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Take part in a natural permaculture project in Algarve, Portugal

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    5 Jun 2026

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If you are from outside of the EU and planning to visit Portugal to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    IMPORTANT:

    We currently have availability to host new volunteers only from:

    • September onwards.

    We recommend contacting us in advance, as spots fill up quickly during these periods.

    ========================================

    We are Nimea and Vittoria (43 years old), Paolo and Edoardo (45 years old), and the little ones Oceano and Deva (4 years old). We are two Italian families who chose to build our lives here in Portugal.

    In 2021, we moved into our home, located on a 6.5-hectare piece of land that had been left untouched for years. We are in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, near the town of Aljezur and the beautiful beaches of Arrifana, Amoreira, and Monte Clérigo.

    We’ve launched a rural project based on the principles of permaculture. We have already started developing a syntropic agroforest, with the goal of regenerating the soil and creating a harmonious and productive ecosystem. Although we’re still in the early stages, there are many important actions to carry out, both for the soil and to make the volunteer area increasingly welcoming.

    We've been hosting volunteers since 2021 and have gradually built a solid experience in doing so. Before settling here, we ourselves spent a year and a half traveling, often using the WorkAway platform, and volunteering in various places. That experience gave us valuable insight into what volunteers really need and expect. That’s why we aim to create an environment that is enriching, inspiring, and respectful.

    We love living close to nature and enjoying everything this beautiful area has to offer, especially hiking and surfing, which the region is well known for.

    We also share our space with our furry family members: two small dogs and several cats, all free to roam around the property as if it were their own… because, in a way, it is!

    To see more of what happens on our land, feel free to check our Instagram profile. Ask us for more information!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    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
    House & pet sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Technology
    Sustainability
    Self development
    Pets
    Farming
    Plant care
    Music
    Gardening
    DIY & crafts
    Carpentry
    Books
    Art & design
    Animals
    Water sports
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Hiking
    Fitness
    Camping
    Beach
    Adventure sports
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Living here means immersing yourself completely in nature. Our 65,000 square meters of land are open to exploration, from the pinewood and agroforest to the orchard and the trails that wind through the surrounding area. The Rota Vicentina is just a short distance away, and many volunteers use their free time to explore the region, go hiking, or visit the nearby beaches.

    The ocean is a constant presence in life here. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve are easily reachable by car, making them perfect for surfing, walking, or simply enjoying the sunset.

    Our daily life is a meeting point between Italian and Portuguese culture, but over the years the project has become something even more international. We always try to host the most diverse groups of volunteers possible, because we believe that one of the most valuable aspects of this experience is bringing together people who would probably never have met in their everyday lives.

    Here, people share meals, conversations, ideas, travel experiences, dreams, doubts, and projects. Some volunteers arrive on their own and leave with friendships that continue long after their stay has ended.

    Food is also an important part of the cultural exchange. Every day, a different person cooks for the group, creating the opportunity to taste recipes, ingredients, and traditions from many different countries. Quite often, you end up travelling with your taste buds as much as with your feet.

    For those who are interested, we are always happy to share what we are learning about permaculture, syntropic agroforestry, and soil regeneration. The longer you stay, the more you can understand the processes behind the project, because most of the work is not simply about planting trees, but about observing, understanding, and collaborating with ecosystems over the long term.

    If something seems unclear or disconnected from your idea of permaculture, feel free to ask. Explaining the reasons behind what we do is as much a part of the exchange as working together.

  • Help

    Help

    Our main project is the development of a syntropic agroforest, created to regenerate a piece of land that had been used for intensive agriculture for many years. The soil is naturally very sandy and, when we arrived, it was also extremely depleted and lacking in organic matter. We started this journey a few years ago and continue to expand and improve the system season after season. We have already planted many trees, but our long term plan includes more than 400 trees, following the principles of ecological succession and working in harmony with the species already present in this landscape.

    Alongside the agroforest, we are gradually improving the volunteer area and the different spaces around the property. We also have a dream for the future: transforming one of our pinewoods into a welcoming space for courses, workshops, retreats, and nature based experiences, with a few light wooden structures integrated into the environment.

