Harvesting fruit together in Georgia
Volunteering and Solidarity in Georgia and Latvia
Volunteering team projects are a unique opportunity for any young person to try something new, make friends from all over the world, and provide help where it is needed most. For six years, we have been implementing three projects annually on permaculture farms in Latvia and Georgia. The European Solidarity Corps project "Fruits and Campfires" is special because it connects young people with special needs with active youth, creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
This is an opportunity not only to help rural farms but also to grow personally and get to know yourself. Good news – such opportunities will be available this summer as well! In June, a new group will head to Georgia, and in July, the work will continue in Latvia, at the "Zadiņi" farm.
A Look Back at "Fruits and Campfires: Autumn Edition 2024"
In the autumn of 2024, in a rural area of Georgia at the "Kveda Pona" organic farm, 14 young people from Latvia, Georgia, and other countries completed a three-week volunteering project "Fruits and Campfires: Autumn Edition 2024." This international team worked side by side to promote a sustainable lifestyle, ensuring equal representation of both boys and girls, as well as participants from both urban and rural areas. It was particularly significant that half of the group consisted of young people with fewer opportunities, including mobility impairments and mental health challenges, creating a truly solidary and supportive atmosphere.
As the participants themselves admit: "This project was not only an opportunity to gain practical experience in sustainable agriculture but also a transformative personal journey. The inclusive environment created a strong sense of solidarity, ensuring that everyone made a meaningful contribution." The daily work at the organic farm was productive – volunteers harvested fruits and vegetables, sowed and planted new crops, and created a new composting site for organic waste. Additionally, volunteers helped with farm maintenance, improving the recreation area and participating in the preparation of certified dried fruits and bread.
Community life required discipline and cooperation, as the participants themselves were responsible for cooking, cleaning, preparing firewood, and maintaining the showers. The volunteers emphasize: "We developed a deeper understanding of sustainability and the importance of inclusion in community projects. Intercultural evenings and joint evaluation sessions with mentors helped us not only learn about the traditions of other cultures but also reflect on our own personal growth."
To get a better feel for the project's atmosphere, watch this video prepared by one of the project participants: ESC project: Fruits and Campfires
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
