CM Odemira / GAIA Alentejo - Rural Regenerative Experience

GAIA Alentejo - Rural Regenerative Experience

HOSTING ORGANISATION

GAIA is a Portuguese Environmental NGO that promotes agroecology and regeneration through non formal education activities. GAIA is mainly active in the rural village of São Luís (Odemira), with our actions we raise awareness on environmental issues such as eco-consumption, food sovereignty and regenerative development.

GAIA Alentejo's objective is to boost citizens' movements for rural sustainable development in Odemira municipality. With our actions we raise awareness and build competences on environmental issues and global environmental challenges and we promote the active involvement of local communities through the use of participatory techniques.

The main beneficiaries of GAIA Alentejo are the local communities of all ages in the villages around São Luís. GAIA Also works with international youth and youth workers to build competences on Cooperation and Regeneration.

DESCRIPTION OF ESC VOLUNTEERING PROJECT

ESC in São Luís consists of developing a Rural Regenerative Experience. This long-term volunteering experience is targeted at young people aged 18-30 who are aware of global environmental challenges and wish to develop competences on how to be part of the solution. We are looking for participants who are open and ready to be an active member of the local rural area of Odemira.

Volunteers are hosted in São Luís by pairs and during the program GAIA Alentejo organizes activities together with the network of local partners for the volunteers to contribute to the local rural development. GAIA Alentejo is working with youth through the Co.Re Learning Center and visiting schools in the municipality of Odemira. GAIA also organizes training courses within the Erasmus + programme.

The local partners are a combination of traditional community organizations in São Luís and newly established agro-ecological initiatives. Throughout the volunteering, the volunteers are encouraged to experience a variety of working realities, then gradually focus on individual learning goals and in which initiatives they can develop themselves, moving towards a final personal project that contributes to the community. For this process GAIA Alentejo puts in practice a strong mentorship program.

Their role is designed so that young people have an enriching life and learning experience in the area of the project, through a well defined set of tasks, integrating their ideas and supporting creativity, experience and autonomy. Volunteers’ needs and learning expectations are taken into consideration. The focus is the learning experience in a way to contribute to the local environment and/or community. Volunteering is driven by the will to contribute to a collective purpose and to experience solidarity.

Volunteers will be living in the village, in a rural context. São Luís community has 2000 inhabitants, is located in the Alentejo region and has many natural sites, including the natural park of Costa Vicentina. The village is quite isolated as public transports are scarce. Volunteers go through an initial process of integration in the local community, which includes learning Portuguese language and attending cultural initiatives, which is helpful for their stay in São Luís. GAIA Alentejo implements this activity in consortium with other hosting partners, so that volunteers are included in a group of volunteers that act as supporting group for each other.

GAIA Alentejo is very experienced in hosting and coordinating international volunteers.

ESC POSITIONS

Position 1 | Rural Regenerative Experience: Agroecology

The volunteer will have the opportunity to experience different activities during the year, led by GAIA association as well as our local partners. The tasks of the volunteer will be built in a yearly calendar, according to seasonal needs, and the volunteer should be available to perform different kinds of tasks, responding to the needs of the working groups, such as:

To support hands-on activities: vegetable garden, food forest, construction of ecological systems, tree nursery, plantations, confection of handmade cosmetics, food preservation etc;
To support in the dynamization & logistics of activities held at the Centro Co.Re Learning hub
To support and learn from an agroecological kitchen - Espaço Nativa
To support the conception, preparation, implementation and documentation of events (debates, films, presentations, workshops, walks…) held by GAIA Alentejo and local partners;
To support implementing networking activities.

Position 2 | Rural Regenerative Experience: Communication

Together with the volunteer in Position 1, this volunteer will have the opportunity to experience different projects, led by our local partners. The tasks of the volunteer include hands-on activities to experience and learn by doing, as well as the implementation of communication activities. Tasks include:

To support hands-on activities: vegetable garden, food forest, construction of ecological systems, tree nursery, plantations, confection of handmade cosmetics, food preservation etc;
To support in the dynamization & logistics of activities held at the Centro Co.Re Learning hub
To support the communication strategy of GAIA Alentejo, the photo and video documentation of our initiatives and the maintenance of social networks;
To develop creative communication events to strengthen the local/ regional network and to reach new audiences.

PROFILE

The Rural Regenerative Experience is looking for young people aged 18-30 who are aware of global environmental challenges and wish to develop competences on regeneration. We are looking for participants who are open, flexible and ready to be an active member of the local rural area of Odemira.

Young people should express:

Clear interest in agroecological lifestyles and in reflecting on society, thinking global and acting local;
Specific motivation to live one year in a rural community (2000 inhabitants);
Language skills and clear motivation to learn Portuguese language, curiosity for local rural culture;
Being active in his/her local community and having experience in associations or other social movements;
Clear interest in developing one or more of the following competences: methodologies of self-organisation at community level and techniques of participation; practical experience in permaculture/ agroecology; knowledge on ecology and regeneration.

For the Position 2 the profile further includes:

Experience and enjoyment in using social digital media, photography and video, writing or other communication techniques;
Clear interest in developing communication skills for social movements;
It’s appreciated that the volunteer brings his/her personal equipment, in particular computer. If you don’t have one, please mention it while filling in the application form.

Motivation is the main selection criteria. GAIA makes no distinction regarding gender, sexual orientation, nor prior formal education. Priority will be given to candidates with less opportunities (for example coming from rural background, geographic isolation or with economic obstacles). Gender balance is considered while selecting volunteers.

ACCOMMODATION

Volunteers are hosted in the village of São Luís, sharing a rented house. The house will be completely furnished and equipped, allowing each participant to have her/his own room and a shared kitchen and bathroom. The house is located inside the village, in walking distance to grocery, vegetable and fish market, bakery, cafes, restaurants and bank.

GAIA provides bikes for local transportation in the village and surroundings.
Volunteers get a monthly fee for food and prepare their own meals.

To apply:

Read carefully each of the available positions, the hosting conditions, expected tasks for the volunteers and the profile of participants. Then:

Fill in the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
Be specific to which position you’re applying to! We are expecting to read about your motivation to be a volunteer in that specific project.
Be ready to send a short video (simple one, homely made) of 2 minutes, presenting your personal profile & history
Submit your application form(s) until the 15th of June.