Bona Fides Association and Solidarites Jeunesses are looking for Polish participants for 5 short-term Team Volunteering WORKCAMPS in France! The workcamps are 2-3 weeks long and take part in various locations in France from April to November 2024!
Place: various locations in France
Dates: various dates
Duration: 2-3 weeks
ESC WORKCAMPS
These workcamps are funded by the European Solidarity Corps. They are open to 18 to 30-year-old volunteers coming from EU and partner neighbouring countries that fit the ESC criteria.
We have 2 ongoing volunteering teams in high priority area projects:
HEAL (Promoting HEALthy lifestyles to improve mental health and well-being), which aims to promote and experiment community living and healthy lifestyles in a post-Covid context.
REBUILD (Relief and Mental Health to achieve Peacebuilding) which aims to develop prevention, promotion, and support activities in the field of health, especially mental health and well-being, by offering workshops to participants and opening them to the local population in order to encourage social and cultural interactions.
There is no registration fee. Transport costs will be reimbursed up to a lumpsum fixed according to the travelled distance. Pocket money of €6 per day will be distributed.
ESC WORCAMPS FOR THE 2024 SEASON
REBUILD THE CAMP (1 place left)
Dates: 24.07.2024 – 07.08.2024
Location: Mont- Lozère
PROJECT
In the spring of 2022, the REV association settled into a former holiday camp in the heart of the Cévennes, at the foot of Mont-Lozère, with the aim of turning it into a place of welcome, exchange and encounter. This workcamp will be part of the project to transform the colony into a living space. With your work in building wooden and stone elements, you will help transform the site into a pleasant place where international volunteers, workcamp volunteers, visitors, locals and others can meet.
WORK
You’ll be working with the REV team on landscaping and restoring part of the colony. More specifically, you’ll be creating shade areas on the site, with constructions made of wood and branches. You’ll also carry out minor masonry work where necessary. 25h/week.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
The workcamp will take place in a particularly isolated area, where you will be accommodated on the REV site in individual tents (remember to bring your sleeping bag). You will have access to sanitary facilities close to the camp. What’s more, if weather conditions deteriorate too much for camping, a shelter a few meters away will be available. Meals will be provided and prepared in turn by participants.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Far from the French metropolises, Lozère is nonetheless a very dynamic region. The region’s activities revolve around local festivities, concerts and unspoilt natural areas (mountains, rivers, forests)
UNDER THE GREENHOUSE (1 place left)
Dates: 05.08.2024 – 25.08.2024
Location: Montcombroux les Mines
PROJECT
Come and join our cosmopolitan team who have made the Prureaux estate their home, coming from all around the globe to live as a collective. Our ambitious and exciting project is to restore and maintain the jewel at the heart of the estate: the Château des Prureaux! Join us on this adventure! The environmental centre of our estate includes a farm, a vegetable garden, an orchard and a garden. Through these areas, we are experimenting with the principles of permaculture, with the aim of transforming the estate into a harmonious, productive and self-sufficient ecosystem, naturally regenerated and respectful of the nature and all its inhabitants. Together with you, we are preparing to build a greenhouse and collect rainwater to improve the management of the plantation.
WORK
This year, we’ll be building a greenhouse using as many recycled materials as possible. Measuring around 2.5m high by 5m long and 2m wide, we’ll be using our know-how and creativity to build this beautiful shelter in an environmentally-friendly way. We’ll be recycling wood and barnum that couldn’t withstand the wind, as well as other reusable materials! Sorting out the different materials, cutting, adapting and carrying will be the order of the day. Heavy loads and a fair amount of handling are to be expected.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
You will be staying at the Le Créneau campsite, in shared tents (6-8 people per tent) with wooden floors and beds. WiFi is not available on site. Food will be provided and prepared in the castle’s kitchen by the participants in groups.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Afternoons and weekends are planned collectively with the group leaders. If you want to discover the cities around, Vichy and Moulins are 45 kms away. If you’d rather have a nice walk in nature, the surroundings are perfect for hiking, landscape seeing, discovering local markets, swimming, and enjoying sports activities and games.
TIMBER RECYCLING
Dates: 11.09.2024 – 27.09.2024
Location: Penne
PROJECT
Since 2002, the Citrus association has been organizing international workcamps in the Tarn-et- Garonne region. Every year, dozens of volunteers from all over the world take part in a public-interest workcamp in the heart of a village. This year,in the charming Tarn village of Penne, known as an eagle’s nest, volunteers from all over the world will be taking part in a collective public interest project, bringing Solidarités Jeunesses’ values of sharing, encounter and interculturality to life!
