We will work on constructing a peace park in Arilje with bungalows, tents, trailers, an outdoor amphitheatre for various workshops, as well as a space for making traditional souvenirs. The peace park is meant to be a place of gathering of young people from all over Serbia and abroad during the entire year. The work will consist of preparation of the infrastructure for the park - construction work.
Accomodation & food:
Volunteers will be accommodated in big tents with outdoor kitchen, dry toilets and improvised outdoor showers. Volunteers will prepare meals on their own, with the material provided. Sleeping bags and mattresses needed.
Location & leisure:
Arilje is town in Western Serbia, 200 km away from Belgrade. It is a small town situated on the confluence of two rivers and surrounded by mountains. It s famous by huge plantations of raspberries and less by cultural i historical heritage, which is breath-taking. We could go swimming or rowing in the rivers and have sporting events (e.g. a football match with mixed teams of volunteers and local people). During the free time, participants will have the opportunity to get in touch with everyday life of the town. We plan excursions in nearby spa, caves, waterfall, cultural events and Special Nature Reserve Uvac.
Requirements:
Volunteers should be nature and culture lovers prepared for long walks and hard work.
Volunteers will be involved in Park Fest and in extreme mountain bike downhill competition on the Zlatibor Mountain. The festival started from small local concerts with the idea to bring more fun into the life of young people in Uzice and now 6 years after the festival is known on the national scale. We will assemble and then disassemble the track for the mountain bike downhill race, festival stages, fences, stalls and tents; we will make and publish photos of the race, area and festival and do all sorts of promotional activities (online follow up of the festival, distribution of promo material, talking with the people etc.); we will build solar panels, collect aluminium cans, create areas for recycling and upcycling, and other things depending of the need of the festival, like assisting the musicians, etc.
Accomodation & food:
in student dormitories on the campus, with bathrooms and a kitchen. Most of the time the food will be prepared by the host, but sometime volunteers will cook, with the material provided.
Location & leisure:
Uzice is the largest town of Western Serbia, situated at 200km south-west from Belgrade and surrounded by beautiful environment and unique landscapes. Uzice was the first liberated area in Europe in World War 2. During the free time the volunteers will have the opportunity to join concerts, performances, cultural events in the festival area. Tours and excursions will be arranged (for example Mokra Gora, Sirogojno, Zlakusa, etc.)
Requirements:
Volunteers should bring a photo camera. Volunteers should be flexible and adaptable to festival s often unexpected changes. There might be some physically demanding work from time to time.
Volunteers will help building a house of wood, straw and mud, using old craft style of house construction. Beside this, we will clear the shore of the river Draca from garbage.
Accomodation & food:
in the village school. Sleeping bags needed. Volunteers will prepare their meals on their own, with the material provided.
Location & leisure:
The village Draca is located in region Sumadija, in Central Serbia 8 km from Kragujevac, formal capital of Serbia in 19th century. Kragujevac now has about 200.000 residents. Today Draca is one of the largest villages near Kragujevac and with nearly 900 inhabitants. There is the Ethnographic Museum and the Orthodox monastery from the 17thcentury. Configuring the terrain is slightly hilly. Draca is the geographic centre of Serbia. This area is rich in cultural and historical monuments and the locals are very friendly. The natural beauty of the landscapes makes gorge river Draca and more than hundred years old preserved trees. Of the 33 protected mushrooms in Europe in Draca were detected three. Draca locals produce excellent wine.
Requirements:
Volunteers should be prepared for physical work and will have the support of hospitable locals.
« When volunteering in Malawi and Tanzania while at school and during my year out I developed a love of East Africa and soon felt itchy to go back. On discovering VAP I found a number of workcamps in Kenya and at far more affordable prices than any 'volunteer abroad' organisations. I chose a 6 week workcamp based at a secondary school in western Kenya... »