Join our sustainable volunteer project near the Turkish borders!

Sustainable Volunteering Bulgaria 25/01/2024 – Hey everyone!  Ready for an incredible adventure? Join us at the Bulgaria-Turkish border for an exciting new project! We’re forming a vibrant community to replant trees in scrubland and utilize the biomass from land clearing for awesome projects. Plus, we’re offering educational qualifications! As part of our mission, you’ll have the opportunity to earn UK-recognized certifications – stick around to discover all the perks of being part of our team!

And guess what? Every weekend, we’ll embark on a new trip or adventure. Keep reading to find out more about our exciting plans!

What category best describes your hosting arrangement? 🏡

• Hostel/hotel
• Retreat/Glamping

Location – Where is your volunteer project located?🌏 📍

• Harmanli, Bulgaria 📍

Sustainable Volunteering Bulgaria – Join us at the Bulgaria-Turkish border for an exciting new project!

What are you looking for help with?

• Administration 🔑
• Animal keeping 🐓🐴
• Fundraising 💰
• Cleaning 🧹
• Farming/Gardening 🌿🐄
• Marketing 📈

This Voluntouring experience is all about teamwork, community, and embracing the challenges that come our way. Picture this: we’ll be travelling to villages in Bulgaria, transforming overgrown scrub into useful spaces filled with walnut, hazelnut, cherry, pear, and apple trees. These trees will provide local communities with the chance to harvest fruits and nuts, creating thriving communities and reducing poverty.

To cover the cost of planting and machinery upkeep, we’ll be selling biomass from cleared land, converting it into wood briquettes, charcoal, and wood pellets for heating and cooking.

But that’s not all – we’re taking it a step further!

With the heat and gas from our charcoal foundry, we aim to create a syngas furnace for metal smelting in a small cast iron workshop. We’ll be crafting cookware using recycled cast iron from scrapyards and setting up a syngas compression system for future use (think running vehicles and harvesting machines). Our goal? A net-zero outside energy setup and as close to 100% zero-waste energy setup for the entire project.

CALLING ALL CAMPER VANNERS!

If you’re on the road seeking adventure, look no further! We’ve got ample yard space for you to park your campers, and guess what? We’ve got plugins available too! 🔌

Located just 20 minutes from the Turkish border on the EU side, we’re right on the main highway to Istanbul. So, if you’re cruising through and need a cosy spot to rest and recharge, you’re more than welcome to join us on your journey!

What’s the mission of your community? 🎯

Our mission is to make a green impact! We’re not just planting trees; we’re creating a symphony of sustainability and adventure. As a member of our crew, you’ll not only be contributing to a greener planet but also earning cool UK-recognized certifications!  We’re crafting cookware from recycled iron, and a syngas compression setup is in the works for future eco-friendly missions (yes, even running vehicles and harvesting machines). Our endgame? A total green energy takeover – net-zero outside energy and darn close to 100% zero waste!

But wait, there’s more!

Weekends with us are not your average downtime. Get ready to buckle up for new escapades and thrilling adventures.

Keep scrolling to get a sneak peek into our next big thing!

Our Voluntouring experience is a fusion of teamwork, community vibes, and tackling challenges head-on. Imagine strolling through Bulgarian villages, turning neglected scrub into lush spaces adorned with walnut, hazelnut, cherry, pear, and apple trees.

We’re not just dreamers; we’re doers!

To fund our green initiatives, we’re turning cleared biomass into wood wonders: briquettes, charcoal, and pellets for a sizzling cause – heating and cooking.  But hold onto your hats; it doesn’t stop there! Picture this: a sizzling charcoal foundry generating heat and gas to power a metal-smelting syngas furnace in a trendy cast iron workshop. 🛠

Volunteers with disabilities ♿

The work required for this project involves a significant physical effort, making it challenging for coordinators to consider volunteering opportunities for individuals with different abilities. However, if you have a disability or physical impairment and believe you can still contribute to the cause as a volunteer, feel free to send a message to the coordinators.