WORK
As part of this project, you’ll have the opportunity to keep the “Ressourcerie” project going. Born in 2018 from the will of the commune’s inhabitants, its aim is to recycle parts destined for the garbage dump and thus give them a second life. The Ressourcerie now needs more space for its objects. To do this, under the watchful eye of the technical supervisor, you’ll build an annex to the Ressourcerie chalet. How will you do it? Start by building a hiker’s shelter from the wood stored inside. This wood will be used to build the cottage annex, which you can then cover with salvaged tiles. In addition to the main activity of the two-week workcamp, small-scale brush-clearing projects can be undertaken in the commune. The aim is to make the paths that surround the village safe, pleasant, and practicable. Throughout your stay, you’ll have the chance to meet the young people of the Ici Hospitalité Migrants collective and share in their morning workcamps.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
You will be lodged in a dormitory in a community hall in the immediate vicinity of the work site. Mattresses will be provided, so all you need to bring is your sleeping bag. A shower and toilet are on site, and a kitchen and living area will be available nearby. There will be no washing machine available. Every day, a team of volunteers will cook meals for the whole group, based on menus chosen collectively by you. Particular attention will be paid to seasonal and local produce. Special dietary requirements can be discussed with the group leaders.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
At the edge of the Tarn region, you’ll enjoy a wide range of leisure activities. Visit medieval villages go hiking, etc.During certain activities, you’ll meet the locals and share the experience with them! In the evenings and at weekends, let your imagination run wild and organize evening parties with games, a folk ball and live music. Finally, what better way to share your country’s culinary specialties with locals and visitors than by organizing a large international meal, open to all?
LA VIE EN…GREEN
Dates: 19.10.2024 – 02.11.2024
Location: Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
PROJECT
Since 2002, the Citrus association has been organizing international workcamps in the Tarn-et-Garonne region. Every year, dozens of volunteers from all over the world take part in a public-interest workcamp in the heart of a village. This year, volunteers from all over the world will come to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, a medieval town recognized as one of France’s favorite villages, to take part in a collective project of public interest, bringing Solidarités Jeunesses’ values of sharing, meeting and interculturality to life!
WORK
If Edith Piaf sang the famous “vie en rose”,in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val it changes color to become greener, thanks to your work! Under the watchful eye of a technical supervisor, you will plant a public square in the heart of the village. This small village will then be able to enjoy greener, more pleasant spaces for strolling. A real landscaping job awaits you to redevelop these spaces! And that’s without counting on the dynamism of the local teenagers, who will be on hand on certain mornings to help you with the project. Tempted by the experience? Come and enjoy two weeks of work in this charming village.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
You will be lodged in a dormitory in a community hall in the immediate vicinity of the work site. Mattresses will be provided, so all you need to bring is your sleeping bag. A shower and toilet are on site, and a kitchen and living area will be available nearby. There will be no washing machine available. Every day, a team of volunteers will cook meals for the whole group, according to menus chosen collectively by you. Particular attention will be paid to seasonal and local produce. Special dietary requirements can be discussed with the group leaders.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
On the edge of the Tarn-et-Garonne region, you’ll enjoy a wide range of leisure activities.Visit medieval villages, go hiking, etc. For some activities, you’ll even get to meet the locals and share the experience with them! In the evenings and at weekends, let your imagination run wild and organize evening parties with games, a folk ball and live music. Finally, what better way to share your country’s culinary specialties with locals and visitors than by organizing a large international meal, open to all?
AROUND THE TABLE
Dates: 20.10.2024 – 02.11.2024
Location: Golfech
PROJECT
Since 2002, the Citrus association has been organizing international workcamps in the Tarn-et-Garonne region. Every year, dozens of volunteers from all over the world take part in a public-interest workcamp in the heart of a village. This year, volunteers from all over the world will be coming to Golfech to take part in a collective project of public interest, bringing Solidarités Jeunesses’ values of sharing, meeting and interculturality to life!
WORK
As part of this project, you’ll be helping to enhance a green space at the heart of the local recreation area. To do this, you’ll create small street furniture using ecological and sustainable materials. Under the watchful eye of the technical supervisor, you’ll build and decorate benches, chairs, tables and other elements that will make this area a place where young people from the Golfech teen club can relax and meet. Over the two weeks, you’ll have the chance to talk to these local young people, who will be taking part in the project from time to time, and who will be working with other local residents to help you discover the area.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
You will be lodged in a dormitory in a community hall in the immediate vicinity of the work site. Mattresses will be provided, so all you need to bring is your sleeping bag. A shower and toilet are on site, and a kitchen and living area will be available nearby. There will be no washing machine available. Every day, a team of volunteers will cook meals for the whole group, according to menus chosen collectively by you. Particular attention will be paid to seasonal and local produce. Special dietary requirements can be discussed with the group leaders.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
On the edge of the Tarn-et-Garonne region, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the region has to offer: swimming, visits to medieval villages (Lauzerte, Aurillac, etc.), hiking, etc. Accompanied by two educational animators, you’ll meet the locals and share this experience with them! In the evenings and at weekends, let your imagination run wild and organize a barbecue, a karaoke night, a folk ball, etc. Finally, you can organize a large international meal, open to all, to share your cultural specialities with locals and visitors.
APPLICATION
Send your CV and motivation letter (in English) to mariachiara@bonafides.pl and anna@bonafides.pl to apply for any of the projects or contact us for further information! Write ESC WORKCAMPS in France in the title of your e-mail.