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PARTNER

The town of Pont-du-Chateau is seeking to bring nature into the town through sustainable management and the creation of natural spaces. Among the projects, former terraced gardens have been gradually redeveloped by international volunteers into ecological gardens. This seventeenth work camp in Pont-du-Chateau is part of this major landscaping project. It will allow you to discover its medieval village, participate in local events, and share meals with the locals, not to mention the party organized at the end of the work camp

WORK

With seventeen projects underway, the town of Pont-du-Chateau will make you feel right at home Take part in this major project to restore the terraced gardens, which are gradually being transformed into an eco-friendly place for walking, relaxing, and discovering the landscape. This 3-hectare site features eco-grazing, terraced gardens, a small orchard, a community vineyard, and a playground and relaxation area. This year, the town of Pont-du-Chateau is inviting us to continue the work begun last year on the vineyard site, to beautify the space and build a retaining wall between the vineyard plot and the park. The program includes removing the old fence, carpentry and woodworking, and other landscaping activities in the park.Are you interested in learning construction skills and want to be part of a strong community experience? Do you enjoy working in a team? Would you like to discover a beautiful village in Auvergne? This project is for you

ACCOMODATION AND FOOD

You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay. Accommodation will be provided on municipal grounds not far from the work site. You will sleep in individual tents on inflatable mattresses (provided by Concordia) on grassy terrain. The bathrooms and changing rooms will be permanent structures; with communal living and cooking facilities under a large tent reserved for your group. Wi-Fi is available on site. Laundry can be done by hand or at a laundromat in town (paid service).You will share the various tasks of communal living together. A budget will be allocated to the group and you will participate in shopping and meal preparation, with an emphasis on healthy and local products

LOCATION & LEISURE ACTIVITY

Pont-du-Chateau is a small, dynamic town overlooking the Allier River. The town is proud of its natural surroundings, which are ideal for walking. The castle, nestled in the heart of the town, offers a remarkable view of the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area and the volcans of Auvergne. Full of charm, the village, with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and remarkable buildings, has some wonderful surprises in store for visitors. You will be welcomed by local associations offering leisure activities such as kayaking, hiking, swimming, an introduction to pEtanque, and team sports. The regional capital, Clermont-Ferrand, is 15 km away and can be reached by train and bus. You can enjoy the city s vibrant atmosphere in summer.

REQUIREMENTS

Please fill the Parental Agreement and the Medical Fact Sheet as soon as possible (at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the workcamp).The vaccines proofs (a note from the doctor or a copy of the vaccines) is MANDATORY, see list in the Medical Fact Sheet. Unvaccinated volunteers will not be accepted.Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for them, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

Host organization

CONCORDIA France

Concordia is a French national non-governmental and non-profit making organisation, founded in 1950 by English, German and French youngsters. Their aim was to enhance the values of tolerance and peace after the 2nd world war by organising international workcamps of young volunteers.

The main objectives of Concordia are the following:
Education i-e helping young people to grow up by acquisition of collective life.
Culture i-e favouring the youth exchanges on an international level, always emphasizing the values of peace, friendship and mutual respect.
Social i-e taking part in concrete actions of solidarity, as well as supporting a civic attitude
Social economy i-e contributing to realisation of local development, in favour of the environment, patrimony, tourism and socio-educational animation.

Workcamps are a perfect tool to reach these goals:
Participating in a workcamp means working voluntarily during three weeks at a project of a common utility, such as environment, archaeology, culture, patrimony. It is a form of informal education, but also an opportunity to discover a new region and its inhabitants. The participants get to know the real life of a small community, as well as the culture and customs of other volunteers, who come from all around the world. Every year Concordia gives the opportunity to more than 1000 French youths to get involved in its partner projects abroad and hosts around 1200 foreign volunteers on its own workcamps in France.

Concordia is a member of:
Three major international networks which support voluntary service:
The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations which is a network of 30 national organisations in 20 countries and CCIVS (Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service) which is an organisation founded under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948 and coordinates about 300 organisations worldwide.
- The National Association COTRAVAUX (Co-ordination of French Voluntary Work organisations).
- AVSO (Association of Voluntary Service Association) a European network with the goal of improving European voluntary service.
The other activities of the association continue throughout the year with weekend or short holiday workcamps, mid and long term voluntary service, integration of people with difficulties, study and activity groups (North-South, International), sending and hosting volunteers of European Voluntary Service. Concordia also organises various trainings throughout the year. Those who wish to be even more involved in Concordia’s activities can be elected at the management committee; Concordia is a democratic organisation, led by dynamic and motivated volunteers as well as young people, and supported by paid staff. Today the management committee counts 15 members, there are 1800 subscribers, 25 employees and 200 activity leaders.
The Paris head office supports the eight regional offices activities i-e the Alps, Auvergne, Aquitaine, Normandy, Picardy, South-Southwest, Ile-de-France et Breatagne.

Concordia has the approval of the French Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of the Environment.