Come help grow a living experiment in community, sustainability, creativity, and human connection in rural Sweden!
Stiftelsen Stjärnsund
Stjärnsund, Sweden
Description
Fridhem offers a unique long-term volunteer experience in a close-knit ecological community in Sweden. Focused on sustainability, permaculture, shared living, and personal growth, the project gives volunteers the chance to develop practical skills while becoming part of everyday community life. Activities change with the seasons and may include gardening, growing and harvesting food, communal cooking with local and homegrown ingredients, building and restoration projects, maintenance, workshops, and community events. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute their own ideas, interests, and strengths. Life at Fridhem is built around cooperation, cultural exchange, and learning together. Volunteers receive regular support from a dedicated coordinator through meetings and daily check-ins. By the end of the experience, volunteers leave with practical knowledge, stronger confidence and communication skills, and a deeper understanding of sustainable living and community building.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
Enjoy a private 1-room cabin or tiny house on wheels. Shared kitchen & bathroom in volunteer house with access to extra facilities in the main center building. Shared kitchen heated by making wood fires in the winter. Vegetarian food, mainly cooked and prepared together by volunteers. Green travel to and from the center. Pickup at the local train station in Hedemora (20 min drive). A car is available to arrange day trips & activities outside the village.
Training during the activity
Volunteers receive hands-on training in sustainability, permaculture, gardening, food growing, communal cooking, fermenting, wild foraging, and ecological living. Participants can also learn practical building and restoration skills, including natural building techniques such as timber-framing and clay construction. Training happens through daily work alongside experienced community members, with regular mentoring, reflection sessions, yoga, and mindfulness activities supporting personal growth and intercultural learning.
Participant profile
This opportunity is for motivated and open-minded volunteers who are interested in sustainability, community living, and practical hands-on learning. No previous experience is required, but an interest in gardening, cooking, building, or ecological lifestyles is appreciated. Volunteers should be willing to participate actively in shared responsibilities, teamwork, and intercultural exchange. Flexibility, curiosity, and a positive attitude towards simple community living are important. This experience is for you who desires to develop your relationship and connection with body, nature and your impact in the world. Basic conversational english is preferred.
Activity dates
A total of 48 week(s) during the period 01/06/2026 to 30/05/2027
Activity location
Bruksallén 16, Stjärnsund, Sweden
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo * UN resolution, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, North Macedonia, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Barthélemy, Serbia, Sint Maarten (dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Pierre and Miquelon, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Wallis and Futuna
Activity topics
Environment and natural protection
Health and wellbeing
Creativity and culture
Disaster Preparedness
Deadline for applications
No application deadline
Project code
2026-1-SE02-ESC51-VTJ-000469641