Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "construction" projects in Iceland

This project is located in the beautiful Westfjords of Iceland. This is the 7th time SEEDS has organised a workcamp with this hosts, who are a family that have taken up a former farm in the valley and are developing new work opportunities in the remote area. They live and work there all year round running diverse facilities and offering services for visitors.
The main tasks of this project is to help with fencing work in the area, including helping to clear out old fences, repair some fences and put new ones in place. Volunteers will also do some other small tasks, aimed towards beautifying the isolated area.
The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and on weather conditions. This is a very isolated place with limited mobile/internet connection.
In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place, possibly including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and kayaking in the fjords.

SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing, sleeping in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Meals will be provided and volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen, preparing the meals and cleaning up. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. This area in the Western fjords is famed for its beautiful landscape and friendly weather with sunny summers.
The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. In the area you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.
Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.
The distances to the next town and villages are 130 Km to Ísafjörður and 90 Km to Hólmavík. The Westfjords account for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 8000 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe.
Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option, this provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ).
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 140 (Euros) to be paid to SEEDS on arrival.

The workcamp is located at a place of extreme beauty and isolation. SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the local pool and weather allows, horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony can be organised.
Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and outdoor work in this workcamp. Volunteers should be motivated to experience life in a very isolated part of Iceland.

 This is the fifth year in a row that SEEDS volunteers have the opportunity to work in a project with this host in the North of Iceland. The main tasks take place in Svarfaðardalur, a valley which is a nature reserve.
Volunteers will build footbridges which will be put up in the nature reserve. Volunteers will also clean walking paths and the surrounding area, and help with other related tasks.
This work camp is especially well located for hiking. The area is great for hiking, both in the mountains and in the Nature Reserve next to the accommodation. Bird watching in the nature reserve is also great this time of the year.

SEEDS volunteers will be lodged in a boarding school that has been changed into a hostel, sleeping in bunk beds. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning activities. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

Volunteers will stay in the North of Iceland in the municipality of Dalvíkurbyggð (population around 2000) and at the shores of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland. The fjord is long and narrow, it measures 60 km from mouth to bottom. Its greatest width is 25 km at the fjord's mouth but the rest of it is around 6 -10 km wide.
The fjord is surrounded by mountains on both sides. In the outer part of the fjord there are no lowlands along the coast as the steep hills roll directly into the sea. Further south there are strips of lowland along both coasts. The ferry Sæfari sails from Dalvík to the island of Grímsey, Iceland’s northernmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle.
The area where SEEDS volunteers will be working and sleeping in is an old boarding school located about 10 kilometres from Dalvík, in the valley Svarfaðadalur, which lies between tall and sharp mountains and several small glaciers. A river runs through the valley from the mountains to the sea.

The Nature Reserve has an environment that provides an excellent habitat for many species of birds. In April the migratory birds start to arrive for the summer breeding season. From the project base, there are footpaths that can be easily followed through part of the reserve. The mountains offer great hiking options and the mountains of Tröllaskagi peninsula are by many viewed as the most spectacular outdoor activity in all of Iceland.

English will be the language of the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back. Apart from being cheap and convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites.

Participation fee EUR 160 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers have to bring good walking shoes and warm clothes. Even though the camp takes place in spring, it might still be cold and hats, scarves and gloves might be necessary.
Our host will organise some free time activities in the area. This might include sight-seeing, hiking and visits to the local geothermal swimming pool.
We advise volunteers to wear rubber boots as part of the reserve is wetland.
The camp is located in a place of stunningly beautiful surroundings with countless walking and hiking opportunities.

SEEDS Volunteers will be working on various small projects in Djúpavík, a small village in the Icelandic Westfjords. At present the village only consists of seven houses, a hotel and the ruins of a herring factory. SEEDS has been volunteering there since 2008.
Our hosts are a family that are trying to develop new opportunities for work in the remote area. They live and work there, running diverse facilities and offering services for visitors.
The main tasks will include the building and maintaining of hiking trails and walking paths in the area, to put up sticks and signs if needed. Other tasks will be cleaning the coastline, collecting driftwood and general gardening work.
Volunteers will also assist in the maintenance of the old herring factory, like with the help of the cleaning and possibly painting the roof. The building is used by artists and for cultural events.

