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EcoMoita

Aveiro Portugal, Portugal

In partnership with

General objectives:
- Improvement of the visiting and safety conditions at Quinta Ecológica da Moita - QEM (https://www.quintaecologicadamoita.org/version-un), a 14 hectares oak forest that has been abandoned for about 6 years;
- Valorization and promotion of natural and cultural heritage (namely, walking trails and green areas);
- Promotion of sustainability, environmental awareness, and biodiversity protection;
- Promotion of intercultural relationships, good environmental practices, and citizenship;
- Promotion of specific skills in the field of cultural and natural heritage protection.

Specific objectives:
- Maintenance and clearance of walking trails;
- Removal of invasive species and prevention of forest fires by controlling shrubs and invasive vegetation;
- Maintenance and recovery of a wildlife pond;
- Installation of shelters for wildlife;
- Recovery of traditional walls and fountains;
- Improvement and protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
- Valorization of natural and cultural heritage through participation in leisure activities and workshops.


Description of the Work

- Restoration and clearance work of some degraded trails and natural heritage;
- Vegetation trimming and removal;
- Improvement of local fauna, flora, and landscape, including fire prevention actions;
- Building nest-boxes for birds, insects and bats;
- Cleaning a pond for wildlife;
- Control invasive species;
- Presentation and discussion of the natural and social reality of the regions of origin of the participants;
- Promotion of environmentally and socially responsible attitudes and values;


Accommodation & Food

Participants will sleep in sports complex near QEM, on mattresses and with their sleeping bags. There will be 2 shared rooms (separated by gender). There are hot water showers also separated by gender in sports locker rooms.

Participants have to bring their own towels and hygiene products, sleeping bag or sheets+blanket, and pillow. The organization will provide breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Lunches and dinners are prepared/cooked served at a canteen from Santa Casa da Misericórdia’s social complex, but some lunches will be served in the field (sandwiches, fruits, etc.), as well as mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. There will be a vegetarian option.


Location & Leisure

The camp will take place at the Quinta Ecológica da Moita (QEM), a 14 hectares forest that locates at the village of Oliveirinha, in a rural setting near the city of Aveiro, here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FP1VUruHVgReL2Fm9 QEM used to be a very active educational forest but it has been abandoned for a few years and needs restoration and maintenance work to become visitable and a pedagogical forest again.


Requirements

- High sense of citizenship and environmental protection.
- Will to work for nature protection and improvement.
- Will to learn and share nature protection techniques and good practice.
- Language skills (English preferable, but also Portuguese, Spanish).
- Always be punctual.
- Always respect others’ opinions.
- Will to interact with local community and elderly people.
- Respect hygiene and safety measures.


Appointment

Travelling from Porto by bus or train
There are direct buses from the Porto (Oporto) airport to Aveiro. If you can’t find a direct bus: just outside the airport take the metro (subway http://en.metrodoporto.pt/) to Porto – Campanhã main station (30min). At Campanhã, take a train or bus to Aveiro. Local trains are cheaper, but you need to buy the ticket at the counter. Faster trains (InterCidades or Alfa Pendular) are more expensive but can be booked online (www.cp.pt).

Travelling from Lisbon Airport by bus or train
Just outside the airport take the metro (subway http://www.metrolisboa.pt/eng/) to Oriente main station (10 min). At Oriente, there are trains and buses to Aveiro. There are Express Buses directly to Aveiro (about 3h; check Rede Expressos or FlixBus). Alternative: at Oriente main station take a train to Aveiro (fast trains are 2h). From Lisbon we recommend faster trains (InterCidades or Alfa Pendular) that can be booked online (www.cp.pt).


Host Organization

IPDJ or Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude is a governmental organization that has the task to implement in the whole national territory and at international level the youth policy. The PORTUGUESE SPORTS AND YOUTH INSTITUTE (IPDJ), results of the fusion in 2012, and succeeds in all the powers and obligations, of public bodies in the area of sport and youth, in particular the Portuguese Sport Institute, the Portuguese Youth Institute, the Foundation for the Dissemination of Information Technologies and MoviJovem (Youth Hostels and Youth Card). IPDJ is widespread in the whole continental territory, with presence in the 5 regions (North, Center, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve) and their 18 district capitals. We have 8 areas of intervention as we develop several national programs about it – support youth organizations, citizenship and participation; health and healthy lifestyles, studies on youth; Non-formal education, social inclusion and gender quality and innovation and entrepreneurship and employment. At International level we have several youth actions. We are a member of CCIVS and we have been an active partner on International Workcamps (especially through SCI) more than 30 years till now (as ex-IPJ). https://programasjuventude.ipdj.gov.pt/