• Zero Hunger
  • Life On Land

Ecovillage - One with Nature

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Very Good 4.3  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Disconect from the daily routine and experience the Icelandic Nature
  • Volunteer alongside participants from all around the world
  • Wok in the first Eco village in Iceland!

Highlights

  • Disconect from the daily routine and experience the Icelandic Nature
  • Volunteer alongside participants from all around the world
  • Wok in the first Eco village in Iceland!
  • Join in the Golden Circle excursion and discover waterfalls, national parks, and Geysirs
  • Either work at the forest planting trees and taking care of them or give a hand at the greenhouses and practice organic agriculture

    • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Volunteers at the one and only Ecovillage in the South of Iceland. You will have the opportunity to do forestry work, organic agriculture, and workshops.

    Project Location:
    Sólheimar, Iceland‘s first and only eco-village, is located in southwest Iceland, 80 kilometers long (50 miles) east of Reykjavík. Founded in 1930 by a young visionary named Sesselja Sigmundsdóttir (1902-1974), the place has become reputable for its innovation and its ...

    About the program

    Project Location:
    Sólheimar, Iceland‘s first and only eco-village, is located in southwest Iceland, 80 kilometers long (50 miles) east of Reykjavík. Founded in 1930 by a young visionary named Sesselja Sigmundsdóttir (1902-1974), the place has become reputable for its innovation and its ecological concept, attracting visitors and volunteers from all over the world. It is a community where people with or without special needs live and work together. Sólheimar is a pioneer of practicing organic farming. In Sólheimar there is an organically certified greenhouse, forestry, and arboretum. Other environmental-friendly projects in Sólheimar include geothermal energy and recycling. 
    About the Ecovillage:
    The heart of the Sólheimar ideology is to give all individuals a fair chance and to maximize their potential. By focusing on individuals' possibility instead of their limitations, Sólheimar aims to create a space for each resident to take every opportunity that arises for each person to grow and develop. Versatility is the strength of Sólheimar so people with special needs that reside here will always be the center of the community. This works through the idea of reverse integration: those without special needs adapt to the abilities of those who do, and they can work together to make their community one of an equal and sustainable one. The foundation of the ideology of Sólheimar derives from the visions and lifework of Sesselja herself.  The eco-village is located in the countryside with no public transportation in the area.  

    Work:
    The main work in this camp will be with the forestry called Ölur and also in the greenhouses which are called Sunna. Volunteers will be working in the greenhouses planting and harvesting vegetables, doing weed control and sometimes you will also be gardening. The work might involve work around the property painting or fixing things. During the winter volunteers will also have to help remove snow and keep the walk paths clear for the residents. Working hours are 09.00 to 16.00 with one hour break for lunch and there are some coffee breaks as well. Our work will depend on weather conditions, which is why we must be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, as they say: if you don’t like the Icelandic weather, just wait 5 minutes it might change. 

    Our work will depend on the needs of the local community and the season. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges. Working hours are on average 5-6 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

    Camp Leaders:
    There are always one or more leaders for each camp, depending on the size of the group. Leaders represent the link between the hosting community, WF, and the group of volunteers. They coordinate the work, organize leisurely activities and plan excursions, shopping, and cooking sessions. Apart from these additional responsibilities, they are equal to other volunteers. Most of our camp leaders are from other countries, as we are very open-minded in hosting international leaders from other organizations. All our leaders start their program with one week of training. 

    During the Camp:
    You will all participate in the elaboration of a Week Schedule, dividing the tasks equally between all the volunteers and camp leaders, which will include: Cooking, Cleaning, Work, and Free time. Breakfast is free, which means volunteers will cook their own. For Lunch, you get to eat in the Eco-village Cafeteria and for Dinner you will cook in pairs, depending on the total amount as well for the cleaning afterward. 

    Remember as you will be spending time with people from different backgrounds/cultures sometimes it will be difficult to adjust to different ways than yours. To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in any social interaction, you should maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open-minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts. Understanding different cultures is not only critical, but it also promotes ample coexistence. 

    Last Day:
    Before you depart on the last day, all the camp will have a general house cleaning. You will all make sure that you don’t leave any rubbish behind. it is always nice to leave the house cleaner than the way you found it! We recommend packing lunch for your day trip. Make sure you leave your room clean & tidy. Please remember to change your bedsheets. Please make sure you have completed your Evaluation Form. Ask your camp leader for the link. Make sure you have packed all of your belongings! You will be picked up in the afternoon. 

    What to pack?

    • Hiking boots 

    • Work gloves

    • Water bottle

    • Warm sleeping bag (we only provide bed sheets)

    • Towel

    • Swimsuit (to take advantage of the traditional swimming pools and hot springs)

    • Warm and waterproof clothes/shoes (you will spend a considerable time outdoors)

    • Snow gear (depending on the season)

    • Work clothes (Clothes you don't mind getting dirty)

    • Slippers/shoes for indoors, we don’t bring shoes inside the houses!

    • Raincoat

    • Pillow

    • Medication

    • Food, photos, or anything interesting related to your country for Intercultural Nights

    • Cash (ISK or Euros) for camp fees and excursions as we do not accept credit card payments on the spot.

    • Luggage allowance: 1 large suitcase and a small carry-on

    Typical day

    • 8:00 Breakfast & Getting ready
    • 9:00-12:00 Work (with a coffee break)
    • 12:00 to 13:00 Lunch 
    • 13:00-16:00 Work (with a coffee break)
    • 16:00 to 18:00 Free time
    • 18:00 Workshop
    • 19:00 Dinner
    • 20:00 Movie Night

    Typical day

    • 8:00 Breakfast & Getting ready
    • 9:00-12:00 Work (with a coffee break)
    • 12:00 to 13:00 Lunch 
    • 13:00-16:00 Work (with a coffee break)
    • 16:00 to 18:00 Free time
    • 18:00 Workshop
    • 19:00 Dinner
    • 20:00 Movie Night

    Free-time activities

    Excursions:
    WF Iceland will organize reasonably-priced weekend or one-day excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, ...

    Free-time activities

    Excursions:
    WF Iceland will organize reasonably-priced weekend or one-day excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam vents, or even icebergs; 
    • Golden Circle (Included in the camp fee)
    • South Coast (80 euros)
    The area around the house is also great for hiking. Plan ahead, share your travel plans, stay on the trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, and do not approach or feed wildlife. You should not go for high or steep mountains without a professional guide. 

    Please note there is no public transportation in the area!

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    CV and ID

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Volunteers must be able to do physical work.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Worldwide Friends

    Th

    e fees include:

    • Transportation from the meeting point to the project location and back
    • Golden Circle tour
    • Housing
    • All the meals
    • Volunteering activities

    WF Cancellation fees & charges

    As we start to incur costs from the time the contract is confirmed we will apply cancellation charges as shown below from the time when written notification of the cancellation is received:

    • With a notice of more than 30th days, the cancellation will be free of charge.
    • With a notice between 30th – 14th days, 50% of the total fee will be charged.
    • With a notice of less than 14th days, 100% of the total fee will be charged.
    • Any expenses that may occur due to early departure will be covered by the participant and not WF, no refund shall be given.


    Code of Conduct

    In order to have adequate conduct during the program, the following points are established that must be complied with without exception.


    • WF is committed to ensuring an environment that is free of discrimination and to fostering a climate in which all participants can have an exceptional experience.
    • Clothing. Appropriate footwear and suitable outdoor clothing must be worn. We reserve the right to refuse participation to participants who are dressed inappropriately or with inappropriate footwear since this will put the participant’s well-being and safety at risk.
    • Non-prescription Drugs. We reserve the right to terminate the program to participants we believe are under the influence of drugs, in such circumstances, no refund shall be given.
    • WF reserves the right to refuse participation and to cancel the stay to any participant whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offense, upset, or put other participants in danger. Any expenses that may occur due to early departure will be covered by the participant and not WF.

    Accommodation


    The house is across the village and is shared with the local workers. WF has allocated 4 double rooms with private bathrooms. The house has;

    • Laundry room
    • Kitchen
    • Living room
    • Dining room

    Please Note there is no Public Transportation in the area!

    Food & Beverages

    Food is included for the duration of the work camp; however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. 

    We provide a well-balanced and healthy variety of food products that includes a wide variety of whole grains, seasonal fruits & vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, and vegetarian/vegan options. We try to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet by cutting down our meat intake and we usually encourage volunteers to try more sustainable dishes. 


    Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorite recipes or ingredients from home!

    *Breakfast is individual activity

    *Lunch is served at the cafeteria

    *Dinner is prepared by the group

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Keflavik International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik. We assist you to find cheap flights to Iceland. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Iceland provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Iceland you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Iceland. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    The first day of the camp is Arrival Day and the last day of the camp is Departure Day


    Arrival 

    Participants will be picked up at the City Hall of Reykjavik in Tjarnargata 11, 101 Reykjavik at 09:00 am (Main entrance) on the first day of the camp. 

    Departure

    Drop off will be on the evening of the last day of the program at BSI Bus Station. You will arrive no sooner than 18:00. The time may vary due to adverse weather conditions and other related conditions. 

    Note: the night of the last day of the camp is NOT included. Keep in mind that you need to arrange for your stay in Iceland before and after the work camp. We strongly recommend arriving in Iceland at least one day before the first day of the camp and departing no earlier than one day after the last day of the program.

