from 600€

Fine 3.9rating (14)
  • Climate Action
  • Life On Land

One earth, our home - Let's prevent global warming

location
300€ per week  ·  2 - 16 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Contact Coordinator

Highlights

  • Discover the amazing nature of Iceland, come and explore glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and geysers.
  • Experience new cultures through the cultural dinners that every volunteer prepares with traditional food from their country.
  • Enjoy the White Nights in summer and the magnificent Northern Lights during winter.
  • Improve your english, and participate in our environmental workshops.
  • Help in the fight against plastic pollution by cleaning the coast of Iceland and be surprised by seals.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

This program focuses on environmental education, environmental activities, and sustainability. The main tasks are beach cleanups, seed collection, and renovation work.

*Project Location

Worldwide Friends Iceland is running a center of Environment & Sustainability near the crossroads to the West, and North of Iceland. The center is called BRÚ, and it is located in Hrutafjordur which is 36 km long fjord in Hunathing vestra, on the R1.  

Keep in mind that is a ...

About the program

*Project Location

Worldwide Friends Iceland is running a center of Environment & Sustainability near the crossroads to the West, and North of Iceland. The center is called BRÚ, and it is located in Hrutafjordur which is 36 km long fjord in Hunathing vestra, on the R1.  

Keep in mind that is a 1-hour drive to the closest city (Borganes). Based just off the main road, we are not set in a town, therefore the only way to get around is by car. Brú's stunning surrounding countryside offers the perfect tonic to relax and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Around the house, you can find a lot of pure and unspoiled nature, waterfalls, rivers, canyons, and craters. The purpose of the center is to protect nature in the area and to raise awareness of sustainability among the locals and the visitors who are coming to the area.


The house is more than 1.000 m², it has double rooms, triple rooms, quadruple rooms, two kitchens, several bathrooms, common areas, rooms for workshops, and galleries. We do not have gender-separated rooms and you may have to share a room with a male or female. Our long-term plan is to equip the center with its own hydropower plant to produce electricity for heating and daily use. This will make Brú completely sustainable from an energetic point of view and will contribute to the production of clean energy for the region.

*Work:
This work camp is a way to enjoy an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while they are exploring creativity, environmental issues, and intercultural learning.

Volunteers will have 5 to 6  hours of environmental work during weekdays. The main activities can be cleaning the coastline and rivers, planting trees or picking seeds, taking down old fences, removing lupines or other plants, and fixing hiking paths. The work depends on the need of the local community and the season. We also have the option to do a little bit of renovation in the house or take care of the garden if needed. Some days we will give a special focus on global warming and the volunteers will have workshops or lectures about climate change. The main goal of this project is to improve the environmental education and consciousness of the project’s participants. Within the project, we will learn about green energy, sustainable householding, waste treatment, nutrition, the effects of consumption, and lots more. 

If you want to change something, develop solutions, or inspire others, you have to understand the issues and tasks first. In addition to the theoretical part, we are going to practice sustainable work. For example, planting trees is one of the main exercises of the camps. Planting trees becomes a very useful action against climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, clean the air and prevent erosions. Our work will also depend on weather conditions, which is why we must be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, but hopefully, the weather will be nice most of the time. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges. 

*Participants: We host international volunteers, most of them around 18 to 25 years old.


*Camp leaders:

There are always one or more leaders for each camp, depending on the size of the group. Leaders represent the link between the hosting community and the group of volunteers. They coordinate the work, organize leisurely activities, plan excursions, organize the shopping, house chores, and cooking sessions. Apart from these additional responsibilities, they are equal to other volunteers. Most of our camp leaders are from other countries, as we are very open-minded in hosting international leaders from different organizations



