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Volunteer opportunities in SPAIN

 

Monitoring the state of the coastal fauna and recovering old rural paths at Creus Cape
                    La Selva del Mar          June 25 - July 9, 2009

Volunteer project: This project will take place at the Natural Park of Cap de Creus (Creus Cape). One of the most interesting aspects of the cape is its geological formation, which is easily visible as the majority of the cape consists of bare rocks. There are a large number of prehistoric dolmens (the one at la Creu d'en Corbatella, at Roses, is particularly well-known). Submerged in the sea, there is also valuable archaeological legacy of ship wrecks from the period of the Roman Empire.

In cooperation with the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, the volunteer work consists of monitoring the state of the coastal fauna, as well as recovering of old rural paths in the area, picking up rubbish from several beaches in the area, spreading awareness about environmental respect among the beach users, marking the routes of prehistoric heritage (dolmen) in the area.

Language: English

Free time activities: There will be organized trips around the Natural Park of the Cape Creus (including sleeping in bivouac). Soirees, group activities and games to promote cooperation and solidarity will also be part of the scheduled activities. Furthermore, there will be a visit to the beautiful fishermen's village of Cadaquès.

Accommodation: In tents at the camp site; kitchen and bathrooms with hot showers available.

Location: Selva de Mar (Alt Empordà), Girona, Costa Brava. The village Selva de Mar is a special jewel in Costa Brava, only about 2 km from Port de la Selva. Off of the peak season, particularly in the week, it may happen, that one is in fact still the only tourist here. Despite the boom of the tourism, Selva de Mar conserved more or less its identity. During the main season and at the weekends however, a grand number of holiday visitors live here. A lot of them are of village origin and have renovated the houses of the village respectfully.
If you feel a romantic vein in yourself, you should not neglect the opportunity to explore the corners of Selva de Mar.

Nearest airport: Girona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 



 

Recovery of high mountain meadows at Esterri de Cardos
       Esterri de Cardós          July 1 - July 15, 2009

Volunteer project: Envall Fosca is a group of young people trying to give an alternative to the devastating model of abandoning, destroying and creating massive tourist complexes in the natural environments. This project wants to recover the grassland of Esterri de Cardós to guarantee to next generations the agrarian economy.

The tasks in the project consist of: recovery of grasslands, cleaning and reconstruction of the dry-stone wall to introduce cattle. The volunteers will work during the morning and in the afternoon they will take part in other activities such as workshops, trips... Work might be hard in parts. This project will take place in a little village, in an isolate and rural zone.

Language: English

Free time activities: Group dynamics, engaging in dialogue, self-management, night meetings, some workshops of traditional crafts, games, dances, cultural visits.

Accommodation: In tents, in an area near the town.

Location: Esterri de Cardós

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Organizing an International Meeting on Youth and Rural life and restoration of local patrimony
                    Oden          July 12 - July 31, 2009

Volunteer project: This project has an educational and social topic. The project will consist in preparing an International Meeting about the youth life in rural areas. The volunteer group will be also doing some renovations of a Salt Mine, patrimony of the area. The idea about the Conference on Youth in the rural areas was born as a result of experiences learnt at different international projects and the inexistence of a rural international meeting for youth. This year's theme of the Conference is about new technologies and rural word.

The activities consist of preparing the material, doing the setting and logistics in order to prepare the International Meeting on Youth and Rural life that is to be held at Cambrils. Moreover, the volunteers will realize tasks concerning awareness towards rurality and youth. The group will also help in the restoration of the Salt mine - a local patrimony site.

Language: English

Free time activities: Trips to Pont del Clop and visiting Solsona market, trekking, bivouac, traditional dances.

Accommodation: In tents, at the camping of Cambrils. All services provided.

Location: Cambrils (Odèn), a little village next to Solsona, in the heart of Catalunya.

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 



 

Help transform a medieval monastery into a youth meeting place
                    El Morell         July 14 - July 27, 2009

Volunteer project: This project will take place in Granja dels Frares ("Friar's Farm). This building was made to lodge the workers of the "Santes Creus" monastery during medieval ages. The municipality wants to regain this building and to convert it into a youth meeting place.

Volunteers will clean the surroundings of the farm and will renovate the archaeological site. Another task is to put sign posts along the routes that lead to the farm, in order to help people to access the place easily. It would also be necessary to sign post trekking itineraries that have the farm as a point of departure.

Language: English

Free time activities: Visits to Tarragona, el Morell, bicycle excursions.

