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WHEN CINEMA MEETS NATURE

Lyon, France

Notes

Please bring clothes and closed shoes suitable for manual work that can get dirty. You will sleep in individual beds, so don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag (comfort temperature around 10°C), a fitted sheet, and a pillowcase. For outings, bring waterproof clothing.
Don’t forget sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a water bottle, and your swimsuit to enjoy swimming (pools, leisure centers, etc.). If you would like to share your culture, feel free to bring items from your country or region such as photos, traditional food, musical instruments, your favorite playlist, or games to share with other participants.

In partnership with

You will take part in a project developed in collaboration with La CineFabrique, a public, non-profit film school committed to an inclusive approach. Its goal is to train young people for careers in cinema by promoting social and cultural diversity in a field that is still not easily accessible.
La CineFabrique and Concordia share strong common values: encouraging youth engagement, promoting social and cultural diversity, and offering learning experiences based on teamwork and active participation. Both organizations also place great importance on including young people with fewer opportunities, helping them discover new environments and build confidence and skills.
This workcamp fully reflects these shared values: it will allow volunteers to actively contribute to the development of the site while discovering the world of cinema. Students from the school will be present during the stay, encouraging exchanges, meetings, and the sharing of experiences.
Shared moments will be organized to create connections between volunteers and students, giving everyone the opportunity to open up to new perspectives by discovering different paths, practices, and careers that are sometimes little known.


Description of the Work

Discover a unique place where nature meets cinema! Located in the 9th district of Lyon, La CineFabrique is an engaged film school set in a green environment around Villa Sabran, a former bourgeois house surrounded by landscaped terraces. This workcamp invites you to take part in the development of these still underused spaces, transforming them into welcoming areas for students and staff.
Beyond the work itself, this experience offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a creative and collective environment: working as a team, discovering an inspiring setting, and sharing two weeks with young people from different backgrounds. The project combines manual activities, intercultural exchange, and an introduction to the world of cinema in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
The work will focus on restoring an overgrown area located at the back of the site. You will take part in preparing the ground (earth removal, stump extraction, management of invasive plants), building a wooden terrace (installation of geotextile, structure and decking), and creating a dry hedge to reuse green waste. Finishing tasks will also be carried out, such as sanding and painting a fence or small lime masonry repairs.
The workcamp will be organized in small groups with task rotation, allowing everyone to try different activities. It will be adapted to all levels of experience, with technical guidance from professionals.


Accommodation & Food

You will be accommodated in shared dormitories (6 people per room). Each accommodation will include sanitary facilities and showers, as well as a common space for group activities. Internet access is not guaranteed in the accommodation, but the school has Wi-Fi available. As the project takes place in a large city, laundromats can easily be found nearby if needed.
Daily life will be organized collectively: cleaning, activities, and meal preparation will be shared and done in turns. Meals will be mainly vegetarian, based on local, seasonal, and short supply chain products, in line with the school’s approach to sustainable food (organic, local, and low in meat). Special attention will be given to respecting everyone’s dietary needs and discovering local gastronomy, ensuring an enriching experience for all.


Location & Leisure

The workcamp takes place in Lyon, the third largest city in France, known for its vibrant cultural life and rich heritage. As the birthplace of cinema with the Lumiere brothers, the city offers many opportunities to explore the world of film.
Located in the Saint-Rambert area, in the 9th district, the site benefits from a calm and green environment close to the Saone River and several natural areas. This setting allows you to enjoy both city life and nature.
During the stay, various activities will be offered depending on the group’s interests: city visits, cultural discoveries, relaxing by the river, or outings in nearby natural areas.
In connection with the project, at least two half-days per week will be dedicated to cinema workshops led by students from La CineFabrique: introductions, discussions, screenings, or participation in filming may be offered.


