The project was conceived in collaboration with the association “I Ragazzi di San Lorenzo Bellizzi (IRSLB) which takes its name from the homonymous piece of land. The fundamental objectives are the protection of the old and the development of the new in the area. San Lorenzo is a small town located in the Pollino Park, where a large part of the economy depends on guesthouses, small businesses, restaurants and seasonal summer tourist jobs. It is also affected by a shrinking population and an ageing of the remaining population, like many villages in southern Italy. Important for the place is the preservation of natural resources and the recovery of old productions and skills. The recovery of these traditional activities is very important for the town in terms of economic, social and ecological balance.
IRSLB has been working for several years to combat rural decline. More and more olive groves are being abandoned in the area, because the older owners can no longer take care of them, due to a lack of interest, migration, or death. One of the objectives of the project will be the recovery of abandoned olive groves according to the principles of agro-forestry and syntropic agriculture and the support of ancient local arts. Furthermore, a biodiversity project will be set up to map the biodiversity of the area surrounding the Pollino Park. The work will be carried out together with IRSLB and with local associations (civil protection, civil protection group, Museum of rural art).
Volunteering work
The first activities will consist of collecting waste in natural heritage sites in the Pollino Park and the route is to activate the local population for the preservation of the natural heritage. The work for the recovery of the olive groves will consist of removing weeds, cutting down shrubs and plants that have nothing to do with the olive grove and that have grown spontaneously over the years. In addition, the removal of stones and everything necessary to prepare the recovery of the plant, from pruning to fertilization to the subsequent picking. The syntropic garden project will also be continued according to agro-forestry techniques and methods. At the end of the daily activities, seminars will be organized.
Accommodation
The volunteers are housed in the Casa Parco structure, a multifunctional shelter with rooms. The retreat has a usable kitchen. Meals are provided in collaboration with other parties.
Leisure time
The volunteers can visit San Lorenzo and the surrounding areas and take beautiful walks in the area. In addition, an excursion on the Pollino is organized in collaboration with the Pollino Park Authority.
Travel
Meeting point at Sibari station on August 9, 2024 at 12:00.
IBO asks all its volunteers to travel as sustainably as possible, preferably by train or bus. What you can do in any case is compensate your CO2 emissions through a recognized organisation.
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
You can participate as a young adult (18-30) through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme, where the project is funded by European subsidies. This does not cost the participants any money, but it does cost them time (in the form of filling in forms). Please contact us for more information.
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.
Pay attention: you can already sign up for this project, but we can probably only confirm if you can participate after June 1st.