volontariato internazionale, antirazzismo, pace, diritti
Code:CONCF-7210
Where:SAINT GERMAIN DE MARTIGNY
Number of volunteers:13
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
This is a historic project for Concordia Normandie-Maine. After a 20 year hiatus, we are once again working with the commune of Saint Germain de Martigny! More than twenty years ago, the mayor of the village asked Concordia Normandie-Maine to create wooden cladding around the village hall. The years have gone by, and the mayor's son, who is now the current mayor of Saint Germain de Martigny, has once again called on Concordia to restore the cladding that was installed twenty years ago! The aim of the project is to sand and repaint all the wooden cladding on the village hall and village hall to give them a brand new look!
This is our second year working with Saint Germain de Martigny, after a break of over twenty years! Saint Germain de Martigny is a small village of 80 inhabitants in the Orne department. A few years ago, the village was famous for its large golf course, which was destroyed over the years. Today, the village wants to regain its reputation by rehabilitating its leisure centre!
Saint Germain de Martigny is in the south of Orne, in Normandy. Situated 30 minutes' drive from Alençon, it will delight nature-lovers with its peace and quiet and its local landscapes.
All for adventure! You'll sleep in individual tents near the mini golf course at Saint Germain de Martigny (bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat). The sanitary facilities and kitchen will be in a building close to the site. You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the leaders, and you'll help with the shopping and meal preparation, giving priority to healthy, local produce. You can exchange recipes if you wish. Laundry will be done by hand. There is no WIFI connection.
The meeting point is set for late afternoon at l'Aigle station on 02/08. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the route map, sent out no later than 4 weeks before the start of the worksite. Several direct trains leave from Paris Montparnasse. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and a half. Train reservations are possible approximately 4 months before departure on the SNCF website, link below: https://www.sncf-connect.com/ As far as possible, remember to use low-carbon means of transport (train and bus rather than plane) for a sustainable international site.
The worksite will take place in a rural environment. We try to make our workcamps more responsible and more consistent with ecological issues. For example, we encourage groups to discover the area using as little car journeys as possible. Car journeys will therefore be reduced. Don't forget to take good shoes and clothes that won't get wet when you're on site. And don't forget to pack clothes for the cold and rain and a good, warm sleeping bag: the nights can be chilly. You can also bring along musical instruments, juggling instruments, costumes or other games to show us your talents, as well as typical products from your region! The departure is set on the last day of the workcamp (02/08), usually in the morning.
Code:CONCF-8011-ESC
Where:Autrêches
Number of volunteers:14
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18-30
Join us in Autrêches to participate in an exciting project focused on preserving the natural and built heritage within an innovation hub. During this project at l’Hermitage, our mission will be to renovate and rebuild a large wooden/earthen staircase, while also carrying out minor masonry renovation on the first steps and installing a remarkable handrail made from reclaimed wood. Additionally, we will contribute to environmental preservation by constructing shelters for wildlife using pallet wood, as well as cleaning and rehabilitating various natural sites on the premises. This will also be an opportunity to collaborate with local youth and other organisations present on site, thereby strengthening community ties and the spirit of solidarity. Join us for this rewarding and engaging experience in Autrèches, where every action counts towards preserving our heritage and environment.
The hermitage portrays a place of great historical richness and strategic importance, now transformed into a true rural innovation hub. Located in the heart of a lush green hill steeped in history, it embodies the testimony of a crucial frontline during the First World War, as well as a remarkable medical innovation center in the 1950s. Building on this heritage, a new project is emerging, aiming to breathe new life into this iconic venue. The proposal to create a staircase on the site to establish a common and more accessible hiking space is both relevant and inspiring. It aligns perfectly with our shared vision focused on environmental respect and strengthening connections between individuals and their territory. This initiative not only promises to preserve the Hermitage but also to transform it into a dynamic hub for exchange and gathering, offering unique opportunities for community engagement and connection with local heritage.
