Sustainable projects: examples and how to collaborate
You can be part of a sustainable project and make a positive impact. Discover several sustainable projects around the world and how to help them.
9min
Sustainable projects are not a trend, but an urgent need. We hear more and more about eco-friendly places and organizations that work to raise awareness about the changes that we must make to stop degrading our planet. Some places call themselves “eco” without actually being ecological, but many others do a great job.
In this article we are going to learn about several sustainable projects that are bringing positive change. You will also find out how to contribute with these inspiring initiatives and learn about sustainability in practice.
What are sustainable projects?
Sustainable projects have a fundamental goal: taking care of the environment. Although economic development may (or may not) be one of the intentions behind these initiatives, it must be within a sustainable framework.
Caring about the future is another key aspect of any ecological project. Unlike other ventures that seek the maximum profit in the shortest possible time, these projects work at nature’s rhythm, knowing that altering it may give results in the short term, but in the long run will end up destroying the soil and ecosystems that give us our livelihoods.
You might also like to read:
- How to help the environment: 10 simple yet effective ways
- Organic gardening: a practical guide to a greener home and lifestyle
- How to support environmental projects around the world
For these reasons, developing our sustainable and ecological awareness is increasingly important, and this is something that everyone can do from anywhere.
An excellent way to develop skills that allow us to help the environment is by actively participating in sustainable projects. You can learn the theory by watching videos or reading articles, but having first-hand experience is a whole other thing.
To help you on this path, we will recommend several places that look for volunteers to contribute to their sustainable projects.
How can you be part of a sustainable project?
One of the easiest and most interesting ways to contribute to sustainable projects is by volunteering through Worldpackers. On this platform, you find hosts from all over the world who are looking for travelers willing to exchange a few hours of volunteer work for benefits like accommodation, food, permaculture classes, and lots of learning.
To be part of an ecological project you don’t need any previous experience, but you do need a proactive attitude and a true desire to contribute with the host. It is important to be aware that you are not only helping that particular place, but that your contribution is helping generate global change.
The activities are generally about participating in permaculture tasks, eco-construction, developing sustainable energy systems, gardening, and such, but you can also help with other types of tasks like marketing or making art. If you are willing to contribute, there will always be something important you can do.
You will see below some of the sustainable projects that are available on Worldpackers, but there are many more. I recommend that you go and see all the sustainable projects at the Worldpackers website, using the platform's filters to help you find the ones that suit you the best, and save your favorites to your wish list.
If you have never done this type of work exchange before, you might be interested in reading our articles on how Worldpackers works.
Help with farm work and solar technology in Louisa, US
Do you like the idea of living off-grid and helping create an affordable model of globally sustainable living? Join this sustainable project in their work towards growing most of their own organic food and using, developing, and sharing solar and biotechnology.
Farm work might include planting, harvesting, seed and food processing. Technology work might include using, researching, and developing solar cookers and biogas.
Volunteers become a part of their community. They cook, clean, and share meals together. Learning happens organically as you learn day to day how to use their off-grid systems and participate in whatever seasonal farming activities that are needed. Volunteers should come with love of the outdoors, being with people, simple living, and doing their part to contribute to the work of the community.
In exchange for your help, you will get 3 days off per week, a bed in a private or shared room, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and use of their laundry room, bikes, equipped kitchen and much more.
“Right from the first day on the team of the hacienda welcomed me into the family and encouraged me to get to know everybody. Over the whole period of my two-week stay, I felt very welcomed, be it by the owners or by the staff working at the hacienda. It is a calm and rather remote place so there is not a lot of night life going on. But it's the ideal place to get to know the local rural culture. Plus, bonus points for a lot of cats and dogs on the Ranch”, said the volunteer Nimgir, from Russia.
- For more information about this position, click here.
- Take a look at all the sustainable projects in the US available at Worldpackers.
Join a local sustainable growth initiative in Bacalar, Mexico
The Bacalar Holistic Center is a community project that began in 2021 and is located in the sacred jungle of the ancient Mayan civilization, 20 minutes by car from the 7-color lagoon of Bacalar. This community is part of the transition to a sustainable model, working towards facing the current ecological challenge in Bacalar.
Within a context of unsustainable urban and tourist growth that affects and degrades the ecosystem, this project explores local solutions for sustainable social and economic development.
It consists in supporting them with the creation of a syntropic agroforestry model by making compost beds with organic food waste and dry toilets, thus creating new soil for the cultivation of medicinal, decorative, and edible plants.
You can also help with bioconstruction and upcycling, collecting available materials from the jungle, such as wood, and recycled materials, such as plastic, for the construction of different areas of the center. They are also developing holistic proposals such as therapies, temazcal ceremonies and massages.
This ecological project is also looking for volunteers to help with the kitchen. “Much of our growth is thanks to the support of volunteers who come from different parts of the world to learn and experience life in the jungle”, the hosts say.
- Check out more information about this position or see all the eco programs that are looking for volunteers in Mexico.
