Forestry and football in the north of Iceland

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working and living in Iceland’s most northerly town, Siglufjörður, sometimes also called the herring capital, even the herring capital of the world in the 1900s. We will be working on different tasks for the two weeks in the municipality, so we will be able to explore and being involved in both – the nature of the surroundings and Icelandic society.

Most of the work will be focused on environmental issues in the community, mainly forestry. The main goal of forestry is to create and implement systems that allow forests to continue a sustainable continuation of environmental supplies and services. The challenge of forestry is to create systems that are socially accepted while sustaining the resource and any other resources that might be affected. The most northerly planted woods in Iceland are found in Siglufjörður (and the farthest north on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge).

During one weekend of the project there will be a girls’ football tournament, called Pæjumót in Icelandic. A lot of families come to cheer the girls in the tournament, so the town will have a lot of visitors. Therefore there will be some preparation in the town and then participation in various ways during the tournament. This might include cleaning in the area, managing the area for games and helping in different ways. Volunteers will also be helping in cleaning up after the tournament. This weekend is a lot of fun and volunteers will enjoy the true Icelandic football family fun!

ACCOMMODATION: We will stay at a local house, bringing an sleeping bag is needed. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Siglufjördur is the northernmost town in Iceland, located at the foot of towering mountains on the shore of a small fjord with the same name. The town is in the municipality of Fjallabyggð, there are two town communities, Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður, which are 62 km apart.

Siglufjördur was made by two of the major creators which formed Iceland: volcanoes and glaciers. The bedrock of the Siglufjördur was created by lava flows millions of years ago; this area is one of the oldest in the country.

According to some, Siglufjördur (population 1400), is the Iceland's loveliest town. It enjoys a dramatic setting beside a small fjord at the northern tip of Tröllaskagi. The historic architecture, the colourful rooftops of upper town, the harbour and the inspiring backdrop are all delightful, and may call to mind an idyllic fishing village. There are numerous hiking trails around Siglufjörður providing great opportunity for outdoor lovers.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach, promoting outdoors, sports activities and healthy lifestyles. 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 Airports: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF) and Akureyri (AEY). SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back again, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows us to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 160,- (Euros). Volunteers will have free access to Siglufjörður’s swimming pool. SEEDS and our local hosts will try to organise some hikes/trips to the surrounding areas in the fjord.

AGE: 18+