Autrêches (750 inhabitants) is located in the department of Oise, in the Picardie region. A small enclave of Oise within the department of Aisne, it is a village composed of several hamlets. The region boasts a rich historical heritage that you can explore nearby: The Palace of Compiègne, the cathedrals of Soissons, and the Château de Pierrefonds, among others. The Hermitage is a community hub welcoming various actors to its premises. Among them is an associative café/bar, where intercultural activities and exchanges are scheduled. These include a large international karaoke night, a visit to the market garden farm, and various concerts throughout the week. More information on the city's website: https://www.hermitagelelab.com/activites/
You will be accommodated in individual tents on the Hermitage park, and will have access to two bungalows equipped with toilets, showers, and a kitchen. The living area will be under a large marquee in the middle of the forest. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and preparing meals together, and you will participate as well in the grocery shopping and in the preparation of meals, prioritising products from the market and local producers.
Remember to bring work clothes for the work site as well as closed shoes. As the accommodation is under tents, remember to bring your sleeping bag as well as a sleeping mat or a camping mattress for more comfort. Don't forget your bathing suit in case you have the opportunity to go swimming! You can also bring back specialties from your country, photos, musical instruments, in short what you like and want to share on this site, either with the local population or with the group. Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
We will meet up at SOISSONS train station on 19/07 at the end of the day. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the roadmap, sent at the latest 4 weeks before the beginning of the work. From PARIS, regular trains are leaving from Gare du Nord train station towards SOISSONS. The ride lasts for about 60 minutes. The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, available on the following website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/ The last day (03/08) is departure day, which means you can leave anytime in the morning.
This project is supported by the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program for young people aged 18 to 30. It is open to all volunteers who meet the ESC criteria and is subject to several principles and conditions presented on this page: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/mission_en - Volunteers do not have to pay any fees (no sending, nor participation fees) to participate in the project, and will receive financial support for their travel, subjected to a maximum amount established according to their travel distance and upon presentation of the original tickets; - Volunteers must register on PASS, the ESC portal, and Concordia will then invite them to confirm their participation in the project; - Volunteers will receive pocket money, calculated on the basis of 6€/day, upon their arrival on the project in France; - volunteers will have to fill in a participation report, submitted online via the portal.
Code:SJ30
Where:Saix
Number of volunteers:12
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
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The insulation work is taking place on a building called "The Farm". This building hosts the long-term volunteers but also the offices and housing of the permanent employees. For the comfort of the people and for ecological reasons, we want to improve the insulation of this stone house. With the help of the technical supervisor, you will work with eco-construction techniques and materials (such as hemp and lime, wood). You’ll help build a wooden frame on the outside of the house. This framework will be used to contain the insulation, made of a mortar of lime and hemp straw. At certain times, we will work at height, with a scaffolding. The time spent on the site is approximately 30 hours per week.
Participating in the ecological insulation of a stone house in the heart of an idyllic mountain landscape. Does it interest you? Join us and come discover the former Ferme du Faï and its natural setting at an altitude of about 1000 meters! The association Les Villages des Jeunes has managed, organized, and renovated Faï’s welcome center since 1990, in partnership with the SIVU of Haute-Maraize. The Ferme du Faï is a former agricultural area where the buildings were converted into studios and group accommodations. In the summer, the Faï is a place of residence for professional artists that come to take advantage of the amazing location to create collectively and contribute to festivals like La Montagne qui Chante...The workcamps that we organize at Faï contribute to making this a place of innovation and freedom where working and living together is possible for young people and adults, people from all countries and all cultures, employees, volunteers, artists, tourists etc., whether that be for a few days or several months.
The farm of Faï, 3km from the village of Saix (05400), is 15km away from the main city of Veynes. Grocery shopping days once or twice a week will be organized with our vehicles. Leisure activities: We will be in an exceptional location to discover the joys of hiking among the mountains, its rivers, its lakes, the farmers markets, and festive events organized in the surrounding villages (depending on programming). As a group, we will decide the activities and outings that we want to set up (subject to distance). Once a week, the welcome center generally organizes a musical evening with homemade woodfired pizzas.
