Join a regenerative association developing a syntropic food forest & other projects in Horta de Sant Joan, Spain

Details

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  Description

  English version:
  
  Hello, friends!
  
  This is a non-profit association based in a rural area of Spain, created to promote land regeneration, ecological awareness and community-based learning.
  
  You can also see some of the projects we are developing on our Instagram page — ask us for the @.
  
  Our work is guided by three core pillars: soil regeneration, food sovereignty and shared learning, especially through the principles of Syntropic Agriculture.
  
  As an association, our purpose is not productivity or profit, but education, experimentation and ecological regeneration. Volunteers join us to learn, observe, exchange knowledge and take part in the everyday activities that keep these projects alive.
  
  We are currently developing an experimental and demonstrative regenerative food forest based on the principles of Syntropic Agriculture.
  
  We see it as a living space for experimentation, learning and sharing, with the long-term goal of involving the local community in its use and care. Our intention is to explore, practise and share different ways of reconnecting humans with nature through syntropic agriculture.
  
  
  WHAT WE DO AND HOW YOU CAN HELP:
  
  - Regenerative food forest: mulching with natural materials, managing the syntropic lines, planting, harvesting, pruning and other seasonal activities.
  
  - Vegetable garden for shared consumption: sowing, transplanting, weeding, harvesting and taking care of the plants.
  
  - Landscape & biodiversity: planting different species, managing vegetation and taking part in the ecological regeneration of the land and forest.
  
  - Educational activities with children: occasional participation in outdoor activities based on play, exploration and shared learning.
  
  - Living with horses & regenerative grazing: helping with simple activities such as collecting manure in forest areas and setting up temporary mobile electric fencing to move the horses through different areas. The horses play an ecological role in vegetation management, soil regeneration and fire prevention; they are not used for commercial purposes.
  
  - Light domestic support: helping to keep shared spaces and the volunteer cabin clean and organised.
  
  
  OUR VOLUNTEERING FORMAT:
  
  We have recently changed the way we organise volunteering.
  
  Instead of longer working days in exchange for food and accommodation, we prefer a lighter rhythm of approximately 3 hours a day, 5 days a week (around 15 hours per week).
  
  We believe this creates a better balance for everyone. It gives volunteers plenty of free time to explore the area, study, work online or on personal projects, rest and enjoy living in nature, while still becoming genuinely involved in the association and its projects.
  
  Accommodation is provided, but volunteers buy and prepare their own food.
  
  We normally go shopping once a week. You are welcome to come with us, or you can give us your shopping list and we can bring your groceries back. The cost of the food is paid by each volunteer.
  
  The exact organisation of the volunteering hours can be flexible depending on the activities, weather and everyone's plans.
  
  
  PRACTICAL DETAILS:
  
  Minimum stay: 1 month.
  
  We ask for a minimum stay of one month because welcoming someone, explaining how everything works and becoming familiar with each other and the projects takes time. Longer stays allow volunteers to become increasingly independent and make the exchange much more meaningful for everyone.
  
  We normally host a maximum of 3 volunteers at the same time.
  
  Volunteers have access to a small independent cabin. When necessary, we also have a caravan available.
  
  Everyone prepares their own meals and is responsible for their own food expenses.
  
  WORKAWAY FAMILIES: families are welcome if they bring their own sleeping setup (camper, caravan or tent). Only one adult needs to participate as a volunteer.
  
  
  IMPORTANT:
  
  To make sure people contacting the association have actually read the full description, please include the word “PAPADOPOULOS” somewhere in your first message.
  
  Messages that do not include this word may not receive a reply.
  
  
  WHAT TO BRING:
  
  Life here is simple and closely connected to nature, so please come prepared with:
  
  - A sleeping bag
  - Waterproof boots or sturdy outdoor footwear
  - Rain gear / waterproof clothing
  - Comfortable clothes that can get dirty
  
  
  VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT FORM:
  
  As a registered non-profit association, all volunteers are required to sign a volunteer commitment form in accordance with the volunteering regulations of the Government of Catalonia.
  
  This document defines the voluntary and non-paid nature of the collaboration, as well as the rights and responsibilities of both parties, helping ensure that the experience takes place within a safe, transparent and legally compliant framework.
  
  
  If you are interested in ecological living, syntropic agriculture, community-based projects and learning directly from nature, we would be happy to welcome you.
  
  A big hug, and see you soon!
  
  
  __________________________________________
  
  Versión en español:
  
  ¡Hola, amig@s!
  
  - es una asociación sin ánimo de lucro situada en un entorno rural de España, creada para promover la regeneración de la tierra, la conciencia ecológica y el aprendizaje comunitario.
  
  También puedes ver algunos de los proyectos que estamos desarrollando en nuestra página de Instagram — pregúntanos por el @.
  
