Volunteering in Greece

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN GREECE

Volunteer with sea turtles on the beaches of Greece, within the volunteering in Greece you will collaborate with other volunteers in night and day work on the Greek islands conserving sea turtles.

Together with the coordinators and volunteers you will live a natural and incredible experience in a paradisiacal destination without having to spend many hours flying.

SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

The main objective of the volunteer program in Greece is the conservation of sea turtles, i.e. to ensure as many hatchlings as possible, as well as to improve their quality of life.

Sea turtles are endangered and it is necessary to preserve the species in order to conserve marine biodiversity.

The volunteer will be located in Argostoli, capital city of the Greek island of Kefalonia. It is located 100 km west of Patras and has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

The sea turtle volunteer experience will be very complete in every way, since you will live with volunteers from all over the world, you will get to know different cultures and customs, and at the same time you will be in contact with the local team learning about the fauna and flora, and above all having a very important role in the conservation of biodiversity by protecting the sea turtles and their environment.

Some of the tasks performed by the volunteers are:

  • Beach conservation
  • Maintenance of facilities
  • Registration
  • Protection of eggs and nests
  • Nursery work
  • Hatchlings
  • Night patrol

Open from April to October. Arrival days are Sundays. Below you can see the arrival days:

  • April 16, 2010
  • April 30, 2010
  • May 14th
  • May 28th
  • June 11
  • June 25
  • July 9
  • July 23rd
  • August 6
  • August 20
  • September 3
  • September 17
  • October 1
  • October 15

Activities are carried out for approximately 5 or 6 hours, divided between the day, afternoon and evening. In addition, there are two free days for visits and excursions.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Copy of resume required: No
  • Qualifications required: None
  • Participants under 18 must be accompanied by parents.
  • Work may be at night and good physical condition is required.

No specific equipment is necessary, but if you have a red light it is good to carry it.

In this program you can go from 2 weeks and it has a cost with the donation included:

WeeksCost
2850€
41700€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING IN GREECE OFFER?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or program
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Follow-up and evaluation of the program
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Tax certificate to be deducted in your income tax return
  • Guidance, advice and management in the choice of the program
  • Volunteer and liability insurance
  • Lodging during your volunteer stay in shared rooms
  • 24/7 support from the local organization
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING IN GREECE?

  • Flight to Greece
  • Airport pick-up (can be arranged with local coordination)
  • Meals (use of common areas)
  • Visa if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transportation or excursions
  • Travel or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Beverages, special diets or meals


REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER IN GREECE

To be part of the Volunteer programs in Greece, it is not necessary any specific training, it is only required:

  • Committed person, as you actively participate in natural activities, good physical shape to ride bikes and perform physical work.
  • Willingness and ability to work in a team. This is important, as you will be collaborating with other volunteers.
  • As a volunteer you must be flexible and adaptable, as well as comfortable with community life.
  • Good conduct and respect for the team
  • Be of legal age (+18)

WHERE WILL I BE WHILE VOLUNTEERING IN GREECE?

The volunteer projects in Greece take place in Argostoli, the city of the island with the most nightlife as it is the largest.

Volunteers are housed in apartments distributed by gender. The use of the bathroom and the rest of the apartment is for common use.

ARGOSTOLI DETAILS

  • The Argostoli volunteer’s house is only 5 minutes from the airport.
  • There is a mini market about 15 minutes (1.3 km) walk away, has basic groceries (closed on weekends and overnight).
  • Bicycle ride 3.5 to 4.0 km to a larger market.
  • Option to pre-order groceries to be there when the volunteer arrives.
  • Volunteers will be able to shop at large outdoor fruit/vegetable markets or grocery stores when in town for port surveys.
  • Distance between 1 to 5 km by bicycle to some project beaches, 800 m walk to the nearest beach.
  • Transportation in the organization’s van to reach the port and monitored beaches.

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN VOLUNTEERING IN GREECE?

ARGOSTOLI

  • Sea turtle mating observations
  • Observation of photographic identification techniques
  • Participation in drone surveys of harbor and feeding grounds (May)
  • Beach profile studies
  • Beach cleanup
  • Plastic pollution assessment
  • Sea turtle tagging (May to end of June)
  • Rescues of injured sea turtles
  • Recording of behavioral observations
  • Monitoring of sea turtles in port
  • Early morning beach nesting census on the beach
  • Nest protection and relocation if needed

For more information, questions or assistance with a colleague of our team you can contact us via phone or Whatsapp here.

The steps to follow to register are as follows:

  • Fill out the form to reserve your volunteering.
  • Wait for our confirmation of availability.
  • Make a 1st donation for the registration to the Adventure Volunteer association.
  • You will receive an email with the volunteer agreement to be completed by you.
  • You will return to us by email all the requested information and you will be able to purchase the flight.
  • A few weeks before you start you will receive information from the local organization.
  • Now you only have to pack your suitcase, you have a whole team that will make everything easier for you and you will be in contact at all times, so you don’t have to worry.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

To be part of the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, it is not necessary any specific training and it is only required:

  • To be of legal age (possibility minor with guardian or parents).
  • To be a participative and committed person.
  • Be respectful of people, culture and customs.
  • To know how to adapt and work in a team.
  • Criminal record certificate for social work.
  • Sign cooperation agreement and interview with our team.
  • Appropriate clothing for the destination.
  • Knowledge of English.

ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK IN GREECE

Volunteer accommodation is apartment style with shared rooms, you live with other volunteers of the same gender. All houses selected by the local organization have apartment-style accommodations with more volunteers.

The program includes accommodation in shared rooms. Shared use of bathrooms, kitchen, cooking utensils and research equipment.

Volunteer accommodation in Greece

What is the volunteer accommodation like?

  • Bed in a shared room, in an apartment that you share with other volunteers of the same sex.
  • Kitchen equipped to cook for you (meals not included).
  • Wifi.
  • Laundry area (only cold water and hand washing).

A large balcony will accommodate group meetings and our dinners. Shared bathrooms have solar-heated hot water, and shared kitchens are equipped with cooking utensils, utensils and a shared fridge.

WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE?

Meals are not included

Argostoli’s location, close to the airport, is within walking distance of the beaches. A mini market, about a 15 minute walk away, has basic groceries and you will also be able to shop in Argostoli town when you are on shifts at the port. We also offer a pre-order option so that the basic “starter kit” of groceries will be there for you upon arrival.

WHAT WILL THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION BE LIKE?

The local organization will welcome you upon arrival in Kefalonia.

You can arrive in the following ways:

  • Option 1: Direct flight to Kefalonia (EFL).
  • Option 2: Flight to Athens (ATH) and then 1 hour flight to Kefalonia from Athens.
  • Option 3: Flight to Athens (ATH) and then bus/ferry to Kefalonia 7 hours bus/ferry ride to Kefalonia from Athens.

WHEN CAN I GO TO THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN GREECE?

The first start date of the 2-week program for the Argostoli house is Sunday, April 16, and every two weeks thereafter on a Sunday.

Arrival dates are as follows:

  • April 16, 2010
  • April 30, 2010
  • May 14th
  • May 28th
  • June 11
  • June 25
  • July 9
  • July 23rd
  • August 6
  • August 20
  • September 3
  • September 17
  • October 1
  • October 15

SECURITY IN GREECE

As in any country, you must take certain precautions and know how to handle yourself in certain zones and areas.

In general, tourist areas are safe, but we still recommend you to take these details into account:

  • Notify your coordinator, in case you are going on an excursion.
  • Have the phone numbers of your coordinator and the address where you are staying.
  • Avoid giving out information about the place where you are staying, the project and your fellow volunteers.
  • Avoid bringing anyone who is not from the organization to the volunteer’s house.
  • Travel in austerity in your daily transfers and in your excursions, do not show your things.
  • Kefalonia is an island with good safety indexes.
  • If you can, avoid taking out your cell phone in public places.
  • Try to use the safe transportation services of the country.
  • Do not drink any beverage whose origin you do not know.

The financial contribution is divided into two parts:

  1. The registration that you will give as a donation to the Adventure Volunteer association. This contribution has a tax benefit of 80% that you can deduct in your income tax return.
  2. The remaining part of the cost of the program will go to the partner organization that we will send on your behalf as a substitute or you can deliver it directly to the project.
WEEKSCOSTS
2850€
41700€
83400€

1 week is not possible. Weeks can be 2, 4 or 8.

WHAT IS OFFERED TO THE VOLUNTEER IN GREECE?

  • Welcome to Kefalonia and accompaniment to the accommodation (if you land elsewhere you can coordinate the pick up with the local coordinator)
  • Accommodation during your volunteer stay
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Program monitoring and evaluation
  • Orientation and induction to the project
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Guidance, advice and management in the choice of the program
  • Volunteer and liability insurance
  • Tax deduction certificate

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED TO THE VOLUNTEER IN GREECE?

  • Flight to Greece
  • Meals during your volunteering
  • Visa, if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transportation or excursions
  • Travel within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Beverages, diets and special meals
  • Bottled water

HOW TO BOOK MY VOLUNTEERING IN GREECE

STEP 1

Once you fill in the form, we will confirm your place within 24 hours.

STEP 2

Make the contribution of the registration and then your place will be guaranteed.

STEP 3

We will send you the guide and the international volunteer agreement

CLIMATE

  • Between April and May, you can enjoy a mild climate up to 20 22 degrees.
  • From June to September they are the most working and the hottest, up to 28 degrees.
  • Mediterranean climate.

CURRENCY

The currency used in the volunteering in Greece is the euro and is written ΕΥΡΩ in Greek.

FLIGHT

The most popular airlines you can find to travel to Greece during your volunteering are:

  • Ryanair, Voltea, Transavia and other European airlines.
  • Flights range from around 50€ to 250€.
  • You can find good flight deals on google flights or skyscanner.

TOURISTIC PLACES

ITACA, THE MOST LEGENDARY ISLAND

Itaca, an island full of myths and known as the homeland of Ulysses. If you are passionate about Greek myths visit this wonderful island on your volunteer trip to Greece.

NIGHTLIFE IN ARGOSTOLI

The Greek islands in addition to their natural wonders, are also famous for having a very fun nightlife.

GREECE, A COUNTRY TO DISCOVER
After the pandemic and being locked in, we have noticed a traffic of people seeking to take action in solidarity and help others, but without forgetting to enjoy a paradise like that of Cefalonia.

Bea: “The experience in the volunteering in Greece with the turtles has been wonderful, nothing better after a long quarantine than collaborating in this outdoor project.”