You will be accommodated on the Faï farm site on the campgrounds in individual tents and will provide you a mattress as well. The campgrounds have access to showers, restrooms, and the kitchen. There’s no WIFI, but you’ll be able to meet people from all over the world! You will cook in turn, so that you will be able to taste a number of different specialties! Here, we pay attention to what we eat and aim to reduce our environmental impact, we try to eat a maximum of local products and limit eating meat to twice a week. The daily life is organized together: organization of the menus (vegetarian, vegan and other specific diets possible), shopping, activities, etc. Bring a mattress, a good sleeping bag (the nights can be cold) and a pillow. To be adapted to your needs.
The meeting times at the Veynes train station will be communicated to you on the infosheet (no schedule available at this time).
Code:SJ32
Where:La Ferté-Alais
Number of volunteers:20
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
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During this workcamp, you will take part in the renovation of the ancien wall of the nearby school. You will help building a solar shower for our ecological village.
Vir'Volt stands for InteRnational VolunTeer Village (in French). For 3 years, the organisation has been based in the heart of nature, in the middle of a regional park. By welcoming young people from all over the world each year, the future village is being built around a number of different objectives: getting to know each other and learning from our differences, reflecting and acting together to protect the environment, but also having a positive impact on the surrounding area and people by putting solidarity at the heart of each of our actions. Vir'Volt also aims to become fully eco friendly and sustainable which is reflected in our campsite ; yurts and teepees as rooms, permaculture farming and gardening, water saving projects, reducing and reusing waste. This small village will become great without sacrificing or damaging the surrounding environment whilst always searching better and more eco friendly ways of living.
La Ferté-Alais (91590) is approximately 50km south of Paris. Leisure activities: You will have the chance to enjoy the association's campsite and to discover the cultural and natural heritage of the region which is part of a natural park. You will also help organise some activities in order to meet and socialize with local young people. Other leisure activities will be organised collectively depending on the wishes of the group and the available budget. On day in Paris is scheduled.
You will sleep in collective Yurts non-mixed on the campsite of the association. Please bring a sleeping bag with you. The campsite has separate bathrooms and showers, as well as a kitchen place. Food will be provided and cooked by the volunteers in turns.
We will meet you at the association's site, a 15-minute walk from the RER station, on Sunday 21st July from 3.30pm. From Paris stations (Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord), take the RER D to Juvisy, then change to the RER D towards Malsherbes. If your luggage is too heavy and you would like to be picked up at the station by car, please contact the Vir'Volt team BEFORE you arrive (contact details can be found in the route description sent 3 weeks before the start of the project).
This project should not be seen as a sightseeing trip to Paris. If you wish to visit Paris, you should do so before arriving or after the dates of the summer camp.
Code:CONCF-6906
Where:Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux
Number of volunteers:14
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
Dreaming of lavender fields and Provence? Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux offers you a picture-postcard landscape and the chance to get involved in a project that will plunge you into the history of the town's famous quarries... What do Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Paris, Lyon, Marseille and New York have in common? It's hard to believe that many of the buildings in these major cities still stand on foundations that originated in this small town in the Drôme region. In the 19th century, the quarrying of stone from the south of France was in full swing. The site had specific infrastructures for extracting and transporting blocks of stone, especially to the Rhône. Mining ceased after the Second World War and the site reverted to its natural state as the years went by. Today, the remains of this activity are still present, and there is a determination to preserve them, in order to pass on their unique history. Thanks to their rich biodiversity, the former quarries could become a sensitive natural area in the near future. Respecting the site, you will be working to complete an inclined surface on a path that has been damaged by rainwater run-off. On a sloping, wooded and rocky site, you will be creating gutters to allow the water to drain away. This work is a continuation of the projects carried out in 2022 and 2023. If you love nature, history and travelling, this is the job for you! You don't need any skills, but a good dose of motivation and a good mood will make this project unforgettable.
The town of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux is attached to its history and heritage. It is a tourist town in the Drôme Provençale region that is also keen to protect the environment. By hosting this third volunteer work camp, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux aims to reveal the cultural richness of its region by combining heritage and nature.