*What to pack?
Icelandic weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for anything. You will need:
  • Hiking boots that are waterproof 
  • Warm sleeping bag (we only provide bedsheets) 
  • Swimsuits and towels (to take advantage of the traditional swimming pools and hot springs) 
  • Warm and waterproof clothes/shoes (you will spend time outside) 
  • Slippers/shoes for indoors, we don’t bring shoes inside the houses! 
  • Raincoat 
  • Pillow 
  • Medication 
  • Food, photos, or anything interesting related to your country for intercultural nights 
  • Hairdryer (optional) 
  • Cash (ISK or EUR) for extra excursions
  • Baggage allowance: 1 large suitcase & small carry-on 

Typical day

A typical working day has the following schedule:

  • 8:00 Breakfast
  • 9:00-16:00 Work
  • 13:00 Lunch 
  • 16:00-17:00 Free time 
  • 18:00 Workshop
  • 19:00 Dinner
  • 20:00 Movie Night

Typical day

A typical working day has the following schedule:

  • 8:00 Breakfast
  • 9:00-16:00 Work
  • 13:00 Lunch 
  • 16:00-17:00 Free time 
  • 18:00 Workshop
  • 19:00 Dinner
  • 20:00 Movie Night

Free-time activities

WF Iceland will organize reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot springs, rhyolite, ...

Free-time activities

WF Iceland will organize reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot springs, rhyolite, mountain ranges, steam vents, and even icebergs. 

Extra activities that volunteers can book are Horseback Riding, river rafting, whale watching and more. The extra activities have an extra cost .

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 (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV and ID

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Accommodation

Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in the Worldwide Friends sustainable center offering good facilities. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags and towels; beds and bed sheets are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. We have double, triple, and quadruple rooms. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, freezer, stove, oven, microwave, and coffee machine. The bathrooms are shared.


Pre-Camp "The Farm"
Hostel style mix dorm
The house is fully equipped (we have one cat named Lisa )
20 min by car to City Center

Food & Beverages

Food is included for the duration of the camp; however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. 

We provide a well-balanced and healthy variety of food products that includes a wide variety of whole grains, seasonal fruits & vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, and vegetarian/vegan options. We try to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet by cutting down our meat intake and we usually encourage volunteers to try more sustainable dishes. 

We can accommodate special diets such as gluten-free, vegetarians, vegans, or any allergies, please let us know in advance

Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorite recipes, ingredients, and spices from home! 

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Keflavik International Airport

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

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik. We assist you to find cheap flights to Iceland. 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 Iceland provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

Arrival

Volunteers will be picked up at the City Hall of Reykjavik in Tjarnargata 11 101 Reykjavik at 09.00 am on the first day of the camp. 

Departure

Drop off will be on the evening of the last day of the program at BSI Bus Station. You will arrive no sooner than 18:00. The time may vary due to adverse weather conditions and other related conditions. We strongly recommend departing no earlier than one day after the last day of your work camp. Keep in mind you have to arrange your stay for these days.

We strongly recommend arriving in Iceland at least one day before the first day of your project and departing no earlier than one day after the last day of your project. 


*Pre-camp in Reykjavik - NOT included but optional for 150 euro (2 days before the start of the program)

  • Day 1: Arrival day -Pick up at the BSI Bus Station (From 14:00 to 17:00)   -Accommodation in Reykjavík*
  • Day 2: Golden Circle Excursion - Accommodation in Reykjavík*
  • Day 3: Departure to Workcamp accommodation
*Accommodation in Reykjavík: Hostel-style mix dorm, 20 minutes from City Center by car 


The start dates are every two weeks on a Wednesday and end on a Wednesday as well.

