The municipality of Amendolara has a rich historical heritage, including Greek colonisation and the Middle Ages. The Municipality, together with the Association "Mediterraneo Interiore", is committed to the historical, cultural and ecological enhancement of the town. Particularly noteworthy is the Secca di Amendolara, a marine area with protected biodiversity. The Zoological Service operates here and studies the marine ecosystem. The shallow waters are characterised by rocky and coral outcrops, formed by the erosion of an ancient sunken island, possibly identified with the mythical Monte Sardo, mentioned on nautical charts from the 17th and 18th centuries. According to legend, it could be the island of Ogygia, where the nymph Calypso imprisoned Odysseus in the Odyssey. The Municipality, in collaboration with the Association "Mediterraneo Interiore", promotes activities for environmental protection and historical-landscape restoration, with an emphasis on the enhancement of the territory and its cultural identity.
Volunteering work
The aim of the proposed activities is to enhance the area by recovering and highlighting the historical, natural and cultural heritage of the Amendolara community, under the guidance of experts such as a professional archaeologist, groups of Sea Scouts and researchers. Volunteers will then be involved in: cleaning the area in front of the Torre Spaccata, rediscovering and cleaning Roman ruins, cleaning in the historic centre of Amendolara (medieval castle), archaeological excavations, green works, sea activities with the Zoological Station, citizen science activities with the Sea Scouts and the rediscovery of ancient fountains.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay at Agriturismo "La Lista" in Contrada Lista, Amendolara. Volunteers sleep in a shared dormitory with a single bed. There are separate bathrooms for men and women. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared by local staff. What you need to bring: flashlight, sturdy walking shoes, work gloves, sleeping bag or sheets and pillowcase, mosquito repellent, swimwear. If you can play a musical instrument, it is very welcome!
Leisure time
In your free time you can visit the surrounding places and the countryside for beautiful walks. A visit to the Archaeological Museum of Amendolara is organized, a meeting of the Entropy Group in Cosenza and a visit to the excavations in Sibari.
Travel
The meeting point is Amendolara-Oriolo station. The nearest airports are Lamezia Terme (SUF) or Bari Palese (BRI), see also www.aeroportodibari.com. For information about buses: www.saj.it.
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
IBO asks €50 registration fee. In addition, you pay a participation fee of €189 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.
Pay attention: you can already sign up for this project, but we can probably only confirm if you can participate after June 1st.