"The Forest is our home 2026"
"H2O"-Associação de Jovens de Arrouquelas
ARROUQUELAS, Portugal
Description
In the heart of Arrouquelas, a small rural village in central Portugal, the ESC Teams project “Forest is Our Home” brings together 15 young volunteers for a 30-day team experience in August. This project combines work, creativity, responsibility, and fellowship, while fostering close interaction with the local community. Participants will engage in activities such as forest cleaning, painting, vigilance, learning sessions, and cultural visits, all aimed at preserving the surrounding forest and preventing wildfires. Beyond environmental action, the project promotes intercultural dialogue and inclusion, encouraging volunteers to support the integration of people from diverse backgrounds, including refugees. Through shared experiences and community engagement, the project leaves lasting ecological and social impact. The intercultural dimension of the project is at its core, bringing together young people from diverse cultural backgrounds to live, work, and learn side by side.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
Food will be provided to all participants, who will be responsible for preparing their meals together in an intercultural environment that promotes collaboration and cultural exchange. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available throughout the project, and each evening dinner will be prepared by a group of volunteers, creating intercultural nights with ingredients supplied by H2O. Participants will stay either in tents or in a shared house within the village, in a camp-style setting. Everyone is expected to contribute to meal preparation and organization.
Training during the activity
At the beginning of the project, participants will receive training on the activities to be carried out, as well as on the project’s main theme. All activities are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of participants, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively and safely engage throughout the project
Participant profile
We are looking for young people aged 18 and above who demonstrate a strong environmental and social attitude, enjoy outdoor and physical activities, and are interested in rural development. Participants should be ready to actively engage in all project activities and motivated to learn. An interest in non-formal education methods, as well as experience or willingness to work with diverse or mixed-level groups, is valued. Participants should also be connected with the spirit of the programme and volunteering, showing openness to living and working together with young people from different countries and cultures. We welcome individuals eager for personal and professional growth and committed to developing projects within their local communities.
Activity dates
From 15/08/2026 to 15/09/2026
Activity location
Rua Fundadores da Junta de Freguesia, nº73, ARROUQUELAS, Portugal
Activity type
Volunteering teams
Looking for participants from
Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo * UN resolution, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine
Activity topics
Social challenges
Environment and natural protection
Disaster Preparedness
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 25/04/2026 00:00
Project code
2025-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000346302