European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Sieben Linden ecovillage (2025–2026)
European Solidarity Corps experience in a German ecovillage – Sieben Linden Ecovillage in north-eastern Germany is looking for new ESC volunteers (18–30 years) to join the community and support the organic vegetable garden.
If you want to live abroad for several months, experience community life and learn about ecological living, this ESC project could be a great option. Current calls focus on young people who are motivated to live simply, work outdoors and take part in community life.
What is the European Solidarity Corps?
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is an EU programme for young people aged 18–30 who want to volunteer on non-profit projects in Europe. Travel, health insurance, food, accommodation and pocket money are usually covered by the programme.
Where?
Ecovillage Sieben Linden, north-eastern Germany (between Berlin and Hamburg).
What?
- Placement: Organic vegetable garden (community-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs).
- Main focus: Organic gardening, community living and a personal ESC project connected to sustainability or solidarity.
When?
For the 2026 ESC round Sieben Linden is looking for:
- 2 volunteers from March to October 2026 (8 months)
- 1 volunteer from March 2026 to February 2027 (12 months)
About Sieben Linden
Sieben Linden Ecovillage strives to be an ecological and social model settlement. The intentional community was established in 1997 and now includes more than one hundred adults and many children. The aim is to live in a collaborative and holistic way that combines a small ecological footprint with a high quality of life.
The vision of Sieben Linden is a sustainable lifestyle where social, ecological, economic and cultural aspects are woven together. The ecovillage is a place for diversity, creativity and different human needs, and offers guests the chance to experience sustainable living in everyday life.
Examples of what you might do
- Help in the organic vegetable garden: sowing, planting, weeding, harvesting and preparing beds.
- Learn about ecological gardening techniques and tools used in the community.
- Develop a small personal project linked to sustainability or solidarity (for example, a workshop, creative project, recipe booklet, activity with children, or similar).
- Take part in community activities such as celebrations, workshops and cultural events when possible.
Weekly hours and conditions (ESC framework)
- Around 30 hours per week in total.
- Most hours in the garden team, plus time for your personal project and language learning.
- Vegan and vegetarian organic meals.
- Simple shared accommodation in wooden caravans and communal volunteer spaces.
- Food, accommodation, travel support, health insurance and pocket money provided through ESC (according to programme rules).
Who can apply?
- Young people aged 18–30 who are eligible for the European Solidarity Corps.
- People interested in sustainability, community living and life in a rural area.
- Openness to learn some German is helpful, but not always mandatory.
- Sieben Linden encourages applications from young people with fewer opportunities and different backgrounds.
About community life in Sieben Linden
The ecovillage includes straw-bale houses with clay plaster, heating from renewable energies, compost toilets, shared use of tools and appliances, and a mainly vegetarian / vegan communal kitchen using organic food. There is ecological horticulture and forestry, car sharing, and many initiatives for education and regional projects.
Volunteers usually live together with other young people at the “JuLe-Platz” and can join internal activities such as yoga, singing circles, dance evenings, festivals and other cultural or meditative events when offered.
Contact details 🔍📧
Applications for the 2026 ESC round are open until 15 January 2026.
Online application form:
https://sieben-linden1.limesurvey.net/727483?lang=en
More information about Sieben Linden:
Website: siebenlinden.org
Email for questions: freiwilligenkoordination AT fk.siebenlinden DOT org
Seeing this opportunity after the 2026 deadline?
Sieben Linden often hosts ESC volunteers in future years as well. You can still contact the coordinators to ask about upcoming calls or similar projects.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OekodorfSiebenLinden
