Photography and environment in Iceland
Reykjavik 4 projects from April to June
Volunteer project: In this project, participants can learn about and share their love for photography and global and local environmental issues. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, waste management, animal protection and sustainability, and you also love taking photographs, making videos or want to develop your photography skills, then this project is for you!
While developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental and sustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits facilitated by the project coordinators. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers and travellers!
You will visit local projects focused on the environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guided visits. Some examples include outdoor cleanup tasks, a geothermal power plant, a local fauna and/or flora exhibition or an outdoor Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on conditions such as weather, as well as availability or restrictions of our partners.
You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice, walking around and exploring the city. At the end of the project, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.
The program combines learning, sharing, hands-on activities, getting to know Iceland, its culture, having fun, exploring the city and its attractions, as well as some stunning natural sites in possible excursions. Participants should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances during activities and sightseeing.
Please note that this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller work part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.
One of the two options below is also included in this project as a hands-on volunteering activity day:
1. A day trip to the Hot River area, combined with a cleanup or work with an environmental project in the area, or
2. A day trip to the Reykjanes peninsula, combined with a coastal cleanup in the area.
Language: English
Leisure time: Some excursions (e.g. to the Golden Circle and/or South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares.
Accommodation: The group will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 400 Euro
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site on the first day and the Hot River Hike or trip to the Reykjanes peninsula.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
April 26 - May 5, 2025
May 6 - May 15, 2025
May 16 - May 25, 2025
May 26 - June 4, 2025
Environmental action and awareness program
Selfoss 17 projects from April to September
Volunteer project: This camp is part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness, promote engagement in environmental issues and to support sustainability, organic and permaculture farming, social inclusion, education and hands-on actions in the field. Volunteers will gain insights into local and global challenges through non-formal educational activities such as hands-on work, visits, discussions, and workshops.
Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in different projects in collaboration with Landvernd (the Icelandic Environmental Organization), the EcoVillage at Sólheimar, the Icelandic Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources, Umhverfisstofnun (the Icelandic Environmental Agency) and Blái Herinn (The Blue Army).
The volunteers will take in a variety of activities, depending on weather conditions and the needs of our partners including working in the forestry section and vegetable greenhouses in the EcoVillage, as well as participating in a nationwide project to raise awareness of ocean pollution, plastic waste, and engage the group in hands-on cleanup efforts in the area, allowing volunteers to make a direct impact!
The project is based at Alviðra, which offers a range of activities to connect people with nature, such as community gardens, wildlife workshops, school programs, and hikes. As part of the project, volunteers help maintain the center through tasks like gardening, renovating the house and other projects such as removing old fences to protect wildlife, marking walking paths, and potentially do forestry work like trimming or planting trees.
This camp combines learning, sharing, hands-on work and fun. No previous experience is needed. Volunteers should be prepared to share environmental issues from their home countries and be ready to spend time outdoors. Volunteers should be ready to adapt and be flexible with the work and free-time schedule. Depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the activities as planned.
Language: English
Leisure time: Additional excursions (e.g. Golden Circle, the South Shore or Reykjanes Peninsula) can be arranged at discount fares depending on time availability, weather conditions, and the number of volunteers interested.
Accommodation: The volunteers stay in an old farm which has been transformed into an environmental education centre. The facilities are basic with an equipped kitchen, dining and living room, bathroom, shower and a washing machine. Volunteers sleep in shared rooms, with up to 6 people per room. Please bring your own sleeping bag and towel. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: The project is located an hour drive south-east from Reykjavík. The house serves as an environmental education centre and sits under Ingólfsfjall, The Mountain of Ingólfur, with a view of Eyjafjallajökull where the volcanic eruptions began in March and April 2010.
The place is registered as natural Icelandic heritage; the nature, vegetation and birdlife is rich in variety and quantity. The volunteers can enjoy outdoor activities in a peaceful and beautiful location with a small stream and a pond nearby. Hiking trails with maps about cultural heritage can be found throughout the area, which is a popular attraction among both foreign and local visitors.
The nearest town, Selfoss, only 10 minutes-drive away, with 6500 inhabitants, is a centre of commerce and small industries where you find a geothermal swimming pool, shops, museums, cafés and bars.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 350 Euro for the projects until June 13; 400 Euro for the projects after June 14;
The fee includes a trip to the Hot River area in Reykjadalur.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
April 16 - April 25, 2025
April 26 - May 5, 2025
May 6 - May 15, 2025
May 16 - May 25, 2025
May 26 - June 4, 2025
June 5 - June 13, 2025
June 14 - June 22, 2025
June 23 - July 1, 2025
July 2 - July 10, 2025
July 11 - July 19, 2025
July 20 - July 28, 2025
July 29 - August 6, 2025
August 7 - August 15, 2025
August 16 - August 24, 2025
August 25 - September 2, 2025
September 3 - September 11, 2025
September 12 - September 20, 2025
Trash cleanup in Reykjavik
Reykjavik 10 projects from June to September
Volunteer project: The Trash Cleanup in Reykjavik is part of a series of camps organised in cooperation with different partners in the capital area of Iceland.
