The NGO Association Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail (ASTOVOT) has over 60 years of experience in international voluntary service. Each year, it welcomes many volunteers from around the world for short, medium, and long-term projects (from 3 weeks to 12 months) in Togo. These projects allow around 200 national volunteers to interact with international volunteers and create meaningful intercultural exchanges throughout the year. ASTOVOT is a member of: Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS – UNESCO) Network of Africa Voluntary Organisations (NAVO) It partners with volunteer organizations in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada, and Africa. Its projects mainly focus on: Community development Education and citizenship Health and social action Environmental protection Intercultural learning Construction and renovation of community infrastructure

This summer, ASTOVOT is organizing a volunteer work camp in agroecology in its garden in Kpalimé, focused on the creation and maintenance of a nursery. The camp is part of the Living Earth Exchanges (LIVE-EX) project, which highlights, through digital tools, youth initiatives in the fight against climate change and for climate justice. ASTOVOT places particular emphasis on activities related to the promotion of nurseries and reforestation led by young people. Volunteers will take part in practical activities related to sustainable agriculture, plant production, reforestation, and environmental awareness, while also contributing to documenting and showcasing youth initiatives through the LIVE-EX project.

Objectives

Train volunteers in sustainable and agroecological farming practices Produce seedlings for reforestation and the promotion of local nurseries Promote responsible management of natural resources and environmental awareness Highlight youth initiatives in climate action and agroecology through the LIVE-EX project Strengthen community cohesion and civic engagement around agriculture durable.

Volunteer Tasks

Planting and caring for young plants: prepare the soil, sow, water, and maintain the plants in the nursery. Composting and organic waste management: produce compost from green and organic waste to enrich the soil. Awareness of sustainable agriculture: participate in information sessions and exchanges on agroecological practices. Implementation of a sustainable irrigation system: learn and apply water-efficient and environmentally friendly irrigation methods. Contribute to promoting and documenting youth-led agroecological initiatives for the LIVE-EX project.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is usually basic and depends on the project location. Volunteers stay in groups of 3–4 per room, with room-sharing arrangements decided collectively. Some sites have dry toilets and showers without running water. Mats are provided, and volunteers may bring sleeping bags if possible. Drinking water is available on site, but electricity and internet access may be limited.

FOODS

During the camp, volunteers are responsible for preparing their own meals. An internal schedule organizes volunteers into groups that take turns handling household tasks, including cooking, cleaning, and meal preparation. Ingredients may be local, imported, or organic, and special dietary needs are taken into account whenever possible. Volunteers also enjoy a variety of tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, and papayas, which are readily available during the camp.

Apart from the main camp activities, several recreational and cultural activities are organized, such as discovery walks, hiking, festive outings, and cultural exchanges. These activities allow volunteers to interact with local communities and to explore Togolese culture. During weekends, group excursions are arranged by volunteers and camp coordinators to visit local tourist sites in the project area. Please note that costs related to excursions and outings are not included in the participation fee.

No specific technical skills are required only motivation, teamwork, and a willingness to engage in a concrete community project.

Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay and contain at least two blank pages for the visa. Visa: Application is done online. Current procedures and requirements for traveling to Togo are available at https://voyage.gouv.tg/. It is strongly recommended to apply well in advance. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: Must be presented at check-in and upon arrival in Togo.

The working languages of the camp are English and French. However, non-French
speaking volunteers are advised to have basic knowledge of French before arrival,
as French is the official language of Togo. Most local volunteers and community
members have limited English skills.

Upon arrival at Lomé airport, a member of ASTOVOT in charge of volunteer reception will meet you and escort you to your accommodation in Lomé. The taxi fare between the airport and the hotel ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 CFA francs (approximately €7.5–13). Transport to Kpalimé is by bush taxi or minibus. The ASTOVOT headquarters serves as both the volunteer meeting point and the starting location of the workcamp. The distance between Lomé and Kpalimé is 121 km, with a travel time of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.Taxi fares from Lomé to Kpalimé are around 3,000 CFA francs (~€5) at taxi parks, but additional charges are often requested. Volunteers are advised to pay 5,000 CFA francs to ensure the driver brings them directly to the ASTOVOT headquarters.