The Icelandic Forestry Association (IFA) runs many different projects in the field of afforestation and environmental improvement and over the course of its history many volunteers, both domestic and international, have taken part in this work.

From 2015 the IFA structured its voluntary work through the European Voluntary Service (EVS), part of the Erasmus+ programme. From 2020 the IFA has participated in European Solidarity Corps (ESC) which is also a part of the Erasmus+ programme and similar to the EVS. In January 2022 the IFA received a Quality Label for its ESC volunteering project. The Quality Label is a process that certifies that an organisation is able and willing to carry out high quality solidarity activities in compliance with the principles, objectives and quality standards of the European Solidarity Corps. Obtaining a Quality Label is a precondition for participation in volunteering activities.

Each year the IFA hosts five ESC volunteers for five months, from May until September. The volunteers will be involved in all sort of projects with different partners, most often a local forestry association. The local associations have small or medium afforestation projects that mostly aim at providing recreational areas for local inhabitants and enriching biodiversity. The volunteers will help such local associations to conduct small projects including path making, planting and branch picking.

The IFA has agreements with supporting organizations in five countries: Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria and Poland. Applicants from other countries cannot apply for this project for 2022.

Spain – Ecoperia
Italy – You Net
Poland – Semper Avanti
Czech Republic – INEX
Austria – CUBIC – Cultur & Bildung im Context

A call for candidates is usually posted on the ESC web (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) in January each year. If you are interested in this opportunity or would like some further information, feel free to send us an email at volunteer.ifa@gmail.com.