Available Placements Ecotourism Conservation Humanitarian Teaching ResearchOrganic Farms

Ecotourism in Belarus

Placement number: 0153
Location:  Belarus, Eastern Europe 
Preferred Languages:  English, Dutch, French 
Date: Differnt projects being organised year round
Requirements: Each project has its own requirements
Minimum Period: :  Dependent upon project chosen.

There is going to be a programme of projects in Belarus over the next year or two to educate the local community in how best to present Ecotourism. Below is an outline of some of them.

The Belarus Solidarity Cycling Tour  - Second Expedition

From August 1st to September 1st 2008

Important:  Volunteers must be signed up to this tour by end of May 2008

To benefit from ecotourism, Belarusians need to know how best to be able to present and promote it, but also to be conscious that their land is exceptional and requires a high level of protection.

2008 will take advantage of the experiences and evaluations of the participants of the first edition. What will remain is an unforgettable experience with different people from different cultures, sharing time, effort and spirit.

We want to support the Belarusian local people to create and work in responsible businesses, both respectful of nature and of human conditions. We will encourage sustainability in the villages, raise awareness about nature, tourism and development.

The cycle tour has been organised and managed by the partnership of  European and local Ecotourist organisations.

The volunteer team will support the Bealursian people to create and work in responsible businesses, both respectful of both nature and human conditions.  We will encourage sustainability in the villages, and raise awareness about nature and development.

Tour Programme:  See map opposite.The yellow areas are the main stops and fields of study.

 

Tour is 30 days long and divided into 3 periods of ten days each

60 Km a day cycling every two days.

800 Km of eco-corridors, beautiful landscapes and interesting people

With twenty volunteers, including around ten local volunteers.

Role of Volunteer

Volunteers may be of any age but must be fit.  There are no other requirements.

Cost

The fee per day will depend on how long you want to join : 50 euros if you join for one period and 35 euros if you join for more than 12 days. Your fee will allow Belarusians to be able to join the tour.

This price includes food, accommodation (some beds will be available, but you are required to take your tent), bike (except when you want to take your own), local organization, luggage bus and guiding.

Travel

Ist stage starts at Bielowieza Poland on 15 August

2nd stage starts at Minsk, Belarus 25 August

3rd Stage starts at Berezinsky Biospsphere Reserve 5th September

Note: Transport will be assured by bus from minsk to the site for the 2nd and 3rd stages.

A bus will leave Amerstam on the 13th August to Bielowieza

Volunteer Comment:

"Cycling through Belarus is not just cycling through beautiful landscapes. It is not just enjoying the company of a wonderfully hospitable people. It is not just facing a fascinating country rich with culture and history. Riding my bike through Belarus with ECEAT was a truly in-depth experience combining all these aspects." Sarah, participant of the tour 2007

Other Projects Available in Belarus

Canoe route expedition

The Belarusian family KROL, who manage a company for nature excursions want to
 create an eco-village, and are looking for volunteers. Situated in the "Rossony blue
necklace", a water rich and natural area, the volunteers are asked to clean the canoe
routes that are obstructed by trees in a two week period during springtime. Fee for
guiding, accommodation, meals, canoe and gear is 10 euros a day.  You will work about 6
hours a day, with weekends off.

Eco-village Building

There is a deserted village with wooden houses not far from the KROL residence. The idea is to renovate the houses to turn them into a holiday camp for children and nature lovers.
The houses are still well preserved but need renovation. Also the area around the houses
needs some management. All new investments will be done in the traditional ecological
way. To re-install people in the village is the only way to prevent the government from
taking down the historical wooden buildings, as is the normal policy in Belarus!
Volunteers are welcome during the whole summer season.  Fee for guiding, accommodation
and meals is 10 euros a day. In case it is decided to arrange own cooking only guiding,
transport and translation services are charged. You will work about 6 hours a day, with
weekends off.

 

Lynx tracks spotting

Volunteers are needed in the Krasny Bor National Park, to help in spotting lynx tracks.

In Belarus it is difficult to identify the size of the lynx population because of old
fashioned measuring techniques. The result is that the population of Lynx is
overestimated and  permissions is granted to shoot them , although they are strictly
protected by international treaties. Unfortunately already one Lynx was shot dead this
year in Krasny Bor!

Observations of Lynx tracks will help to identify the real number of Lynx and in this way
you contribute to the preservation of this highly rare and valuable animal.

Fee for guiding, accommodation and meals is 10 euros a day. You will work about 6 hours a
day, with weekends off.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  It is only possible to find liynx tracks when there is snow on the ground.  Please take this into consideration when volunteering.

Village gardening and gathering of wild products

In a very traditional village near Lepel and the famous Berezinsky Nature Reserve, many
young people left to try to find a job in the city. As a result the village is populated
by a lot of elderly women who have difficulties in managing the village infrastructure
and gardens.

Together they formed a folklore group and they are welcoming tourists in their village to
let them experience village life, including old festivities, stories and rituals. The
women also have a tremendous knowledge about gardening and wild products. You could help
them in daily activities, like gardening and gathering of mushroom and berries, and
cooking, to attract people who like the beauty of Lepel region and to transform  the
village into a lively place again.

Fee for guiding, accommodation and meals is 10 euros a day. You will work about 6 hours a
day, with weekends off.