The project
GRIMM (an abbreviation for: Groupe d’Intérêt pour le Milieu Marchois – or: Marche Environment Interest Group) is a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the living environment of the residents of the municipality of Marche-en-Famenne, inspired by the principles of sustainable development. The organization collaborates with the municipality's environmental department. For example, GRIMM ensures that sections of roads are secured so that amphibians can cross during their annual migration. GRIMM also organizes an annual project with a group of international volunteers to carry out minor improvements to public facilities (such as installing benches and picnic tables, footbridges, etc. on a local promenade) and renovating facilities from previous years.
Volunteer work
This year, volunteers are building facilities for cyclists and cycling tourists passing through the town of Marche-en-Famenne. They are constructing two wooden shelters and three picnic tables along the cycle path near the cultural center. They are also installing various bicycle racks. Additionally, the volunteers are maintaining a drainage channel near a village in the municipality. This channel collects rainwater, thereby preventing flooding of houses and land. However, the channel is currently clogged with branches and dead leaves and is therefore no longer functioning properly. If you work quickly, other small outdoor jobs are planned. The volunteers work in various teams, each led by a GRIMM member. If you enjoy working with wood, screws, and tools, this is the project for you!
Accommodation
The volunteers stay in the "Saint-François complex," in a corridor with double bedrooms. Toilets and showers are located on the same floor, while the kitchen and a large living room (a former chapel) are a few floors down. The volunteers do their own shopping and prepare their own meals.
Leisure
Marche-en-Famenne is a small town in the countryside in the south of the country. You will find everything there: schools, shops, industries, and services. The town is surrounded by forests, fields, and small villages where the pace of life has remained rural. Liège, Namur, and Luxembourg are easily accessible by train in about an hour, and Brussels in two hours. It is also a good base for discovering the natural heritage of the Ardennes and engaging in outdoor activities. But participating in the "GRIMM project" also means experiencing traditions that are upheld year after year: your stay is marked by a welcome barbecue on the first day, a farewell barbecue on the last day, and, above all, your participation in the local festivities on August 15. On August 15, Marche-en-Famenne takes a leap back in time with a large "market from 1900," featuring old crafts, traditional games, handicrafts, and birds.
Travel
Volunteers travel to the trainstation of Marche-en-famenne themselves. There you will be picked up by the project partner.
You arrange the travel to your project yourself. IBO asks all volunteers to travel in the most sustainable way possible, so preferably by train or bus. What you at least can do, is compensate your CO2 emissions. You can find more information about this on the website of Milieu Centraal. You can also compensate your emissions via IBO, by donating to our partner’s tree planting project in Uganda. You can read more about that here..
Preparation
IBO offers a good preparation for your volunteering work abroad.You will receive a digital information package and an invitation to a preparation meeting. Read more about the proces from departure until return.
Cost
IBO asks €50 registration fee. In addition, you pay a participation fee of €89 for this project. You can also become an IBO-supporter, then you do not pay a registration fee.
Would you like to know more about how your contribution is made and how it is spent? Read about the costs for participation.
Register
Register as a volunteer at IBO here.