Suomenlinna World Heritage, Helsinki, 2.-16.8.24
Host organization
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is a government agency that restores, maintains, administers and presents The Fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is responsible for preserving the monument and associated historical and architectural values for future generations. The World Heritage Convention obliges the Finnish government to see to it that the sites remain in an optimally authentic condition. The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is the organizing party for the Suomenlinna World Heritage Volunteer (WHV) camp as a manager of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Suomenlinna. The WHV camp is the ESC Volunteer Team Project of Suomenlinna in August 2024.
Volunteer's tasks
The main task for the volunteers will be to participate in restoration and landscaping work, under the guidance of the site management and specialists. The longest project during the team activity, taking three whole working days, will be assisting tasks in restoration of historical cannons under the supervision of a Building Restorer. There will also be shorter projects related to landscaping work, i.g. removing invasive plants. The volunteers will also have assisting and observing tasks related to sustainable tourism and a chance to get to know one local partner, Ryhmäteatteri Summer Theatre, during one afternoon of working at the Theatre. Additionally, participants will have the chance to join detailed orientation and learn about the history of Suomenlinna. They will also have several discussion sessions on World Heritage, authenticity, preservation, and values as well as social and ecological sustainability issues, including a half a day mini seminar where each volunteer presents one World Heritage Site from their own country. There will also be a Camp Day as an open invitation to engage the locals in volunteering landscape work at the site.
Accommodation and meals
The organizer will provide the volunteers accommodation in Hostel Suomenlinna dormitories (one for women, one for men). Some meals will be provided by the organizer. Volunteers will prepare some of the meals together in teams.
Description of the area:
Fortress of Suomenlinna, built gradually from 1748 onwards on a group of islands, is located 15-minute ferry ride off the City of Helsinki, capital of Finland. Helsinki is a modern and cosmopolitan city and home to around 600,000 residents. Since 1973, the fortress buildings have been renovated to serve as apartments as well as workspaces, to house private and public services, and for cultural purposes. Today, Suomenlinna is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Finland and constitutes a district of Helsinki with 800 inhabitants. Fortress of Suomenlinna is one of Finland's seven UNESCO Worlds Heritage Sites.
More information
Project is supported by the European Solidarity Corps and open for 18-30 year old citizens and permanent residents of EU countries and Ukraine.
Participation is free of charge, as well as board and lodging. Volunteers need to stay the full duration of the project in order to get pocket money (5 euros per day) and travel cost reimbursed (20-530 euros depending on the distance).
We are looking for 13 volunteers who will be chosen based on the application below. Fill in the form in English language.
Please note that we are selecting the participants based on their genuine motivation, and applications that use AI will be discarded.
The applicants need to attach to the application form one page motivation letter presenting themselves, explaining why they would like to join the project, if they have any previous experience in WHV volunteering and what could be their contribution to the project.
The project application deadline is passed.