Volunteering to promote medicinal plants, traditional knowledge, and native plant growth - Amplifying the Voice for Climate Action (AVCA Project)
ASPEm
Asociación CDRO
Totonicapán, Guatemala
Description
The volunteer, with the support of ASPEm (support organization) and CDRO (hosting organization), will contribute to activities related to the spontaneous production and valorization of native medicinal herbs. Activities will include visits to local communities, the study of native plants and local methods of production and sustainable use, the research and implementation of processing, production, conservation and potential commercialization of local natural herbs. They will also support the development and implementation of training activities for communities on agroecology and medicinal herbs, collaborating in the creation of educational and awareness-raising material (videos, manuals) and supporting their dissemination through communication activities. Additionally they will collaborate in identifying suitable local crops for sustainable production systems and contribute to the study and data collection on hydroponic cultivation in order to assess the feasibility of a pilot project.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
The volunteer will live in Totonicapán, near the municipal building in zone 1, in an area surrounded by services such as markets and pharmacies. The organization covers rent and basic utilities such as electricity, water, and internet. The house has a private room and a kitchen. The volunteer can eat in local eateries or buy groceries and prepare meals at home. They can also bring food to the office, which is located about 2 km from the apartment. Local minibuses provide transport in about 15 minutes, and taxis and buses are also available.
Training during the activity
The volunteer will take part in a pre-departure in-person training organized by ASPEm in Italy. Upon arrival at CDRO, they will receive additional onboarding, including a team introduction, an overview of the organization’s goals and projects, visits to local communities and an introduction to the local context and daily life. During the project, the volunteer will develop skills in working with local communities, field research, knowledge of traditional practices, intercultural communication and organizational abilities. All acquired competencies will be certified through Youthpass.
Participant profile
Preferably with professional experience as an agronomist, agro-industrial professional, or in fields related to medicinal and herbal plants (for example, herbalism or phytotherapy), with studies or knowledge of edible and medicinal plants, their uses, and their production from an agroecological perspective. Knowledge and, preferably, experience in production processes, food safety, food processing, agricultural value chains, product handling, and commercialization of agricultural and agro-industrial products are valued. Ability to use adult education methodologies and to develop educational and support materials. Ability to work in teams and with rural communities, with a strong volunteering attitude, sense of responsibility, and good organizational skills. A proactive and initiative-driven attitude is highly valued. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage. Eligibility: Candidates must be 18 to 35 years old, reside in one of the eligible countries (EU Member State, North Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Turkey), have completed the compulsory Humanitarian Aid Volunteering training and not have participated before in individual Humanitarian Aid Volunteering. When adding together this new volunteering opportunity and any previous participation in EU volunteering programmes, the total duration cannot exceed 12 months.
Activity dates
A total of 48 week(s) during the period 09/10/2026 to 13/09/2027
Activity location
Paraje Tierra Blanca, Cantón Chuicruz,, Totonicapán, Guatemala
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye
Activity topics
Environment and natural protection
Education and training
Nutrition and subsistence agriculture
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 15/05/2026 23:00
Project code
2025-1-EACEA-VOLUN-101250792