‘Building Against Waste’ 2026

CODE: MS03

LOCATION

Løkkegaardsvej 3, 6400 Sønderborg, Denmark

DATES

Arrival:
Date: 03.07.2026
Time: between 15.00-18.00
Departure:
Date: 23.07.2026
Time: After breakfast (before 12.00)

ORGANISATION

Center for Sustainable Development Goals (an initiative by Sønderborg Municipality) works to inspire sustainable action with the UN Global Goals at heart.
The center is based at Lykkegaard, a 17th-century farm complex undergoing a long-term sustainable renovation towards opening in 2028. Until then, we host events that bring sustainability to life—like Byggefestivalen (the Building Festival): a family-friendly maker festival where people of all ages build creative projects with recycled materials, pro tools, and guidance from skilled craftspeople (this year we expect around 1,000–1,500 participants). The festival takes place at Kær Vestermark—a beautiful 137-hectare nature area near Sønderborg—next to a permaculture garden and the future center site.
www.centerforverdensmaal.dk (only in Danish)

WORK
You will help create a fully functional Food Waste Kitchen – the heart of the festival’s sustainable food concept. The kitchen will be made into a tent, which will be rented externally. You’ll be building all kitchen units — including hotplates, ovens, and dishwashing stations — from scratch.
Everything will be designed for quick assembly and easy disassembly, so the setup can be reused again in 2027. In addition, a dedicated recycling station will be established, where all festival waste must be delivered and sorted. The aim is to keep waste to an absolute minimum and ensure as much material as possible is reused or recycled.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

You’ll stay together at a rustic Firehut with two built-in shelters, ~400 m from the festival site.
Sleeping: shared spaces (3–4 people). Prefer privacy? Bring your own tent and camp right outside the Firehut.
Facilities: fireplace, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and stove, cold-water tap, composting toilet by the Firehut; regular flushing toilet ~200 m away; hot showers at the festival area.
Meals: Before the festival: eat with the festival build crew; some meals at the Firehut (ingredients provided by your host). During the festival, dine with festival participants.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi at the festival site (not at the Firehut).
Laundry: washing machine & dryer available at the festival campground.
Remember to bring: a sleeping bag (and your tent if you want your own space).

LOCATION AND LEISURE

The Center of Sustainable Development Goals, the festival, and the Firehut are situated at Kær Vestermark, which is a 1,4 km2 beautiful recreational nature area 2-3 km north of Sønderborg City. Sønderborg inhabits approx 35000 people. You’ll be taken on a tour and introduced to Sønderborg and local attractions.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• You enjoy hands-on work and learning by doing
• You’re proactive, independent, and service-minded
• You’re ready to always speak English—even with friends from your own country
• You value safety and teamwork (you’ll complete our
  tool-handling course)

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Nearest airport: Sønderborg Airport

Nearest bus/train station: Sønderborg Bus and Train Station

Meeting point and Time:
The town of Sønderborg between 15.00-18.00 on July 3rd.
You’ll be picked up at the airport, train, or bus station
Departure: In the morning, but before 12:00 on July 23rd.
You’ll be driven to the nearest airport, train, or bus station.

Arrival at Sønderborg Airport:
This is a local airport, and not many international planes land here. We mention this airport as you can be picked up by the host, and it is 10 min. from the camp.

Arrival at Copenhagen Airport:
Your flight must land no later than 13:00 on the first camp day, which means you will reach the meeting point before 18:00. From the airport, take a direct ICL train to Sønderborg St. The total travel cost is approximately 70€.

Further details on travel arrangements, including how to purchase train and bus tickets, will be provided in your info sheet after acceptance.

If you are unable to arrive at the meeting point on time, please consider arriving a day early and booking a hostel.