About the Project
Experience one of Finland’s most meaningful seasonal traditions by joining the Kekri volunteering project, an autumn celebration that marks the end of the harvest season and the transition from the bright summer months to the darker winter period in Eastern Finland.
Throughout the project, volunteers will immerse themselves in Finnish culture, local traditions, sustainability practices, and community life while collaborating with people of all ages—from children to senior citizens.
The programme offers a diverse range of hands-on activities, including preparing traditional harvest dishes, learning local cooking techniques, restoring and constructing traditional wooden fences, participating in creative workshops, producing videos, recycling projects, handicrafts, and organising community activities together with schools, museums, and elderly care centres.
Volunteers will contribute approximately 30–35 hours per week and will have two free days each week.
Accommodation, Meals and Transportation
Participants will stay at the Hyvärilä Youth Centre in shared hostel-style accommodation, with rooms for two or three volunteers. Shared bathrooms and shower facilities are available, while bed linen and towels will be provided.
Meals are offered in the centre’s cafeteria, and volunteers will also have opportunities to prepare meals together. The menu mainly consists of healthy vegetarian and vegan options.
Participants can enjoy traditional Finnish saunas on scheduled days and may use bicycles provided by the organisers to travel to the nearby town of Nurmes, located approximately four kilometres from the accommodation.
International travel expenses will be reimbursed according to the European Solidarity Corps distance calculator and funding rules.
Please note that Nurmes is located in a remote region of Finland, approximately seven hours from Helsinki by train.
Arrival: 29 September 2026
Departure: 21 October 2026
Training and Support
Before the project begins, participants will attend an online pre-departure meeting organised by the hosting organisation.
An on-arrival orientation session will also take place on the first day, introducing volunteers to the programme, practical arrangements, and their upcoming responsibilities.
Participant Profile
The organisers are looking for motivated young people aged 18–30 who appreciate peaceful rural environments and are excited to experience life in a small community surrounded by nature.
Applicants should be open to interacting with local residents from different generations and backgrounds while enjoying teamwork and intercultural learning.
The project is especially suitable for volunteers interested in areas such as:
Traditional Finnish culture and heritage;
Arts, crafts, and creative activities;
Nature and outdoor experiences;
Sustainable lifestyles and environmental awareness;
Cooking and local food traditions.
📍 Location: Nurmes, Finland
📅 Activity Dates: 30 September – 20 October 2026
Applicants should be available for the entire duration of the project, as full participation is required.
Click here more details and to apply
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