. km. Fishing and fish processing and subsidiary trades are the main source of income. Heimaey is sheltered to the north by low mountains and the imposing bird-life Heimaklettur, which protects the narrow cove at the end of which the harbour lies.
Eldfell is a composite volcanic cone just over 200
metres high. It was formed in a huge volcanic eruption - the name means Mountain
of Fire in Icelandic. Now more than 30 years have passed and the memories and signs of that spectacular natural fury are somewhat fading, but the lava and ash of the eruption silently covers almost 400 homes and buildings, a third of the town in 1973.
Most of the work will be cleaning and beautifying
the town and the surrounding area. We will also continue to clean up the
coastline and even plant some trees, make hiking paths and help the locals to
preserve the Volcano Eldfell and fight the erosion. We will put some soil to the
mountain and built fences so the wind will not blow it away in the wintertime.
Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursion or a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In a community place, mattresses will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own warm sleeping bags. Location: Heimaey, Westman Islands Terminal: International Airport in Reykjavík - Keflavík (KEF). Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Reducing
the spread of invasive plants on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Volunteer project: The volunteers will be
working with the local community to reduce the spread of the Lupine plant, which
has been used in Iceland in order to control soil erosion and re-vegetate eroded
areas; but in some places its spread is more than desirable and being a foreign
specie (originally from Alaska) hinders the native flora to grow and reproduce.
Language: English Leisure time: The volunteers will have access to the town’s geothermal swimming pool, as to the hot tubs with pure water that comes straight from the borehole. The water is famed for its healing powers. Several pleasant hiking options within the Stykkishólmur area: The nearby mountains of Helgafell, Drápuhlíðarfjall and Kerlingarfjall are also worth the hike and are easily accessible. Accommodation: Volunteers will be hosted in a local school in sleeping bag accommodation.
Location: The town of Stykkishólmur
is situated in the western part of Iceland, to the north of the
Snæfellsnes peninsula. With its 1240 inhabitants, it is a center of
services and commerce for the area. Most of the people make their living
from fishing and tourism. The distance to Reykjavík is about 180 km, and
scheduled buses operate daily between the two places all year round. Terminal: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Closest bus stop is in town. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Beautifying
towns
and
coastline
areas
in the Eastfjords of Iceland Volunteer project: “Fjarðabyggð” is an association of different communities in the Eastfjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður and Stöðvarfjörður. The towns have a lot of things in common: They are all small fishing villages with steep mountains just behind the houses. In this area you will find most of the things that make Iceland a unique place on a global scale. The fjords are magnificent and the sea is full of life, the birdlife is very rich and you can find a great variety of hiking paths. You will get to know the area during your stay in the east and it depends on the tasks and the situation in Fjarðabyggð where you will be working during the project. Most of the work will be cleaning and beautifying the towns and the surrounding area. We will also clean the coastline, plant some trees and even make hiking paths. The work available will depend on the weather conditions and that’s why we have to be a bit flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though it will be nice most of the time, hopefully.
Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool, great places for hiking. Excursion or a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In a community center. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. We will have showers at the local swimming pool and sports centre. Location: Fjarðabyggð, Eastfjords Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. The closest national airport is Egilsstaðir airport, 40 km away from the project site. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Green
army in Reykjavik
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it
springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green
scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik
offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvelous
traits of a pristine and unique landscape.
The volunteer work during this project will mostly consist in embellishing the downtown area and helping the local authorities improve the city’s look and atmosphere. Tasks will include cleaning tags and painting old houses. We will be mostly working outdoors giving a hand to the environmental department in taking care of the parks and green areas in the heart of Reykjavík. In addition to that, we might also clean the coastline in the city area. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the geothermal pools in Reykjavik; excursion will be organized by the hosts. Visits to museums and interesting places in Reykjavik will be organized free of charge for the volunteers. Accommodation: We will be staying in a fully equipped house in the centre of Reykjavik, the location can not be better. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Small
space gardening and organic kitchen
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it
springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green
scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik
offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvelous
traits of a unique natural landscape. The project is divided into two parts. The first part is the "Small space organic gardening" and the second part is "International and traditional cuisine".
