GENERAL INFORMATION

  • All educational programs will be offered in English, unless there is a need and enough demand to arrange differently. Some apprenticeships require a working knowledge of Greek.
  • We can only accommodate approximately 20 people per program, but requests to hold larger groups will be considered. Participants are expected to work at least 30 hours per week. Extra working hours rely on the agreement between volunteers and MedASH or farmers.
  • Applicants must be over 18 years of age, able to communicate in English and carry a health insurance policy. The advised participation period is 6 weeks (minimum participation 4 weeks). Long-term participation is highly appreciated (see "Apprenticeships" section).
  • Volunteers are selected on an individual basis. Groups of more than two persons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Volunteers are entitled to 1 day off per week during their volunteering period.
  • Volunteers are trained and supervised by field leaders and experienced project members. They must be prepared to participate in every aspect of the work. Duties are allocated by the field leaders and may include working long hours during some days and occasional non-agricultural tasks that are required for maintaining the program. Please note that there is a greater need for volunteers during the beginning (early December to February) and the end (September to late October) of the seasons.

FOOD and ACCOMODATION

When not participating in the Apprentice program, volunteers will stay on an organic olive grove in a free campsite, restricted to MedASH volunteers. These campsites have very basic sanitary and cooking facilities (cold water showers, gas stoves and fridges, cooking pots and pans, cutlery, crockery). Volunteers MUST bring along camping gear (e.g. sleeping bag, tent, flashlight, alarm clock), warm and comfortable work clothes, rain gear (especially for the period September to April), plus additional clothes for interacting with the public. Volunteers are expected to participate in the duties needed to maintain the campsite facilities.

Those individuals in the Apprentice program will have the opportunity to stay in rooms provided by the farmer, for a small fee (€5-10 per day, depending upon accommodation).

Volunteers will cultivate their own food under the experienced guidance of the MedASH agronomist. Garden work will take place between 08:00-11:00 and 18:00-20:00 every day, since it becomes too hot to conduct these activities between 11:00 and 18:00 . Cooking will be done every day between 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:00 by the appropriate leader and two scheduled volunteers at a time.

PARTICIPATION COSTS

Once approved, an applicant will have to pay a non-refundable participation fee of $150, euros120 or £80. The amount includes administration costs as well as the cost of providing instruction and materials.

Applicants arriving on or before 15 th of February and after 20 th of November are entitled to 30% discount (valid for Field Work volunteers only).

MedASH cannot offer financial assistance beyond camp accommodations, food production facilities and office facilities (pc, internet, etc.). A minimum amount of €15 per day for each volunteer may suffice to cover basic needs (extra food cost, transportation, etc).

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

For volunteers who wish to participate in seminars, the weekly cost for participants varies between $250-$300. This cost covers class material and tuition fees. Seminars are presented through the use of multimedia. A minimum number of 4 participants is required for a seminar to take place. A list of seminars will be available upon request. Volunteers involved in the apprenticeship program may have the opportunity to earn some money in compensation for work they conduct on the farm.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

MedASH co-operates with universities and research institutes around Greece that can offer institutional support for research opportunities. This option is available for students interested to carry out undergraduate or postgraduate research during their voluntary work. Applications must be made well in advance in order to receive further information and complete a research agreement form. The deadline for finalising research projects is 1 st May. More information is available upon individual request.

YOU CAN JOIN IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!

It is increasingly important that volunteers support the organization through purchasing a membership, in addition to giving your time and energy and skills. The bigger the membership base, the stronger and more credible MedASH is to the general public and decision-makers. For your membership, you will receive newsletters, which will keep you informed and up-to-date on issues and will help you see and understand "the bigger picture", of which you -- the volunteer -- play such an important role. It 's just one more way you can make a difference! Your membership counts!

Upon your arrival, ask the Program Director for a Membership Brochure and fill out the form and hand it in with your payment! Thanks for adding your voice to Mediterranean Association for Soil Health!

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