Palombar - Associação de Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural (Association for Nature and Rural Heritage Conservation) is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2000, whose main goals are conserving agricultural, wild and agroforestry ecosystems, as well as preserving its built heritage and respective traditional construction techniques. Even though its intervention territory has been expanding, it has mainly worked in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. Trás-os-Montes is a region that carries isolation in its name - it literally means "behind the hills", which points to the distance that separates it from the central power and the big cities. Being historically peripheral, its inhabitants have always had difficulty accessing education, culture, payed jobs and even basic services (medical care, etc.). The fact that up until the 1950s their livelihoods were completely ingrained with agriculture and its cycles made them culturally isolated as well. Even though contemporary communication means have allowed for some openness, this region is still isolated, deserted and aged. Palombar's mission is to preserve natural and built heritage, through direct action in the field and by transmitting knowledge that has guided sustainable landscape management by local communities throughout centuries. We follow a pedagogical and cooperative approach, which is expected to be enriching to individuals and to bring dynamism to the rural world (both economical and social). These goals translate into projects and activities such as: reforestation programmes, monitoring of endangered species, maintenance of feeding sites for vultures, restoration and maintenance of traditional dovecotes and artificial feeding units for eagles' prey species, cultivation of traditional grain varieties, maintenance of a tree nursery, fire surveillance and restoration of other elements of architectural heritage such as dovecotes, water mills and dry stone walls. Since we are dealing with heritage, both natural and cultural, we involve local people and institutions as much as possible in order to ensure its continuity. People from older generations are regarded as stewards to the precious knowledge of this region, while at the same time still active and connected to rural traditions. We inform them about our actions and invite them to our events, raising awareness on environmental issues and specific measures to improve their well-being. We reach out to children and youngsters as well, through environmental education programmes including direct actions in the field. Amongst the local institutions we work with are the local and regional governments, schools and universities, farmers and hunting associations and other NGO's in our area. At the same time we recognise that nature conservation and cultural heritage have universal value, much beyond our local scope, and that collaboration with people and partners from other regions of the world is extremely relevant and valuable. Therefore, Palombar organises workshops, long-term volunteering projects and short-term work camps, appealing to a broad and international audience.

Located in Uva (Vimioso), Northeast of Portugal, near the Douro River. Even though it is a very small village with only a few inhabitants, it is home to more than 30 traditional dovecotes and other priceless heritage elements – both built and natural. Our 64th International Volunteering Work Camp - Reconstruction of a Traditional Pigeon House, will have the The practical objective of the restoration of dry stone walls from a pigeon house, benefiting the community of Uva in a very direct way, and at the same time preserving tangible (tradition estructures) and intangible (the building techniques) elements of cultural heritage. Planed works • Cleaning old debris; • Removing the existing plaster; • Rebuilding the dovecotes’ walls wherever necessary; • Preparing the limestone mortar; • Whitewashing the walls. Palombar will organize leisure activities aimed at the volunteers’ integration in the local community and their discovery of the region.

Accommodation: Upon arrival will be accommodated in the community center of Uva, consisting of a spacious dormitory with bunk beds, two bathrooms with hot shower and toilet, a fully equipped industrial kitchen and an outdoor sheltered eating area. Transport: We arrange transport at the moment of arrival and departure from/to one of the nearest bus destinations, as there is no public transport to Uva from any of them. 41°29'28.3"N 6°30'41.0"W activity location Food and meal: Meals will be made looking for the use of local foods, with both omnivorous and vegetarian meals being balanced.

Before the arrival of the group we will make an online meeting of preparation for the activity. At the time of the work camp, upon the arrival of the volunteers we will make a brief initial presentation, before starting the work will be promoted a moment of training on the materials and techniques to work as well as issues related to safety. Reconstructing works will be led by a traditional/sustainable construction technician who will be providing information about the daily works, exposing both theoretical and practical explanation of the techniques to be performed.

The Participant profile: The opportunity is open to all young people who are eligible to participate in voluntary activities in the European Solidarity Corps programme. If you are motivated to learn more about traditional construction techniques, live in community and contribute to our mission (nature conservation and rural heritage), sign up!
Deadline: 18/07/2025 12:00

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.