Volunteer at an ecovillage in Iceland. Discover the land of ice and fire by volunteering at Iceland’s oldest ecovillage, Sólheimar. Find out about volunteering in Iceland
Iceland’s oldest ecovillage
Our partner offers volunteering placements at various locations across Iceland, focusing on biodiversity conservation, peace-building and the promotion of volunteering. Sólheimar is Iceland’s first and only ecovillage. It is situated in the south-west of the island, 80 kilometres east of Reykjavík. Founded in 1930 by a young visionary named Sesselja Sigmundsdóttir (1902–1974), the site has become renowned for its ecological innovation. The eco-village attracts visitors and volunteers from all over the world.
A pioneering village
Sólheimar is now home to a community of people who live and work together. The Sólheimar ecovillage is a pioneer in organic farming. Here you will find a greenhouse, a forest and an arboretum that are all certified organic, as well as a range of environmentally friendly projects. The villagers use geothermal energy for heating and practise recycling. They regularly welcome volunteers.
Organic farming and forest restoration
As a volunteer, you will mainly be working in the Ölur forest and in the greenhouses known as Sunna. In the greenhouses, you will plant and harvest vegetables and carry out general gardening tasks. Your duties will also include painting and repair work around the property. During the winter, you will also be required to help clear snow and keep the paths clear for residents.
Working hours are from 9 am to 4 pm, with an hour’s lunch break and a few coffee breaks.
Your tasks will depend on the weather, so you’ll need to be flexible. You’ll also need to be able to cope with the cold and rain!
Dates
Minimum 4 weeks, all year round. Arrival on Mondays every 4 weeks
- 2 February 2026 to 2 March 2026
- 2 March 2026 to 30 March 2026
- 30 March 2026 to 27 April 2026
- 27 April 2026 to 25 May 2026
- 25 May 2026 to 22 June 2026
- 22 June 2026 to 20 July 2026
- 20 July 2026 to 17 August 2026
- 17 August 2026 to 14 September 2026
- 14 September 2026 to 12 October 2026
- 12 October 2026 to 9 November 2026
- 9 November 2026 to 7 December 2026
- 7 December 2026 to 4 January 2026
Prices
- €1,200 (4 weeks)
- Option to stay longer. €250 per additional week
Included in the price
- Pick-up at the meeting point: 9:00 am (City Hall – Reykjavik, Tjarnargata 11)
- Return at 6.00 pm, BSÍ bus station
- Return transport to and from the project site
- On-site camp leaders
- Tour of the Golden Circle
- Groceries for three meals a day.
- Project monitoring (provided by Worldwide Friends)
Not included in the price
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Any other expenditure not mentioned above
- At least 4 weeks
- 18 years and over
- Couples are welcome, but we cannot guarantee a private room.
- English B1 (beginner-intermediate)
- Clean criminal record (translated into English)
- Come and stay in Iceland’s oldest ecovillage
- Work with volunteers from all over the world
- Discover a magical country, come summer or winter, with its breathtaking landscapes!
- Learn about agroforestry and organic farming
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated at the Worldwide Friends house in Sólheimar. The house is located in the village and has four double bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, several bathrooms and communal areas. The kitchen and living room are shared with some local staff. Volunteers must bring their own sleeping bags, but beds and bed linen are provided. Free Wi-Fi.
Food
Meals are provided, but everyone is expected to take turns with the cooking and cleaning. The project encourages volunteers to be vegetarian. The food provided is varied and balanced.
Arrival
Arrival at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), south of Reykjavik. The meeting point is at 9.00 am at Reykjavik City Hall (Tjarnargata 11) on the first day of the camp. We strongly recommend arriving the day before.
The Golden Circle tour is included in the price. The Golden Circle is renowned for its stunning sights and hiking trails. The partner will organise weekend excursions at reasonable prices. These excursions include unique Icelandic sites, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam vents, or even icebergs!
Tous les avis sur les missions Worldwide Friends
About the organisation
Our partner is an Icelandic non-profit organisation founded in 2001, dedicated to environmental protection, the promotion of peace and volunteering. Its team works on biodiversity conservation as well as the circular economy and education, based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN. Our partner organises short- and long-term volunteering placements in Iceland. Through volunteering, the organisation protects nature and promotes peace by bringing together volunteers of different nationalities to work together.
