Caring for water and rivers in the era of climate change – ESC volunteering team

Bozevce (Kosovo), 12th of May-28th of May 2025

In an ever-warmer world, water is a crucial issue. Kosovo is already a water-stressed country, and is particularly affected by water-related problems: drought and flooding are becoming more frequent due to climate change, river are polluted by sewage, trash and agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, regulation works on rivers (channelization and concrete embankments, dredging, dams, levees), realized without scientific bases, are damaging them… The East of Kosovo, where the project will take place, is particularly affected by these problems. This area is one of the areas of Kosovo receiving the least precipitation (about 600 mm per year), and precipitation will become irregular with climate change. The area will face long periods of drought, especially in the summer, and intense precipitations that could lead to floods. Precipitation could also decrease in the future. Sewages are not treated and are directly released into rivers. The livelihood of many inhabitants there is based on rain-fed or irrigated agriculture. Agricultural activities will be impacted by the decrease in precipitation, and groundwaters, currently used for irrigation and drinking water, face the risk of depletion. Some engineering projects (damming of rivers, dredging, concrete embankment) are also threatening rivers and their associated biodiversity and ecosystem services. A heartbreaking example of this kind of destructive engineering work, not based on any scientific studies, happened in our village with the dredging and destruction of all vegetation along 4 kilometres of the river. The reasons given were flood prevention and waste cleanup, even though no one lives along this particularly clean stretch of river, where 14 protected species have been observed. More information about the “cleaning” and destruction of rivers can be found in our website: 

1. Statement on Riverbed cleaning https://www.gaiakosovo.org/2024/09/02/statement-riverbed-cleaning/ 
2. Why cleaning of rivers is an ecological and social aberration https://www.gaiakosovo.org/2024/10/09/why-is-the-cleaning-of-kosovos-rivers-an-ecological-economic-and-social-aberration/ and
3. Stop the distruction https://www.gaiakosovo.org/2024/09/30/stop-the-destruction/

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are promising to solve some of these problems and are an effective method to mitigate and adapt to climate change. NBS addresses societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time.  For example, NBS in the context of climate action can include natural flood management, improve water quality through natural and constructed wetlands, restoring forests and storing carbon dioxide, providing local cooling… Moreover, nature-based solutions can address multiple major challenges at the same time, including food and water security, biodiversity loss and human health, and are critical to sustainable development.

Therefore, this project aims to foster environmental stewardship among young volunteers by involving them in the implementation of NBS. They will participate in the creation of a reed bed to treat wastewater from the neighbouring village. The volunteers will also carry out the ecological restoration of a river damaged last year by dredging and tree felling, biodiversity monitoring, community outreach, and the installation of educational signs.

ABOUT GAIA in BOZEVCE

In Spring 2017, GAIA got involved in renovation of an abandoned property in Bozevce which was given to us for use and implementation of a permaculture design. The place is run by a team of GAIA members and with the help of international volunteers. It serves as a polygon for natural building, permaculture, community living and sustainable practices. We nurture relations with neighbors and other villages, local food procedures, local institutions, etc. Our project proves that it is possible that people from different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, ages can live and work together, and that life in a village can be a right choice 

Through the years, we have hosted dozens of trainings, workshops and gatherings, and got support from many local and international volunteers, friends and travelers. With all of them, we tackled different environmental and social topics, shared knowledge and skills, and incorporated different solutions into our design and programs.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

This project aims to promote environmental awareness and stewardships among volunteers by involving them in the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions. It will take place in our educational space, in Bozevce and Rajanovce villages, and around the Perlepnica river.

Part of Perlepnica river and of Bozevce was designated as a preliminary protected area in 2024. This preliminary protection will last until the final decision for the protection of this “Natural Monument” (a kind of protected area). Volunteers will participate in monitoring activities in this protected area and around, to collect data for proposing an enlargement of the protected area, that for now just covers a small part of the well-preserved landscapes of Bozevce.