Accommodation: In a chapel near the project site. Shared rooms with mattresses. The camp is at 2 km from the city centre of Morell.

Location: El Morell, village in the region of Tarragona

Nearest airport: Barcelona or Reus

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environmental conservation work in the delta of the Llobregat river
                    El Prat de Llobregat          July 15 - July 29, 2009

Volunteer project: This is the fourth year working on this project. We will collaborate with the Cooperative of Natural Delta Environment in order to monitor the state of fauna and flora, as well as arrange new rural paths in the area. A new focus this year will be some environmental work in the nearby mountain. The project will also promote the knowledge of social and environmental aspects of the Llobregat’s Delta. It will also be possible to do bird watching.

The tasks of the volunteer group will be:
- Path maintenance and establishing several new routes along the river Llobregat.
- Environmental research about aquatic ecosystems in several sections of the river Llobregat.
- Participating in the maintenance and conservation of several natural areas, such as the Remolar Area and Litoral Forest.
- Raising awareness among local youngsters, so they can get familiar with the surrounding area.

Language: English

Free time activities: Walking around the Natural Park of Montserrat. Group activities and games to promote cooperation and solidarity and to get to know Barcelona. Nature discovery of the Llobregat River. Prat’s Beach.

Accommodation: In the Centre Esplai youth hostel, a fully equipped centre.

Location: El Prat de Llobregat, a town near Barcelona.

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 



Sights of Madrid
 

Restoration and archeological activities at the medieval castle in Algerri
                    Algerri          July 17 - July 31, 2009

Volunteer project: It's been many years since international volunteer groups are collaborating with the village of Algerri to improve its particular heritage. This year, the aim of the volunteer project will be restoration of the medieval castle in Algerri.

The volunteers will help conditioning the area of the castle, and will do some renovation and archeological work (recollecting, cleaning and identification).

Language: English

Free time activities: Workshops on recycling paper, metals, popular games and dances, cultural visits, 2-day excursion. This year there will be five excursions.

Accommodation: In a big room of the social center with mattresses, next to the local swimming pool.

Location: Algerri (Lleida), in a rural area of Catalunya. Its inhabitants are called "algerrians". It is located at the Noguera Baixa region. This region occupies a large extension of light ground, closed to the North by the Pyrinees. The area is crossed by the Segre River.
It seems like this place had been created in order to delight the foot walking lovers, due to its nature and beauty.

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Artistic workshops in Tarragona
       Tarragona          July 19 - July 31, 2009

Volunteer project: This project is an international event in which volunteers from different countries will participate in order to develop an artistic project. The project will also promote the knowledge of social and cultural aspects of Tarragona. In the project, the volunteers will participate in artistic workshops: music, audiovisual, dance, theatre... These workshops revolve around the same thread, "sights". At the end, with the conclusions of the workshops, the volunteers will create a final show.

The volunteers will be divided into three groups (music, painting, theatre), depending on their artistic preferences, and they will work separately. They will create a final show. The activities will  be run in collaboration with the local community.

Special requirements: Bring your musical instruments if you want to take part in the music group. The participants should have some artistic knowledge and motivation to learn. Motivation letter is needed.

Language: English

Free time activities: Cultural visits to Tarragona and Tortosa, international evening dinner, jam sessions, traditional dinner in Tarragona "sardinada", trip to the beaches of Tarragona, workshops.

Accommodation: The Public School of Tarragona.

Location: Tarragona

Nearest airport: Barcelona or Reus

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 



 

Preserving the rural life and traditions in Catalonia
       Pujalt          July 19 - August 2, 2009

Volunteer project: Minyons Escoltes i Guies Sant Jordi are a Catalan scout movement which works in non-formal education with youngsters and children. This is a rural and traditional life project, learning the importance of the traditional life like the one of old generations. The rural territory collects much of this lifestyle, and it is very important to restore and preserve traditions and sustainable ways.

The volunteers will work in different villages of the region: renovating the area, cleaning, path maintenance and establishing the route. Work might be hard in parts.

Language: English

Free time activities: Many different types of workshops: recycling, construction of a furnace, bread and cheese making; sports, swimming pool, traditional games, dances, songs, excursion during the weekend.

Accommodation: Wooden shelter with beds, bathrooms, kitchen and swimming pool.

