Hungary: ESC: Volunteering together alongside river Bodrog 2026

About the local hosting organization

The association was founded in the autumn of 1991 as the Hajdúböszörmény Youth Nature Conservation Circle. At that time, we focused on environmental education and nature conservation in organizing our activities, which were mainly implemented in the catchment area of our city - Hajdúböszörmény. Over the years, we have gradually become involved in environmental and consumer protection, regional development and ecotourism, as well as activities that strengthen community and social participation. Our headquarters, alsp functioning as our central office is located on the main square of Hajdúböszörmény, where full-time employees perform their duties. We also have our own campsite on the shores of Bodrog in Bodrogolaszi, where we organize water tours. Depending on our pending tender projects, the implementation of our diverse tasks is assisted by 5-10 full-time employees and dozens of active volunteers. On a national level we cooperate with regional environment protection authorities, many non-governmental organisations organised in the field of environmental protection and land development, as well as municipalities and educational institutions. At the local level, both in Hajdúság and along the Bodrog, we seek partnerships with civil society organizations in other areas in connection with local collaborations and programs, in which we often take the initiative. We also publish thematic newsletters in connection with our various programs. Our nature conservation activities include the management of local protected natural areas in Hajdúság, the monitoring and planting of protected plants, and the maintenance and care of bird habitats. Recently, we created two educational trails on behalf of the municipalities in Hajdúnánás and Hortobágy, as well as in Bodrogolaszi, our latest educational trail on the banks of the Bodrog. In the latter settlement, we established the Black Stork Training Center this year, which provides the conditions for environmental education in a newly built building with well-equipped equipment. We are currently working on the creation of a new study trail in Sárospatak, as well as the construction of an exhibition presenting the white stork in Bodrogkeresztúr. We are primarily looking for volunteers for these nature conservation activities, the care of educational trails, and exhibition guides. Our mission is to preserve nature and build the environmental awareness of the growing generation, and to put the bad innervation of the adult age back on track, thereby helping us to strive for sustainability. Most of our programs are interactive in nature, which, in addition to environmental education, also have a community-forming power. The target group of our activities is mainly the population of Hajdúböszörmény and the settlements of Hajdúság, especially the student youth, the disadvantaged strata, local volunteers, non-governmental organizations, self-active initiatives, small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, they live in North-East Hungary and in the Slovak-Romanian border region in connection with international co-operation.

Presentation of the programme

Within the ESC volunteer program, we are looking for 15 young people for a short period of 3,5 weeks, who will join the nature conservation programs of our association to maintain educational trails and nature conservation areas, such as o reclamation of alien, invasive plant species in a nature reserve, o elimination of illegal landfills and ongoing clean-up at Bodrog o maintenance of bird and mammal protection equipment (bird nests, nesting boxes, etc.). These activities are carried out for 2,5 weeks along the Bodrog. For the remaining 1 week, they will be involved in the clean-up of the Hungarian section of the Bodrog River during the event PET cup, where we will try to collect the waste floating on the river. Volunteers work 5 days a week, giving them an average of 6 hours a day, giving them two days off a week. Volunteers are provided with a pocket money of EUR 7 per person per day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Cz0gZp3nE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMyUacNUmec

About the accomodation

The volunteers will be staying in a youth hostel on the fabulous Bodrogolaszi coast, with a shared bathroom and kitchen, and internet access for 3,5 weeks. We provide meals 4 times a day, of which min. 1 hot meal. We prefer green travel to and from Hungary. We provide bicycles for local transport.

About the leisure activities

The volunteers get to know the natural values, flora and fauna as well as cultural values of the area and gain work experience. They join the Hungarian nature conservation movement and can build relationships with young people with similar interests. We provide opportunities for language learning.

Requirements

The Participant profile: Young people who through their studies or interests are committed to protecting nature and the environment, who are not deterred from doing physical work and are able to work well in a team. Knowledge of swimming is an advantage.Deadline: 10/06/2026 23:59