Environmental clean up in the National Park of Peneda-Gerês
       Braga           August 1 - August 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Health Adventure Association is a youth association that aims at promoting man-environment binomial. Within the whole of accomplished activities, pedestrian courses, mycological activities (mushrooms), national and international workcamps, environmental activities in protected areas, can be mentioned.
The camp’s theme is related to environment and consists of carring out cleaning tasks in Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês – National Park of Peneda-Gerês, Park’s nursery up-keeping, works for Associação Pedras Brancas – Association White Rocks (involving linen cycle), works in the newer Garrano centre, fluvial beach cleaning.

Language: English

Free time activities: In spare time volunteers will visit the region, especially Terras do Bouro and Braga, will perform pedestrian courses in Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês – National Park Peneda-Gerês, will have nautical activities, will take bath in the river, will play paintball, bow shot, horse riding, creation of leather personal objects, attendance of a cithara concert. Participants will have the opportunity to know typical festivities (Terras de Bouro).

Accommodation: Participants will be accommodated at Associação Pedras Brancas – White Rocks Association;

Location: Braga

Terminal: Braga

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Nature Conservation in the National Park of Peneda Gerês
       Lindoso          August 1 - August 15, 2008

Volunteer project: The main objective of this project is to allow young people the opportunity to contribute to nature conservation in Portugal´s only national park, by carrying out activities that follow the principles of nature conservation and sustainability in line with local traditions and by involving the residents of the local rural community. In the morning, participants will be involved in volunteer work. In the afternoon and at night they will be involved in leisure activities, sport, intercultural communication with the local community and visits to the region. The volunteers’ tasks will consist of defining, cleaning and interpret walking trails and possibly identify other opportunities for activities in the natural environment.

Language: English

Location: Lindoso

Terminal: Ponte da Barca

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Preserving traditional cooking practices and preparing a Gastronomy Fair
       São Joaninho          August 1 - August 15, 2008

Volunteer project: The Parish Social Centre of S. Joaninho is a social solidarity institution, created in 1999. The Centre has as its main mission the complete promotion of the whole parish, cooperating with other public services and institutions in a true spirit of human, Christian and social solidarity. In practical terms, its mission aims the satisfaction of the social needs of all inhabitants of Sao Joaninho village, although it may be extended to other villages and communities as well. They carry out a diverse amount of activities, such as: support to young people in terms of organisation and orientation of free time activities; vocational and professional orientation and practice of sports; social assistance to all of those who may need it in collaboration with health care institutions; social support to old people, through lodging, feeding, medical care and assistance in an old people's home; support to local active population, through social and cultural development programs; development of cultural, educational and recreational activities.

The project subject is about social and communitarian intervention and Intercultural Dialogue, preservation of the historical, cultural and gastronomic human heritage and regional identities. This project intends to preserve the history and the ancient recipes and put them in real practice, exhibiting the products in a Gastronomy Fair, basically of desserts. Interviews and practical workshops have as main objectives to collect testimonies and life stories about traditional cooking practices, enhancing the “Hows”, the whys” and the “what for”, promoting real intercultural dialogues at the dinning table, around the most delicious desserts of ancient times, from today and perhaps from the future…All the recipes will be preserved on a DVD and the special flavours can be tasted in the Gastronomic Fair.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a Youth Centre with several dormitories;

Location: São Joaninho

Terminal: Santa Comba Dão

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Reviving the traditional St. Lawrence Party
       S. Joaninho          August 1 - August 15, 2008

Volunteer project:  S. Joaninho Recreative Club is a non profit private Association with the connotation of being na Entity of Public Utility since 1993. The Club has 35 years of age and is a quality reference with intervention at Local and Regional level. Cultural and sportive growing progress, leaded to the need of creating and developing projects in musical, theatre and folklore areas, which have profound roots in the village. Nevertheless, the Association extended its intervention to themes such as Diversity and Equality of Opportunities, European Conscientiousness, Intercultural Learning and Professional Training. The Association promotes several initiatives of communitarian intervention and leisure times, occupation targeting children and young people in social exclusion but also their families and the whole community.