Location: Pujalt

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Environmental maintenance of green areas in Valles Oriental
       Cardedeu          July 31 - August 11, 2009

Volunteer project: Casal de Joves de Cardedeu ("Youth Club of Cardedeu") is a local youth association of the town of Cardedeu, set between the region of Oriental Vallès and Montseny, a very famous Catalonian mountainous area rich in environmental sites. The young people in the Casal are very participative in the life of the town, and are making their third experience with an international volunteer project after the successful first year.
The aims of the project are: working together with youngsters from others countries, getting to know Catalunya and its culture, making a useful contribution for the community and the environment.

Volunteers will support different projects:
- improving the quality of the river surroundings;
- work at an ecological vegetable garden;
- marking trees, etc.

Special requirements: It is compulsory for all the people participating in the project to be able to ride a bike. It is also desirable to be in good physical condition since during one weekend we plan to make a small excursion.

Language: English

Free time activities: Cultural visits to Barcelona and a weekend excursion in "Costa Brava". Also beach, workshops, discussions, games.

Accommodation: In the Millenari School

Location: Cardedeu, region of Vallès Oriental at the foot of Montseny.

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 23 years old
 

 

Rehabilitation of social housing residences in Barcelona
       Barcelona          August 1 - August 14, 2009

Volunteer project: The District of Ciutat Vella (The old city) is, as the name indicates, the oldest quarter in Barcelona and one of the most damaged. The population - approx. 100.000 inhabitants - faces generally low education level and low income with a high percentage of unemployment which contributes to increased level of poverty and exclusion. In recent years, Ciutat Vella has also increased heavily its number of foreigners, single parents and elders. In this socio economic context, 60% of the residences in the quarter need some kind of rehabilitation.

The project consists in restoring several housings in the district of Ciutat Vella in Barcelona.

Special requirements: Motivation letter is needed. This is not "party Barcelona". You come to collaborate to a serious project.

Language: English

Free time activities: Tours and visits at the artistic and cultural heritage of Barcelona.

Accommodation: In an educational centre in Ciutat Vella District.

Location: Barcelona

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 



View of Barcelona

 

Restoration of streets and public spaces affected by the Spanish civil war
                    Miravet          August 1 - August 14, 2009

Volunteer project: Miravet was the scene of important battles during the Spanish civil war. There are still parts of the town which were never recovered. We take this initial point to make a reflection of the meaning of a Civil War, in particular the Spanish one.

The international volunteers will take part in the restoration of streets and public spaces affected by the war; study sessions on the effects of the war, prevention,...

Language: English

Free time activities: Activities related to the history and the historical memories of the civil war, and visiting the culture and heritage points of the region.

Accommodation: In a youth hostel. All services provided.

Location: Miravet

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Restoration and environmental awareness activities in fire devastated areas of Central Catalonia
                    Pinos          August 12 - August 31, 2009

Volunteer project: After the devastating fire in Central Catalonia and Solsonès in 1998, a great damage was caused. This educational environmental project was born in order to restore the area affected by the fire and spread awareness about care of the local environment.

Volunteers' tasks are:
• Renovation of an antique path used to carry salt from the mine
• Making discovery trips around El Solsonès.
• Participation in informative meetings.
• Research on the actual and future perspectives of the rural dimension.

Language: English

Free time activities: Excursions and hiking around the region. Multicultural lunch with locals.

Accommodation: Pinós Sanctuary. All services provided.

Location: Pinós

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

Restoration of The Three Hills historic site in Barcelona
       Barcelona          August 16 - August 29, 2009

Volunteer project: In the 1930s, Barcelona was one of the scenes of the Spanish Civil War. The fact that the city was under attack turned it into a city with anti-aircraft batteries and anti-aircraft bunkers. Most of these batteries and shelters were buried underneath buildings and forgotten. Fundació Escoltes Josep Carol is one among other associations that are making an effort to find and rehabilitate the bunkers in order to recover the historical memory of the city. Some of these bunkers are placed in the “Parc dels Tres Turons” (The Park of the Three Hills), a strategic elevated location from where you can get a good view over the city.

The volunteers will be involved in cleaning and renovating the area with the aim that in few years time the installation of a museum can begin. The museum is going to tell the story of the Spanish civil war with the bunkers at The Three Hills as a point of departure.

Special requirements: Motivation letter required. Please, make sure you send your application with a motivation letter, specific for this project.

Language: English

Free time activities: Activities related to the history and the historical memories of the Civil War: visits to museums, film projections and visiting important sites of Barcelona linked to its recent history, etc.

Accommodation: At the Pirineus School. The school has dorms, kitchen and dining room, and showers.

Location: Barcelona

Nearest airport: Barcelona

Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

 

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