New volunteers for "Cutting Carbon"
A new generation is contributing to our project in Sicily, Croatia and North Macedonia
In addition to the content-related work in our Cutting Carbon project, which focuses on carbon sequestration in agriculture and urban planning as well as environmental education for children, our three implementing organisations Giacche Verdi Bronte (Sicily), Argonauta (Croatia), and EcoLogic (North Macedonia) accommodate young volunteers from abroad and involve them in local nature conservation efforts.
This activity, which is highly enriching for all involved, is made possible through cooperation with the ESC, an EU programme that effectively complements this EUKI project.
The European Voluntary Service - now part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme - aims to enable young people to grow personally in a foreign country, gain practical experience, and at the same time strengthen solidarity, cultural exchange, and civic engagement in Europe.
Our current volunteers in the three project regions arrived starting in early September from Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Turkey, Pakistan, and the United States. While the volunteers work in all areas of “Cutting Carbon” (and in some cases also initiate their own activities or explore creative approaches), they gain hands-on experience in nature conservation and traditional farm work, receive subject-specific training, learn new skills, broaden their perspective on local and global issues and potential solutions in a different country, witness the impact of their own efforts, and enrich their host country through their positive motivation. We expect that, upon returning to their home countries, these young people will serve as multipliers for our project’s mission and, more broadly, as sources of inspiration for meaningful engagement in environmental causes. Each of the three project partners accredited as so-called hosting organisations has its own areas of focus:
In Sicily, Giacche Verdi Bronte offers up to five long-term and two three-month placements. Here, the mostly very young high school graduates work partly with students who also come from abroad and are completing an internship through the ERASMUS+ programme, often in conjunction with a research thesis. They all live together in one house and enrich each other’s lives. Currently, there are 12 young people who receive thematic training during their first few weeks, learn Italian, and settle into their new environment by doing simple, hands-on tasks.
Sicily: The students Fareeha Kokab and Gabriel Wastl are evaluating Bronte’s greening potential, while the volunteers Greta Wilhelm and Philipp Häckl are collecting almonds and laurel seeds.
EcoLogic in North Macedonia relies on a small number (2) of well-trained annual volunteers who can begin producing results shortly after their arrival. The volunteers are first given time to adjust to their new surroundings and become familiar with the project’s goals. They begin their voluntary service by providing general support to the organization.
North Macedonia: Neila Horton and Melike Unal are presenting the organisation EcoLogic on fairs for sustainable lifestyle.
In Croatia there are two long-term volunteers at Argonauta, each staying for one year, as well as occasional short-term stays lasting one month. Currently, 11 young people are being introduced to the project’s focus and are carrying out their first tasks.
Croatia: The volunteers are getting trained by Suzana Suman before dedicating themselves on Terra Preta mixture for Argonauta’s planting activities in school yards.