The town of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (population 9,000) is located in the Drôme department, in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, on the axis of the Rhône Valley, in an area with a Mediterranean climate. Drôme provençale is a tourist region with many assets. As well as plenty of sunshine, you'll find an unspoilt environment and a warm, friendly atmosphere as you wander through the narrow streets of the mediaeval town. Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux is the ideal place to discover the Tricastin, Drôme Provençale and northern Vaucluse. The city itself boasts an important cultural heritage with its cathedral, townhouses and archaeological collections. What's more, in and around the town, gastronomy takes pride of place with the Tricastin black truffle. On the other hand, don't look for the three castles that gave their name to the town, based on a fanciful interpretation of the term tricastin. However, the town does have a rich history, which is now at the heart of our worksite project. You'll have the chance to discover its secrets through guided tours and workshops. There's also a rich cultural programme during the summer, with concerts, presentations of crafts and arts disciplines, etc. As for leisure activities, you'll be able to use the town's many facilities and organise excursions to discover the wider area (Gorges de l'Ardèche, Montélimar, Grotte Chauvet, etc.).
You will be accommodated in individual tents near the 2003 municipal stadium, which is close to sports facilities (football stadium, city stadium, skate park, watersports complex, etc.) and close to the town centre. The site will be for the sole use of the group, who will have keys to control access. The changing rooms will provide separate areas for toilets and showers. A room will be equipped for meals and be used as a shelter in the event of bad weather (heatwave, storms). There will also be grassy, shaded areas where you can enjoy the outdoors. Together, you'll help to organise community life (cleaning, activities, etc.) and take it in turns to prepare meals using locally sourced produce. As far as possible, we will promote vegetarian meals using local, seasonal produce, while ensuring that all participants' diets are respected and that local gastronomy is discovered.
Arrival late afternoon at Pierrelatte SNCF station, accessible from Marseille-Saint-Charles and Lyon-Part-Dieu stations. Train reservations can be made approximately 4 months before departure on the SNCF website, link below: https://www.sncf-connect.com/
Remember to bring gloves and suitable clothing for the job. You'll be working on a steep site, so it's essential to wear hiking boots with raised, notched uppers, reinforced if possible to prevent the risk of injury. For leisure activities as well as on site, you need to bring clothing that is suited to the climate (temperatures can be very hot in summer). Don't forget sun protection (a hat or cap is essential, sunglasses and sunscreen with a high protection factor, etc.) and a swimming costume (no swimming shorts for men) for swimming at the water sports complex or whitewater activities. For sleeping, remember to take a duvet and a pillowcase (you can put things in it and easily make a pillow). You should also bring a backpack (in addition to your luggage), comfortable trainers and a pair of flip-flops. You'll also need to pack the following essential accessories: a mobile phone charger, a water bottle, a set of bandages and a headlamp or torch. Social events will be organised in collaboration with our leaders and according to your wishes. If you'd like to share a little of your culture (recipes, traditional stories, unusual objects, music, etc.), don't hesitate to take a little piece of your country/region in your backpack, as well as a small Bluetooth speaker! On the last day (14/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning.
Code:CONCF-3301
Where:ISLE
Number of volunteers:14
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
Take part in the rehabilitation of an old mill, in the charming town of Isle, in the heart of the forest! You will continue to restore the mill area, clearing weeds, consolidating and solidifying the walls and rebuilding its destroyed parts. The area you will work on corresponds to the junction zone between the stream and the waterwheel mechanism. You will be supervised by a technical leader who will teach you different traditional methods.