Small space organic gardening
International and traditional cuisine
We will make the Organic garden, do the
preparation for planting, clean the area, gather materials and decide about the
design and plot arrangements; than we will select the plants and put them in the
soil. The garden has to be taken care of every single day for two or three
hours. We will also make compast and organize the recycling system in the
volunteer houses in Hverfisgata. This project is a great way to share knowledge and learn about organic food and traditional cuisine Language: English
Leisure time: We will have free
access to all the seven geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. Accommodation: We will stay in a nice fully equipped apartment in the centre of Reykjavik. Beds will be provided but volunteers should bring their sleeping bags. Location: Reykjavík Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Art
workshops and renovation activities in Reykjavik Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close connection to beautiful nature. The population of the Reykjavik Capital Area is about 200,000. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. The world’s northernmost capital is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja, which keeps a watchful eye on the city, and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay. On a sunny day, the mystical Snaefellsjokull glacier appears crystal-like on the western horizon, while mountainous moonscapes spread to the southeast.
The volunteers will have two different tasks in
this project. The group will help in the renovation of houses downtown
Reykjavik which will become a centre for culture, art and environmental issues
in the city. This place will have a very intercultural design and it will be
used by volunteers and also by local people willing to participate in different
workshops. During the project we will paint, move things and work on the
renovation of the houses. We will also do a little bit of renovation in other
houses in Hverfisgata (The name of the street means “The Street of the
neighborhood”) in the heart of Reykjavik. Taking care of the street is also a
great way to get to know the local people living in the same street and try to
involve them in the work as much as possible. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the modern geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. Interesting trips will be organized for the volunteers to areas in the West and South of Iceland. One of the trips will be to the volcano Eyjafjallajokull where we will use the heat from the lava to cook some delicious food. Accommodation: We will be staying in a fully equipped house in the centre of 101 Reykjavik, the location cannot be better. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
The power of the runes
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it
springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green
scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik
offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvelous
traits of a unique natural landscape. During this project, we will collect volcanic stones from specific places in Iceland where nature has shaped and made really beautiful magic stones. Afterwards we will convert them into runes in our workshop in Reykjavik. There are different places around Iceland where we can collect the stones. We will explain to the volunteers the history of those places and the importance of the healing energy from the stones. We will visit the following places:
• Snæfellsnes, where you can find the glacier
Snæfellsjökull which is famous for the power and energy that many
spiritually-minded people sense. It is said to be one of the seven greatest
energy centres of the earth. By visiting those places we will give to the participants the opportunity to travel in Iceland and to discover and learn a lot about the magic of different parts of the island. The aim of the project is to give to the participants the opportunity to learn about the myths and legends of Runes and the old Viking religion. We will create Runes out of Icelandic volcanic magic stones and produce runes and handicrafts enough for the participant to take one set home and to leave one in the cultural and handicrafts centre in Reykjavik. The workshop will be divided in 2 parts:
Workshop 1º:
Workshop 2º: During the workshop, one of the Icelandic volunteers will show us how to use the runes and explain us about the myths and legends around the Runes and the old Viking religion. During the project, we will also visit and get guidance from one of the best artists in this field here in Iceland. This project is a great way to learn about the energy of Iceland and the legend of the Vikings. Please note that all the tools, equipments and materials are provided. Study theme: The power of the Runes and the old Viking religion Language: English Leisure time: We will have free access to all the geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. Interesting trips will be organized for the volunteers to areas in the West and South of Iceland. One of the trips will be to the volcano Eyjafjallajokull where we will use the heat from the lava to cook some delicious food. Accommodation: We will stay in a nice fully equipped house in the centre of Reykjavik. Beds will be provided but volunteers should bring their sleeping bags. Location: Reykjavík Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Latin
days in Reykjavik
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city -
whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy
within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the
features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close
connection to beautiful nature.
One of the most important aims of this volunteer
project is to promote cultural understanding. Iceland is getting more and more
intercultural and nowadays you can find people from all corners of the World in
Reykjavik. We want to involve those people in our work and give them the chance
to contribute to the society with cultural activities and voluntary work.
