🌍 A fully funded European Solidarity Corps volunteering opportunity is waiting for you in the heart of the Finnish wilderness, offering deep personal growth, meaningful youth work, and an immersive nature-based experience.
🌱 Project Overview
This ESC Individual Volunteering project takes place at Metsäkartano, a youth and nature centre located deep in the Finnish forest, surrounded by lakes, wilderness, and silence. The centre organises overnight youth camps, seasonal events, and educational activities, with a strong focus on youth empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainability. Nature-based learning methods such as nuotiopedagogiikka (campfire pedagogy) are used to build connection, confidence, and community. Volunteers become part of a close-knit team and contribute both directly during youth camps and behind the scenes.
🎯 Main Activities
🔥 Supporting youth camps, overnight stays, and seasonal events
🌲 Assisting with nature-based educational activities and outdoor learning
📸 Helping with communication, social media, photography, and storytelling
🏕️ Supporting daily practical tasks at the youth centre
🤝 Being part of a small, collaborative team in a rural environment
🏡 Accommodation, Food and Living Conditions
🏠 Shared on-site apartment accommodation
🍽️ Meals provided by the Metsäkartano restaurant or ingredients for self-cooking
🌲 Remote forest location, 20 km from the nearest village
🚗 No public transport – occasional car rides with staff for errands
🚐 Possibility to use the Metsäkartano van if you have a valid driving licence and availability allows
🎓 Training and Learning Opportunities
📚 One-week on-arrival training in another city in Finland
👤 Personal work mentor assigned to each volunteer
🤝 Weekly meetings with staff and regular reflection sessions
🏫 Orientation training and introduction to staff, interns, and seasonal employees
🧠 Support for personal learning goals and self-development
🌿 Strong emphasis on self-reflection, independence, and enjoying quiet time
👤 Participant Profile
🧑🤝🧑 Open-minded and self-motivated young people
📚 Not currently in work or school
🌍 Personal values aligned with ESC values
🤝 Interested in youth work, inclusion, and nature
🌲 Comfortable with rural living, silence, and limited social stimulation
📖 Enjoys solo hobbies such as reading, hiking, cycling, or crafts
🚀 Proactive, willing to connect, learn, and challenge themselves
❗ Applicants needing a visa cannot apply for this opportunity
📅 Activity Dates
2 February 2026 – 30 July 2026
📅 Application Deadline
Not specified
🌍 Activity Location
Rautavaara, Finland
📌 Activity Type
European Solidarity Corps – Individual Volunteering
🌍 Eligible Countries
🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🔗 Application Link
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/49468_en
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
