The project
Berlin is known for its culture, energy and offering great adventures. In this project, you will also experience some of the quieter sides of the city that only a few people get to see. You are actively engaged in the preservation of the culture of remembrance. Specifically, you are dedicated to the repair and maintenance of graves of victims of war and tyranny (German and non-German soldiers and civilians) at the state-owned cemetery in Berlin-Heiligensee war gravesite. This workcamp is an opportunity to get to know the heritage of the past and learn more about how to promote a culture of peace through memorialisation and remembrance. Your work includes very practical tasks like cleaning the graves and grave marker frames. You and your team will help, among other things, to renew and clear grassy areas, as well as clean grave markers and concrete frames.
Accommodation & food
You will be accommodated at Gruppenhaus Zeltlagerplatz Heiligensee, Berlin (more infos here: https://zev-berlin.com/gruppenhaus/)
You will cook together. Money for food will be provided. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please state any intolerances during registration.
Please Note: Self-organization is also a key point of the camp during your daily camp routines. Shopping, cooking, and cleaning are all planned and done independently within the group. Each participant is expected to take part in the CCC (cooking-cleaning-crew). The advantage is, of course, that you will have the opportunity to eat international dishes and cuisine at every meal and realize that cleaning yourselves can lead to a great deal of fun in the group.
Location & leisure
At the accommodation you can make yourselves comfortable and enjoy a great time together slightly outside of the buzz of the big city. Berlin offers many great opportunities. After your work assignment, you can explore Berlin's city center, visit museums or simply relax at a lake. Your accommodation is also a great place to calm down and chill after an active day. In order to be able to pursue the diverse interests of your group, you will be provided with a city ticket for the duration of the camp, which will allow you to use public transportation throughout the city. If Berlin isn't enough for you, you can also get to other cities like Potsdam and Dresden
super quickly or take a day trip to the Baltic.
Please Note:
While thinking about your free time together, SELF-ORGANIZATION is the key idea. The group leaders will gladly assist with tips and advice, but will not organize your free time for you.
We expect that all participants will be prepared to actively help plan and decide on elements of the team’s group Life.
Project host
Ijgd, organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. They are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, they assist around 4,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. They give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths.
Interested?
Thinking about joining this project but not sure if it’s right for you? Or maybe a parent looking for more details?
We’ve got you covered! Hit the button below to ask anything - no pressure, just friendly advice.