ESC Collect Herbs and Make Tea in Bile Karpaty

CODE: SDA 26-ESC-A3

Work:

The work combines outdoor ecological activities with tasks linked to local tea production. Volunteers will maintain the natural garden at the eco-centre, care for planted trees, harvest herbs, and help with cleaning and upkeep of public spaces. A significant part of the work involves processing herbs in the tea workshop, including drying, crushing, filtering, filling tea bags, labeling, and packing products. The work is mildly physically demanding. In case of rain, activities move indoors and may include tea processing, eco-centre maintenance, or environmental and creative activities. Tools and protective equipment are provided; volunteers should bring suitable outdoor work clothing.
The work site is situated here:
Worksite 1- Nova Lhota 131, 696 74 Nova Lhota, Czechia GPS 48.8670803N, 17.5957425E
Worksite 2- Salas Travicna, 696 62 Tvarozna Lhota-Straznice GPS 48.8601622N, 17.3704361E

Accomodation and food

Accommodation will be provided in several simple options within the village and its surroundings. Volunteers may stay in shared rooms in the local hostel, which offers five rooms suitable for group accommodation. During the workcamp, they will move for two nights to the additional place at Salaš Travičná, where volunteers can stay in a wooden barn or sleep outdoors under the open sky. For these options, participants need to bring their own sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Sleeping outdoors near the fire is encouraged for those who enjoy a closer connection to nature.
Basic facilities are available across the accommodation sites, including access to a washing machine, refrigerator, kitchenette, and Wi-Fi. Sanitary facilities consist of three toilets and five showers shared among volunteers.
Volunteers will have to prepare their breakfast, lunch and dinner from provided ingredients.

Location and leisure

The project takes place in a small village in the White Carpathians, a region known for its rich biodiversity and rural character. Volunteers travel by train to Veselí nad Moravou and continue by bus to Nová Lhota. The village offers basic amenities, including a grocery store, hostel, pub, playgrounds, school, cultural centre, and church, with good bus connections. Local transport is arranged by municipal car to the Travičná chalet, followed by short walks on site. Mobile phone reception is available.

Volunteers would walk around the buildings (3-10 min), then transfer by municipal car. And then they will be driven to the Travičná chalet by car, then walk around the grounds (1-5 min).

In their free time, volunteers can explore the surrounding White Carpathians through hiking and cultural activities. Options include a walk along the cycle path to the village of Vápenky, a hike to Velka Javorina, the highest peak in the area, and a visit to the historic windmill in Kuzelov. It is also possible to arrange a boat trip on the Bata Canal from Veselí nad Moravou. Social activities include international evenings at the eco-center or a local pub. Depending on timing, volunteers may attend the Hornacke folklore festival, take part in a nature art workshop, visit the lookout tower at Salas Travicna, or swim in the Lucina reservoir.

Project hosted by

This project is organized in cooperation with Nova Lhota, a small Moravian village located in the White Carpathian Mountains on the Slovak border. The village runs an eco-centre and is very active in environmental activities and education. In the village, herbal tea blends from local types of herbs are produced. The project aims to involve volunteers in collecting herbs and fruits, getting to know the local culture and nature, and maintaining the public spaces, greenery and valuable flowery meadows. In this project, you will actively contribute to achieving UN SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and UN SDG15 Life on Land.

Directions to meeting point

The journey will last approximately 6 hours and will need between 4 to 7 changes depending when you arrive at the airport.
We will provide more details in the specific infosheet.

Additional comments

Study part: Volunteers will take part in introductory training on local tea production through a short excursion and a hands-on workshop in the natural garden. They will learn about cultivating, harvesting, and processing medicinal herbs and about principles of sustainable small-scale production. Towards the end of the project, participants will visit the White Carpathians Nature House in Veselí nad Moravou to gain broader insight into the region’s biodiversity, natural environment, and conservation efforts.