The subject is about social and communitarian intervention, preservation of historical and cultural heritage, intercultural dialogue and regional identities. The camp aims to promote mobility and youth exchange of Portuguese and European youngsters; to contribute to the preservation of the cultural identity of a specific region and to develop bounds of union and sharing among the members of a community. This Camp intends to preserve a tradition – St. Lawrence Party. In 2007, for several reason the celebrations of St. Lawrence day didn’t take place. The Youth Association intends, in 2008, to bring back the tradition and with it bring together a whole village. The work consists of setting up small tents on wood where traditional food and drinks will be sold during the celebrations, but the volunteers will take part in party animation.

Language: English

Free time activities: Free time will also be organised by the volunteers, as well as the animation time. The programme will also have an important cultural part.

Accommodation: In a Youth Centre with several dormitories

Location: S. Joaninho

Terminal: Santa Comba Dão

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environmental work at the banks of Maçãs river
       Quintanilha          August 2 - August 16, 2008

Volunteer project:  Bragança District Natural Park of Montesinho, Village of Quintanilha, Aldeia de Quintanilha, Maçãs river (border river to Spain). The theme of the project is related to the environment and the natural environment in general the purpose is to supply to a greater approximation of the various communities and to drawing up for Community.
The specific objectives of the healthy field proceed to the cleaning up of the edges of the Maças river, maintenance of mills, tourist environmental walks, a warm welcoming with the local community, cleaning of left garbage.

Language: English

Free time activities:  leisure times on kayaks walks, trips to the frontier villages between Portugal and Spain, debates on the river maças and his edges, finishing with a acquaintance next to this river.

Accommodation: At the communitarian home and eventually some days in tents in the Camping Park.

Location: Quintanilha

Terminal: Porto

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Community development projects in Granja do Ulmeiro
       Granja do Ulmeiro          August 4 - August 18, 2008
       Granja do Ulmeiro          September 1 - September 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Association Action for Justice and Peace aims “Constructing Peace, Democracy, Justice and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men” involving young people, women, local communities and other disfavored population as especially acting forces, namely trough: a) Production and Spread of Knowledge; b) Lifelong Education and Professional Training; c) Communitarian Intervention for Development; d) Education for Development and Projects of Understanding Cooperation; e) National and International Public Intervention.
In what concerns specific objectives of the volunteer project, these combine in the promotion of a global, active and understanding volunteering. Thus the specific objectives are: Promoting co-responsible volunteering and youth understanding; Promoting a work camp to educate and train youngsters for local intervention; Persuading youngsters to be multipliers of social and understanding economies practices; Placing the camp at the disposal of Granja do Ulmeiro community; Promoting intercultural learning.

Language: English

Free time activities: In spare time, volunteers will visit the region (especially Coimbra, Figueira da Foz, Montemor-o-Velho and Viseu) for them to know a little bit of our country.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated at International Centre building.

Location: Granja do Ulmeiro

Terminal: Coimbra

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Organising creative and leisure activities for children and teenagers
       Apelação           August 4 - August 15, 2008

Volunteer project: The workcamp will be in the Cultural Centre of Bairro da Quinta da Fonte, Apelação, in which the children and teenagers from the nearby neighbourhood spend their free time. More or less 15,6% of the neighbourhood residents are foreigners, particularly from the Portuguese-speaking African countries
During two weeks, the volunteers will participate in the implementation of certain activities that were previously planned and organized, for the children and teenagers that live in Bairro da Quinta da Fonte, Apelação. Additionally, the volunteers are expected to organise, as a team, leisure activities with the children and teenagers who use to go to the Centre.
In what concerns specific objectives of the workcamp, they are defined within the framework of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. Thus the specific objectives of the workcamp are: i) development of socio-cultural activities with the children and teenagers who live in the neighbourhood; ii) promoting their involvement in the activities planning process; iii) Promoting intercultural learning and a better understanding of different realities.