The municipality of Isle plans to restore an old mill and its miller house in the forest located close to town. To do so, several volunteering works will be undertaken: the construction of a shelter for hunters, an educational room for the leisure centre, a hiking trail and the reactivation of the mill. Through this project, you will participate in this restoration and you will discover and share a human and cultural experience with the inhabitants of the town. You will also be near the French capital of porcelain, Limoges. More information: www.ville-isle.fr
Isle is a French town located in the department of Haute-Vienne in the New Aquitaine region, bordering the town of Limoges, famous for its porcelain, but rich in history and heritage. The commune benefits from an exceptional living environment where nature is omnipresent. In the town centre, flowery gardens, green spaces and leisure facilities are to be discovered alongside local shops and services. Just a few minutes walk away, Isle has a rural protected area shaped by the two valleys of the Vienne and Aurence rivers. Throughout the woods, meadows and fields, there are the several castles and manor houses that together make up the town, with an urban dynamism offered by the town of Limoges, only 5 minutes away.
You will be accommodated in individual tents, with sanitary facilities, a kitchen and a communal living room where you will enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. You will share the various collective tasks (cleaning, activities, etc.) and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the leaders, and you will help with the shopping and meal preparation, giving priority to healthy, local products. Our aim is to encourage vegetarian eating using local, seasonal produce, while respecting participants' diets and discovering local cuisine together. WIFI is available. The laundry will be done by hand.
The meeting point is scheduled at Limoges-Benedictins train station on the 31st of July at the end of the afternoon. The exact meeting time will be given with the infosheet which will be sent at the latest 4 weeks before the start of the workcamp. On the last day (14/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning. From Paris, you can take a train from Paris - Gare d’Austerlitz train station, regular departures are scheduled throughout the day to Limoges (about one train every hour). The trip lasts around 3 and a half hours. If you are coming by plane first, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress free travel. If possible, please consider using low-carbon emissions transportation (train and bus rather than aeroplane) for a sustainable international workcamp. The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, accessible on the following website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
Bring a sleeping bag for cold weather, a mat or a thick sleeping mattress depending on your need for comfort, work clothes, sports shoes, warm and rain clothes, a flashlight, a swimsuit and sunscreen. Don’t hesitate to bring anything interesting to share from your home country/region (traditional recipes, folklore stories, music, games, intriguing objects…) if you would like to share!. Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues happen during the project, volunteers will have to pay for them personally, and will be reimbursed once back in their home country.
Code:CONCF-6303
Where:Allegre
Number of volunteers:12
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
This year we will organise the fourteenth workcamp in Allegre, in the heart of this beautiful historic village! Every summer, international volunteers take it in turns to renovate pavements of alleyways in the village, and to create an ecological medieval garden. This year, the town council proposes to continue the development of an ecological medieval garden by building a pergola. The garden is ideally situated at the foot of the village ramparts, high up, with a beautiful point of view. What is a medieval garden? It is an enclosed, secret, quiet garden, ideal for meditation. It is made up of several areas: a vegetable garden, an orchard and the corner of medicinal and magical herbs called "carre des simples". You'll spend about 30 hours a week on this site. Your tasks: build a pergola in the heart of the medieval garden, which will then be planted with greenery. Would you like to find out more about carpentry and woodworking? Come and learn how to handle a wide range of tools under the guidance of a technical animator. It will be a very enriching experience!
Allegre has a very rich historical heritage. It is located at an altitude of 1,000 metres, where the remains of a classified castle overlook the village. The town was selected as part of the "Small town of tomorrow" scheme, which enables it to carry out actions to improve the living environment and ecology. It is in this context that this project of creating a medieval garden was born. Local celebrations, meals with the inhabitants and the discovery of the region will be on your schedule.
Allegre is a small town of 1000 inhabitants located in the Haute-Loire County in the Auvergne region, 30 km of Le-Puy-en-Velay city, in the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez. Its alleyways are picturesque with red roofed houses, built on the slopes of an extinct volcano, the "Mont Bar". From the preserved ruins of the Castle at the top end of the village you can overlook hundreds of kilometres of countryside! You will have the chance to go swimming in lakes, attend local celebrations and take part in outdoor leisure activities.
You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay. Your accommodation will be located at the municipal stadium, near the campsite, which is 20 minutes’ walk from the village. You will sleep in individual tents set up in the grass, near the facilities. You will have a kitchen in a room in the stadium and a large collective tent for socialising. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and preparing meals together. The budget will be allocated to the group leader and you will participate in the preparation of meals, prioritising products from the market and local producers. Wi-Fi is available on the campsite and in the village. Hand washing of laundry.
