The municipality of Odemira is characterized by immense landscape diversity, extending between the plain, the mountains and the sea, in a total of 1720.25 km2, to which the Mira river and the Santa Clara dam give a special color. In area, this is the largest municipality in the whole country. Odemira has an economy based on the primary sector, the manufacturing industry is practically nonexistent. The population density is 14.9 inhabitants / km2, with a total population of around 26 thousand people (2011 census). The municipality is a local authority that defines itself as a territorial legal person endowed with representative bodies (the Chamber and the Municipal Assembly) that seek to pursue the interests of the respective populations. The Municipality of Odemira, defined as a priority the reinforcement of its work and intervention in the area of youth policies. Projects are implemented to gather and structure a set of dimensions that answer to the specific needs and aspirations of Youth. The “Odemira Acredita em Ti” project, which aims at participation mechanisms, seeking to narrow the space between the Municipality and young people . We start working this specific área, since 2015, and in the field of international mobility we already promote 3 erasmus+ Youth in action projects, “2015-16-Odemira na Europa”, “2017-18-Odemira na Europa-Creating Opportunities”, “2018-19-Odemira na Europa-Há presente e há futuro aqui”, and participate as partners in the Youth Exchange “Exchanging Hobbies”, promoted by the finish partner, and with the participation of young people from, finland, Iceland, and Ireland. We also are Eurodesk Multipliers, and we are proud member of the portuguese national group in the Europe Goes Local project. We also participate in several meetings and group sessions, as Project E-lab. Locally, we promote several projects. Which aims to take our youngs to a social and civic participation, for exemple, “Mexe-te Ojovem”(Move Ojovem) is a volunteering project, that as been thinking to approach the young participants to a deeper connection with their territory, helping people in different situations, cleanings, paintings, gardening,… “Juventude Participativa” (Participation Youth), is a project where different groups of young people, according to specific theme, promote ideas to implement, with a specific budget for the development of the winning projects. “Juventude Inspiradora” (Inspiring Youth), where elections are promoted to select the representative of their territory, to be a part of the Municipal Youth Council.

Looking for a volunteering experience in rural and natural context, contributing to environmental causes and the preservation of local culture? REGENERATE ODEMIRA IV is the ESC project coordinated by the Municipality of Odemira in 2026/2027. It combines the need to develop youth work in a rural territory with the urge to protect natural and cultural resources, thus contributing to environmental action. 4 positions are currently open, for long-term volunteers in 2 different organizations: - PROJECT EARTH "Art, Ecology and Community" - ROTA VICENTINA "Responsible Tourism in SW Portugal" | FULL DESCRIPTION: https://www.cm-odemira.pt/viver/desporto-e-juventude/juventude/voluntariado-internacional/regenerate-odemira-4-long-term-volunteering | APPLY until the 19th June 2026, through the on-line application: https://www.cm-odemira.pt/p/longterm_volunteering. | For more information write us: [email protected]

Volunteers are hosted in the village of the hosting organization, sharing a rented house. Each volunteer will have a fully equipped private bedroom, while the bathroom will be shared. The house also includes a fully equipped kitchen connected to a small common living area where volunteers can socialize and prepare meals. The house is located inside the village, in walking distance to grocery, bakery, cafes, restaurants and bank. Hosting organization provides bikes for local transportation in the village and surroundings. Volunteers get a monthly fee for food and prepare their own meals.

The hosting organization offers task-oriented support and training. Volunteers participate in UBUNTU training every 2 months - the gathering of all volunteers placed in Odemira Municipality, to reflect about learning and to develop skills according to the needs of the specific volunteers. Volunteers must participate in ESC Training Cycle, organized by the Portuguese National Agency.

The Participant profile: REGENERATE ODEMIRA IV is looking for young people aged 18-30 who are aware of global environmental challenges and wish to develop competences on regeneration. We are looking for participants who are: - open and flexible, with self-initiative and ready to be an active member of the local community, - willing to learn Portuguese language, - ready to commit for the entire period of volunteering and willing to have a rural experience (to live in a village where there aren't many young people), - willing to join a group of 4 volunteers from different backgrounds and nationalities. Motivation is the main selection criteria. In the application form, be specific about your motivation for the concrete position you apply to and describe how relate to the profile. We make no distinction regarding gender, sexual orientation, nor prior formal education. Priority will be given to candidates with less opportunities (for example coming from rural background, geographic isolation or with economic obstacles). Gender balance is considered while selecting volunteers.
Deadline: 19/06/2026 22:59

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.