    Please note there is NO public transportation in the area!


    2024 Start Dates
    From Monday to Monday, every 4 weeks; 

    • 04.03
    • 01.04
    • 29.04
    • 27.05
    • 24.06
    • 22.07
    • 19.08
    • 16.09
    • 14.10
    • 11.11
    • 09.12
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,500€
    6 weeks 2,250€
    8 weeks 3,000€
    10 weeks 3,750€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 4,320€
    Average fees 367€/week

    Program fees

    367€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Worldwide Friends during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    Meet your organization

    Worldwide Friends

    Very Good 4.3 rating (65 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2001

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Victoria

    Spoken languages: Spanish, English

    About the project

    We are an environmental organization that focuses on 2 weeks workcamps or medium to long volunteering programs. Our main topics are climate change and sustainability.

    Meet your organization

    - Who are we?

    Worldwide Friends (WF) was founded in 2001 as a non-governmental, nonprofit organization. Our aim is to promote nature and peace-oriented activities among people interested in spending time in Iceland as volunteers. 
    The staff of WF consists of 5 members: 
    • Our director and founder - Toti Ivarsson.
    • 4 project managers: Valentina, Steini, Bjarki, and Sebastian.
    Alongside the staff members, we have long-term volunteers that are crucial for our programs.
    - What we do:
    The main activities offered by WF Iceland are workcamps, exchange programs, and educational seminars. Our activities are suitable for anyone interested in discovering an exotic and safe destination. WF also sends Icelanders abroad who wish to have similar volunteering experiences elsewhere in the world. Our programs are a mixture of volunteering, excursions, cultural exchanges,  environmental work, and environmental education.
    - Where we work:
    Worldwide Friends is located in one of the safest countries in the world, the land of Ice and Fire, Iceland. We work all over the country but mostly in the east and west of Iceland where we have our two main centers. We try to have a balance between outdoor work and indoor work but most of the time it depends on the weather.
    - Our mission/vision:
    • Promoting peace and friendship
    • Promoting intercultural education and awareness
    • Preserving Icelandic nature and raising awareness about environmental issues
    • Promoting voluntary work and a culture of volunteering
    - Our goal:
    To be able one day to live in a sustainable society that respects and protects the environment.
    - Who are we looking for?
    The biggest requirement that we have is that our volunteers must be interested in the environment. If you like to work outdoors, explore exotic locations, discover unspoiled nature, have a cultural exchange with volunteers from different countries, and improve your environmental knowledge then we are looking for you!
    - Why choose us?
    When you choose us, you are making the decision to volunteer with one of the biggest and more experienced organizations in Iceland. We have hosted thousands of volunteers in all these years, which grants us the opportunity to offer you the best experience possible. 

    65 reviews · rating4.3

    KEIGO MATSUMOTO rating5

    2024 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    This was the first time I join the volunteer group for me, as this was also the first time I join the group with speaking English. So, I had some concern like my English skills or cultural differences. Members except for me were all European and I was only Asian. However, all members were kind and I ...
    Jakub Wituch rating4.8

    2024 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    I participated in the Aurora Hunting & Renovation program, but for a few days, I also tried working with the Art of Recycle program, and I can really recommend these programs. Very cool approach to volunteers, pleasant and relatively diverse work, great camp leader staff (Kai, Isa, Ramona, René, ...
    Eleas MAMDANE-BOUMAZLAG rating4.4

    2024 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    Solheimar, an eco-village in Iceland, offers a unique experience for volunteers looking to connect with nature while contributing to a sustainable community. Living in a house full of volunteers creates a rich social dynamic, where meals, laughter, and collective work moments are shared. Daily life ...
    Leah Di Salvo rating4.4

    2024 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    I worked at Sunna the greenhouse in Sólheimar. Four weeks may seem long but it’s the perfect amount of time to adjust into a new routine. You learn to love the work and of course learn lots more while there. It was a little bumpy at first but overall I enjoyed my stay. I do agree with another ...
    Daniel Marco Torrente rating4.2

    2024 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    Overall, I'd say I've had a really great camp, as camp leaders and other volunteers were nice people. I found the organisation a bit chaotic, but I had fun during the volunteering ...
    Alban Carpentiers rating4.8

    2023 at Ecovillage - One with Nature

    I was in Iceland for 2 months. I was working in a green house in Solheimar.I was sleeping in a nice house with 8 others people, the house was really nice and we hade enough place for each other. the room wasn't so big but at least it was with private bathroom and that's really good. The first month ...

    Location

    Europe > Northern Europe > Iceland > Suðurnesjabær

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    Contact Victoria
      Very high response rate
    Spanish, English

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