SEEDS 021. Alviðra - Awareness, Engagement & Action

CODE: SEEDS 021.

Work:

This camp is part of SEEDS' 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.

SEEDS 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). They will take on 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!

Accommodation and food

SEEDS 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.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please note the food SEEDS provides will be vegetarian. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food, drinks, recipes, music, games or movies from your country for the intercultural evening. Please be aware some items or ingredients may be expensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country. The weather may be cold or rainy, so we recommend bringing warm and/or waterproof clothes.

Location and leisure

The camp is based at Alviðra, located an hour drive south-east from Reykjavík. The house serves as an environmental-educational 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.

Project hosted by

SEEDS is an Icelandic non-governmental, non-profit volunteer organisation designed to promote intercultural understanding, environmental protection and awareness through work on environmental, social and cultural projects within Iceland. SEEDS works closely with local communities, local authorities and other Icelandic associations both to develop projects in partnership, aimed at fulfilling an identified need, and to give assistance to established initiatives. Projects are designed to be mutually beneficial to all involved: the volunteers, the local hosting communities and Iceland as a whole. Every year host more than 1200 international volunteers from 50 to 60 different countries.

Additional comments: English will be the language in the camp; intermediate conversational skills are needed.

Fees: 350.00 Euros