Festival dates: Latin days in Reykjavik
from July 21st to July 25th We will help with the preparation and running of the cultural activities together with the local people. We will also have several workshops related to art and culture. Language: English Leisure time: We will have free access to all the geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavík and excursion will be organized. Accommodation: We will stay in a fully equipped house in 101 Reykjavik city centre. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Halting
soil erosion and enhancing the natural vegetation
in the
Reykjavik area Volunteer project: The project is organised since the year 2007 in cooperation with few local NGOs in the South-west of Iceland who are in charge of the revegetation of this area of the country. The aim of the project is to halt the erosion of vegetation and soils and to strengthen the ecosystem of the area by enhancing its natural vegetation. Through the process of using organic waste materials as fertilizing means, we achieve a double dividend. Close to 70% of the total population of Iceland lives in this area of the country and the area has suffered of overgrazing and volcanic activity; some areas are stripped entirely of top soil.
Formerly harsh eroded and rocky, Heiðmörk is now
an attractive and popular outdoor haven for the people of the Greater Reykjavík
area, all that because of optimistic and ambitious reclamation efforts in the
20th century. Different kinds of organic waste materials are being generated in
great quantities annually in the area. Over 130,000 tonnes of organics are being
generated every year in the area, including over 70,000 tonnes of different
kinds of manure. Quantities of organic household and commercial waste are also
substantial. Causing local pollution problems, these materials have so far
lacked a channel where they can be utilized for reclamation purposes. However,
better fertilizing agents can hardly be found! Volunteers will basically perform three different types of work: a) Fertilising the slopes in Bláfjöll by yard-waste cover. This is the most important work. b) Monitoring the survival and growth rate of tree plantations of former years. c) Cleaning up in the vicinity of caves in the Bláfjöll area. Volunteers will be working hand-on-hand with Icelandic students from the working school, Vinnuskóli. Language: English
Leisure time: Excursions to the
South of Iceland and a weekend stay away from the project (likely to the
largest National Park in Europe: Skaftafell/Vatnajökull National Park)
will be organised. Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged most of the time directly in the area of Bláfjöll in a fully equipped skiing hut and part of the time in a local school in the city of Reykjavík. Volunteers will sleep on mattresses. Location: The Bláfjöll volcanic mountain range is located about 30 minutes drive from Reykjavík and the river Elliðaá have its source there, streaming down to the lake HElliðavatnH in the eastern suburban border of the city, on the way it passes through the nature reserve area of Heiðmörk. The highest mountain reaches 600m and therefore since 1968 the region became a very popular skiing area among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital area.
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called
“the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs
and clubs. It also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an
incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is
an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene. Terminal: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík station (BSÍ). Age range: 16 and over
Extra fee: 140 Euros
Planting
trees, repairing walking trails and maintenance of green spaces in
Hvammstangi
Volunteer project: Hvammstangi is the most
densely populated area in the west Húnaþing County. It is a service centre for
the surrounding neighbourhood and also a school site and an administrative
centre (Bank, Post Office, Health Institute). It has a population of 580 people. Most of the volunteer activities consist of cleaning and beautifying the town and the surrounding area. The tasks can be for example: planting trees, cutting grass, weeding, painting, sweeping, fixing walking paths… We might also clean the coastline and help removing old fences. Sometimes we might also join the local youngsters (about 40 aged 15 to 25) working for the community during their holidays in different nature conservation- and environmental-oriented activities such as planting trees and construction of hiking paths. Language: English Leisure time: Possible activities could be hiking, visiting sites of interest and generally having fun and enjoying Iceland’s fantastic nature together. We will have free access to the local swimming pool and the opportunity to go bathing in an Icelandic hot tub. Accommodation: In an accommodation owned by the community. Mattresses will be provided. Location: Hvammstangi, Húnaþing County Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Help
preparing and running the most popular Icelandic festival on
Westman Islands
Volunteer project: This is the sixth time
that we host this project and it has been one of the highlights each year.