Volunteers will be hosted in a local summer house, sleeping in shared rooms on bunk beds. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen is available for use. Volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. Most of the facilities are basic and volunteers are expected to show consideration for their companions.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

Djúpavík is located at the head of Reykjarfjörður on the Strandir coast in the Westfjords region. The area is one of Iceland's most remote. It is a sheltered bay largely untouched by modern developments, where silence reigns and nature continues to shape a rugged, mountainous landscape. The distance from the capital is about 360 km and the nearest village, Hólmavík, is about 70 km away.
The bay of Djúpavík is among the least frequented parts of the country. The roads up there are only open during the few months of the short summer. It is one of the remotest corners of Europe, where the coastline is covered with vast expanses of driftwood that originated on the other side of the Arctic Ocean, in Russian Siberia. The region is stunningly beautiful and a perfect place to really experience Iceland’s wilderness.
The story of Djúpavík really began in 1915, when Elías Stefánsson started a herring salting station. He went bankrupt in 1919 but in 1934 entrepreneurs of Djúpavík built a huge herring factory that ran for two decades, giving people in the area a chance to earn a living. In 1954 the “herring adventure” (as Icelanders call it) in this part of Iceland was over and the factory went bankrupt.
Today Djúpavík is dominated by the huge ruins of its old herring factory and the rusting shipwreck of the 100-year-old former passenger and cargo ship Suðurland. The tremendous costs involved in demolishing the factory building – once the largest concrete structure in Europe – is too much for the village so its huge shell remains, reminiscent of a Hollywood set. A few years ago, the famous Icelandic band Sigur Rós held a concert in the old herring factory.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are necessary.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa. This is a cheap, convenient way to travel and it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers.

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities for SEEDS volunteers, for instance a day trip and excursions in the area.

SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work on the historical island of Viðey for the 10th year in a row with our host, the city of Reykjavík.
Viðey is a popular destination during the summer among Icelandic as well as foreign visitors. Volunteers will help prepare the environment for the busy season. Volunteers will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area, especially along the coastline. Volunteers will carry out some planting and other gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths.
Depending on the advance of the project, volunteers may have other possible tasks such as checking up and repairing garden furniture.
The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable and the temperature in May can drop during the evenings. Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure of bringing warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors. Volunteers should have motivation to work outside and work in all different kinds of weather.

Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Viðey Island, in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
The house has a well equipped kitchen. Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

Viðey or “Wood Island” is the largest (1,7 km²) island in the Kollafjorður Bay, just outside Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here.
Viðey was inhabited from soon after the settlement of Iceland already in the 10th century and at the beginning of the 20th century around 100 people lived there. Today the island is uninhabited.
There is a regular boat connection between the island and the harbour of Reykjavík. The island is only a few hundred metres away from the city and the trip takes just about 10 minutes. This makes Viðey so special; it is a peaceful place, very close to the busy city life of the capital.
There are hiking and cycling paths around the island and there is no motor traffic allowed. It also inhabits intriguing sculptural art work, amongst them all nine pairs of basalt pillars that comprise Richard’s Serra’s work Áfangar and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine peace” column, a tower of light, which is supported by the widow of John Lennon.
Other places of interest on Viðey are related to archaeological research, the village. At the eastern end of the island is the site of an abandoned fishing village and Viðeyjarnaust, at the southwest of the island, it is a memorial to the twenty men who lost their lives when the cutter Ingvar sank off Viðey in 1906. Dramatic formations of columnar basalt may be seen on the shore.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Some spare time activities will be organised free of charge for SEEDS volunteers such as a whale watching boat trip.
SEEDS volunteers will have free rides in the boat/ferry to the city of Reykjavík during their free time.
Excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) can be organised at discount fares for SEEDS volunteers.

In this project SEEDS volunteers will get the opportunity to help with tree planting on a local farm in the East of Iceland. Our hosts for this project is a local family who run a farm and a horse rental. This camp is therefore ideal for those interested in horses.
The tasks of the project will mainly be focused on improving the environment, planting and moving trees, as well as some light maintenance work such as painting, construction work, and cleaning.
The host keeps horses, dogs and cats. SEEDS volunteers will have access to the animals and will be given guidance in taking care of and riding horses. The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host, the advance of the diverse projects in the area and of course on the weather conditions.
Volunteers should be motivated for physical and outdoor work. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable so please bring waterproof clothing and good shoes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.