How many volunteers could you host? 🎎

• I can host groups of volunteers

When do you usually need volunteers? 📅

• All year

How many hours of help per day? ⏱

• 4-5 hours of help per day

How many days of help per week? 🌒

• 5 days per week – 2 days off

Note about the volunteer work and other expectations 📝

Get ready for an epic skill-sharing adventure! Our project is gearing up for its initial stages, and we’re on the lookout for a diverse set of talents to bring our vision to life. If you’re a wizard with the following skills, we want you on our team:

• Essential Skills for Stage 1: Machinery Marvels
  • Welding: Joining metals with precision and expertise.
  • Fabricating: Crafting structures and components from raw materials.
  • Metalwork: Mastering the art of manipulating metals for various purposes.
  • Blacksmithing (especially casting): Shaping and casting metals with finesse.
  • Glass Blowing (Maybe): An extra dash of magic! If you’re versed in glass blowing, we might just experiment with creating a glass kiln from excess energy.

But that’s not all! As we set up the foundry workshop, we also need hands-on deck with the following skills:

• Arborists: Tree whisperers who understand the essence of nurturing.
• Chainsaw Operators: Masters of the mighty chainsaw, ready to tame the wild.
• Clearing Crew: Enthusiasts willing to roll up their sleeves, clear roadside scrub, and bring biomass back to the property.

Phase 3: Nursery Project (Around March)

Come spring, we’re diving into the nursery project! If you’re passionate about cultivating green life, we want you on board.

Tasks include:

• Tree Nursery Development: Playing a pivotal role in nurturing the seeds of future forests.
• Poly-tunnel Installation: Building shelters for our vegetable nursery, a haven for growth.
• LED Gardening: Growing chili and tomato ‘mother’ plants under LED lights.
• Polytunnel Expansion: Taking cuttings to the polytunnel for their next stage of growth.
• Dispatch Crew: Preparing plants for their journey to fields far and wide.

Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜

Yes, we offer food and accommodation

What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕

• Dormitory/shared rooms 🛌
• Private Room 🔑
• Private home 🏠
• Tipi ⛺
• Treehouse 🛖🌳
• Tent 🎪

Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤

At our project, we embrace a diverse and inclusive approach to communal meals, where we celebrate a “we eat everything” philosophy.

We aim to create a culinary experience that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, ensuring that everyone feels nourished and satisfied.

While our menu is designed to be versatile and inclusive, we deeply empathize with dietary requirements. We understand that individuals may have specific needs or preferences based on health, cultural, or personal considerations. Whether it’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or any other dietary requirement, we’re committed to accommodating and respecting everyone’s unique needs.

Our kitchen team is ready to collaborate with individuals to ensure that dietary restrictions are not just acknowledged but celebrated, adding to the richness and diversity of our culinary adventure. So, rest assured, while our ethos is “we eat everything,” we’re also dedicated to making sure everyone can partake in the feast with joy and satisfaction.

Let’s share the love for good food, good company, and good times!

Fee transparency 🆓🔍

No fees for the food and the accommodation.

If you decide to make our vibrant community your home for a month or longer, we’re offering free access to various educational certifications. It’s our way of saying thank you for your extended commitment to our shared mission. [For more information see volunteer benefits below].

VISA SUPPORT – Are you able to assist with visa support, and information, or provide invitation letters? 🛂

No, we cannot help with Visa but we can offer assistance 💁‍♀️

Sustainable Volunteering Bulgaria – Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅

Elevate your stay with us by seizing the opportunity to gain valuable certifications! We believe in investing in your growth, and as a token of our appreciation, we’re thrilled to offer the following educational outcomes, absolutely FREE OF CHARGE:

For Stays of More Than a Week:

• First Aid at Work:
  • Safety First! Our organizer, a licensed first aid instructor, will equip you with a 2-day first aid at work certification. This is crucial for everyone involved in the project and valid for two years.
• Chainsaw Safety Training:
  • For those diving into brush clearing and woodwork, we’re providing a Chainsaw Certificate of Competence. Safety is key, and this certification ensures you’re equipped to handle the tools of the trade.

