Sustainable Park Istria has been operating since 2014. To date, it has hosted more than 1,000 volunteers from 56 countries around the world. In more than 2,000 volunteering actions, 70,000 hours of volunteer work were donated to Slovenian Istria. Volunteer Center of Park Istra in Kastelec is one of the few such centers in Europe, which can host twenty volunteers at any time and responds daily to the needs and challenges of the local environment. The aim of Park Istra is to contribute towards sustainable development of the socially degraded inland Istria and inspire young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, for charity and active citizenship. The areas covered by Park Istra are diverse. Volunteers help organizations and individuals with protection of cultural and natural heritage, carry out educational activities, help the socially vulnerable and support various sustainable projects throughout Slovenian Istria. Volunteers will be involved in the planning and implementation of various activities in four main areas: - Helping local residents The activities will focus on locals with fewer opportunities and support locals with good ideas that contribute to green jobs and sustainable development of the region. - Assistance to local organizations Local organizations have great ideas and a good understanding of the needs of the local environment. Unfortunately they are often hampered by a lack of resources and staff. We will participate in actions of the Red Cross, Karitas, Center for Social Work, animal shelter, local tourist associations... - Care for the regional heritage In cooperation with local communities, volunteers will carry out actions to preserve the natural and cultural heritage. Examples of these activities are maintenance of cultural monuments, old houses, churches; organization of clean-up actions; restoration of drywalls; cleaning overgrown paths; assistance in the care of protected natural areas; help with organization of local events. - Education Volunteers will prepare workshops for other volunteers at the Volunteer Center (afternoon workshops) and prepare lectures for locals and students in primary and secondary schools. In doing so, volunteers will contribute to raising awareness, teach practical skills and inspire young people for charity and active citizenship. On a monthly basis, we offer support to 50 different stakeholders: local communities, non-governmental organizations, public institutions (Center for Social Work, elderly homes, schools ...), active individuals who want to improve the quality of life in the local environment, individuals in need (elderly, socially deprived ...), small farmers… Volunteers at Park Istra work together, learn, have fun and help the local community by working on sustainable projects. Living in a group of volunteers enriches people at all levels. Through team work, life in an intercultural environment and many different workshops available to volunteers during their stay in Park Istra, volunteers learn new skills and share their knowledge with one another. Many volunteers are deeply touched by the experience of helping the local community, which gives us a great a sense of inner satisfaction and fulfillment.

Park Istra will host up to 16 volunteers for the 'Solidarity in Primorska' project, starting on September 12, 2025, for a duration of two months. Volunteers will engage in a range of meaningful activities, such as helping people in need with renovation work, supporting local communities and NGOs, assisting farmers, and working with children and elderly care homes. If you're looking to make a positive impact, develop new skills, and work alongside volunteers from across Europe, our volunteer center offers a unique opportunity. In 2021, this project was honored with a nomination as one of Europe’s top five volunteering projects by the Salto Awards.

Volunteers will be staying at the volunteer center in the village of Kastelec. The center offers shared accommodations for up to 16 volunteers. Facilities include shared bathrooms with toilets and showers, a large kitchen, a living room, a relaxation space, and beautiful surroundings. Just behind the house, there’s a basketball court, trampoline, firepit and slackline. Volunteers will prepare three vegetarian meals together daily. The project covers travel expenses, accommodation, food, insurance and provides a daily allowance of €5. The coastal city of Koper is just a 10-minute drive away.

At Park Istra, you will have the full support of both a work coordinator and a personal mentor. In your free time, we enjoy sharing knowledge, playing social games, walking on the slackline, swimming, rock climbing (with excellent climbing spots nearby), and playing volleyball or basketball. We also take time to read, watch movies, chat, and explore the beauty of Slovenia. The surrounding region of Istria is perfect for hiking, biking, and climbing. It’s also renowned as one of Europe’s top destinations for culinary experiences.

The Participant profile: Park Istra invites volunteers who are eager to engage in various areas related to sustainability, environmental protection, charity, and education. Keep in mind that many of our tasks are hands-on, including light renovation, farming, and maintaining trekking paths, so come prepared to get your hands dirty. We value a strong motivation to help others, and volunteers with fewer opportunities will be given preference.
Deadline: 15/07/2025 23:00

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.