Profile information
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Host is looking for help immediately
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
31 Jul 2026
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Reply rate
98.6 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Feedback
43
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Email verified
Country info
Badges (3)
Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks
Details
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Description
## For July and August we especially welcome support in the kitchen and household – who's up for that? ##
We are a young and growing intentional community, founded by two families – each with years of community living experience. In autumn 2026 we moved to a beautiful property in Gallizien, Carinthia (Austria), right next to the river Vellach and surrounded by forests and mountains. It's such a beautiful place that we're grateful to be here every day – even though there's still a lot to fix, build and figure out before life here runs smoothly!
Who we are
Four adults and four kids (ages 3–10) share this place and this vision. Most of us are around during the day – one person works a regular job, the others are here, with the kids or on the road. The kids love meeting new people and are pretty great company.
Our core values: nonviolent communication, sustainability, independence – and doing right by the next generation.
Where we're headed
Our goal is to become less dependent on the economic system – which involves a lot of layers and a lot of work. We have 2 hectares of land – enough for a huge food forest, extensive vegetable garden, composting systems, energy production and much more. We're just getting started, and there's a lot to build, plant and figure out together.
This is not a finished, polished place – it's a living project, and we love it that way. If you enjoy getting your hands dirty, thinking creatively and being part of something real, you'll fit right in.
What's coming up – July & August 2026
Cooking & Household (most important right now!):
- Cooking good organic vegan meals with our own seasonal vegetables – for up to 15 people each day
- Keeping the place running: laundry, cleaning the kitchen twice a day, bathroom care etc.
Garden:
- Harvesting vegetables and fruits, preserving them for winter
- Ongoing: weeding, wood cutting, charcoal production, soil improvement with hot compost, EM & Bokashi
And there's always something going on beyond that – we're in the middle of several bigger infrastructure and building projects this season. If you're curious about natural building, water systems or earthworks, check out the help section below for more details.
A few things to know before you arrive
We want to be upfront, because life here might be quite different from what you're used to:
Food – We eat little to no meat, no dairy, no sweets or alcohol provided. You're very welcome to bring your own and store it in your space or the guest fridge – no judgment. But please join community meals anyway. That's where the real connection happens.
Communication – We practice nonviolent communication: honest, direct and kind. It might sound a little unfamiliar at first, but it comes from a good place.
Bodies – You might occasionally see naked people, especially around the river. We are not a nudist community – we just don't stress about it too much. Please don't feel uncomfortable, and please don't make others feel uncomfortable either.
Hygiene products – We have a biological sewage system. Please bring certified biodegradable shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant etc. Not sure what to get? Don't worry – we can provide alternatives. Just let us know in advance. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Interests
Politics / Social justiceVegetarian or veganSustainabilitySelf developmentFarmingPlant careDIY & craftsCooking & foodGardeningHitchhikingCarpentryCyclingHikingOutdoor activitiesBeachNatureCamping -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Carinthia is stunningly beautiful – mountains, forests, and the river Vellach right at our doorstep. Swimming in the river is a daily ritual in summer. Some of us do it in winter too. You'll understand when you're here.
But beyond the scenery: you'll get a real look at intentional community life. How do people actually make decisions together? How do you practice nonviolent communication when things get tricky? How do you build systems – water, waste, food – from scratch, with your own hands?
You'll leave with practical skills (gardening, natural building, composting) and maybe a few new ideas about how life could look. -
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Help
How we organise the tasks
We don't count hours – we trust everyone to do as much as they are willing to give. If we feel a lack of motivation, we'll talk about it – and we usually find a task that fits. We have regular morning meetings where we talk through the day's plans, share updates and match tasks to skills and interests. We'd love for you to join these – it's also just a nice way to connect.
Workawayers are always free to switch tasks, take a break or sit out a day entirely. Nothing here is an obligation. We adjust daily based on energy, skills and interest.
One important thing: we are responsible for your health and safety while you're here. We never let anyone pick up even a hammer without a proper introduction first. You'll get a safety briefing for each tool before you use it – that's not bureaucracy, that's just how we care for each other.
Where we'd love your support:
Kitchen & Household
- Cooking organic, mostly vegan meals together – for up to 15 people
- Keeping a shared home running: laundry, cleaning, kitchen care
- You'll learn a lot about cooking without sugar, dairy or meat – and still making food people are genuinely excited about
Garden
- Weeding, harvesting, preserving for winter
- No-dig methods, soil biology, composting, EM & Bokashi, charcoal production
- Understanding where food actually comes from – from seed to plate
Community life
- Joining our morning meetings and daily rhythms
- Spending time with the kids (always optional, never a babysitting obligation)
- Language exchange – we switch between German and English daily, sometimes mid-sentence
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Things happening here that you might get to experience:
We're in the middle of several bigger projects this season. You are NOT asked to help on these – but your daily life here will be shaped by them, and if you're curious and want to get involved, Moritz is happy to explain and teach. Past workawayers have described these as some of their highlights:
- Natural water systems & well installation
- Earthworks and pond tasks
- Duck shelter & composting toilet tasks
- Clay and lime plaster, timber tasks
Take a look at our references to get a feel for how we work and live together with workawayers. -
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Swedish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Day-to-day, we switch freely between German and English – sometimes mid-sentence. You'll get to practice both naturally. Almost all adults are able to speak some French too, though it's not our everyday language. Dutch, Swedish and Spanish are also spoken to varying degrees within the community. Don't worry if your German is basic – we're patient and happy to help you practice. -
Accommodation
#DigitalDetox
In our kitchen/living room, the smartphone usage is restricted. You can use your phone in your room or outside.