  Nuestro trabajo se guía por tres pilares fundamentales: regeneración del suelo, soberanía alimentaria y aprendizaje compartido, especialmente a través de los principios de la Agricultura Sintrópica.
  
  Como asociación, nuestro propósito no es la productividad ni el beneficio económico, sino la educación, la experimentación y la regeneración ecológica. Las personas voluntarias se suman para aprender, observar, intercambiar conocimientos y participar en las actividades cotidianas que mantienen vivos estos proyectos.
  
  Actualmente estamos desarrollando un bosque comestible regenerativo experimental y demostrativo basado en los principios de la Agricultura Sintrópica.
  
  Lo entendemos como un sistema vivo y un espacio de experimentación, aprendizaje e intercambio, con el objetivo a largo plazo de implicar también a la comunidad local en su uso y cuidado. Nuestra intención es explorar, practicar y compartir diferentes formas de reconectar al ser humano con la naturaleza a través de la agricultura sintrópica.
  
  
  QUÉ HACEMOS Y CÓMO PUEDES AYUDAR:
  
  - Bosque comestible regenerativo: acolchado con materiales naturales, gestión de las líneas sintrópicas, plantación, cosecha, poda y otras actividades de temporada.
  
  - Huerta para consumo compartido: siembra, trasplante, deshierbe, cosecha y cuidado de las plantas.
  
  - Paisaje y biodiversidad: plantación de diferentes especies, gestión de la vegetación y participación en la regeneración ecológica de la tierra y el bosque.
  
  - Actividades educativas con niños: participación ocasional en actividades al aire libre basadas en el juego, la exploración y el aprendizaje compartido.
  
  - Convivencia con caballos y pastoreo regenerativo: colaboración en actividades sencillas como la recogida de estiércol en zonas del bosque y el montaje de cierres eléctricos móviles y temporales para mover los caballos por diferentes áreas. Los caballos cumplen un papel ecológico en la gestión de la vegetación, la regeneración del suelo y la prevención de incendios; no se utilizan con fines comerciales.
  
  - Apoyo doméstico ligero: ayudar a mantener limpios y ordenados los espacios comunes y la casita de voluntarios.
  
  
  NUESTRO FORMATO DE VOLUNTARIADO:
  
  Recientemente hemos cambiado nuestra forma de organizar el voluntariado.
  
  En lugar de jornadas más largas a cambio de alojamiento y alimentación, preferimos un ritmo más ligero de aproximadamente 3 horas al día, 5 días a la semana (unas 15 horas semanales).
  
  Creemos que este formato genera un mejor equilibrio para todos. Permite a las personas voluntarias disponer de mucho tiempo libre para conocer la zona, estudiar, trabajar online o desarrollar proyectos personales, descansar y disfrutar de la vida en la naturaleza, mientras siguen participando de forma real en la asociación y sus proyectos.
  
  El alojamiento está incluido, pero cada persona voluntaria compra y prepara su propia comida.
  
  Normalmente hacemos una compra una vez por semana. Podéis venir con nosotros o pasarnos vuestra lista y podemos traer vuestra compra. El coste de los alimentos corre a cargo de cada persona voluntaria.
  
  La organización concreta de las horas de voluntariado puede ser flexible dependiendo de las actividades, el clima y los planes de todos.
  
  
  DETALLES PRÁCTICOS:
  
  Estancia mínima: 1 mes.
  
  Pedimos una estancia mínima de un mes porque recibir a una persona, explicar cómo funciona todo y familiarizarse con el lugar, las personas y los proyectos requiere tiempo. Las estancias largas permiten que las personas voluntarias vayan adquiriendo autonomía y hacen que el intercambio sea mucho más enriquecedor para todos.
  
  Normalmente acogemos un máximo de 3 personas voluntarias al mismo tiempo.
  
  Las personas voluntarias tienen acceso a una pequeña cabaña independiente. Cuando es necesario, también disponemos de una caravana.
  
  Cada persona prepara sus propias comidas y se hace cargo de sus gastos de alimentación.
  
  FAMILIAS WORKAWAY: las familias son bienvenidas si traen su propio espacio para dormir (camper, caravana o tienda). Solo una persona adulta necesita participar como voluntaria.
  
  
  IMPORTANTE:
  
  Para asegurarnos de que las personas que contactan con la asociación han leído realmente toda la descripción, incluye la palabra “PAPADOPOULOS” en algún lugar de tu primer mensaje.
  
  Los mensajes que no incluyan esta palabra pueden no recibir respuesta.
  