    (This future project is not connected to volunteer activities. We simply like sharing our vision with the people who choose to spend time with us.)

    The help needed changes throughout the year, depending on the season and what the project requires at that moment, but most often it includes:

    • taking care of the agroforest

    • harvesting what the land provides and transforming it into products that can be preserved

    • general maintenance of the property

    • building small wooden structures

    • occasional babysitting

    • taking care of our dogs and cats if we need to be away for a few days

    Depending on the season, volunteers can learn about syntropic agroforestry, soil regeneration, mulching, propagation, seed collection, food preservation, and the daily reality of a small rural project.

    We usually work 4 hours per day, from Monday to Friday, starting around 8:00 a.m., with a coffee break in the middle.

    A small note about the work: we prefer to be honest from the beginning. Many tasks are physically demanding and often take place outdoors under the Algarve sun. It is not always easy work 💪🏼. On the other hand, if you enjoy being in nature, learning by doing, and seeing tangible results emerge from your efforts, we believe it can be a very rewarding experience.

    IMPORTANT: Volunteer activities are not related to any business or commercial operation.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    Portuguese: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner
    French: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We currently offer different accommodation options depending on the season and availability:

    • Camper van (max 2 people)
    A comfortable camper with a small private kitchen and gas, which is also used for heating.
    The camper stays fixed in place and cannot be driven.

    • Caravan (max 4 people)
    A spacious caravan with beds for up to four people.
    The caravan stays fixed in place and cannot be moved.
    Please note: there is no gas available for cooking inside the caravan.

    Both the camper and the caravan have an internal bathroom, but we do not use them in order to avoid chemical products and reduce environmental impact.
    We use shared dry toilets, as we see human waste as a resource that we compost and return to the soil of the agroforest.

    • Apartment rooms (available until end of June)
    Two rooms in a small apartment: one double room and one twin room.

    • Yurt (from June onwards)
    A yurt that can host 4 to 5 people.

    We provide all essentials: bedsheets, blankets, pillows and towels.
    You only need to bring your own beach towel.

    Main kitchen, bathroom and washing machine are shared with all the volunteers and friends who come to visit us.

    In case you prefer, you can stay in your tent or in your van.


    Food

    We organize food with a shared weekly budget based on the number of volunteers present.

    One volunteer takes the role of food coordinator and organizes the shopping, after a group discussion with everyone to understand needs and preferences.

    So far, the system has always worked very well and volunteers usually enjoy being actively involved in organizing their food.

    Breakfast and dinner are usually flexible, so everyone can manage themselves as they prefer.

    Lunch is usually a shared moment: every day one volunteer cooks for the group, leaving the work one hour earlier, so that lunch is ready when everyone finishes working.
    This allows more free time in the afternoon for everyone.


    All the wastewater go to irrigate the land, so we ask to use only natural products. If you don't have it we can provide for shampoo, conditioner and body soap.

    We provide to all the products for cleaning and laundry.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    A car would be helpful, we can give you some contacts for a cheap rent.

    The location is 10 km away from Aljezur and main services, and 20 min by car from varioius beaches (Arrifana, Monte Clerigo, Amoreira, Odeceixe, Val de Figueiras) and all of them offer amazing surf conditions along the year.

    By walk, you can enjoy just the surrounding nature.

    We have 2 bicycles for you!

    The area is well known for surf and trails, and general outdoor activity such as: horse riding, cycling.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    there's a good and unlimited connection accessible only from the common area. Out of the 4 hours that we ask (usually in the morning), every one is free to do his job.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have space for sure for few vans in addition to ours. We can provide water and electricity.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Fofi (4 years)

    Zeni (4 years)

    Gandalf (4 years)

    Serafina (5 years)

    Morgana (7 years)

    Pina (13 years)

    5,5 kg, super friendly. She need time to adapt to other dogs.

    Rissa (14 years)

    3,5 Kg, territorial with other dogs, super nice with people.

Host ref number: 989491472873

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