Slovakia: ESC: Autumnlife in Ecovillage

About the local hosting organization

Our NGO, Pospolitost pre harmonicky zivot (PHZ – Community of Harmonious Living), disseminates ideas of sustainable life between young people for more than 20 years. We live and work in a small remote village Zajezova that we have changed into an eco-village. The community is a decentralised non hierarchical and free social network of cooperating neighbours. There are several projects which unite local people – food bank, community school, forest kids club, educational centre, common web page and email discussion groups etc. Many of them were initiated by our organisation, but there are also some other NGOs and informal groups nowadays. We are also members of the Global Ecovillage Network Europe. The objective of our organisation is to spread and implement sustainable life. We focus on the promotion of a harmonious lifestyle that is based on three pillars - harmony with nature, support of positive trends in society, and personal development. Our target group is youth and adults that are looking for a more sustainable and ecological lifestyle. Programmes of PHZ: 1. Educational events on traditional crafts, permaculture, sustainability... (every year approx. 12 weekend workshops, 6 volunteer weeks, 1 festival with more than 700 visitors) 2. "Zajezka" - we support the re-settlement of Zajezova and its surrounding farm settlements. We co create conditions that are attractive for other newcomers (for now we are, counted together with children, about 150 people). 3. Eco-community Sekier - the traditional farm and its surrounding property is gradually developed and transformed into a demonstrational eco farm and a centre for visitors, who would like to gain experience with the lifestyle that we are presenting. 4. Conservation of cultural heritage - the spreading of crafts, renovation of architectural folk monuments, promotion of traditional culture especially among young people.

Presentation of the programme

We are looking for a team of 8 volunteers to live and work together for 3 weeks. The project will take place in the countryside, where autumn becomes an important part of our everyday experience.

About the accomodation

During the project, volunteers will take part in a variety of practical, creative and community-based activities. We will care for our sheep and chickens, help with everyday animal care and maintenance, and contribute to the work in our permaculture garden. Depending on the season, this may include harvesting, preparing garden beds, caring for plants, processing food and learning about sustainable gardening methods.

About the leisure activities

We will work a lot with wool and wood, discovering traditional techniques and creating useful or creative products together. Cooking and baking with seasonal ingredients will be another important part of the project.

Requirements

The Participant profile: We will organise intercultural evenings, group discussions, games, reflection activities, outdoor activities and relaxed moments around a fire or shared seasonal meals.Deadline: