Spain: ESC: Building a Sustainable Future

About the local hosting organization

Our mission is: to give meaning to natural and cultural elements so that they are loved and preserved. preserved. This means that we are a non-profit organization that aims to bring the natural and cultural heritage of the peoples of Europe closer to all people in order to conserve it, enhance its value and encourage respectful attitudes towards it. Thus, our actions are always framed in : - To be a reference point for people and institutions in the field of Communication, environmental volunteering, education and interpretation of heritage and thus promote the respect and conservation of it. - To defend all manifestations of heritage, both natural and cultural, so that they are transferred to society and put in value for their conservation. - To form a generation that is connected to its environment, that respects natural resources and is informed about the importance of respecting natural resources. awareness of the direct consequences of their lifestyles in order to motivate changes towards healthier and more sustainable habits. - To develop innovative and quality projects related to heritage interpretation, the enhancement of natural diversity, rural development, reconnection with nature and citizen participation and involvement, - Establish itself as a reference entity in land stewardship through projects such as ForestLab and the management of the Les Rodanes lodge in Vilamarchante. - To build an open, efficient, flexible and transparent organization formed by highly qualified professionals and volunteers committed to conservation and social communication. - To achieve a stable, balanced, committed to the territory and sustainable funding. - To seek innovation and continuous improvement of our services. - Improve the health of all citizens through food health strategies and reconnection with nature. - Maintain a commitment to rural areas in the guarantee of basic services and the enhancement of their heritage in schools. We believe that collaboration and networking, respecting our principles and values, are the most effective way to work and achieve impacts on the territory and society. This is why year after year we strive to find new synergies and spaces for collaboration, promoting one of our maxims: Think globally, act locally. Our audience is everyone, especially young people, but also students, families and older adults with concerns and capable of committing themselves to a change of course in the current environmental dynamics. It is necessary that young people and all people become involved in the conservation of nature, respect for the tangible and intangible heritage of our culture. We place special emphasis on the traditionally sustainable relationship between people and the natural environment in rural areas that are currently suffering depopulation processes. In this direction we are very committed to the conservation of this heritage through its transmission in schools.

Presentation of the programme

Join a 14-day ESC Volunteering Team project organized by Interpreta Natura in the heart of Les Rodanes Natural Park (Vilamarxant, Valencia). A team of 12 European volunteers will live and work together at the Bassa Barreta Hostel to foster local sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Participants will actively engage in hands-on habitat restoration, pond maintenance, invasive plant control, tree planting, and natural space cleanups. Additionally, the team will raise awareness in the local community through an information stand at the town market and by designing visual campaigns for wildfire and pollution prevention. This short-term experience offers direct contact with nature, intercultural living, and positive community action.

About the accomodation

Volunteers will stay at the municipal Bassa Barreta Hostel, located in PNM Les Rodanes (Vilamarxant). Accommodation is shared (2 beds per room) with communal bathrooms, kitchen, and living spaces, offering a eco-friendly lifestyle with basic comforts. Food is fully provided: groceries will be bought twice a week, and volunteers will cook together in rotation. Round-trip transport from the volunteer's home to the project venue is covered according to ESC distance guidelines (paid upfront by the volunteer and reimbursed after the end of the project). Pocket money will be paid weekly every Friday

About the leisure activities

Upon arrival, volunteers will receive on-site orientation and welcome training provided by the Interpreta Natura team. Training topics include safety protocols, habitat restoration techniques, invasive plant identification and management, non-formal environmental education dynamics, and community engagement strategies. Throughout the 14 days, volunteers will gain practical skills in environmental interpretation, teamwork, sustainable living practices, and self-reflection tools.

Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for motivated and energetic volunteers aged 18–30 who are deeply committed to environmental protection and eager to drive positive change in local communities. Candidates should be prepared and enthusiastic about living in a collective environment with 12 other volunteers in a rural hostel surrounded by nature, embracing a simpler lifestyle with reduced urban comfort. Flexibility, a collaborative team spirit, and personal initiative are essential. A basic level of Spanish (or a strong interest and motivation to learn and practice the language during the project) is highly valued.Deadline: 27/11/2026 09:00