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country. For more information visit: http://www.mairie-allegre.com and https://www.lepuyenvelay-tourisme.fr/
The meeting point is at the train station of DARSAC at the end of the afternoon. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the Info Sheet, sent one month before the beginning of the workcamp. It is a small station served by three trains per day. There are three ways to get to Darsac, via Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon or Puy-en-Velay. From Paris, several trains leave to Clermont-Ferrand (from where you can then go to Darsac). If you are coming first by plane, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress free travel. The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, accessible on the following website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
Bring work clothes, walking boots and a backpack. Nights can be chilly, so bring warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. You can also bring recipes from your home country, musical instruments and games. You will get around Allegre by foot, car and by minibus. On the last day (16/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning.
Code:CONF3316
Where:ST CAPRAIS DE BORDEAUX
Number of volunteers:10
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
Come and take part in the work to improve the Maison Concordia in Saint Caprais de Bordeaux, in the middle of the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards. On the programme: a host of tasks to make the house a pleasant place to stay for the young European volunteers who stay on the site all year round, as well as organising events with local residents. You will be accompanied by a technical coordinator who will show you the many techniques used: building wooden furniture, painting, landscaping and vegetable gardening, etc.
The Maison Concordia has been owned by the national association since 1996. Formerly the local post office and the home of the local rural warden, the building is now the headquarters of the Concordia Nouvelle-Aquitaine delegation. On the site, there are not only the offices of the delegation's employees, but also a house with accommodation for the 5 young European volunteers who are on mission in the region every year. In the garden, we organise events throughout the year with local residents. Also on site, the Grains de Blés association distributes weekly baskets of fruit, vegetables and local produce. So not only is this place steeped in history, it's also an essential part of local life. The Maison is no longer as young as it once was, and is in need of some refreshment and repairs if it is to remain the meeting place and meeting place we love so much, a symbol of the commitment that the Concordia association has been making since 1950.
The village of Saint Caprais de Bordeaux is set amidst the vineyards and châteaux of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. It's 30 minutes by public transport from Bordeaux, 30 minutes from Libourne and Saint Emilion, 1 hour from Bazas and 1h15 from the Arcachon basin. The commune has a number of sports facilities, including a football stadium, tennis courts and petanque pitches. There are several footpaths in the vicinity, as well as a number of cycle paths. So you'll have plenty of opportunity to discover the region, its châteaux and vineyards, and its small surrounding villages when you're not working on the site.
You will be accommodated in individual tents, with sanitary facilities, a kitchen and a communal living room. A budget will be allocated to the leaders. Together, you will help to organise community life (cleaning, activities, etc.) and take turns preparing meals using locally sourced produce. Our aim is to encourage vegetarian eating using local, seasonal produce, while respecting participants' diets and discovering local cuisine together.
The meeting point is BORDEAUX ST JEAN SNCF station, Belcier exit, on August 5 in the late afternoon. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the route map, which will be sent out no later than 4 weeks before the start of the project. Several direct trains leave from PARIS gare Montparnasse for BORDEAUX ST JEAN. The journey takes approximately 2 hours. Train reservations can be made approximately 4 months before departure on the SNCF website, link below: https://www.sncf-connect.com/
Remember to take clothes and shoes for work that won't get dirty. For leisure activities, you'll need clothes suited to the climate (warm fleece or jumper, shorts and hiking trousers, windbreaker, down jacket, warm socks, etc.). Don't forget sun protection (a hat or cap is essential, sunglasses with high protection factor, sun cream with high protection factor IP 30-50, etc.) and a swimming costume for swimming or white-water activities. For accommodation, remember to bring a warm sleeping bag and a towel. You should also bring a rucksack (in addition to your luggage), comfortable trainers and a pair of flip-flops. You'll also need to pack these essential accessories: a mobile phone charger, a water bottle and a headlamp or torch. Social events will be organised in collaboration with our activity leaders and according to your wishes. In particular, we'll be organising themed evenings in each country. If you'd like to share a little of your culture (recipes, traditional stories, unusual objects, music, etc.), don't hesitate to take a little piece of your country/region in your rucksack.
Code:CONCF-3102
Where:ESCALQUENS
Number of volunteers:14
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
Come join one of the biggest solidarity movements in France, but also in the world! You will participate in an international workcamp of volunteers with the Emmaus community in Escalquens, near Toulouse, in the South West of France. 4 days a week, you will help and work with the companions and the volunteers of Emmaus to develop the economic, social and solidarity activity: upgrading waste, receiving and sorting donations, and re-selling second-hand objects. You will actively participate in the organization of the great clearance sale that will take place towards the end of august. You will also actively take part in the organization of the “La Grande Braderie”, a big second flea market event that could take place at the end of August. You will work approximately 30 hours per week. You will have three resting days to do activities and discover places around.
The solidarity movement of Emmaus was created in 1949. Emmaus supports a vision of the society in which the Human Being is the heart of the system, and where everyone finds his or her place. Emmaus is a solidarity movement. It develops original and uncommon solutions to fight against exclusion and defends values such as welcomeness, inclusivity and solidarity. Since 1971, Emmaus has taken part in an international network: Emmaus International, made up of groups located in 37 different countries. Emmaus Escalquens was founded in 1995, first, to welcome international volunteers. A community area was then quickly installed, in an old building overlooking fields. Today, more than 20 companions live on the site and develop solidarity activities. Emmaus is a recognized local influencer in the social and solidarity economy. The site of Escalquens is distinguished by its often-original gifts and products, such as those related to the field of vintage or retro! Come back again in a few years to see how much your work has done for the local community!
You will interact with young locals and decide together on what to do during your free time. Escalquens (6000 inhabitants) lies at the gates of the Laurageais area, nestled among sunflower-covered hills and small, charming houses. In this beautiful setting, you will find a bridge from 1772, a pink brick castle from 1568 and a 14th-century church. At the Cousquille crossroads, you will discover local shops and the Sunday market. During your days off, you can reach Toulouse in less than one hour by bus. Toulouse is a beautiful, innovative, cultural and dynamic student city famous for its rich heritage. In the surrounding area, you will also get to discover villages, castles, and wine estates, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site, “Canal des Deux Mers.”
The companions will welcome you to their community. To share the same living place with the companions means that you have to respect the community rules and adapt yourself to the modalities of the collective life. You will stay in individual tents on the site of Emmaus Escalquens. You will have access to bathrooms and showers. Washing machines and Wifi are available at the accommodation.
Foreigners from the European Union must bring their personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and all participants must bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise during the program, volunteers will need to cover all costs; they will be reimbursed upon their return to their home country.
The meeting point is scheduled at the ESCALQUENS Train Station at the end of the afternoon of the 7th of August. The exact meeting time will be given with the infosheet which will be sent at the latest 4 weeks before the start of the workcamp. From PARIS, you can take the train from Montparnasse train station to TOULOUSE Matabiau train station, regular departures are scheduled throughout the day (about every hour). The trip lasts for about 4.5 hours, once in TOULOUSE Matabiau train station, you will ride the regional train to ESCALQUENS train station for 15 minutes. For more information about trains: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/ If you are coming first by plane, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress free travel. If possible, please consider using low-carbon transportation (train and bus rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp.
Consider taking work clothes and shoes (waterproof if possible, in case of rain). Bring a warm sleeping bag and a good camping mat (for sleeping in the tent); nights can be chilly and humid. Tents will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Do not hesitate to bring activities from home, such as photos, games, musical instruments, food etc. This project needs a lot of motivation from the volunteers, and a well understanding of the mission. Feel free to contact us before the mission if you have any questions. Please note that it is forbidden to bring and drink alcohol in the community. The departure is set on the last day (28/08), usually in the morning.
