Kmetija Veles is part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme, welcoming international and national volunteers under 30 each year for short or long-term stays. Volunteers join the farm as individuals or teams, engaging in meaningful projects that blend sustainability, community, and personal growth.
What volunteers do
Activities vary by season but typically include:
- Permaculture farming – hands-on learning about sustainable food production
- Sustainable lifestyle practices – food, energy, water, and waste management
- Natural building and maintenance – clay plasters, straw-bale structures, and renovations
- DIY projects – creative solutions for farm life
- Promoting sustainability – supporting different events: workshops, local initiatives, and community events
- Collaborating with the local community – supporting projects and cultural exchange
The experience
Volunteering at Veles is much more than garden work or cuddling the cats. It is an immersive experience of:
- Co-living sustainably with other volunteers, the family, and the village community
- Engaging in a culture of respect and harmony
- Learning from the rich expertise of Petra and Janez, as well as other professional mentors who support the volunteers’ experience
- Living in rhythm with nature, observing seasonal cycles and biodiversity
- Opportunities for reflection and personal growth
- …and many more discoveries along the way!
For a full view of life at the farm as a volunteer, see the detailed volunteer infopack.
Apply as volunteer
Are you ready to join the farm and contribute to sustainability, community, and learning? Send an email to: escfarmveles@gmail.com and we will get back to you with possible opportunities.
Soildarity projects
Farm Veles also offers opportunities for national youth to prototype their own projects, focusing on solidarity, local community, and sustainable living. Projects may include biodynamic farming, natural building, pottery, fermentation, and workshops.
One recent initiative, Projekt Organiki, brought together a group of young people from Šentjur and surrounding areas. They ran workshops and activities exploring biodynamics, natural building, pottery, and sustainable food practices.
International connections
Association Veles works in collaboration with partner organizations across Europe, including Gaia Kosovo, supporting exchanges and cross-cultural learning opportunities.
GAIA Kosovo is dedicated to promoting peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability through alternative and regenerative ways of living. Their initiatives encompass permaculture education, natural building projects, and youth exchanges, fostering intercultural dialogue and hands-on learning experiences. Through this partnership, volunteers through Veles engage in projects that promote sustainable practices.
Past volunteer exprerience
Over the years, many volunteers have shared their experiences, skills, and creativity at Veles. From hands-on farm work to co-created workshops, volunteers gain practical knowledge, personal growth, and international networks.
Apply as volunteer
Are you ready to join the farm and contribute to sustainability, community, and learning? Send an email to: escfarmveles@gmail.com and we will get back to you with possible opportunities.