On the first weekend of August, Icelanders celebrate the 1874 grant of Icelandic sovereignty with a huge festival in the town on Heimaey. The population moves into a tent city in the Herjolfsdalur, a short distance west of town, for an extended weekend of bonfires, dance, and song. This festival is the most popular one in Iceland. The volunteers will help with the preparation of the festival, helping to run it and of course taking part in it and afterwards help to clean the area. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursion or a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In the Community and Sport center of Heimaey. Participants are asked to bring their sleeping bags. Location: Heimaey, Westman Islands Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Age range: 18 - 35 years old
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Beautifying
towns
and
coastline
areas
in the Eastfjords of Iceland Volunteer project: Neskaupstaður is a medium sized town by Icelandic standards, has the largest population (1420 inh.) of any of the towns in the East Fjords, is almost completely self-sufficient and has grown and prospered since the early 1900's, thanks to the fishing industry. Its remoteness has led to a necessary self-sufficiency, including the town having its own bakery, dairy, supermarkets, banks, post office, school, sports hall, swimming pool, church, hospital, harbour, airstrip, hotel, jazz club, rescue centre, etc. In fact, it seems to have all the services you would expect in a larger town except an optician! To the east of the town, facing the ocean, there is a nature reserve and recreational area. The lower section of it, called Hagi, is the location of the renowned Páskahellir (Easter Cave), which is essentially a rock vault over the shore. Holes left by thick, 10-12-million-year-old tree trunks may be seen inside the vault and, as is typical in Iceland, there are various folk tales associated with the cave. Neskaupstaður is only reachable after driving through a one-way tunnel. “Fjarðabyggð” is an association of different communities in the Eastfjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður and Stöðvarfjörður. The towns have a lot of things in common: They are all small fishing villages with steep mountains just behind the houses. In this area you will find most of the things that make Iceland a unique place on a global scale. The fjords are magnificent and the sea is full of life, the birdlife is very rich and you can find a great variety of hiking paths. You will get to know the area during your stay in the east and it depends on the tasks and the situation in Fjarðabyggð where you will be working during the project.
Most of the work will be cleaning and beautifying
the town and its surrounding area. We will also clean up the coastline, plant some
trees, weed and build hiking paths. Another task might also be to help getting a
community center in the neighbor village into a better shape for the following
volunteer groups arriving later this summer and staying at this place. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool, great places for hiking. Excursions such as a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In a community house in Neskaupstaður. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. We will have showers at the local swimming pool and sports centre nearby. Location: Neskaupstaður in Fjarðabyggð. Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Egilsstaðir airport is 40 km away from the project. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Halting
soil erosion and enhancing the natural vegetation
in the
Reykjavik area Volunteer project: The project is organised since the year 2007 in cooperation with few local NGOs in the South-west of Iceland who are in charge of the revegetation of this area of the country. The aim of the project is to halt the erosion of vegetation and soils and to strengthen the ecosystem of the area by enhancing its natural vegetation. Through the process of using organic waste materials as fertilizing means, we achieve a double dividend. Close to 70% of the total population of Iceland lives in this area of the country and the area has suffered of overgrazing and volcanic activity; some areas are stripped entirely of top soil.
Formerly harsh eroded and rocky, Heiðmörk is now
an attractive and popular outdoor haven for the people of the Greater Reykjavík
area, all that because of optimistic and ambitious reclamation efforts in the
20th century. Different kinds of organic waste materials are being generated in
great quantities annually in the area. Over 130,000 tonnes of organics are being
generated every year in the area, including over 70,000 tonnes of different
kinds of manure. Quantities of organic household and commercial waste are also
substantial. Causing local pollution problems, these materials have so far
lacked a channel where they can be utilized for reclamation purposes. However,
better fertilizing agents can hardly be found! Volunteers will basically perform three different types of work: a) Fertilising the slopes in Bláfjöll by yard-waste cover. This is the most important work. b) Monitoring the survival and growth rate of tree plantations of former years. c) Cleaning up in the vicinity of caves in the Bláfjöll area. Volunteers will be working hand-on-hand with Icelandic students from the working school, Vinnuskóli. Language: English
Leisure time: Excursions to the
South of Iceland and a weekend stay away from the project (likely to the
largest National Park in Europe: Skaftafell/Vatnajökull National Park)
will be organised. Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged most of the time directly in the area of Bláfjöll in a fully equipped skiing hut and part of the time in a local school in the city of Reykjavík. Volunteers will sleep on mattresses. Location: The Bláfjöll volcanic mountain range is located about 30 minutes drive from Reykjavík and the river Elliðaá have its source there, streaming down to the lake HElliðavatnH in the eastern suburban border of the city, on the way it passes through the nature reserve area of Heiðmörk. The highest mountain reaches 600m and therefore since 1968 the region became a very popular skiing area among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital area.