Code:CONCF-4506
Where:Lamotte-Beuvron
Number of volunteers:14
Language:English
Extra-Fee:0
Age:18+
Take part in the renovation of the Sauldre canal basin, a natural and historical heritage in the heart of the Sologne, in Lamotte-Beuvron, about two hours from Paris. The basin was at the same time an harbourg and a manoeuvring area for barges carrying rock cargoes. The canal was built nearly two hundred years ago by Napoleon III and, although it is no longer navigable today, its towpath is popular with hikers, who are seduced by the peace and charm of the landscape. Located in the town centre, the basin and the esplanade around it are at the heart of a development project led by the town council. In the continuity of a workcamp organised last year, your mission will be to repair the stone riprap that composes the structure of the basin. You will need to remove the weed from the banks and fix the disjointed stones by using traditional masonry techniques. Some of the work will be performed from a floating platform. Even if the water is low in summer, it is essential to know how to swim to participate in this work.
The town of Lamotte-Beuvron has been working for years to rehabilitate the Sauldre canal. This is the fourth time that a work camp is organised here. Built on the orders of Napoleon III, the canal drains into the Lamotte-Beuvron's basin. Over a distance of 47 km, this canal was created to transport cargoes of marl, a sedimentary rock composed of limestone and clay, in the aim of being spread on the countryside to fertilise the soils of the Sologne. Abandoned almost a century ago, the canal has now become a tourist trail, located both on the equestrian route linking Chambord to Sancerre and on the Grande Randonnée trail no. 31, which is very popular with nature lovers.
Only two hours from the south of Paris, surrounded by woods and ponds which embellish the Sologne, the town of Lamotte-Beuvron is known as the home of the largest equestrian centre in Europe. It is appreciated for its gastronomy, especially for the famous apple dessert that was invented more than a century ago in an auberge in the town: the very tasty Tarte Tatin. You will undoubtedly have the opportunity to discover this sweet dessert while visiting the village in your free time. The city of Orléans, the regional capital of the area, is also easily accessible by public transport.
Your accommodation will be located about 20 minutes walk from the worksite. You will have your own tent, on the field of the stadium, close to the House of Sports, where you will have access to sanitary facilities, showers, as well as a kitchen and a common room where you will be able to have your meals or to shelter in case of bad weather. Remember to bring your mattress and sleeping bag. In collaboration with the animation team, you will participate in the shopping and cooking. Following an eco-friendly approach, you will be invited to use local and seasonal products. By the way, feel free to come with your own recipes, it's a great opportunity to share your history and culture with the group. A washing machine or a laundromat will be available (it is still recommended to bring 2 weeks of clothes). Wifi will be available in the town hall or by hotspot with the French volunteers and the animation team.
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues happen on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
The meeting point is set at the LAMOTTE-BEUVRON train station in the late afternoon. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the infosheet, sent 4 weeks before the camp starts. Please consider using low-carbon transportation (train or bus, rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp.
The work site will take place in a rural environment. For practical and ecological reasons, travel will be mainly on foot or by bicycle. Remember to bring gloves, clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor work. Don't forget to bring a sleeping bag, summer and rain clothes, as well as a swimming costume and toiletries.You can also use a pillowcase as a pillow by filling it. You can bring board games, a musical instrument or anything from your region/country that you want to share with the group, as well as a Bluetooth speaker. Please note that volunteers must be able to swim ! On the last day (23/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning.
Lunaria - Associazione di Promozione Sociale
Via Buonarroti 51, 00185 - ROMA
+39 06 88 41 880
+39 06 84 24 2 487
+39 06 88 41 859
CF 96192500583
P.Iva 06139821000
Lunaria ha ottenuto nel 2021 i label di organizzazione accreditata nell'ambito dei programmi Erasmus+ e Corpo Europeo di Solidarietà. E' stata premiata come Best Practice europea nel 2015 e nel 2017 per i progetti di Capacity Building con paesi partner. Né la Commissione Europea né le le sue Agenzie sono responsabili del contenuto del sito dell'associazione.