Volunteer at the Aldea Luna Natural Reserve in Jujuy, Argentina
The province of Jujuy, in northern Argentina, is a natural and cultural paradise, with beautiful places such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca (a World Heritage Site) and the jungle area of the yungas in the Calilegua National Park.
Spending time collaborating on an ecological rural tourism project while touring the province is a fantastic way to gain a deeper knowledge of the area than if you were only visiting it as a tourist.
Located on the outskirts of San Salvador de Jujuy, this reserve preserves more than 900 hectares of native forest. There you will find trails, organic gardens, and accommodation for visitors.
Many tasks are needed to maintain such a large place, such as macheting, marking and cleaning the paths, planting and cultivating the gardens, and general conservation tasks.
This is one of the sustainable projects that receives the most volunteers on Worldpackers, since a hand is always needed. As you will see in the reviews, the satisfaction of those who spend time there is great.
As I told you before, sustainable projects not only require tasks of direct contact with nature, but also other types of work, including the use of technology. One of the positions available at this nature reserve is for volunteers who can help with videos and photos.
In exchange for your contribution, you will receive a bed in a dorm shared with other volunteers; one day off a week; and breakfast, lunch and dinner, prepared largely with ingredients from the local organic garden.
- Find out more about the maintenance tasks in this ecological project.
- Read the specifics of the position for videomaking and photography.
- See all the opportunities to volunteer in sustainable projects in Argentina.
Be part of an organic farm in Cuenca, Ecuador
Finca Niño Peregrino, located in the heart of Ecuador, is a participatory permaculture space which teaches and practices concepts of sustainability, ecology, and peace.
They are currently looking for volunteers who can participate in painting and decorating, maintenance, and gardening tasks. You will do the required tasks 5 days a week for 5 hours in the morning and the rest of the day is free.
The fundamental concept of the program is that “it is aimed at human beings with a desire to learn with us and with the passion to help generate a sustainable community in balance with its habitat and other forms of life that are healthier and more respectful of nature.”
In exchange for your help, you will receive two days off per week to explore the beautiful surroundings of the city of Cuenca, a bed in a shared room with other travelers, breakfast, free use of the laundry facilities, free permaculture courses, among other things.
The only requirements are to be over 18 years of age, have an interest and desire to learn about a self-sustaining community. I am sure that if you are reading this article you meet these requirements.
Help remodel a medieval building in France
Would you be interested in living in a small French village while you collaborate with the remodeling of a medieval Gothic building? While you’re at it, you can also learn French, meet travelers from all over the world, immerse yourself in French culture and much more.
You can do all that by helping Mark, the host of Opus Gothique, a project that seeks to develop a construction that seems straight out of a fairytale, with artisanal techniques such as the use of hand-worked stones.
As one of the volunteers said after participating: “The project might seem unrealistic or even impossible... except that it is really happening.”
During your days off, you can take the opportunity to explore Nièvre, a region of France that few tourists visit. You will fall in love with the tranquility of its small towns among the forests and the lakes of the Morvan Natural Park.
The host asks for five working days a week, so you will have two days off to explore the area. During your stay, you will also get breakfast, lunch, and accommodation in a room shared with other volunteers.
- Keep reading about this ecological project.
- Learn about all the volunteering positions in sustainable projects in France.
Help with marketing and painting at a holistic center in China
Yunan Province is one of the most wonderful in China, dominated by snow-capped mountains, rice fields, rivers that form deep canyons, and the characteristic karst landscape. It is also home to many ethnic minorities, each with their own language, cuisine, beliefs, and customs.
One of the most popular destinations in Yunan is Dali, a city that preserves many of its traditional buildings, ancient walls, and historical places such as a Buddhist temple dating back to the 9th century. Surrounded by this landscape and cultural environment, on the shores of Lake Erhai, is the Jolie Retreat holistic center.
At Jolie Retreat there is a lot to do: if you are good with painting and decorating, there are walls that seek your hand. If your talents are on social media management, they are also looking for help with marketing.
Whatever you do, it is certain that you will be in a place of peace, where you can be part of the yoga classes and take walks through this magical region that you will surely fall in love with as much as I did.
Volunteering in this ecological project includes:
Three meals a day, accommodation in the team room, and access to the different classes given at the center, such as dance and yoga. With five hours of volunteer work per day and two days off per week, you have plenty of free time to explore Dali and the surrounding area.
Learn more about the painting tasks.
Read about the vacancy for volunteering with social media.
The opportunities go much beyond China. You can volunteer in many sustainable projects in Asia from Thailand to Turkey.
As we saw, contrary to what many may thing, you don’t need to have prior knowledge in conservation, gardening, or bioconstruction to be able to help sustainable projects, since the tasks in these places are not limited to that. The most important thing is the willingness to help, and if you have that, you will surely have an amazing learning experience.
I hope you are encouraged to learn more about these and other sustainable projects around the world and contribute to a better future for everyone. Create a free profile on Worldpackers, pack your bags and go make a difference!
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