The volunteers will have to do most of the time with creative activities but also with games that will involve all the team and the neighbourhood young residents. No particular abilities are required; we only need motivated and creative people to work in group and to be open to other cultures.

Language: English

Free time activities: During the workcamp, we will have the chance to visit the Refugee Centre, supported by the Portuguese Refugee Council, in which refugees are expecting their authorisation in order to get residential permission in Portugal.

Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted in the school of Apelação (15 minutes on foot from the Cultural Centre, where they will work). Tents will be provided by the school. Usually it’s quite warm during the day (more than 30 C), but in August there might be some very hot days.

Location: Apelação

Terminal: Apelação

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Archeological research project in Freixo de Numao
       Freixo de Numao          August 11 - August 25, 2008

Volunteer project: Associação Cultural Desportiva e Recreativa de Freixo de Numão – Freixo de Numão Cultural Sportive and Recreational Association is a youth association which main objectives are protecting and promoting the regional cultural patrimony.
The objective of this program is to give continuity to an archeological research project and the desire to turn the archeological place into a museum that has been developed since 1980 with the permanent support of this association and the Portuguese Youth Institute.

Tasks to be carried out by the volunteer group:
- Maintenance and restoration aiming at turning the archeological place into a museum;
- Methodological digging, with an archaeologist's help;
- Soil riddling and floating, aiming at collecting different elements (coals, seeds, bones, etc.) for analysis;
- Materials washing and labeling.
During the project volunteers will work about 6 hours a day.

Language: English

Free time activities: In the spare time, volunteers will visit belvederes, castles, historical villages (Marialva), Vale do Côa engraving and Douro Wine Region (UNESCO Patrimonies). There will also be a visit to Museum Monografico Coninbriga.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in a Youth Centre, composed of 2 dormitories and 8 rooms.

Location: Freixo de Numão

Terminal: Guarda

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

On the route of fossils
       Penha Garcia          August 13 - August 26, 2008

Volunteer project: The “Amigos do Geoparque” are a small young group who contribute to the preservation and divulgation of the historic and cultural patrimony of Penha Garcia region in particular and all Geopark (which belongs to UNESCO European and Global Geoparks) in general. This ancient village, built with schist houses, has a templary castle from which we can admire an unforgettable view of the Beira Baixa plane and Penha Garcia dam. Their mountain cliffs are a paleontologist, geologist and nature lovers oasis, because easily we find marine fossils.
The work plan includes the turistic guide to icnofossils, paleozoic museum maintenance, and paleontologist patrimony cleanning.

Language: English

Free time activities: We also have planned some visits to Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha historical villages, “Parque Natural do Tejo Internacional” and “Gardunha” mountain. You will be able to practice some radical sports, to cook traditional bread, enjoy music and local gastronomy, etc. The participants can also swim in the Penha Garcia natural swimming pool, refreshing in the summer torrid days (temperature usually reach 35ºC).

Accommodation: Accomodation will be provided in a particular house placed in a Penha Garcia farm.

Location: Penha Garcia

Terminal: Castelo Branco

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Pechão Traditional Parties
       Pechão          August 13 - August 27, 2008

Volunteer project:  This association has been organizing through out the years a series of activities, namely: Exchanges; National and International Work Camps; Holiday Centers and Camps; Sportive Holidays; Holidays in Movement; PAAJ since 1996; among other permanent activities, such as: Group of Dances and Folklore, Sport Schools, etc.
The camp theme is related to Pechão Traditional Parties. There are different activities: cleaning, painting and signaling of the surrounding area as well as “small bridges” near the sport zone cleaning and painting. These activities will certainly give to young people a new contact with a different culture inserting them in an intercultural learning mind.