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called
“the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs
and clubs. It also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an
incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is
an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene. Terminal: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík station (BSÍ). Age range: 16 and over
Extra fee: 160 Euros
Building
and maintenance of hiking paths in Akureyri - Iceland's northern capital
Volunteer project: Akureyri is situated in
north-east Iceland, in one of the longest fjords in the country and is
surrounded by mountains reaching 1000-1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km
north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to
25°C. The project participants will build and maintain hiking paths, and will help cleaning up the coastline. The work available will depend on the weather conditions and that’s why we have to be a bit flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though it will be nice most of the time, hopefully. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool, museums and the local bus. Excursions will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In the local school, on mattresses, participants are asked to bring a warm sleeping bag. Location: Akureyri Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. You can get to the project site by bus. It is also possible to take a flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Organic
gardening
and forestry activities in the
Solheimar Eco-village
Volunteer project: Sólheimar Eco-Village,
founded in 1930, is the first community in the world where the so-called able
and disabled people live and work together. Inspired by the theories of Rudolf
Steiner, Sólheimar has focused on cultivating both the individual and the
environment and it is the first community in Scandinavia to practice organic
farming.
The volunteers will mostly work in the Ölur Forestry Centre (the only organic reforestation centre in Iceland) and in the Sunna Organic Cultivation Centre. During the project, other tasks may arise depending on the needs of the community. The work in Ölur, and in the village as well, will mostly consist in building paths and planting trees in Southern Iceland Farm Forest. In Sunna we will be planting vegetables, eradicating weeds and other gardening work. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the swimming pool and the fitness center. Excursions will be provided by the hosts. Accommodation: In a nice house with double bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. The house is fully equipped and has a big living room. Participants are asked to bring a sleeping bag. Location: Sólheimar Eco-village Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík. Distance from the airport to the project site: 140 km. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
"The project was an amazing experience for me. Everyone I worked with in Solheimar was great, volunteers and locals alike. The guy that led everything, Valgeir, was great to get to know and everything was incredibly organized. He showed us around on our first day there and gave us a detailed tour of the village. The first four days, I worked outside with Urn and did landscaping (painting, laying down turf, etc), the rest of the time I worked in the forestry area or in the organic cultivation area. The people in those 'departments' were also great and I learned so much. During my stay there the group was invited for coffee and tea at one of the lady's house, which was nice to see an Icelander's house. I think doing this workcamp was one of the best experiences of my life....getting to know people from all over Europe as well as learning about Icelandic culture while working cannot be beat. We also had the chance to do excursions on our free time which was organized by Valgeir as well as some that were organized by the group itself (the group of volunteers). I will definitely do a workcamp again in the future." Fatemeh B., Cadip volunteer 2007
Environmental
activities at the foot of
Trolls’ Headland Mountain Volunteer project: The community of Dalvíkurbyggð was formed in 1998 by the merger of three districts of the outer Eyjafjörður: the town of Dalvík and the rural districts of Svarfaðardalur and Árskógur. The population of Dalvík is nearly 2.000. The local economy is mostly based upon the fisheries and fish processing, in addition to various industrial and food enterprises, services, commerce and trade. Dalvík harbour is a large fishing and commercial port; the ferry Sæfari, which sails from Dalvík, serves the island of Grímsey, Iceland's northernmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle. The mountains of Tröllaskagi (“Trolls’ Headland” – between Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður) are renowned as one of Iceland’s most spectacular areas for outdoor activity. Hikers can find suitable walking routes at any time of year, while mountaineers can scale peaks of all shapes and sizes. The swimming pool in Dalvík is one of the best ones in Iceland and after a hard day of working the locals usually relax there for a while.
Our work during this project will mainly be to
build and maintain hiking paths and clean up the coastline. The work available
will depend on the weather conditions and that’s why we have to be a bit
flexible. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool and museums and the local bus. Excursion or a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In the local school, on mattresses. Participants are asked to bring a warm sleeping bag. Location: Dalvík Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 120 Euros
Asian
days in Reykjavik
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city -
whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy
within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the
features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close
connection to beautiful nature.