Volunteers will take part in :

• the construction of a wetland for the treatment of sewage of Rajanovce village. This village is located 1.5 km from our educational space. Around 200 inhabitants live in Rajanovce and they mainly live from agricultural work. Sewage is until now released untreated directly in a small stream, close to the school of the village.
• restoration of the Perlepnica river. This river was damaged last year with its dredging and the destruction of all vegetation on its banks. River is now slowly recovering (otters and birds are still present), but we will give it a hand by planting some willows along some of its course, and putting obstacles inside its bed to force it to meander. We will also keep tracks and monitor of our progress and river recovery since the cleaning works
• Educational activities with local schools
• Citizen science, introduction to biodiversity inventory and naturalism, and monitoring biodiversity and illegal activities with camera traps
• Clean-up actions and putting signs to prevent illegal littering
• Collecting materials (pictures, videos) for the promotion of the activity and of the protected area
• the creation of a pond for biodiversity (depending of the time available)

APPLICATION

We are looking for 7 volunteers from all over Europe! There are only a few specific requirements:

• To be older than 18 and younger than 31;
• To be interested in environmental issues, climate change, biodiversity, nature restoration…
• To be willing to live with others, share with others and care about the others;
• No previous experience is needed but on contrary… if you had fewer opportunities for participating in international activities, that would be an advantage;
• Basic English is welcome, but not necessary… we will find a way to communicate.

Volunteers should be willing to experience :

• Simple and sustainable living principles (compost toilet, saving water, electricity and other resources)
• Vegetarian/Vegan and healthy food
• Sharing space with other volunteers
• Teamwork and physical work
• Presence of animals such as dogs, cats, chickens etc.

You should register at the European Youth Portal:  https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/44977_en and apply here before 12th of April: https://forms.gle/KvnxwnZRJEaSqEjb8

There will be many different learning opportunities for the participants:

• Design of a reedbed
• Introduction to nature-based solutions
• River restoration
• Presentation of environmental issues in Kosovo
• Citizen science  
• Biodiversity inventory
• How to cook vegetarian meals for big groups
•  How to live and share resources with others
• And much more…

During their free time, the volunteers will be able to play games, read books, go for walks or rest in hammocks in the orchard. Sometimes we will go for a coffee with neighbours or football games with youngsters. Trips outside the village can be organized as well, but the costs will have to be shared. We usually recommend visiting the National Park Sharr 

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD

The volunteers will stay in a house in Bozevce. The house has 4 rooms, a small kitchen, one shower and outdoor composting toilet. There are several other composting toilets and outdoor showers as well. Volunteers should bring their sleeping bags and towels and we will provide sheets and pillows. Cooking and cleaning will be done in teams and food will be vegetarian, seasonal, local, healthy, and very tasty.

On the property we also live together with several dogs, cats, goats, chickens, geese and bees. Around the place there are many birds, toads, lizards and insects.

Lifestyle is sustainable, simple, and without much technology, even though access to the internet is available.

ABOUT ESC PROGRAM AND VOLUNTEERING TEAMS

The European Solidarity Corps is a European Union initiative that brings together young people to build a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable people and responding to the challenges society is facing across the continent. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop by funding a range of opportunities across a broad range of areas, such as integration of migrants, environmental challenges, prevention of natural disasters, education and youth activities or measures to prevent radicalisation.

Volunteering teams are solidarity activities which allow teams of 5 to 40 participants coming from at least two different countries to volunteer together for a period between 2 weeks and 2 months.

This activity is realised with the support of our friends from Slovenia: Zavod Veles and financial support of the European Commission.

Useful links:

Information about ESC: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/young-people/volunteering_en

Video of last years ESC team: https://www.facebook.com/gaiakosovo/videos/245420171461712/

GAIA Kosovo – contact:

Alexandre Cornet, alexandre.cornet5@gmail.com, +383 43 777 044