CM Odemira / ROTA VICENTINA - Responsible Tourism in SW Portugal

ROTA VICENTINA - Responsible Tourism in SW Portugal

The Association

Rota Vicentina – Association for the Promotion of Nature Tourism in Alentejo and Vicentina Coast was created in 2013 with the purpose of managing the network of trails and strengthening the potential of this territory as an area for dynamic and sustainable tourism with regenerative capacity.

With about 100 founding members, today it has more than 200, mostly local companies, but also individuals, some public entities, more than 40 tour operators from 11 different countries and a network of 200 volunteers, which have supported and enabled the project at various levels.

Serving the interest of its Associates, Rota Vicentina follows the route of public interest, managing a network of trails as public infrastructure and the brand Rota VicentinaⓇ as private capital for the economic stimulation of the network of partner companies, which in turn invest in a joint model of sustainable commitment in the region. Because of its innovative model, Rota Vicentina has been a reference for many similar projects, whilst it has itself continued seeking inspiration in other places in Portugal and the world.

Volunteering in Rota Vicentina

Rota Vicentina is much more than trails with its diverse and unique offers. It is a living network that connects people, territory and heritage, contributing to the sustainability of the rural areas of this special region.

There are different ways of contributing and collaborating behind the scenes of the development and preservation of Rota Vicentina and its region, one of them is volunteering. Being a volunteer is an act of love. And in Rota Vicentina we want to receive those who dedicate themselves to the same cause as we do. Long term volunteering is the perfect way to help the Association.

Local context

The current ESC activity takes place essentially in the town of Odemira, which is also the county seat, in Baixo Alentejo region. This municipality is the largest in the country, in terms of territory area, with a marked population dispersion. It has rural characteristics, especially in the interior areas. The coastal strip has many beaches with a strong tourist activity in summer.

Odemira currently has about 3200 inhabitants, a primary school and two kindergartens, two pharmacies, a library, a day care center and a home to support the elderly, a long term care unit, a recreational society, medical center, banks, mini-markets and a traditional market, gas stations, several cafes and restaurants, other small local commerce initiatives. It is a region with a marked rural exodus, with a tendency for the population with higher academic qualifications to move to the cities.

DESCRIPTION OF ESC VOLUNTEERING PROJECT

ESC POSITIONS

Position 1 + 2 | Volunteering in Rota Vicentina

The volunteers will be welcomed by the Rota Vicentina Association for 12 months, with the aim of integrating the Rota Vicentina team, in a transversal program of activities, promoting responsible tourism with various audiences: local, national and international.

The objective of this volunteering is to contribute to a sustainable and responsible tourism offer, from its creation to its promotion.

Tasks includes:

# area 1 - Maintenance of the Rota Vicentina trails Video about maintenance in Rota Vicentina | Manutenção na Rota Vicentina significa… - Rota Vicentina 2018

to participate in community trail maintenance actions
to participate in nature conservation activities
to participate in regular maintenance of the walking and cycling trails

# area 2 - Communication and marketing

to create innovative contents (photos, videos and articles)
to contribute to publicity campaigns (Agenda Rota Vicentina, Rota Vicentina social networks)
to co-manage the Tik Tok Rota Vicentina account with short videos about maintenance and operation of the RV (https://www.tiktok.com/@rotavicentina)
to contribute to the development of materials for the future Rota Vicentina’s Reception and Interpretation Center

# area 3 - Local identity and culture

to interview people from local community members about cultural aspects
to produce a map points of interest (landscape, natural, cultural, heritage, etc.)

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Interests:

Passion for the rural world and for living in small environments (one year living in a rural community)
Interest in the areas of nature tourism, responsible tourism and sustainable development
Conservation
Photography and / or video
Travel writing
Outdoor sports - trekking, cycling
Social networks and communication
Mastering communication and information technologies
language skills and clear motivation to learn Portuguese language

Personal skills:

Responsibility, autonomy, dynamism and creativity
Organization and proactivity
Good communicator and excellent interpersonal skills
Teamwork
Proficiency in spoken and written English and/or Portuguese
Native language and English traduction
Flexibility to work at weekend
Interest and technical knowledge for creating and publishing digital media files - audio, video, photo and other graphic materials (flyers, posters), design and communication
How to work in the associative environment
Graphic Design
Photography and/or Vídeo
Storytelling and copywriting
Having a driving license is recommended.

It’s necessary that the volunteer brings his/her personal equipment, in particular a computer. If you don’t have one, please mention it in the motivation letter.

Expected learning outcomes

How to work in the associative environment
To work with a team and to collaborate
To develop/manage projects
To communicate online
To contact partners and local community
To register information and organize it
To visit other projects and to learn from them
To support the community and be part of it.
To turn a descriptive content in a promotion content

ACCOMMODATION / FOOD / TRANSPORT

The volunteer will be accommodated in Odemira in a shared apartment (together with another volunteer), in which she/he will have a single room. The house will be fully equipped, with a common room and kitchen where they can prepare their meals.
All meals will be the responsibility of the volunteer, guaranteed through a budget delivered to the volunteer on a monthly basis.
For travel within the scope of Volunteering, transportation will be provided by the Association. The remaining trips will be provided by the local transport network.

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.
Prepare a short video (simple one, homely made) of max. 2 minutes, presenting your personal profile & history
Prepare your CV in English.
Submit your application form(s) until the 14th of July.