One of the most important aims of this volunteer
project is to promote cultural understanding. Iceland is getting more and more
intercultural and nowadays you can find people from all corners of the World in
Reykjavik. We want to involve those people in our work and give them the chance
to contribute to the society with cultural activities and voluntary work.
Festival dates: Asian days in Reykjavik
from September 15th to September 19th We will help with the preparation and running of the cultural activities together with the local people. We will also have several workshops related to art and culture. Language: English Leisure time: We will have free access to all the geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavík and excursion will be organized. Accommodation: We will stay in a fully equipped house in 101 Reykjavik city centre. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Environmental
and renovation activities in the beautiful Heydalur valley
Volunteer project: The volunteers will
continue working on this project, after the excellent results of last year’s
group. Volunteers will be working on various projects in this remote location in
the Icelandic Western fjords. In general, they will be preparing the area for
the winter after the summer season, when most tourists and hikers visit the
district. Study theme: This volunteer project has an educational/awareness-rising approach to environmental, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. Apart from the group leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project. Language: English Leisure time: Free time activities will be organized for the volunteers by the local hosts. Place of extreme beauty and isolation; natural surroundings with hot springs, free access to enjoy the hot tub and the local swimming pool; possibility of horseback riding and kayaking in the fjords. The area offers countless opportunities to discover it by foot and to hike to explore the surroundings of the valley. Accommodation: Volunteers will be hosted in a local housing; sleeping in beds; bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the period of the project.
Location: The project will take
place in the Westfjords in the north-western part of Iceland. The region
accounts for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 7200 people
live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The
Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of
fjords surrounded by steep hills. The project will take place in a valley covered with birch bushes in Mjóifjörður in Ísafjarðardjúp in North West Iceland. The distances to the next town and villages are 130 km to Isafjörður and 90 km to Hólmavík. Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option. Landline phone connection is available, and the place provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors. Terminal: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. The closest domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ). Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 140 Euros
Clean
up the coastline
of Iceland
Volunteer project: Do you want to travel around Iceland and at the same
time participate in a very important project?
The volunteers will do a survey for monitoring of
marine litter in several places on the coastline. We will clean certain areas
(position recorded by GPS on our “map“) in different parts of Iceland and
collect all the trash on the beach and classify it in a standard form. We will
make photos of the coastline, The marine area around Iceland is regarded as one of the cleanest of the world. Nevertheless, marine litter such as persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals or hydrocarbons is constantly contaminating Iceland‘s shore. A large-scale surface of the Icelandic coastline is concerned by this pollution and some beaches are even fully covered by trash, mainly caused by poorly managed landfills close by. Special requirements: Volunteers with good computer skills, interested in scientific work and/or photographing are very much welcome to this project. Language: English Leisure time: We will do some hikes in different areas in Iceland. In some places we will have a free entrance to the swimming pools. This project is also "On the move" so you will travel a lot and see beautiful places. Accommodation: The group will be stay in the accommodation of the workcamps where possible. In some places we might stay in tents which will be provided. Location: Iceland Terminal: International Airport Reykjavík - Keflavík (KEF) Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it
springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green
scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik
offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvelous
traits of a unique natural landscape. Reykjavik International Film Festival was founded in 2004 by a group of film enthusiasts and professionals with the goal of creating an annual international film festival in Reykjavik. The aim is to establish a major film event to enrich and enliven the local film culture, but moreover, to become an international attraction. We believe that by building up an innovative film festival in Reykjavik, our foreign guests will have a unique opportunity to participate in an exciting cultural event, as well as visiting a country renowned for its natural wonders and dynamic culture.
We will help the organizers of the Reykjavík
International Film Festival with different tasks before and during the festival.
Our group of international volunteers will work closely with the team of
Icelandic volunteers who are in most cases students from the Universities in
Reykjavik. Study theme: For the first four days of the project we will have a study session about Icelandic film making. We will watch several Icelandic movies and go for visits to film producers, directors and other people in the field. We will also make our own short film downtown Reykjavik. Language: English Leisure time: We will have free access to all the geothermal pools in Reykjavik and great excursions will be offered to the volunteers. Accommodation: We will stay in a fully equipped house in the centre of Reykjavík. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: International airport Keflavik (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Reykjavik
International Film Festival
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it
springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green
scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik
offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvelous
traits of a unique natural landscape.
