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85 %
Last replied
14 Jun 2026
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Details
Description
It is a project of a charitable foundation established in Sürmene, 35 km east of Trabzon. We own 2 acres (8,000 m²) of land, a 150-year-old traditional Black Sea house, and a newly built country house for accommodation.
We are looking for volunteers to help with this project, with the aim of making the old house habitable and implementing rewilding in the forest areas allocated to our foundation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which is still in the negotiation stage.
My name is Ahmet, and I am the director of the foundation. I also manage an art gallery in London.
We expect our volunteers to take part in brainstorming sessions and work proactively to turn ideas into action. In return, we provide accommodation and basic food supplies, until we are able to grow our own vegetables and fruits on the land.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Surmene is a small town by the sea. Our land and houses are 2km from the town center on the hill surrounded by forests. The population is mostly consisting of local people and almost no international immigration or even very few people living from other various cities of Turkey. The majority is Muslim with quite a few rigid conservatives however the people are very welcoming and sympathetic to newcomers. There are still living pure cultural practices, unexplored cuisine, beautiful green nature, and beaches. I will encourage social blending gatherings with locals around the fire every night.
Help
The foundation is currently in the process of restoring a traditional Black Sea house. Our goal is to make the house habitable so that volunteers can live in it.
During this process, we expect volunteers to take part in planning and hands-on DIY work, such as sanding and polishing the old wooden floors, installing a fireplace for cooking, and designing a food forest. We also welcome contributions to social media campaigns and the creation of artwork for exhibitions.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: Fluent
Accommodation
Initially, we can accommodate 1–2 people in the new house owned by the foundation. Our aim is to host up to 10 people in the old historic foundation house once the refurbishment is complete.
We can provide basic supplies such as fruits, vegetables, oil, pasta, rice, bread, and other essentials. However, cooking will be the responsibility of the volunteers.
The new house serves as the current accommodation for volunteers and is owned by our charitable foundation. In the future, we plan to renovate the old historic house to become our permanent accommodation space for the foundation.
This year, volunteers will stay in the new house, as shown in the profile images.
What else ...
During your time off there are countless activities to choose from. Sumela Monastery is a world-famous monument which is 60 km away from our place. Swimming- snorkeling-fishing in the sea, trekking in the forests, rafting in the rivers, passing time in the cool cafes of Trabzon and Surmene and other neighboring towns, amazing local food and so on and on and on...
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have 4.5 G phone cards which you can buy gigabytes on your own cost.
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space for any of the vehicles.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets are welcome if brought to the country according to national quarantine rules.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Photos
