Granara Ecovillage in the Appennini
Description: The project aims to create inclusive and sustainable communities, where everyone’s differences can be put aside. The participants are international volunteers, Italian youngsters with disabilities and the persons in charge. Among them expert educators and teachers will facilitate relationships, autonomy and communication. Their action is aimed to create a cooperative context between all the participants. The work camp takes place in Granara ecological village, an ecological village promoting ecological life style at 600 mt high on Appennino Tosco-Emiliano mountains. From 1993 Granara is an experiment of sustainability and open community where different social and cultural activities are organised. The host organization is Alekoslab, active in the field of ecology, and social inclusion.
Type of Work: The workcamp activities will include *In the morning: green maintenance; building fences in branches; renovation of wooden structures and carpentry activities; small works and creative experimentations with clay; taking care of the library and the books; small work with the sewing machine; cooking for the group of participants; coaching and support to people with disabilities.
*In the afternoon: complete work begun in the morning or group games, artistic or social activities and debate. These activities create an inclusive context, and an occasion to study, deepen and confront with items such as ecology, sustainability and disabilities. Participants, in rotation, will be in charge to prepare the dinner for the group.
Work-group activities last 6h/day.
Study Theme: Study part is about ecology, group relations, disability and inclusion. Participants will improve their communication and relational skills, team building competences, knowledge of some appropriate technologies (energy from sun, clay building, use and water depuration systems), reflexions on disability, inclusion, ecology. In the morning, before work, and in the evening group games are planned to let people know each other and build the group. The activities of the afternoon are other precious occasions to deepen and confront on the mentioned topics.
Accommodation: The accommodation is in Granaio house in three common rooms, from 2 to 4 places and 1 of 9 places. The 9 places room is gender mixed. Showers, toilet and kitchen are inside the Granaio house. There are also extra solar showers outside. Cooking and cleaning are in charge of the participants. All the participants eat together in the refectory. Food is provided by the host organisation, except from wine and beer. The village is isolated and far from cities. Food is mainly, but not exclusively, vegetarian.We encourage participants to bring their own towels, sheet bag or sleeping bag. Free Wi-Fi.
Requirements: Openness to get involved and participate to a inclusive and sustainable community life.
Approximate Location: Grarana Ecological Village, Parma province, Emilia Romagna region. Granara is 600 mt high on Appennino Tosco-Emiliano mountains. From 1993 Granara is an experiment of sustainability and open community where different social and cultural activities are organised.
Notes: Free time can be spent playing (volleyball, soccer, ping-pong, qubb...), resting on the hammock, bathing in the Granara biolake, walking in the woods. The evenings can be organized for dancing, star-gazing, sharing songs or conversation around the fire. Saturday afternoon is free. The village is isolated and far from cities. Volunteers in possession of a driver's license bring it please. Food is mainly, but not exclusively, vegetarian. Strictly gluten-free diet cannot be guaranteed.
Please kindly note that there is an additional incoming fee of 50 Euros for all volunteers applying through Partner organisations or Contacts of the SCI network. Check the status here: https://bit.ly/3vhBD5J. This fee covers hosting costs, insurance, a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers.
Camp Photographs