We will help the organizers of the Reykjavík
International Film Festival with different tasks before and during the festival.
Our group of international volunteers will work closely with the team of
Icelandic volunteers who are in most cases students from the Universities in
Reykjavik. The festival is one of the most important cultural events in Reykjavik and the work of the volunteers is a crucial contribution to the event. It is interesting for the volunteers to be a part of this international project and have the opportunity to experience its amazing atmosphere. It is very important that the volunteers are interested in the topic of the festival. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the geothermal pools in Reykjavik will be provided by our hosts. Excursions will also be organized. Accommodation: In an accommodation owned by the community. Mattresses will be provided. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: International airport Keflavik (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 - 35 years old
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Introducing
different cultures to kindergarten children in
the
Eastern Fjords Volunteer project: “Fjarðabyggð" is an association of villages in the Eastfjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður and Stöðvarfjörður, all tiny fishing villages with steep mountains towering just behind the houses. In this area you will see some of the features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with a rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife, and countless breathtaking hiking paths. You will explore the area during your stay in the east. We will visit kindergartens and schools in the villages and introduce different cultures to the kids. One of the tasks of this volunteer project is to prepare games, songs and materials for those visits and we kindly ask the participants to bring materials that we can use for the preparation. It is also possible that we will do some environmental work if the weather conditions will allow us. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool, great hiking places. An excursion or a boat trip will be organized by the hosting partner. Accommodation: In a community center. Mattresses will be provided and everyone is asked to bring his/her own warm sleeping bag. Access to showers at the local swimming pool and sports centre. Location: Fjarðabyggð Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík. The closest national airport is Egilsstaðir airport which is 40 km away from the project’s site. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Water,
nature and sustainable energy
Volunteer project: Iceland is a country
extremely rich in water resources. Strong rivers and big lakes with fresh water
can be found all around the island and under the surface there are huge cold
water springs fed from high in the mountains by gradual filter of rainfall, snow
and ice melt. The international volunteer project will take place in two different places, in the capital city Reykjavik and than in the south part of Iceland.
In Reykjavik you can experience easily the pure
energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city - whether from the boiling thermal
energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it.
Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, space, clean air, nature, culture
- and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the features of a modern,
forward-looking society which are complemented by a close connection to
beautiful nature. The population of the Reykjavik Capital Area is about 200,000.
Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains
and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. South Iceland contains many of Iceland’s foremost natural treasures. Many of the nation’s best-known historical sites are in South Iceland, such as Þingvellir and Skálholt. In the area you can find strong rivers, hot springs, Geysir, glaciers and waterfalls. We will work five days a week with the weekends free. From 09.00 to 12.00 we will do some environmental outdoor work - possible tasks are planting trees, fixing hiking paths, weeding, etc. After lunch we will work on the study theme of the project: “Water, nature and sustainable energy”. We will have workshops and discussions and we will also visit geothermal- and hydropower plants, geothermal hot springs areas, Geysir, several waterfalls, spring water bottling company, industrial companies and other companies which are using water and electricity as main resources. Study theme: Water, nature and sustainable energy Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the modern geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. We will do some excursions around the south and southeast of Iceland related to the study theme of the project. Accommodation: We will be staying in fully equipped house in the centre of 101 Reykjavik, the location cannot be better. In the south of Iceland, we will stay in a local community centre. Location: Reykjavik and the south of Iceland Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Iceland
airwaves music festival
Iceland Airwaves is an annual music event that
started out in 1999 as a talent show for foreign record executives. Since then,
Airwaves has grown and blossomed and is now an integral part of the cultural
life in Reykjavík. The fruits of the festival's labour have been ripening and
today many Icelandic artists such as Quarashi, Minus, Sigur Ros, Apparat Organ
Quartet, Trabant, Leaves and others have made their way to the international
music scene.
We will help the organizers of the festival carry
out many tasks, such as preparing the venues before and after the concerts,
helping with the controls outside of the festival area and assisting guests at
the venues’ entrance: for example, we’ll serve them hot drinks while they stand
in line in the cold Icelandic night, a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.
