Reykjavík* ? Pure Energy on top of the world!

WORK/PROJECT: The City of Reykjav?k* will be our host for the third year in-a-row; this time SEEDS volunteers will be performing different tasks related to the environment and the outdoors public areas of the city. We will be working with the Public areas department of the city, in charge of environmental affairs and green areas; working hand-in-hand with the local teams of Icelandic youngsters in charge of the public spaces in the city, its surroundings and responsible for the environmental affairs, green public and municipal areas. The work with the teams of local youngsters will give SEEDS volunteers a great opportunity to mingle with Icelanders and to enjoy its capital from the locals? side. ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be staying in a modern sports centre in the city in shared rooms and will have access to the facilities of the centre; bringing a sleeping bag is needed. Lunch will be given by the city of Reykjav?k within the weekdays, while for breakfast and dinner, food ingredients will be provided and volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. LOCATION: Reykjav?k*, the Icelandic capital, has been called Europe?s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city?s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjav?k held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000; a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of the capital. The population of the city is about 120,000 (40% of Iceland?s population) in the metropolitan area and about 200,000 (60% of Iceland?s inhabitants) including its suburbs. It is growing steadily and 45% is younger than 30 years old; 83,1% of men and women aged 16-74 are active on the labour market. Reykjav?k is a dynamic, modern city in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources, geothermal power and glacial rivers. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene. Visitors to Reykjavik experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement. STUDY THEME: Renewable Energy resources. Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to volunteers and local hosts. Energy has been a human concern ever since early humans learned to use fire and exploit the energy of animals. Energy utilization in the modern sense, however, only began with the industrial revolution as in so many other areas; Icelanders were latecomers to the scene. During the past century, Iceland was transformed from poverty to plenty. The harnessing of energy resources and availability of energy for industrial and public consumption played a major role in this development, and was in fact a precondition for it. Use of energy in Iceland differs from other countries, with the higher per capita use than in any other country in the world and the ratio of sustainable energy sources is also higher. Geothermal energy and hydropower play an important rule in the energy supply and the country is very rich in renewable energy resources; its hydro and geothermal power could provide electricity for a nation of six million. More than 50% of the primary energy consumption in Iceland is derived from geothermal sources. Iceland?s renewable energy resources are used in a sustainable way and in harmony with the environment. TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflav?k (Reykjav?k), KEF. Closest bus station in town. EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR150. Volunteers will get passes to access free of charge the city?s seven geothermal swimming pools and beach, bus passes to ride on the transport network (including Hydrogen powered buses) of the city and surroundings. Visits to geothermal active areas and power plants utilising this and hydraulic renewable resources will be organised for the volunteers during their free time. * The name Reykjav?k means ?smoky bay?: Given by the first settlers that arrived to the area due to the high geothermal activity and the constant rise of steam out of the hot springs around.