The project allows participants to learn about global and local environmental issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits, as well as to contribute directly to the environmental protection by joining outdoor cleanup tasks. These clean-up tasks may be arranged in partnership with different organisations. We also aim to involve the local community, so some of our events may be open to the public. We hope participants will learn how to plan and carry out their own trash cleaning projects back home. This project is based on similar activities around the world, where outstanding results have been achieved with the help of volunteers.
One of the two options below is also included in this project as a hands-on volunteering activity day:
1. A day trip combining a visit to the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant, a trash collection in the area; and the Hot River hike, a hike up a valley filled with hot springs where one can bathe.
2. A day trip to the Reykjanes peninsula, combined with a coastal cleanup in the area.
Please note that the activities are subject to weather conditions and the availability of our partners.
The project combines learning, sharing, hands-on work and fun. No previous experience is needed. Volunteers should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and be ready to spend time outdoors, walking medium to long distances during the cleanups, as well as during other activities such as sightseeing. As part of the project happens outdoors, volunteers should be ready to adapt and be flexible with the work and free-time schedule. Depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the activities as planned.
Language: English
Leisure time: Additional excursions (e.g. Golden Circle or the South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares depending on time availability, weather conditions, and the number of participants interested in joining them.
Accommodation: Participants will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with an equipped kitchen, dining and living room, bathrooms, showers and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Accommodation is in shared rooms, with up to 6 people per room. Please note, the food provided will be vegetarian.
Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal- and hydropower. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 400 Euro
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site (on the first day), activities available, and one trip combined with the trash collection activity (Hot River or Reykjanes).
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
June 5 - June 13, 2025
June 14 - June 22, 2025
June 23 - July 1, 2025
July 2 - July 10, 2025
July 11 - July 19, 2025
July 20 - July 28, 2025
July 29 - August 6, 2025
August 7 - August 15, 2025
August 16 - August 24, 2025
August 25 - September 2, 2025
Coastline cleanup on the island of Videy
Viðey 2 projects in May and August
Volunteer project: The volunteers will have the opportunity to work on the historical island of Viðey for the 19th year in a row with our host, the city of Reykjavík. Viðey is a popular destination during the summer among Icelandic and foreign visitors.
Volunteers will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area, especially along the coastline, for instance by hand-picking garbage or collecting trash blown by the wind or brought by the sea to the shores and the surroundings. Volunteers may carry out some gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths. Well maintained paths enable people to visit the island without damaging it and this important work also helps improve visitors' safety. Depending on the advance of the project and weather conditions, volunteers may have other possible tasks such as checking up and repairing garden furniture.
The working day normally runs from 9:00am to 5:00pm with breaks for lunch and coffee; however, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Iceland's changeable weather.
The project in May takes place around the summer solstice, when the sun hardly sets and the nights are almost as bright as the days. The bright nights are magical and staying awake and enjoying the beautiful surroundings is a unique experience. During the time of the project, participants will have the opportunity to experience the midnight sun as there are 24 hours of light even if the sun does set for short periods of time.
Language: English
Leisure time: The volunteers will have rides on the ferry to the city of Reykjavík during their free time. Other excursions (Golden Circle, South Shore, Hot River or Reykjanes Peninsula) can be arranged at discount fares for the group.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Viðey island, in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The facilities are equipped with a kitchen, shower, and a washing machine. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: Viðey or “Wood Island” is the largest (1,7 km²) island in the Kollafjord Bay, just outside Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here. Viðey was inhabited from soon after the settlement of Iceland in the 10th century. In the beginning of the 20th century around 100 people lived there. Today the island is uninhabited.
