Cycling the circle - The Icelandic Biking! (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: In 2010 SEEDS started developing volunteer projects with Bikeability, an NGO promoting cycling and healthy lifestyles, with the preparation phase of a large cycling project, "Cycle the circle".

We will cycle between different municipalities and meet with locals, cyclists, youth centres, organisations and other interested people to discuss the issues of cycling, healthy and sustainable lifestyle. We would like to have gatherings with the locals where we can exchange and share with them, our presentations can be in the form of theatre, using audiovisual resources, rounds tables, etc. It will mostly depend on the availability of a venue and our own creativity.

During the visits we aim at getting in touch with the locals, share with them, discussing about cycling as an alternative to transportation, recreation and sustainable lifestyle.

We will stay two nights in each municipality as that will give us reasonable time to meet the locals, have our meeting(s) and plan the future project with each partner.

Participants do not have to be experienced cyclists; the cycling requires reasonable physical condition but each trip is meant to be a leisure activity in a nice environment.

Promoting sports activities, healthy and sustainable lifestyles to Icelanders and others is the main target of the project; to encourage them to use the bicycle as a mean of transportation and a daily part of their lives. Apart from promoting public health through outdoors activities, this will gather people of all ages in a fun and educating experience.

In some of the locations we may volunteer in specific projects identified by our local partners.

ACCOMMODATION: We will travel between five to six different towns during the project; the accommodation will depend on each municipality's facilities. It may be sleeping bag accommodation or sometimes we may sleep outdoors in tents at the local camp site. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: This project is unique as we will have the chance to visit different municipalities so it is a great opportunity for us to travel and see different parts of the country. Each town of the country has its own charm, speciality and history.

The first & last night we will stay in Reykjavík, a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach, promoting outdoors, sports activities, healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 180.

Volunteers should be motivated to work with people in matters related to cycling and outdoor activities. SEEDS can provide bicycles but we encourage those who can bring their own to do so.

We are looking for volunteers with passion & commitment, with gifts of all kinds -creativity, positivity, endless energy, humour, logistics, or general helpfulness. The more diverse a group we are, the more we can accomplish, the stronger our message, and the more we learn from each other.

Although being an experienced cyclist is not required, an ideal participant would be familiar with riding on regular basis. The weather in Iceland can be very changeable and windy, so participants should be prepared for a physical challenge.

AGE: 18+