  • 15.03
  • 29.03
  • 12.04
  • 26.04
  • 10.05
  • 24.05
  • 07.06 FULL
  • 21.06
  • 05.07 FULL
  • 19.07 FULL
  • 02.08
  • 16.08
  • 30.08
  • 13.09
  • 27.09
  • 11.10
  • 25.10
  • 08.11

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 600€
4 weeks 1,200€
6 weeks 1,800€
8 weeks 2,400€
10 weeks 3,000€
16 weeks (max. stay) 4,800€
Average fees 300€/week

Program fees

300€ per week 2 - 16 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 16 weeks

Deposit (15%)

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 (85%)

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

Meet your host

Worldwide Friends

Fine 3.9 rating (14 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2001

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Victoria

Spoken languages: English

About the project

We are an environmental organization that focuses on 2 weeks workcamps or medium to long volunteering programs. Our main topics are climate change and sustainability.
Contact Coordinator

Meet your host

- Who are we?

Worldwide Friends (WF) was founded in 2001 as a non-governmental, nonprofit organization. Our aim is to promote nature and peace-oriented activities among people interested in spending time in Iceland as volunteers. 
The staff of WF consists of 5 members: 
  • Our director and founder - Toti Ivarsson.
  • 4 project managers: Valentina, Steini, Bjarki, and Sebastian.
Alongside the staff members, we have long-term volunteers that are crucial for our programs.
- What we do:
The main activities offered by WF Iceland are workcamps, exchange programs, and educational seminars. Our activities are suitable for anyone interested in discovering an exotic and safe destination. WF also sends Icelanders abroad who wish to have similar volunteering experiences elsewhere in the world. Our programs are a mixture of volunteering, excursions, cultural exchanges,  environmental work, and environmental education.
- Where we work:
Worldwide Friends is located in one of the safest countries in the world, the land of Ice and Fire, Iceland. We work all over the country but mostly in the east and west of Iceland where we have our two main centers. We try to have a balance between outdoor work and indoor work but most of the time it depends on the weather.
- Our mission/vision:
  • Promoting peace and friendship
  • Promoting intercultural education and awareness
  • Preserving Icelandic nature and raising awareness about environmental issues
  • Promoting voluntary work and a culture of volunteering
- Our goal:
To be able one day to live in a sustainable society that respects and protects the environment.
- Who are we looking for?
The biggest requirement that we have is that our volunteers must be interested in the environment. If you like to work outdoors, explore exotic locations, discover unspoiled nature, have a cultural exchange with volunteers from different countries, and improve your environmental knowledge then we are looking for you!
- Why choose us?
When you choose us, you are making the decision to volunteer with one of the biggest and more experienced organizations in Iceland. We have hosted thousands of volunteers in all these years, which grants us the opportunity to offer you the best experience possible. 

14 reviews · rating3.9

The time in Iceland was a disappointment. The house in Bru is in a bad condition. In some rooms the windows were broken. Also the bedrooms are very poorly equipped. Some of them didn’t have a curtains or some furniture. So no space for you clothing or anything. The kitchen is very small and there ...
It was more tourism than volunteering and I cannot say that I felt like what I was doing has whatsoever impact on the planet. Unfortunately, some NGOs are more a business than a real organization with real engagement. It is the case for Worldwide Friends. If one is looking just for a summer camp ...
It was an amazing experience volunteering with Worldwide Friends. I had chance to travel all around Iceland and discover stunning nature, all while having fun with other young people from so many different countries! Since this is volunteer program some volunteer activities are involved, such as ...
My trip to Iceland was the first one I did on my own. But I never felt alone. I always had lovely and nice people around me. Also the things we did were very interesting. I was able to drive around Iceland and help people where they need it. My time in Iceland was very special and I will never ...
It was a awesome experience to work as a volunteer for Worldwide Friends. We did some renovation work in the house, always with some nice music. The work wasn't hard and there was always help. We saw a lot of Iceland. I was most impressed by the glacier we saw during the south coast tour. It was ...
I came to Iceland with the purpose to help cleaning the beaches and learning more about environmental protection. But I got so much more: pure happy moments, amazing landscape impressions and a big international family which I didn’t want to leave. They are so open hearted and welcoming and ...

Location

Europe > Northern Europe > Iceland > Stadur

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Conservation Work in Iceland