France: ESC: Get a volunteering in the Cévennes (South of France) in environmental projects about the chestnut, a local resource - 2026 !

About the local hosting organization

La MAISON DE L’EUROPE DE NÎMES est une association à but non lucratif créée en 1966 avec pour mission d’informer les citoyens sur l’histoire, les réalisations et l’avenir de l’Union européenne. En s’appuyant sur ses réseaux européens, elle crée des actions pédagogiques et des événements pour sensibiliser le grand public, notamment les jeunes, aux défis et enjeux de l’Union européenne et à la construction européenne. La Maison de l’Europe de Nîmes facilite également le montage d'événements européens par les entreprises, les collectivités territoriales ou les associations en les conseillant dans le montage de projet. Enfin, elle favorise la rencontre et la coopération entre les citoyens, les associations, les collectivités territoriales et les entreprises des pays européens. La Maison de l’Europe de Nîmes est soutenue financièrement par l’Union européenne, le Ministère français des Affaires européennes, et des collectivités territoriales de la Région Occitanie. Depuis 2013, la Maison de l’Europe de Nîmes est labellisée Centre d’Information Europe Direct par la Commission Européenne et ce label vient d'être renouvelé jusqu'en 2020. L’association est accréditée depuis juillet 2014 pour l’envoi, l’accueil et la coordination de jeunes âgés de 17 à 30 ans en Service Volontaire Européen (SVE) dans le cadre du programme Erasmus+ et maintenant dans le cadre du Corps Européen de Solidarité. L’équipe de la Maison de l'Europe de Nîmes est composée de 3 permanents et d'un service civique. Etant association, la Maison de l'Europe de Nîmes compte actuellement environ 200 membres dont une dizaine s'applique activement dans les projets européens et la vie associative. L’équipe est résolument européenne, venant de plusieurs pays européens et non-européens et maîtrisant plusieurs langues aisément.

Presentation of the programme

The Epi de Mains association is a small organization based in the south of France in the middle mountains called “Les Cévennes”. This organization work is mainly around social and environmental projects. The association would like to host a volunteer for a long term project of 6 months at l’Espinas in the village of Ventalon-en-Cevennes, from July 2026 to December 2026. The volunteer will take part in the activities of the association especially in the Chestnut grove-School project like supporting the care and development of the place, the link with the volunteers, the organization of the collective harvest and dry of the chestnuts, host groups for discovering the place. The volunteer will start in July by helping to take care of the pedagogical discovering path of the Chestnut Grove, cleaning the dead branches, taking care of the forest. The volunteer will support the colleagues and volunteers in the creation of chill areas in the forest for sitting, chatting, relaxing…

About the accomodation

The volunteer's working time will be a maximum of 30 hours per week. The working time of the Epi de Mains association is flexible and must be adapted to events (activities and events often during weekends). In this case, the volunteer will have more free time during the week. His vacation plans should be arranged with his tutor at least one month in advance. Several accommodation possibilities will be provided to the volunteer, more or less isolated depending the needs of the volunteer. The volunteer will work with an italian and french volunteer.

About the leisure activities

The volunteer will have the opportunity to participate in an induction seminar organized by the Agency. They will benefit from the team's support to learn how to carry out the required activities throughout their volunteer placement

Requirements

The Participant profile: The Epi de Mains association wishes to have a European volunteer in its team in order to bring additional skills, and a European openness, in particular to the local community that we receive in our structure. Candidates must speak a bit French or trully motivated to learn french. Their motivation, their ability to bring enthusiasm during their mission, especially with young people and their understanding of pedagogy and animation will be important criteria. Taking initiatives and coming up with new ideas will be highly appreciated. The volunteer should have a sense for autonomy and an ecological awareness. As our association is engaged in ecological and social projects that can be seen as “alternative”, the volunteer should be openminded, curious and adaptable. The organization is located in an isolated mountainous area which means that the volunteer must have a driver's license and driving experience.Deadline: 05/07/2026 22:06