Language: English

Free time activities: In spare time, volunteers will visit the region. In the afternoon there will be several activities to make volunteers be aware of the region where they will be inserted, such as: Pechão Parish, neighboring villages (Olhão and Faro), its population and habits, the Formosa Estuary and its beaches as well as other regions in Algarve. We will visit the most attracting places of the parish as well as Olhão e Faro historical parts, Vilamoura Marina, the windward side of Algarve (Lagos/Sagres) and the leeward (Vila Real de Santo António) among others. Visit to FATACIL – Lagoa, Mediaeval Days of Castro Marim, visit to an aquatic park, visits to leisure places (Albufeira, Lagos, Faro e Tavira). In Pechão sport zone we will perform several games, such as football, basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis and others, whenever time permits and participants feel like.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in male and female dormitories with cabins especially placed in Pechão Sport Zone multivalent rooms.

Location: Pechão

Terminal: Faro

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environmental protection activities at the banks of Anços River
       Pombal          August 16 - August 30, 2008

Volunteer project:  This organization exhibits a project where the main objective is to allow young people to be involved in a volunteering program aiming at environment protection as well as contributing for volunteering work valorization. In the morning, participants will be involved in volunteering work. In the afternoon and at night they will be involved in leisure activities, sport and visits to museums. Volunteers’ tasks will consist of cleaning the Anços River that springs up near Redinha.

Language: English

Accommodation: The participants will camp over at the installations of Quinta Sant’Ana.

Location: Pombal

Terminal: Pombal

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environmental, animation and cultural activities in Arcos de Valdevez
       Arcos de Valdevez          August 18 - September 1, 2008

Volunteer project: The Associação Social Recreativa Juventude de Vila Fonche/Juventude is a association without lucrative proposes that works locally in several areas such: Leisure Activities Centre, Youth Centre, Kindergarten, Holiday Camps, “Pousadinha”, Mobility/Exchange (Holiday Camp, Work Camp, Youth Program – Action 1 – Exchanges, Action 2 – European Voluntary Service and Action 5 – Seminars), Community Support, Sports, Culture, Nature/Environment, Recreation.

Volunteer project activities:
Phase I – “The village of Arcos de Valdevez”
- preparation of the working spaces
- definition of the animation types
- preparation of the animation activities to develop with children
Phase II – “Monte do Castelo Track Cleaning”
- pedestrian track recognition and cleaning
- cleaning of leisure spaces
Phase III – “Community and Environment”
- environmental and cultural sensitizing workshops
- Rio Vez leisure spaces cleaning
- Development of the animation activities near the children and the youngsters

Language: English

Free time activities: In the spare time the volunteers will have the chance of visiting the region (Alto Minho), do sportive activities organized or free, enjoy the fluvial beach and participate in several cultural and traditional events that can exist in the moment.

Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in “Pousadinha” a kind of Youth Hostel that belongs to the organization. This building was capacity to receive 30 persons at the same time; it was 7 rooms, 8 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 dinner room and a living room.

Location: Arcos de Valdevez

Terminal: Braga

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Promote intercultural dialogue through theatre, clown techniques and circus arts
       S. Joaninho          August 18 - September 1, 2008

Volunteer project: S. Joaninho Recreative Club is a non profit private Association with the connotation of being na Entity of Public Utility since 1993. The Club has 35 years of age and is a quality reference with intervention at Local and Regional level. Cultural and sportive growing progress, leaded to the need of creating and developing projects in musical, theatre and folklore areas, which have profound roots in the village. Nevertheless, the Association extended its intervention to themes such as Diversity and Equality of Opportunities, European Conscientiousness, Intercultural Learning and Professional Training. The Association promotes several initiatives of communitarian intervention and leisure times, occupation targeting children and young people in social exclusion but also their families and the whole community.

