Hungary: ESC: Roots & Wheels

About the local hosting organization

Szatyor Association was founded in 2011 with the aim of drawing attention to sustainable living and conscious consuming as possibility to individual actions towards a positive present and future World. Related to this, we would like to provide space and opportunity to anyone for sharing knowledges, experiences and solutions. As an alternative eco-conscious association we want to be a living example of how to integrate conscious consuming, healthy lifestyle, local and fairtrade products into our everyday lives. Throughout our programmes, we intend to build a community by bringing people closer to nature and to natural solution, such as food producing, cosmetics and household products, etc. We also organize farm visits to our producers to show eco-conscious farming in its authentic environment. On a regular basis we create events of community cooking, cooking classes and attend festivals, all by using seasonal vegetables and fruits provided by our producers. Our target group includes everybody who wishes to lead his/her urban or village lifestyle with a consideration to nature. It can start by conscious consuming with an important approach to local products and producers, as well as to environmental friendly technologies throughout the process of production. Our association is an open community and space offering workshops, classes and presentations to share the knowledge within and to give possible solutions in the topic. In 2018 we've started to widen our horizons from the urban aspects and to promote sustainable living beyond the city and have started the 'Etyeki Szatyor Community' close to the capital that could serve as a model of small-scale community and farming. In the past years our efforts has been acknowledged in a wider public and in the long term we would like to reach more and more youths under 30, since they have a significant role in creating a sustainable future. ESC provides an excellent opportunity to promote these efforts, as well as to share the knowledge, to ignite new opportunities and to become part of an international approach.

Presentation of the programme

Cargonomia is looking for two motivated volunteers to join our community-based sustainability project in Budapest for a 6-month European Solidarity Corps volunteering experience. The project connects urban and rural initiatives between Budapest and the village of Zsámbok, where we also develop agroecology, eco-construction, and food processing activities. This volunteering experience combines practical involvement, community life, non-formal learning, and participation in a dynamic international network working on solidarity and sustainability. Depending on the season, interests, and ongoing projects, volunteers may participate in cargo-bike logistics and local food distribution, support for community events and workshops, agroecology and gardening activities, food processing and preservation, communication and documentation, helping maintain community spaces, educational and awareness-raising activities for youth, adults and families and support for solidarity and sustainability.

About the accomodation

Volunteers will have a private room in a shared apartment near Cargonomia. The accommodation also has a shared kitchen and common spaces. Volunteers will have access to fresh vegetables from partner farms, public transport pass for Pest County, access to shared bicycles, mentoring and support during the whole activity. Volunteers should be ready for collective and community-based environments, practical hands-on activities, simple and sustainable lifestyles and flexibility and teamwork.

About the leisure activities

Volunteers will have the cahnce to get involved in a local initiative, take a look into Cargonomia's inner workings and learn about the topics involved in the project. These topics are: sustainable food systems, cargo-bike logistics, agroecology, community education, low-tech solutions and ecological transition.

Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for motivated young people aged between 18 and 30 who are legal residents of the European Union - a total of 2 people - who are interested in sustainability and ecological transition, curious about alternative ways of living and organising, open to intercultural exchange, motivated to participate in community projects.Deadline: 30/06/2026 23:59