#biologicalShampoo
Since we have a biological wastewater treatment only, you are NOT ALLOWED to use non-organic shampoo or toothpaste anywhere on our property (this also applies to makeup and other products that enter the sewer system). We provide acceptable alternatives upon request. -
What else ...
# About our references
Two of the adults ran a community farm in southern Germany until 2022, where they hosted a large number of workawayers over several years. We moved to Austria to start fresh – and we're genuinely excited to have that energy back.
We write references on request, or when someone leaves one first. Just ask – we're happy to do it.
# Time off
The area is fantastic for hiking, cycling and swimming. Klopeiner See and other lakes are nearby. The town of Völkermarkt has everything you need for supplies. We're happy to give tips!
# Tags
sustainability, ecological, permaculture, no-dig, composting, biochar, bokashi, EM, food forest, natural building, earthworks, water management, well, composting toilet, tiny house, intentional community, community living, self-sufficiency, vegan, organic, gardening, farming, upcycling, recycling, open source, linux, attachment parenting, nonviolent communication, wwoof, wwoofing
nachhaltig, Nachhaltigkeit, Gemeinschaft, Permakultur, Selbstversorger, biologisch, ökologisch, Kompostklo, Lehmbau, Naturbauen, Wasserversorgung, Brunnen, Teich, Klärteich, Tiny House, gewaltfreie Kommunikation, bedürfnisorientierte Erziehung, Bokashi, Kompost, Heißrotte, vegan, vegetarisch, Garten, Feld, Holz, Zimmermann, Baustelle
# Privacy:
Faces on our profile are blurred for privacy reasons, especially those of kids and people who couldn't be asked. -
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
📶 Internet: Good WiFi on the property – fiberglass connection coming in May 2026. Cell reception is poor, so don't count on mobile data. 🚬 Smoking: One community member smokes occasionally (always outside), so we're relaxed about smokers – as long as it stays outdoors.
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Space for parking camper vans
Since we have a biological wastewater treatment only, you are NOT ALLOWED to use non-organic shampoo or toothpaste anywhere on our property (this also applies to makeup and other products that enter the sewer system). We provide acceptable alternatives upon request.
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Can possibly accept pets
Yes, but: Animals are generally not allowed inside the house. If you're travelling with a dog/cat/frog/rat/owl, it can stay in your tent/van or in the garden – as long as it's family-friendly, well-trained, and you manage their waste responsibly (we're an organic farm, so this matters to us).
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (23)
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
Claudia is helpful, interested, artistic, eager to learn a lot and very sociable. It was really … read more
First of all I send you all great hugs and kisses to all the durnau community, so happy to hear that Marcus is now joining you definitely!!!! Than to all the workawayer or person who wants to visit this mystical natural place I would just suggest DO IT!!! Everybody is extremely nice and respectful not … read more
The place is really great with a lot of thing to visit around (lakes accessible by bikes, somz cities etc). Katarina is less often at home but still welcoming when she is there. Their daughter, Leandra, loves to share with people and you can't be bored … read more
When he came here we´ve been quite a lot of people, but he … read more
I really enjoyed the community, learning quite a bit on construction, gardening and cooking and of course the … read more
He is a really motivated person and wants to finish what he started. Even if that means working until late in the evening! Conor did a LOT on the construction (like helping with all the … read more
Moritz and Katharina are some of the most relaxed Workaway hosts you can meet, very welcoming, they don't mind if you input just two hours a day or as much as eight hours, to them it's still helping with renovations and construction.
Edda, also relaxed but equally knows what to do and a lovely and … read more
Unfortunately he couldn´t deal with the food we had around that season and that we … read more
Moritz, Katharina and Edda are kind and wondrful hosts.
The food was so good(!), the work really intersting and the community was so welcoming, generous and fun.
I learned so much in my time there, met really good, smart and interesting people and really enjoyed my staying.
I hope I … read more
The stay was enjoyable, cool new people and a warm welcome when we arrived! The profile was an accurate description and you guys have good hearts! The food was tasty and the applejuice was heavenlicious haha!
About the work:
Did some bricklaying and woodwork. The working hours were perfect for me … read more
Anna did a great job in playing with our daughter while kindergarten was closed due to corona lockdown. My daughter loved it and she still sometimes says things like "when Anna was here, we … read more
Both families were really nice, friendly, an helpful. It has been for me the occasion to discover and experience a different way of living, more relaxing.
The place is always full of life thanks to the kids, and the others workawayers.
It was maybe because of summer, but there was at least between … read more
Our experience with them was intense and really rich in exchange. Moritz and Katarina are extremely generous people and will always make sure you feel like home and have everything you need.
Davina and Harry are very courageous and full of energy, always ready for exchanging and deep … read more
From the moment I arrived I felt very much at ease and was more than happy to put myself at their disposal, using my efforts to help support them and … read more
the first day she came I told her to arrange some hose (leading to our outdoor shower) and showed her where it was planned to go along. She continuously worked on it for some hours, arranged everything perfectly and asked me when she was not sure. That was a perfect start - being able to decide things on your own and … read more
With two families managing several parallel projects and responsibilities (including three young kids), the … read more
Anders was a great person, open minded, friendly, patient, polite .
I also liked the children ,they are playful, happy and nice .
I always felt welcomed since the very first moment, i felt part of family and … read more
The 3 kids, all ~3 years old, being such fun, energy, and aliveness into the home. We played, ran around outside, and all shared meals together as a family. They are incredibly cute and … read more
It was a great time. Awesome. Rob is such a frienldy and polite person! He loved to play with our kids(ooooh, they loved him!), he took over the kitchen from the first day and spontaneously cooked things he's never seen before - just by … read more