Estonia
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Our Ecohostel is runned by NGO, non-profit organisation. All revenue goes to maintain the hostel and support our different eco-projects that are in progress.
Raising awareness of environmental issues and inspiring travelers to be more environment-conscious are our main goals.
We are focused on green living and re/upcycling and want to show our guests, volunteers and also people in town how small changes in everyday habits are easy but can make a difference.
Besides that we also value creativity - we are always a work in progress. Our ideal aim is to host people who love travelling and socializing but want to keep their ecological footprint small.
We constantly have some environmental experiments going on where volunteers can learn or share their knowledge about ecological living.
We have existed in Tartu for almost 9 years. Our hostel family currently has 6 members (paid staff), most of them students in Tartu University or Estonian University of Life Sciences, and 2 founders.
The hostel is also making collaboration with a new social enterprise called Paranduskelder. It is situated near the hostel and the main aim is to promote the repairing culture. There is an opportunity to use the open workshop, learn how to repair things and take part/organize different workshops related to sustainability.
NB: We mainly only read and answer Workaway messages on Mondays!!!
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Language practice
Art Projects
Help with Computers/ Internet
We are constantly changing and the hostel looks like the people who are working here, so everyone can have their say in its progress. All our workers and volunteers can try different tasks, so it would not get too monotonous.
Volunteers can learn and experience the green lifestyle in a hostel environment. But can also teach us.
Right now we have aquaponics, worm-composting and bokashi compost on testing.
Volunteers can use our bicycles to move around the town and make small trips outside of the town.
Besides that: Tartu is a small historic university town that has a relaxed and youthful vibe. It is the second biggest town in Estonia and the town is surrounded by nature - forest and farmlands. The transportation to and from Tartu is great, so it's possible to visit other towns and valuable natural areas. So whatever interests you have, you can find it here in the town or around it.
If you have never worked in the hostel business before, this could be your chance to try it. If you already have that experience then you know how pleasant and fun it can be.
We do need help with cleaning and preparing the rooms but it is as important as chatting with the guests and making them feel welcome here.
Everything here is in constant change, we are rebuilding and rearranging things all the time, so sometimes we need help with building things, painting, gardening, redesigning, sewing and all great and crazy ideas how to improve the hostel are always welcome.
We can also share eco-lifestyle ideas with each other. We are always as keen as learning from others as inspiring.
But if you want to join us then you also have to take into account that everyday tasks can be repetitive.
We also need help with our website or if you have creative ideas, and like to write things, you could help us out in making posts to social media and organizing events - we have had concerts on the rooftop, movie nights with the staff and different workshops once in a while. But it is best if you are social and active yourself.
If you consider applying to come and join our team please answer those questions for us (if you are surprised by some of them, then those are just for spam-check because we get a lot of spam request but we prefer volunteers who really like to come to join us not just any place ):
What colour are your eyes? :D What do you think how one day in the hostel as a volunteer looks like? What are your best skills? What is that one thing you absolutely don't like to do? When would you like to join us and for how long would you like to stay with us? Where are you travelling now and where are you planning to go next? How "green" you consider yourself to be?
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Estonian: Fluent
German: Beginner
Russian: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
Please contact them directly for more information.
Shared dormitory.
Volunteers can wander around Tartu, visit lovely woodenhouse areas, relax on the riverside, go to the beach and swim, visit museums or science center, bars and cafes. Or take a train or bus and explore the surrounding nature areas: big lakes like Peipsi, Võrtsi or Saadjärv; forest trails, small villages or other towns near by. There are cool hiking places around and we recommend going to bogs to get the real Estonian nature experience.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
Maximum 5 hours per day and 5 days of working every week
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
