REGENERAR ODEMIRA “Regenerate Odemira “ European Solidarity Corps 2021 GAIA Alentejo ECOLOGICAL LIFESTYLES Dates: 01/04/2021 » 31/03/2022 (12 months) Venue: S. Luís – Portugal Hosting organisation: GAIA Alentejo Blog https://gaiaalentejo.wordpress.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GAIA-Alentejo-183468988491962/ HOSTING ORGANISATION Volunteering is driven by the will to contribute to a collec- GAIA is a Portuguese Environmental NGO. Since 1996 we’ve tive purpose and to experience solidarity. conducted numerous campaigns on local and national level and have been involved in international campaigns, mainly Volunteers will be living in the village, in rural context. São at European level. GAIA is presently active in Lisboa and Luís community has 2000 inhabitants, is located in the Alentejo region, aiming at raising awareness on environ- Alentejo region and has many natural sites, including the mental issues such as eco-consumption, food sovereignty natural park of Costa Vicentina. The village is quite isolated and freedom of seeds, agroecology and regeneration. as public transports are scarce. Volunteers go through an initial process of integration in the local community, which GAIA Alentejo is active in the rural South of Portugal and includes learning Portuguese language and attending cul- its mission is to boost ecological lifestyles through learning tural initiatives, which is helpful for their stay in São Luís. experiences, in the context of climate urgency. GAIA Alente- GAIA Alentejo implements this activity in consortium with jo works in a horizontal structure and explores Sociocracy other hosting partners, so that volunteers are included in a as governance. We are active in the following fi elds: Educa- group of volunteers that act as supporting group for each tion, Political Agroecology, Forest, Network and Communi- other. cation. We currently support: - the collective tree nursery of São Luís and regeneration of the public park; ESC POSITIONS - the community-based AMAP system of production and Position 1 | Ecological Lifestyles consumption; The volunteer will have the opportunity to experience dif- - international mobility projects for young people (volun- ferent ecological projects, led by our local partners. The teering and youth exchanges) and the local consortium of tasks of the volunteer will be built in a yearly calendar, partners. according to seasonal needs, and the volunteer should be available to perform di erent kinds of tasks, responding to the necessities of the work groups. DESCRIPTION OF ESC VOLUNTEERING PROJECT - To support hands-on activities: vegetable garden, ESC in São Luís consists in developing ecological life- food forest, construction of ecological systems, styles. This long-term volunteering experience is target- tree nursery, plantations, confection of handmade ed at young people aged 18-30 who are aware of global cosmetics, etc; environmental challenges and wish to develop skills and - To document the work of local partners, concern- knowledge on ecological methodology, to be used at per- ing permaculture and/or agroecology, local pro- sonal level (change of behaviors) and as an active member duction and consumption and ecological lifestyles; of community actions. - To support the conception, preparation, implemen- tation and documentation of one-o events (de- Volunteers are hosted in São Luís two by two. GAIA Alente- bates, fi lms, presentations, workshops, walks…) jo activates the network of local partners to which volun- held by GAIA Alentejo and local partners; teers will contribute, in a combination of traditional com- - To support implementing network activities. munity organizations in São Luís and newly established ecological initiatives. Volunteers will also be involved in Profi le: GAIA’s community projects such as: tree nursery, planting We are looking for young people aged 18-30 who are aware trees, youth activities, awareness raising activities in the of global environmental challenges and wish to develop school. Throughout the volunteering, they are encouraged skills and knowledge on ecological methodology, to be to experience a variety of working realities, then gradually used at personal level (change of behaviors) and at com- focus on individual learning goals and in which initiatives munity level. Young people should express: they can develop themselves, moving towards a fi nal per- • clear interest in ecological lifestyles and in refl ecting sonal project that contributes to the community. For this on society, thinking global and acting local; process GAIA Alentejo puts in practice a strong mentorship • specifi c motivation to live one year in a rural commu- program. nity (2000 inhabitants); • language skills and clear motivation to learn Portu- Their role is designed so that young people have an enrich- guese language, curiosity for local rural culture; ing life and learning experience in the area of the project, • being active in his/her local community and having through a well defi ned set of tasks, integrating their ideas experience in associations or other social movements; and supporting creativity, experience and autonomy. Volun- • clear interest in developing one or more of the follow- teers needs and learning expectations are taken into con- ing competences: methodologies of self-organisation sideration. The focus is the learning experience in a way at community level and techniques of participation; to contribute to the local environment and/or community. practical experience in permaculture/ agroecology; knowledge on ecology, transition, regeneration. ACCOMMODATION • Volunteers are hosted in the village of São Luís, shar- ing a rented house. This house is completely furnished Motivation is the main selection criteria. GAIA makes no and equipped, allows each participant to have her/his distinction regarding gender, sexual orientation, nor prior own room and a shared kitchen and bathroom. formal education. Priority will be given to candidates with • The house is located inside the village, in walking less opportunities (for example coming from rural back- distance to grocery, vegetable and fi sh market, bakery, ground, geographic isolation or with economic obstacles). cafes, restaurants and bank. Gender balance is considered while selecting volunteers. • GAIA provides bikes for local transportation in the vil- lage and surroundings. • Volunteers get a monthly fee for food and prepare Position 2 | Ecological lifestyles + Communication their own meals. Together with the volunteer in position 1), this volunteer • They have free access to Internet. will have the opportunity to experience di erent ecological projects, led by our local partners. The tasks of the volun- teer include hands-on activities to experience and learn by APPLICATION doing, as well as the implementation of communication ac- Send your CV with a photo, Motivation letter and a short tivities. Tasks include: presentation video, in Portuguese or English, to juven- - To support hands-on activities: vegetable garden, [email protected] until 21 february. food forest, construction of ecological systems, Be specifi c to which vacancy you are applying. Specifi c in- tree nursery, plantations, confection of handmade terests and motivations should be presented in the Motiva- cosmetics, etc; tion Letter. We make no distinction regarding ethnic origin, - To support the communication strategy of GAIA religion, political or sexual orientation of the candidate, nor Alentejo, the photo and video documentation of regarding academic degrees. our initiatives and the maintenance of social net- works; We are looking for volunteers from the following countries: - To develop creative communication events to Bulgaria, Greece, France, Italy, Slovenia, Spain. Priority will strengthen the local/ regional network and to be given to candidates with less opportunities (for exam- reach new audiences. ple coming from rural background, geographic isolation or with economic obstacles). Gender balance and diversity of nationalities is considered while selecting volunteers. All PROFILE candidates will be informed about the selection decision We are looking for young people aged 18-30 who are aware by 26th February. of global environmental challenges, wish to develop skills and knowledge on ecological methodologies while con- tributing to the local community and are happy to work on INSPIRATION communication. Young people should express: A dream called EVS • clear interest in ecological lifestyles and in refl ecting Video done by volunteers on society, thinking global and acting local; • specifi c motivation to live one year in a rural commu- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWCS9dofexQ&fea- nity (2000 inhabitants); ture=emb_imp_woyt • language skills and clear motivation to learn Portu- guese language, curiosity for local rural culture; • experience and enjoyment in using social digital me- dia, photography and video, writing or other communi- cation techniques; • 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 follow- ing competences: methodologies of self-organisation at community level and techniques of participation; practical experience in permaculture/ agroecology; knowledge on ecology, transition, regeneration; com- munication 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 in the motivation letter. Motivation is