The volunteer project is about social and communitarian intervention and Intercultural Dialogue. The camp aims to promote mobility and youth exchange of Portuguese and European youngsters and intercultural dialogue, without words, through non-formal educational processes – Mimicks and Clown Techniques. Youngsters will participate in several workshops of Clown Techniques and Circus Arts and they will prepare a final exercise on the theme Cultural Diversity that will be integrated in the 9th Theatre Festival of the Youth Association that will be presented to the whole Local Community.

Language: English

Free time activities: Free time will be also organised by the volunteers, as well as the animation time. The Camp programme will have an important cultural part

Location: S. Joaninho

Terminal: Santa Comba Dão

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environment protection works at parks, beaches and historic sites in Abrantes
       Abrantes          August 18 - September 1, 2008

Volunteer project: Cres.Ser is an association working in social area involving in its activities and projects people from all age groups. Among several projects, Cres.Ser Saudável – Growing healthy is enhanced. It is a project addressed to young people at risk where equality of opportunities and social exclusion fight is promoted through psycho pedagogical activities; Viver.Sénior – Living senior, where psycho social rehabilitation workshops addressed to old people are carried out and psychology service with social prices.
The camps’ theme is related to environment protection. It aims at carrying out environmental and leisure parks cleaning and maintaining tasks; rivulet fauna and flora cleaning and acknowledgement; ash trays cleaning and distribution at Nazaré beach; buildings façades and walls cleaning; waste gathering in Castelo de Almourol – Almourol Castle and Abrantes village; surveillance actions against fire, among others.

Language: English

Free time activities: In leisure activities we aim at making Abrantes council traditions known, showing the region living culture through a visit to an oil factory, a sausage home producer and also participating of the council folkloric rancho rehearsal, helping a council shepherd, sailing down a rivulet, attending a night of fado, etc. Cultural visits to Lisbon and a journey to Nazaré beach are also foreseen as well as a visit and works at Albufeira do Castelo do Bode - Castelo do Bode lagoon.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in an apartment

Location: Abrantes

Terminal: Abrantes

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Lousã Patrimony preservation and awareness project
       Lousã          August 31 - September 14, 2008

Volunteer project: Lousã Association of Cooperation was founded in 2000 and develops activities in child, youth and adults training fields. This association also participates in European Voluntary Service hosting and sending projects.
The first International Work Camp was carried out in Serra da Lousã in 2006. Considering that its result and evaluation were very positive we decided to send a new application for 2007. Camp’s theme is related to environment and cultural patrimony and the general objective is to sensitize the community, citizens and institutions for the importance of Lousã Patrimony preservation and invigoration.

This project is developed attending to promotion citizenship for young people that was related to international dimension as a way to do citizenship pratices.
The Camp specific objectives are give information and valorize the development of local work of our project; providing learning and intercultural conviviality increasing the responsibility and solidarity between young people and the local community in a way to valorize local and natural patrimony.
Volunteers’ tasks will be: cleaning the mill and surrounding area; leisure activities; social communication with local community; cultural visits in the region.
Volunteers will be organized in little groups and will have different tasks depending on activities development.

Language: English

Free time activities: Spare time will also be organized by volunteers as well as leisure time; the program will have a cultural component.
During the Camp, we will do a cultural activity, organized by volunteers, promoting the communication and the conviviality with local community.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in building.

Location: Lousã

Terminal: Coimbra

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Promote intercultural learning and organising educational activities for children and youth
       Coimbra          September 1 - September 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Mandacaru is a social and cultural cooperative based in Coimbra, Portugal. It was created in 2004 by a group of social workers, artists and trainers interested by Social Inclusion, Active Youth Participation, Human Rights Education and Local Development in urban areas.
Regarding the objectives of the workcamp:
We want to:
– To promote intercultural learning
– to organize pedagogical activities for children and young people
– To develop non formal education methodologies
– To motivate for responsible and active participation
– To valorize the potential, creativity and dynamism of a group of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
– To give to know other kind of realities and forms of doing and working on social inclusion
– To improve the physical and human conditions of the living contexts in this suburb

Language: English

Free time activities: In leisure time, they will visit Coimbra and region (Lousã, beach...) and they will share moments with young people and children of the place with whom we'll organise games and others activities.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in a flat provided by the municipality.

