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Outstanding 4.91rating (80)
  • Sustainable Cities And Communities
  • Climate Action
  • Reduced Inequalities

Short Term - Bioconstruction and Natural Building

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Learn how to build your own house with natural construction. We have built extraordinary bioconstruction houses. You get the chance to stick your hands in the dirt and build yourself!
  • You will be living with an international team of volunteers. Make friends for life!
  • A lot of people at the eco farm say it is a life-changing experience. A place to learn more about yourself and about what you want from the future.

Highlights

  • Learn how to build your own house with natural construction. We have built extraordinary bioconstruction houses. You get the chance to stick your hands in the dirt and build yourself!
  • You will be living with an international team of volunteers. Make friends for life!
  • A lot of people at the eco farm say it is a life-changing experience. A place to learn more about yourself and about what you want from the future.
  • Learn about organic farming, permaculture, and agroforestry.
  • We organize hikes, camping weekends, cinema nights, game nights, campfires, karaoke, swimming trips, and much more.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Eco Caminhos builds among the most advanced bioconstruction houses in South America. If you want to learn about bioconstruction you will be able to learn from day 1.

    Volunteer at Eco Caminhos
    Situated in the beautiful mountains of Nova Fribugo, Brazil, Eco Caminhos is an eco farm where we work with natural building (bioconstruction), organic farming, permaculture, and agroforestry. We follow the permaculture principles. You can work here for a couple of weeks up ...

    About the program

    Volunteer at Eco Caminhos
    Situated in the beautiful mountains of Nova Fribugo, Brazil, Eco Caminhos is an eco farm where we work with natural building (bioconstruction), organic farming, permaculture, and agroforestry. We follow the permaculture principles. You can work here for a couple of weeks up to a couple of years. We offer volunteers the chance to become a part of our project and live in our international community while enjoying nature and ecotourism activities. Short-term volunteering at Eco Caminhos is an excellent way to gain practical skills and experience in organic farming, natural building/bioconstruction, agroforestry, and permaculture. At our eco farm, you will live and work with people from Brazil and all around the world. At Eco Caminhos you will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends while learning the Portuguese language immersed in Brazilian culture.

    Short-term volunteers will work approximately 24 hours (3 days) a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays are off. The work can vary between agroforestry, organic farming, bioconstruction, and other jobs at the farm. After your work day and on your weekends, you are free to do as you please. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.

     

    Typical day

    6:00 am- Wake up and have some breakfast.

    7:00 am- Go to the Eco Farm and work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.

    9:30-9:45 am- Coffee break.

    9:45-12:00 am- Continue work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.

    12:00-13:00 pm- Lunch Break

    13:00-16:00 pm - Finish work in ...

    Typical day

    6:00 am- Wake up and have some breakfast.

    7:00 am- Go to the Eco Farm and work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.

    9:30-9:45 am- Coffee break.

    9:45-12:00 am- Continue work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.

    12:00-13:00 pm- Lunch Break

    13:00-16:00 pm - Finish work in bioconstruction, organic farming or agroforestry.

    16:00-22:00 pm - Free time, organised activities, Portuguese classes, social nights

    Free-time activities

    The Eco Caminhos farm is located in the Região Serrano where you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains, forests, reservations, wildlife, and waterfalls. Still, you won't be isolated as Nova Friburgo, a city with 180,000 inhabitants and a good structure, is only 6km from the farm. The region is ...

    Free-time activities

    The Eco Caminhos farm is located in the Região Serrano where you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains, forests, reservations, wildlife, and waterfalls. Still, you won't be isolated as Nova Friburgo, a city with 180,000 inhabitants and a good structure, is only 6km from the farm. The region is far more safe than the city of Rio de Janeiro. There is also a bus stop 500 meters from the farm that travels into town every hour.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    tell us about your skills and add CV

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    nature lovers

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 07:00 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included:
    • Basic accommodation (shared room)
    • Basic food: we buy ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, coffee, eggs, milk, flour etc. Vegetables come from our own farm
    • Theoretical introductions about the implementation of permaculture, bioconstruction, and agroforestry on our farm
    • Hands-on bioconstruction, agroforestry, and organic farming at Eco Caminhos
    • 1 activity per week, including hikes, horseback riding, campfires, and camping in the mountains *
    • 1 Portuguese class per week
    • Participate in volunteer nights, including board games, movies, karaoke, and campfires.

    * You pay for your own transport and entrance fees, if applicable

    Accommodation

    There is 2 possible accommodation options:

    Volunteer compound. 

    The volunteer compound has 2 houses, 2 kitchens, 6 double bedrooms.

    It has all the facilities you need, including WiFi and 2 washing machines.

    The perfect place to make friends and hang out after a long but rewarding day of work.



    Food & Beverages

    Volunteer compound

    We provide volunteers with the ingredients for their meals. 

    With the exception of lunch on workdays, volunteers will have to cook for themselves but we find this is a great way to bond with your fellow volunteers and explore the beautiful thing that is Brazilian cuisine! 

    The budget is for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - anything not covered by this budget is at the expense of the volunteers.

    Homestay
    For people who choose homestay, food is provided. During workdays, you will be eating at the Eco Farm. The rest of the time you will eat with the host family. We can tell you that the families are known for their delicious food.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio De Janeiro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Brazil provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Brazil you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Brazil. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    People are welcome year-round. At Eco Caminhos the weather allows us to work all year. 

    To get here you can make your own way or you can ask us to organize your airport transfer. During your first week you will be introduced to everyone and get some introductory training on the farm, permaculture, bioconstruction, and agroforestry.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 352€
    2 weeks 582€
    3 weeks 775€
    4 weeks 970€
    5 weeks 1,105€
    6 weeks 1,259€
    7 weeks 1,413€
    8 weeks 1,535€
    9 weeks 1,658€
    10 weeks 1,750€
    11 weeks 1,842€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 1,904€
    Average fees 254€/week

    Program fees

    254€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Eco Caminhos during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Location

    Americas > South America > Brazil > Nova Friburgo

    Meet your project coordinator

    Bart
    80
    reviews
    4.91
    Outstanding
    2014
    Founded

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Construction in Brazil
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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