The lighthouse at the end of the world!

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working in the restoration and renovation works at one of the most remote light houses in the Icelandic western fjords. The work will be done at the light house and its surrounding area.

SEEDS will be working on fixing and face-lifting the lighthouse and its closest surroundings; doing painting work, clearing and taking down some old fences, starting the reparation of the sheep pen, tearing down and old stable and laying the foundations for a new one. Part of the stable will not be torn down and needs to be covered for time being.

Volunteers will also work on maintaining and building walking paths.

Renovation works inside the lighthouse may include repairing walls, painting, changing some of the glass windows and work in the stair case to the tower.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay at the location, and will take turns between sleeping inside a house and in tents outside the house. Bringing a warm sleeping bag is needed. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen is available. If volunteers want, they can also bring their own tents and camp.

LOCATION: The lighthouse is located in the West Fjords, one of the most breathtaking and beautiful areas in the country; which is at the same time the least visited and most remote area of Iceland.

The place cannot be reached by car and there are no roads connecting the location; it can be reached only by boat or by foot. It is a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

The region accounts for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.

The region is bounded by Breiðafjörður in the south, with Gilsfjörður cutting into the land from the west and Bitrufjörður from the east, the two almost severing the ragged peninsula from the main mass of Iceland. The West Fjords are made up of Ísafjarðar-, Barðastrandar-, and Strandir Counties.

In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.

Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach to environmental, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 150,- (Euros). Volunteers participating in this project should not be afraid of the sea as transport by boat will be regular; previous experience is an asset but not a requirement. Outdoor activities as hikes in the area will be arranged free of charge for SEEDS volunteers.

AGE: 18+