There is a regular ferry connection between the island and the harbour of Reykjavík. The island is only a few hundred meters away from the city and the trip takes a few minutes. This makes Viðey so special: it is a peaceful place, very close to the busy city life of the capital. There are hiking and cycling paths around the island and there is no motor traffic allowed. It also features intriguing sculptural artwork, amongst them all nine pairs of basalt pillars that comprise Richard’s Serra’s work "Áfangar" and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine Peace” column, a tower of light, which is supported by the widow of John Lennon. Other places of interest on Viðey are related to archaeological research. At the eastern end of the island is the site of an abandoned fishing village and Viðeyjarnaust, at the southwest of the island, is a memorial to the twenty men who lost their lives when the cutter Ingvar sank off Viðey in 1906. Dramatic formations of columnar basalt may be seen on the shore.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 400 Euro for the project in May; 425 Euro for the project in August;
The fee includes the transportation from the meeting point to the project site (on the first day) and a whale watching trip.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
May 13 - May 22, 2025
August 19 - August 28, 2025
Photography, environment and Aurora hunting in Iceland
Reykjavik 3 projects of 2 wks in March and April
Volunteer project: In this project, participants can learn about and share their love for photography and global and local environmental issues. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, waste management, animal protection and sustainability, and you also love taking photographs, making videos or want to develop your photography skills, then this project is for you!
While developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental and sustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits facilitated by the project coordinators. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers and travellers!
You will visit local projects focused on the environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guided visits. Some examples include outdoor cleanup tasks, a geothermal power plant, a local fauna and/or flora exhibition or an outdoor Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on conditions such as weather, as well as availability or restrictions of our partners.
You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice, walking around and exploring the city. At the end of the project, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.
The program combines learning, sharing, hands-on activities, getting to know Iceland, its culture, having fun, exploring the city and its attractions, as well as some stunning natural sites in possible excursions. Participants should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances during activities and sightseeing.
Please note that this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller volunteer work part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.
In this project, we will organize a Night photography and Aurora hunting (Northern lights) workshop in the city or in the vicinity of Reykjavík. This will take place during late evening and possibly into the night. The Northern lights are a natural phenomenon depending on solar activity and meteorological conditions; we cannot guarantee you will see the Northern lights, but the night photography workshop will be organised anyway.
Language: English
Leisure time: Some excursions (e.g. to the Golden Circle, Hot River hike and/or South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares.
Accommodation: The group will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 400 Euro; 450 Euro for the Easter project (April 16-25, 2025);
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site on the first day and the Night photography workshop.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project. It can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival.
All available dates for this project:
March 27 - April 5, 2025
April 6 - April 15, 2025
April 16 - April 25, 2025
Teen photo marathon in Iceland
Reykjavik 10 projects from June to September
Volunteer project: This is the 18th year (since 2008) that series of International Photo marathons are organized! Throughout the year, participants from all over the world come to Iceland for an immersive photography-focused learning camp. The coordinators help the participants to develop their unique photographic skills through workshops and feedback sessions on technical settings, compositional considerations, as well as to create conceptual frameworks highlighting each participant's individual style.
Participants will have time to put the theory about photography into practice while exploring the city. At the end of the camp, the best photographs from each participant will be selected for an online exhibition.
While learning about photography, the participants have the opportunity to explore Icelandic culture through active participation: capturing it, engaging with it, and showcasing their work throughout the camp. One of our goals is to empower young people to use photography to highlight environmental and cultural subjects and issues.
Participants should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances during activities and working within a flexible time schedule. They will be photographing in their free time outside of workshop hours with images to be discussed at group feedback sessions. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.
This project is open to participants aged 16 to 20. The program combines learning, sharing, getting to know Iceland and its culture, and having fun while exploring the city and some of the most stunning natural attractions in the Golden Circle and Reykjanes Peninsula excursions. We will visit spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline, a volcano crater, the Thingvellir National Park and much more.
Please note that this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a regular workcamp; it has a smaller work part and emphasizes the personal learning process over the community impact. We may be able to organize some outdoor voluntary work, but it depends on our partners and the weather conditions.
Language: English
Leisure time: Additional excursions (e.g. Hot River Hike or the South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares depending on time availability, weather conditions, and the number of participants interested in joining them.
Accommodation: The participants will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with an equipped kitchen, dining and living room, bathrooms, showers and a washing machine. As participants sleep in shared rooms with up to 6 people, everyone is expected to behave considerately. Please note, the food provided is vegetarian.
Location: Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.
The projects in June and July happen around the summer solstice, when the sun hardly sets and the nights are almost as bright as the days. The bright nights are magical and staying awake enjoying the beautiful surroundings is a unique experience.
Terminal: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
Age range: 16 - 20 years old
Extra fee: 550 Euro for the project from June 5; 650 Euro for the projects after June 14;
The fee includes transportation from the meeting point to the project site (on the first day), as well as the Golden Circle and Reykjanes excursions.
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project and needs to be transferred no later than one month before the start of the project.
All available dates for this project:
June 5 - June 13, 2025
June 14 - June 22, 2025
June 23 - July 1, 2025
July 2 - July 10, 2025
July 11 - July 19, 2025
July 20 - July 28, 2025
July 29 - August 6, 2025
August 7 - August 15, 2025
August 16 - August 24, 2025
August 25 - September 2, 2025