Promoting voluntarism through journalism and photography
Hrutafjordur & Raufarhöfn November 15 - November 24, 2020
Volunteer project: Every year, hundreds of international volunteers visit Iceland and participate in volunteer projects all around the island. The volunteers in this project will create and put together a magazine promoting volunteer work, telling stories of volunteers' involvement and contribution to the environment of Iceland, and promoting the work of the project organisers.
In the beginning of the project, volunteers will receive an introduction about the tasks. Afterwards, we will choose a topic for the magazine. This is a great opportunity to get to know Iceland in a different way. The group will take photos, create videos and conduct interviews with volunteers, local hosts and people living in the area. The outcome will be published in the magazine. The volunteers will also document the work in other projects running at the same time with a photo reportage. At the end of the project, we will prepare the final version of the magazine and publish it.
We will give a special focus on global warming during the project and the volunteers will have workshops about climate change. The issue of global warming is well known all over the world. The humanity must act in a more environmentally friendly way. The main goal of this project is to improve the environmental education and consciousness of the projects’ participants. Within the project we will learn about green energy, sustainable households, waste treatment, nutrition, the effects of consumption and lots more. If you want to change something, develop solutions or inspire others, you have to understand the issues and tasks first. Take part in this promising project and spring into action against climate change!
This project gives you the opportunity to spend an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while exploring creativity, environmental issues and intercultural learning.
Special requirements: Volunteers with good computer skills, interested in journalism and/or photography are welcome to join this project. You should bring your camera and your laptop with you.
Language: English
Leisure time: We will also focus on intercultural learning and exchange. Every evening, volunteers from different countries will present their country and culture in an informal way. It can be a presentation, a game, theater - the form of introduction is up to you.
Accommodation: The volunteers will be staying in volunteer houses in different parts of the island. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags, but beds/mattresses and bed sheets are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge.
Location: This project takes place in the West and the North of Iceland, so the participants will get the opportunity to go around during the camp.
In the West, you will visit the center for environment and sustainability. It is located in the area of Hrutafjordur which is a 36 km long fjord in Húnaþingi vestra. In the neighbourhood you can find a lot of pure and unspoiled nature, beaches full of driftwood, Snæfellsnes peninsula, glaciers in the highlands, waterfalls, strong rivers, canyons and craters. The purpose of the centre is to protect the nature and to raise the awareness of sustainability among the locals and the visitors who are coming to the area.
In the North, we stay in the village of Raufarhöfn. This community lies farthest north in Iceland. It is in the eastern part of Melrakkasletta close to the Arctic Circle. The population of Raufarhöfn is about 200 and most of the people there earn their living from fishing and fish processing. The harbour is very beautiful and partly shaped by nature itself. A wide and untouched open area surrounds the village with a lot of birds and varied vegetation.
Please note that the schedule for the project will be flexible and made according to the weather forecast and road conditions with a short notice.
Terminal: Flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), just south of Reykjavik.
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 450 Euro
The fee includes all trips around the ring road of Iceland.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project and is payable upon arrival.