Project Location: Reykjavik is a city full of energy, just waiting for you to experience it. Powered by heat from the earth below, with ever-changing weather sweeping across the landscape, its natural features are matched by the energy of its residents. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, culture, nature, clean air - and Reykjavik has them in spades. All the advantages of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by the beautiful natural setting. In a country of only just over 300,000 people, the Reykjavik Capital Area has a population of about 200,000. However, since it’s the only major city in the country, Reykjavik has a lot of the amenities that you would only expect to find in a much larger centre elsewhere in the world. Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and is centred on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Reykjavik is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay to the north, while rugged lava-fields spread to the southeast. On a clear sunny day, the Snaefellsjökull glacier glitters on the western horizon like a crystal.
Work: We will help with a project called “Rockall – festival without boundaries” which is a festival that moves from place to place collecting ideas, products and innovations, while bringing fun and discussion to every city. The group which is organizing this festival wants to claim and inhabit and isolated small rock in the wild part of the North Atlantic Ocean. This is of course a difficult and complicated task and we need to think about off-the-grid living, sustainable energy, food production, sanitation, clothing and other things to survive. This also mean that it should be liveable meaning a place that’s worth living in. In order to achieve that the group will run a showcase in the harbour area of Reykjavik where there will be discussions about social systems, a constitution, and sustainability. There will be lectures and courses, films, games, music and children program related to the topic of the festival. The volunteers will take care of different tasks related to the program and also help with building and maintaining a small greenhouse, a playground and a Portal container. (http://www.sharedstudios.com/portals-info.html) The festival will start in Rotterdam in spring 2016 and from there it will go to Reykjavik for summer 2016 and afterwards to Aarhus in Denmark.
Leisure: On weekends, the volunteers can enjoy Reykjavik‘s amazing nightlife, which is world-renowned for its wide array of bars, clubs, and concerts.WF Iceland will also organise reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.
Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in a house near to the old port offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities in the heart of historical downtown Reykjavik. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but beds and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge, and volunteers also have free access to shared desktop computers in communal areas. The accommodation provided by Worldwide Friends Iceland for volunteers in Reykjavik is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including: banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theatres, shops, museums, and bus stations. Food is included for the duration of the workcamp, however everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favourite recipes from home!
Terminal: international Airport: Keflavik (KEF) Reykjavík.
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of 250 Euros for this workcamp.