Spain: ESC: No Eido: Permaculture project for the creation of an edible forest

About the local hosting organization

Established in 2019, the SOMOSTERRA cooperative exists to implement the socio-ecological transformation in the Galician territory, through educational programs, projects for local cooperation and volunteering. Its aims are: 1) Promote the protection and regeneration of nature according to the principles of agroecology. To meet this objective, we have two collaborative urban garden projects and an educational program on agroecology to raise awareness in more than 10 schools and nursery schools. 2) Reduce the ecological footprint individually and collectively. We meet this objective by providing training and advice to young people and adults to help them practice more sustainable habits, applying the principles of the circular economy and the goals proposed in the 2030 Agenda. 3) Promote citizen education on biodiversity conservation. To meet this objective, we carry out scientific dissemination, practical workshops and field work, to design and maintain edible forests. Our main activities are: - Educational programs such as Agroecology at School or Beyond the Plate. - Volunteer programs such as Agenda 2030 Agents of change in collaboration with the University of Vigo. - Local cooperation projects such as collaborative urban gardens or the citizen initiative Conexión con la Tierra. - Training, talks and/or practical workshops on responsible consumption, circular economy, composting, organic farming, species identification, edible forests and agroecological spaces.

Presentation of the programme

We seek to revitalize the forest through the creation of an edible forest with the participation of citizens, to encourage sustainable forest management and effective and environmentally friendly food production. We seek to turn the forest into a place for citizens to spend their leisure time, with environmental education activities and the promotion of natural and cultural heritage. The project aims to provide the community with an edible forest to promote local and ecological production, as well as to empower citizens in self-cultivation and responsible consumption, and, finally, as well as promoting the consumption of harvest products. Volunteers can also collaborate with the rest of the environmental education activities that we promote.

About the accomodation

The volunteers will live in a flat shared. They will have their own room but will share the kitchen, bathroom and common rooms with the whole house. For food, volunteers will receive enough monthly money to manage breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as part of the harvest from the edible forest and orchards.

About the leisure activities

Volunteers will receive training on edible forests, permaculture and agro-ecology upon arrival for several days. They will also receive ongoing training in these areas. Galician lessons will also be taught, since it is the co-official language of Galicia. Nevertheless, they will be able to learn Spanish too throughout the project, by talking to the neighborhood and through the use of the online platform.

Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for people committed to the environment who seek to change the world towards a fairer and more sustainable model. Volunteers must know how to work in a team and seek cooperation. During the project we will work with various groups at risk of exclusion: drug addicts, people with functional diversity, children and the elderly. Tolerance and respect are very important qualities.Deadline: 01/08/2026 23:59