Requirements

This project is supported by the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program for young people aged 18 to 30. It is open to all volunteers who meet the ESC criteria and follows several principles and conditions presented on this page :
https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/mission_en
Volunteers do not have to pay any fees (no sending or participation fees) to join the project and will receive financial support for their travel, according to a maximum amount based on travel distance and upon presentation of original tickets.
Volunteers must register on the ESC PASS portal, after which Concordia will invite them to confirm their participation in the project.
Volunteers will receive pocket money calculated at a rate of €6 per day, provided upon arrival in France.
Volunteers will be required to complete a participation report, submitted online via the portal.
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

THIS PROJECT REQUIRES A SPECIFIC MOTIVATION LETTER


Appointment

The meeting point for the start of the project is set for Wednesday, June 17th, at 5:30 PM at LYON VAISE Train Station. To facilitate your arrival, here are some train travel options from major French cities:
From Paris: High-speed trains (TGV) from Gare de Lyon reach Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache in about 2 hours.

If possible, please consider using low-carbon transportation (train and bus rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp.

From Marseille: Train connections are available to Lyon, with a travel time of around 2 hours.


From Bordeaux or Rennes: The journey to Lyon takes between 4 and 6 hours, usually with a transfer in Paris. It is recommended to plan your trip in advance to optimize connections.


Once you arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache, regional trains (TER) are available to Gare de Vaise.
You can also use public transport (TCL) :
From Lyon Part-Dieu: Metro line B to Saxe-Gambetta, then metro line D to Gare de Vaise


From Lyon Perrache: Metro line A to Bellecour, then metro line D to Gare de Vaise

For the best travel arrangements, we recommend checking the official SNCF website or online booking platforms. If arriving early, Lyon’s city center is easily accessible from the train station, offering various cafés and waiting areas.

The closest airport is Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS).
Transportation : The Rhonexpress tram links the airport to Lyon's Part-Dieu train station.
Transportation from CDG:
Train: The TGV inOui operates direct trains from Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station to Lyon Part Dieu train station.
Transportation from ORY:
Train: Passengers can transfer to Gare de Lyon in Paris to board TGV trains to Lyon Part Dieu.
When planning your trip, it's advisable to check the latest schedules and book tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.


Host Organization

Concordia is a French national non-governmental and non-profit making organisation, founded in 1950 by English, German and French youngsters. Their aim was to enhance the values of tolerance and peace after the 2nd world war by organising international workcamps of young volunteers. The main objectives of Concordia are the following: Education i-e helping young people to grow up by acquisition of collective life. Culture i-e favouring the youth exchanges on an international level, always emphasizing the values of peace, friendship and mutual respect. Social i-e taking part in concrete actions of solidarity, as well as supporting a civic attitude Social economy i-e contributing to realisation of local development, in favour of the environment, patrimony, tourism and socio-educational animation. Workcamps are a perfect tool to reach these goals: Participating in a workcamp means working voluntarily during three weeks at a project of a common utility, such as environment, archaeology, culture, patrimony. It is a form of informal education, but also an opportunity to discover a new region and its inhabitants. The participants get to know the real life of a small community, as well as the culture and customs of other volunteers, who come from all around the world. Every year Concordia gives the opportunity to more than 1000 French youths to get involved in its partner projects abroad and hosts around 1200 foreign volunteers on its own workcamps in France. Concordia is a member of: Three major international networks which support voluntary service: The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations which is a network of 30 national organisations in 20 countries and CCIVS (Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service) which is an organisation founded under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948 and coordinates about 300 organisations worldwide. - The National Association COTRAVAUX (Co-ordination of French Voluntary Work organisations). - AVSO (Association of Voluntary Service Association) a European network with the goal of improving European voluntary service. The other activities of the association continue throughout the year with weekend or short holiday workcamps, mid and long term voluntary service, integration of people with difficulties, study and activity groups (North-South, International), sending and hosting volunteers of European Voluntary Service. Concordia also organises various trainings throughout the year. Those who wish to be even more involved in Concordia’s activities can be elected at the management committee; Concordia is a democratic organisation, led by dynamic and motivated volunteers as well as young people, and supported by paid staff. Today the management committee counts 15 members, there are 1800 subscribers, 25 employees and 200 activity leaders. The Paris head office supports the eight regional offices activities i-e the Alps, Auvergne, Aquitaine, Normandy, Picardy, South-Southwest, Ile-de-France et Breatagne. Concordia has the approval of the French Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of the Environment.