Urban Act 2026 - Volunteering Teams
YouthCoop - Cooperativa para o Desenvolvimento e Cidadania CRL
Mira-Sintra / Sintra, Portugal
Description
Urban Act 2026 – Volunteering Teams (4th edition) is a community-based environmental program that promotes the circular economy through hands-on urban intervention. Volunteers collaborate to design and build urban furniture and revitalize shared neighborhood spaces using sustainable upcycling techniques. The initiative combines training, direct community action, the local EcoFest festival, and visits to relevant projects. Hosted by CircuLar – Casa da Economia Circular, a community makerspace, the program fosters knowledge exchange, validates local ecological initiatives, and turns waste into tangible community assets.
The mission is twofold: to physically enhance the urban landscape while actively promoting circular behaviors and validating grassroots initiatives that drive the much-needed ecological transition.
This opportunity is organized in Mira Sintra, in the municipality of Sintra, Portugal.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
The volunteers will be hosted in a community housing complex in the Agualva - Cacém area, with easy access to transport, public parks, local shops and also community gardens and naturalized areas.
Each volunteer will be placed in shared rooms with another young person (according to gender/sex). The house gives access to a shared bathroom, shared and equipped kitchen, communal social area and a vegetable garden area and small private forest. It is a complex that follows some principles of ecological and community experience.
Training during the activity
Environmental Education: Training based on techniques integrated into nature, to promote concepts, theories and practices of responsible environmental sustainability.
Circular Economy: Understanding the principles and practices of the Circular Economy, including resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption.
Practical upcycling workshops ( wood, textile and plastic)
Analysis of concrete case studies and emerging initiatives in Portugal and within the surrounding urban context.
Participant profile
Highly recommendation to speak and understand basic English but is not an exclusion factor. A genuine interest in environmental conservation and a commitment to promoting sustainable practices, including circular economy principles. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively engage with diverse community members, including youth and residents of different backgrounds. Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work collaboratively with others in dynamic community settings. Some activities may involve manual tasks such as furniture construction, so a reasonable level of physical capacity may be beneficial.
Activity dates
From 11/08/2026 to 01/09/2026
Activity location
Mira-Sintra / Sintra, Portugal
Activity type
Volunteering teams
Looking for participants from
Belgium, France, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain
Activity topics
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 04/07/2026 00:17
Project code
2025-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000346646