For Stays Beyond a Month:

For those committing to a longer adventure with us, the learning journey gets even more exciting:

• Horticulture Level 3 Advanced Diploma:
  • If you’re working with the nursery and planting, this advanced diploma awaits you. Dive into 15 hours of study, including practical assessments, and leave with an official UK-based endorsed certification. We’ll cover the certification and exam fees, and you’ll receive a portfolio/reference letter upon completion.
• Forestry Advanced Training Level 3:
  • For those delving into bush cutting, this advanced training awaits. Similar to the horticulture diploma, it involves 15 hours of study, practical assessments, and a portfolio/reference letter. The certification and exam fees are on us, paving the way for an official UK-based endorsed certification.

What are the available activities during free time? 🚴🚣🦒

Get ready for an adventure-packed journey with us, where personal development meets thrilling recreational activities! 🏞🌄

Camping and Hiking:

Explore the Rhodopes, where nature and ancient sites await your discovery. Encounter wild animals, including majestic vultures. Join our bi-monthly camping trips, where weekends are filled with 4×4 adventures, rock climbing, and refreshing swims. It’s not just about fun; it’s about embracing the great outdoors and expanding your horizons.

4×4 Driver Training and Exploring:

Learn the ropes of handling a 4×4 off-road and conquer challenging courses in remote environments. Unleash your inner off-road expert!

Rock Climbing:

Equip yourself with the skills of a climber. We provide top-notch gear and pristine cliffs for bouldering – a perfect setting for mastering this thrilling skill.

Swimming:

Dive into the world of swimming with a professional instructor by your side. If you’re not yet a swimmer, seize the opportunity to acquire this valuable skill in a supportive environment.

SCUBA Diving:

For long-term adventurers, our PADI certified instructor leads the way. Take your PADI open, advanced, and rescue diver courses at cost (certification cost only). Qualified divers can dive buddy to explore lesser-known dive sites, including enchanting lake dives.

Language 🗣🇬🇧

English

How to get to your site ✈ 🗺

Embark on your journey to Harmanli, Bulgaria, with a variety of transport options, each offering a unique experience:

• 1. Private Vehicle:
  • Car: Drive to Harmanli using your own vehicle or a rented car, offering flexibility and convenience.
• 2. Public Transportation:
  • Bus: Regular bus services connect Harmanli with major cities in Bulgaria. Check schedules for a budget-friendly and efficient option.
• Train:
  • The railway network provides a scenic route to Harmanli. Enjoy the landscapes while traveling comfortably by train.
• 3. Air Travel:
  • Flights: While Harmanli doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly into nearby cities like Sofia or Plovdiv and then take ground transportation to reach your final destination.
• 4. Shared Transportation:
  • Carpooling: Explore carpooling options through platforms like BlaBlaCar or local forums. Share a ride with fellow travelers for a cost-effective and social journey.
  • Hitchhiking: For the adventurous spirit, hitchhiking is a possibility. Thumbs up, positive vibes, and engaging with friendly drivers can make this a unique and budget-friendly way to reach Harmanli.

Tips for Hitchhiking:

• Choose well-lit and safe hitchhiking spots.
• Be clear about your destination and accept rides from trustworthy-looking individuals.
• Use common sense and trust your instincts.
• Engage in friendly conversations with drivers to build rapport.

Whether you prefer the freedom of your own vehicle, the efficiency of public transportation, or the adventure of hitchhiking, Harmanli welcomes you with open arms!

Safe travels and enjoy the journey to this charming destination in Bulgaria!

Is there internet access? 🌐

Yes!

CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧

Sustainable Volunteering Bulgaria – If you’d like to join our Bulgaria volunteer program, please send an intro email to voluntouring.freelist@gmail.com. Put ‘Green adventures and skill-building in Harmanli, Bulgaria’ in the subject line to get the contact info quickly.

See more volunteering opportunities in Bulgaria 🇧🇬