Those of you with driving license will most likely be asked to pick up some of
the international guests at the airport. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the geothermal pools in Reykjavik will be provided by our hosts. Excursions will also be organized. Accommodation: We will stay in a house owned by the local community. Please, bring your sleeping bag. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: International airport Keflavik (KEF), Reykjavík Age range: 18 - 35 years old
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Art
and environment in Reykjavik
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city -
whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy
within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the
features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close
connection to beautiful nature.
Every year volunteers are visiting schools in Reykjavik to teach the children
about the importance of taking care of the nature and to be environmentally
friendly. One of the tasks of the volunteers is to prepare games and materials
for those visits; we will than go to several schools during the project and
involve the kids in our programme. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the swimming pools in Reykjavik, excursion to the Golden circle will be organized. Accommodation: We will be staying in a fully equipped house in the centre of 101 Reykjavik, the location can not be better. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Reykjavík – Keflavík Int. airport. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Introducing different cultures to kindergarten children Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close connection to beautiful nature. The population of the Reykjavik Capital Area is about 200,000. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In this time of the year when conditions are favorable you can see the Northern lights (Aurora borealis) glowing curtain of greenish yellow lights, dancing in the distance to a spectacular, multi-colored fusion stretching across the sky. The world’s northernmost capital is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja, which keeps a watchful eye on the city, and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay. On a sunny day, the mystical Snaefellsjokull glacier appears crystal-like on the western horizon, while mountainous moonscapes spread to the southeast. The international volunteers will visit kindergartens in Reykjavik and introduce different cultures to the kids. One of the tasks of this workcamp is to prepare games, songs and materials for those visits and we kindly ask the participants to bring materials that we can use for the preparation. We will also participate in different types of activites in the centre of Reykjavik; this time of the year the city is usually full of life. Language: English Leisure time: Free access to all the modern geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. "Northern lights" excursion to areas in the countryside will be organized as well. Accommodation: We will be staying in a fully equipped house in the centre of 101 Reykjavik, the location can not be better. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 150 Euros
Christmas
and New Year at a volunteer center in
Reykjavik
Volunteer project: In Reykjavik you can
experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city -
whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy
within the city and around it. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun,
space, clean air, nature, culture and Reykjavik has them in spades. It has the
features of a modern, forward looking society which are complemented by a close
connection to beautiful nature. The population of the Reykjavik Capital Area is
about 200,000. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of
the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides.
We are going to create a great atmosphere in the
area of an Icelandic volunteer and cultural centre in Reykjavik with a lot of
lights inside the houses and also in the gardens. One of our tasks is to prepare
hot chocolate in the cooperation with the Red Cross in Iceland. This is a part
of the fundraising campaign for homeless and poor people that the Red Cross
organizes every year before the Christmas time, we will also help them to give
the chocolate to the people on the streets. We will also visit some of the homes
for elderly people and entertain them a little bit. Language: English
Leisure time: Free access to all
the modern geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik. Accommodation: We will be staying in fully equipped house in the centre of 101 Reykjavik, the location cannot be better. Location: Reykjavik Terminal: Reykjavík - Keflavík. Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 180 Euros
Iceland projects slideshow:
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Promote
cycling and establish cycling routes
not a
requirement. We will be provided bicycles but we encourage those who can bring
their own to do so.
Volunteer project: The “Western fjords” are
situated in the Northwest part of Iceland, reaching out almost to Greenland –
therefore the most westerly part of Europe. The landscape here is majestic, with
fjord after fjord, towering above shore and sea, each and every fjord has its
own distinctive character and tiny fishing villages nestle at their foot. It is
an ideal place for hikers and all nature lovers, in summer and winter alike.
Seals bask on the rocks, huge colonies of seabirds are seen and the king of the
skies, the white-tailed eagle may be watching over. 
Volunteer project:
In Reykjavik you can easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s
capital city - whether it springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or
radiates from the green scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of
a great city - fun, space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them
in spades. Reykjavik offers both the features of a modern and innovative society
and the marvelous traits of a unique natural landscape. In October you can also
see the northern lights glow when the sky is clear in the chilly night.
click here
for volunteer programs in other countries