Karin with the "brown hats" team on the island of Nólsoy (turquoise jacket)
Would you be interested in the opportunity to winning a place on a sustainable tourism project on the Faroe Islands?
Apply to be selected for an ÉcoVoluntaire Tourisme Durable spot in the Closed for Maintenance Program in the Faroe Islands (DK), taking place from 1-3 May 2025.
The application period opens Tuesday, 14 January 2025 and closes Thursday morning, 16 January 2025. It is highly competitive with over 6,000 applicants last year vying for 80 places.
Karin Holm writes, "I participated last year 2024 as one of the only Swiss participants in this fantastic experience, contributing to building a remote stone hiking trail as a proud member of the “brown hats” on Nólsoy. This experience galvanized my enthusiasm for sustainable voluntourism. I highly recommend it!"
Here is a selection of frequently asked questions about the Closed for Maintenance working days found on their website.
1. WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR?
You will need to pay for your travel ticket. We have an agreement with the national airline, Atlantic Airways, about promotion codes, which provide a discount for participants. Indeed, you can choose other travel solutions, but the promotion codes are only for flights with Atlantic Airways. Accommodation and food will be provided during the Closed for Maintenance period.
2. WILL I NEED A WORK PERMIT?
All non-Nordic citizens will be required to obtain a work permit. Obtaining a work permit is simple, and we will handle the applications for you. We will provide more information and guidance once you have been admitted to the maintenance crew.
3. DO I NEED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE?
To become a volunteer, one must be at least 18 years old before the working days. Our projects have various difficulty levels, so all volunteers don't need to be highly skilled. We only require a willingness to assist and some physical fitness, as volunteers may need to walk on uneven terrain.
As something new, out of all the applicants, 50 people will be selected randomly, while 30 will be selected based on their relevant skills and experiences that align with our 2024 projects.
6. WILL FOOD BE PROVIDED?
All volunteers will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the maintenance days. They will also receive a light meal upon arrival and a meal during the celebratory party on the final day. We do our best to provide vegetarian and gluten-free options, but it can be challenging on some of the more remote working sites.
17. WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I'M ADMITTED TO THE TEAM?
The 80 people admitted to the Maintenance Crew 2024 will receive an email from Visit Faroe Islands on Wednesday, 24 January 2025.
The timing of your registration during the 48-hour registration window will not affect your chances of being selected for the Maintenance Crew.
The program was featured in an RTS émission led by Delphine Gianora Stoll: “Chaque année, les îles Féroé luttent contre le tourisme de masse en faisant appel à des écovolontaires”
on the 19h30 show on 26 May 2024 (5 minutes long).
Read more about Closed for Maintenance on the webpage:
https://visitfaroeislands.com/en/closed