Location: Coimbra

Terminal: Coimbra

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Explore techniques and advantages of biological agriculture
       Carvalhais          September 1 - September 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Social Promotion Centre is an institution of local development with several activities such as home support to old people, Education and Training of unemployed and active youth and adults, biological agriculture project and regional traditional cookery project and also promotes several social and communitarian intervention projects and supports traditional and multi cultural events, holiday camps and exchanges.

The project’s theme is connected to learning techniques and advantages of the biological agriculture. Participants will have the opportunity to know the region’s natural and cultural patrimony. The program will include entertainment and inter cultural exchange of activities as well as guided visits.

Language: English

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in student’s residence and/or tents at Parque de Campismo do Bioparque – Bioparque Camping.

Location: Carvalhais

Terminal: S. Pedro do Sul

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Promote Fair Trade and support the Biological Production in Amarante
       Amarante          September 5 - September 19, 2008

Volunteer project: Marão Adventure Club - is a local association in Amarante founded in 1993 with activities connected to aquatic sports (canoeing), mountain sport (BTT) and Fair Trade movement.

In 1999 the association opened in Amarante the first Portuguese Fair Trade Shop (Worldshop). Since then it belongs and integrates this movement being a founding-member of the Equação, Cooperativa de Comércio Justo, CRL, which imports and distributes Fair Trade products in Portugal.

Since 2000 this association runs International Workcamps in Amarante touching themes connected with Environment and Cultural Patrimony Preservation, Archaeology, Fair Trade and Biological Production.

The theme of this International Workcamp is related to Fair Trade and Biological Production.

Its objectives and tasks will be to know and spread the concepts sustaining Fair Trade and Biological Production, to help small biological producers of Amarante (vintage, cleaning, fruit and vegetables gathering, aromatic herbs picking, etc.), to organize during 2\3 days an Fair and Biological Trade Market and visit stores and places selling Fair and Biological Trade products.

Language: English

Free time activities: During weekends volunteers will always have a leisure program (cultural, sportive, leisure) granted by the organization (visits, leisure activities, radical sports, etc.).

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated at Casa de Cultura e Juventude de Amarante – Amarante's Youth and Culture House

Location: Amarante

Terminal: Porto

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Preserving the cultural patrimony of Lousã
       Lousã          September 14 - September 28, 2008

Volunteer project: Lousã Association of Cooperation was founded in 2000 and develops activities in child, youth and adults training fields. This association also participates in European Voluntary Service hosting and sending projects.
The first International Work Camp was carried out in Serra da Lousã in 2006 and in the next year the second International Work Camp. Considering that its result and evaluation were very positive we decided to send a new application for 2008. Camp’s theme is related to environment and cultural patrimony and the general objective is to sensitize the community, citizens and institutions for the importance of Lousã Patrimony preservation and invigoration.
The Camp specific objectives are making a survey on the two last mills in Ribeira de S. João, re-cleaning “Rota d’Água – Water Track” Pedestrian track; disclosing Lousã and its council potentialities; promoting volunteering; Organize a workshop in Pousada da Juventude related to intercultural dialogue, providing learning and intercultural conviviality.
Volunteers’ tasks will be: cleaning the mills and surrounding area; equip mills track with signs; leisure activities; social communication with local community; cultural visits in the region.
Volunteers will be organized in little groups and will have different tasks depending on activities development.

Language: English

Free time activities: Spare time will also be organized by volunteers as well as leisure time; the program will have a cultural component.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in building.

Location: Lousã

Terminal: Coimbra

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

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