  
  QUÉ TRAER:
  
  La vida aquí es sencilla y está muy conectada con la naturaleza, así que pedimos que vengáis preparados con:
  
  - Saco de dormir
  - Botas de agua o calzado resistente para exterior
  - Ropa impermeable
  - Ropa cómoda que se pueda ensuciar
  
  
  COMPROMISO DE VOLUNTARIADO:
  
  Como asociación sin ánimo de lucro debidamente registrada, todas las personas voluntarias deberán firmar un documento de compromiso de voluntariado de acuerdo con la normativa de voluntariado de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
  
  Este documento define el carácter voluntario y no remunerado de la colaboración, así como los derechos y responsabilidades de ambas partes, ayudando a garantizar que la experiencia se desarrolle dentro de un marco seguro, transparente y legal.
  
  
  Si te interesa la vida ecológica, la agricultura sintrópica, los proyectos comunitarios y el aprendizaje directo de la naturaleza, estaremos encantados de acogerte.
  
  ¡Un fuerte abrazo y hasta pronto!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming

  

  Gardening

  

  Art & design

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Plant care

  

  Carpentry

  

  Animals

  

  Camping

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers can experience a simple and practical way of living closely connected to nature while taking part in a real regenerative project.
  
  There is plenty of opportunity to learn through practice and exchange: syntropic agriculture, regenerative food forests, vegetable gardening, soil regeneration, ecological management with horses, water management, self-sufficiency and observing how natural systems evolve over time.
  
  At the same time, we are always interested in what volunteers bring with them. We see cultural exchange as something that works in both directions: sharing skills, experiences, languages, ideas and different ways of understanding our relationship with nature.
  
  One of the main purposes of The Permanent Forest is precisely to experiment with and share new ways of reconnecting people with nature through regeneration.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  What we do & how you can help
  
  Volunteering with The Permanent Forest is about learning by doing, observing natural processes, and supporting simple, non-commercial activities connected to ecological regeneration and community life.
  
  Regenerative food forest (educational context):
  supporting light tasks such as mulching with natural materials, gentle weeding of syntropic lines, planting, observing plant interactions, and seasonal harvesting as part of an experimental and demonstrative syntropic system.
  
  Vegetable garden for shared consumption:
  sowing, transplanting, watering, and gentle care of plants grown for collective use.
  
  Forest regeneration & biodiversity awareness:
  planting native species, light clearing and pruning of bushes and trees, and observing local flora and fauna as part of an ongoing ecological learning process.
  
  Educational activities with children:
  occasional participation in outdoor activities based on play, exploration, and shared learning, within the association’s educational framework.
  
  Living with horses (ecological role):
  supporting simple, supervised tasks such as collecting manure in forest areas as part of soil regeneration and accompanying the setup of temporary, mobile electric fencing for regenerative grazing. The horses contribute to vegetation management and fire prevention and are not used for riding or commercial purposes.
  
  Light domestic support:
  helping keep shared spaces and the volunteer cabin clean, welcoming, and well organized.
  
  All activities are volunteer-based, educational, and non-commercial, and are not intended to replace paid work or professional roles. Volunteers are encouraged to participate according to their interests and energy, within a calm and respectful rhythm.
  
  If this approach resonates with you, we would be happy to welcome you into the project.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Spanish: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are happy to practise English and discover other languages, and volunteers are very welcome to practise Spanish during their stay. Language exchange happens naturally through everyday life, shared activities and conversations. Children participating in the association's activities may also enjoy discovering new languages through play and interaction.
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  Accommodation

  Volunteers stay in a small independent mud-and-straw cabin surrounded by nature. The cabin has electricity, internet access and a fridge. The toilet is a compost/dry toilet, and currently there is no hot water.
  
  The cabin can comfortably accommodate two volunteers. When we host a third volunteer, we also have a caravan available.
  
  Volunteers prepare their own meals and cover their own food expenses. We normally go shopping once a week, so volunteers can come with us or give us a shopping list and we can bring their groceries back.

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  What else ...

  The project is located in a beautiful rural area surrounded by nature, around 6 km from the nearest village.
  
  The nearest village, where you can find bus connections, is approximately a 50-minute walk from the project. Having your own vehicle is therefore useful and gives you much more independence, but it is not essential.
  
  There is a river nearby with natural pools where you can swim and cool down during summer, and the surrounding natural park offers many possibilities for hiking, exploring caves, mountains and discovering the landscape.
  
  Because our volunteering rhythm is only around 15 hours per week, you will have plenty of free time to explore the area, work on personal projects, study, work online or simply enjoy living quietly in nature.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have internet access suitable for normal online work. The usual connection available to volunteers is around 10 Mbps, and when necessary we can provide access to a faster connection of around 25 Mbps.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have plenty of space for campervans and caravans. Access is suitable for normal-sized vehicles, but very large motorhomes or caravans may have difficulties, so please ask us beforehand.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Kalon

  Asia

  Sahan

  Ayecan

  Uy and Nit

  Trip

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