Volunteers will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

The farm is located in beautiful landscape with mountains and valleys. It is close to Hallormsstaðaskógur, the largest wooded area of the country that spreads over 30 ha of land. The reforestation of the forest has been going on ever since a law for the protection was passed in 1899. The tree collection keeps an extensive variety of foreign trees and is renowned among professionals and travellers. The oldest part of the woodland is accessible with good hiking trails and explanation signs.
The area offers great variety of walking paths, such as to the deepest valley of the country and up to the mountain Sandfell where the view is quite magnificent. Riding tours up to the mountains or in the woodland is also a nice experience. Small stream runs through the land where children and adults can cool down in warm summer days.
The project is located in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað, Iceland's easternmost municipality; 17 km from the largest town in the Eastern Iceland - Egilsstaðir (population 2600 people). It is a young town, but which has become the largest town of east Iceland and offers a swimming pool, shops and museums among other main services. The East Fjords is a region of a special landscape, dominated by long, narrow fjords and steep mountains and the wild reindeers of Iceland are found here, the herd counts between three and four thousand animals.

English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF); domestic airport and bus stop is Egilsstaðir.
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 150 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers will be offered to try horse-back riding and an introduction to how to treat and hold horses.
If you take SEEDS minibus option to and from the camp location, you will be able to go all around Iceland, as we drive different ways (either North or South) to and from the camp.

Volunteers will be working close to the main skiing area of the capital region of Iceland, Bláfjöll or the Blue Mountains.
The aim is to protect the environment and avoid different trails being created from increasing traffic of hikers and nature lovers in the area. The main task will be making a hiking path in the Blue Mountains in an area called Þríhnúkagígur or Three Peaks Crater, which is a dormant volcano that last erupted over 4000 years ago. The path will be made with gravel and volunteers will use wheel barrels to move the gravel from bags which have been distributed evenly along the path. The work will be done in 500 m above sea level so weather conditions can be cold and windy.
Other tasks may be to mark and control areas where the visitors can walk in order to protect the surroundings of unnecessary passage and harm. Sports associations who run some of the skiing lodges might also need some renovation job, such as painting and/or cleaning. The working plan will depend on the needs of our local host and may change upon weather conditions.
Volunteers need motivation to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions. The camp starts in early summer but the days are already long so the clear air and bright light can create great conditions for photography or just to enjoy the views.
Volunteers will have chance to explore the heart of a volcano, the only place on earth where you can enter a magma chamber.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in one of the ski lodges in the mountains; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

The project takes place in the Blue Mountain Range area, which is located about 30 km from Reykjavík. The range stretches to the west from the mountain Vifilsfell near the main road (#1) from the capital area to the Southwestern lowlands.  The highest mountain in the range reaches 600m and in 1968 the district became a very popular skiing resort among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital region.
This area is excellent for recreation, not only for alpine and cross country skiing, but outdoor activities as well such as hiking and mountain biking.  Nature lovers are certain to find something to their liking, but they have to be careful crossing the rugged lava fields, because of the numerous caves underneath. The caves here are actually among the most interesting tourist attractions in the capital area and our volunteers will be given the change to explore them.
Iceland is chilly, even in early summer. Expect nights to dip down to 5 Celsius and days to warm up to the mid-high teens and warmer. In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically.
The Blue Mountain Range area is a place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, including hats and gloves.
Volunteers will have chance to explore the heart of a volcano, the only place on earth where you can enter a magma chamber. Other tours and excursions can be arranged at discount fares as well.

SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute to this special art and culture project in the west part of Iceland. The aim of the project is to make an outdoor art exhibition, a geo-park, an art-residence, and a chapel for all types of religions.
Volunteers will help with various outdoors tasks such as building a stone wall in a garden with sculptures and outdoor artwork. The volunteers will be supervised by a professional stonewall maker and a nature scientist. Furthermore volunteers will make a walking path from the sculpture garden towards a small canyon where some outdoor artwork can be found. Volunteers will also help with setting up and moving the artwork.
Our host is taking the first steps towards making a Geo-park and volunteers will help with marking and registering locations and other related tasks.
If time and weather allows, volunteers will help building a chapel which is aimed to be for all religions and beliefs. Volunteers may also take down old fences and generally beautify the area.
The working plan will depend on the needs of our local host and the volunteers need motivation to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a local house; sleeping in shared rooms on mattresses in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers receive food supplies and are mostly in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

The project takes place in the western part of Iceland, in a unique natural pearl with breath taking landscape, between glaciers and lava fields. The place is like an oasis in the desert, as the weather is often better than in the surroundings.
The place is ideal for hikers as walking paths and trails spread in all directions, beautiful waterfalls and one of the best known caves in Iceland is nearby. Every weekend there is a bonfire in the nearby camping area where visitors meet, sing, play games and enjoy the company.
Among the natural wonders nearby are the Hraunfossar waterfalls; where water comes out from a lava field over a length of 1 km. Additionally, the Hallmundarhraun lava field is among the best known and deepest in Iceland.
According to some of the oldest Icelandic sagas, this area is said to be inhabited since the very early settlement of the island. Dense forests, lava, water springs and torrential glacier rivers, mixed with a diverse fauna and flora makes this area a delightful place to stay.
In the area there are some small local services, including a convenience store, a swimming pool with Jacuzzis, a pit-stop joint with a gas station and a small restaurant.
The project is locaed close to Langjökull (Long Glacier), the second largest glacier in Iceland, it is 950 km2 and its highest point is 1355 m above sea level. Langjökull is surrounded by other small glaciers, Eiríksjökull, Þórisjökull, Hrútafell and the disappearing glacier Ok.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

Participation fee EUR 230 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.
Volunteers applying for this project should have a motivation for working outdoors and do physical work. Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities in the area.

This is a unique, demanding and rewarding opportunity for volunteers to gain new skills and ecological perspectives through working and living closely to the land. This project is organised with our host, Wildfjords Restoration located in the Westfjords of Iceland.
The main project activity is restoration of cairns in an area in the south of the Westfjords. Cairns are piles of carefully constructed rock that have historically been used to help people find their way in difficult weather conditions on mountainous walking routes. The cairns to be restored are situated in high and harsh land. A trained wilderness guide and another leader will be working with the group to ensure quality of craftsmanship and to ensure everyone's safety.
Running alongside the cairn restoration activities will be a programme of creative-led discussions and activities, designed to create a space to help you experience a connection to the earth and sea, allow you to relax and be present, connect back to your natural rhythms, and find inspiration and insight. The approach draws on storytelling, outdoor education, experiential learning, eco-psychology and traditional healing systems.

SEEDS participants will predominantly be camping near Latrabjarg in the Westfjords. Other wild camping sites may also be used, meaning you may be away from modern amenities for a number of days.
Food will be supplied for volunteers and they will help cook and clean in camp and be in charge of cooking when staying at the hostel. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

The project is situated in the Westfjords of Iceland, which is a distinct region that very few travellers to Iceland visit. The landscape is a mixture of sea-cliffs, huge beaches, many rivers, vegetated valleys, snowy/rocky mountains and moss-covered hill sides. Camping and accommodation is situated in remote locations.
The nature in the area is untouched and almost uninhabited. The cliffs and valleys are packed with birds, the uninhabited fjords offer a moment of silence and tranquillity, and the Arctic fox proudly roams the mountains and inlets. The waterfalls are high and the streams pure.

English will be the official language in the camp and a good conversational level of English is required.

Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Once you've arrived in Reykjavik, you will be transferred by bus to the Westfjords.

The participation fee is EUR 250 (Euros). Please note that this fee is to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and demanding work, working and camping in a wild landscape and sometimes cold weather. Bring warm winter clothes as the project takes place outside and the weather can be very cold. You will need to bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking boots, a good sleeping bag, sleeping mat and gloves. Tents will be provided.
Free time activities are mostly hiking and trekking in the area as there is no transportation available. There is also a programme of group activities volunteers will be offered.

00 in the morning from Reykjavík on the first day of the camp.

There is an application process for those wishing to join this volunteer experience. To apply, please submit an additional motivation letter, stating your relevant experience and reasons for wanting to join and your CV/Resume. To apply, please click 'ask for more information' and we will then contact you and provide details of how to submit.

April 2nd; successful applicants will be informed April 4th.