Bona Fides Association in cooperation with Solidarites Jeunesses is looking for Polish participants (aged 18-30) for two new 2-week ESC projects in France!
THE PROJECTS:
Project 1: A HOUSE OF SOLIDARITY
Place: Le Saussoir, France
Dates: 21.11.2026 – 05.12.2026
Duration: 2 weeks
Join us for a volunteering experience where learning, cooperation, and openness to others are at the heart of everyday life. In the middle of the countryside, you will live alongside young people from Europe and around the world, each with their own background and all driven by a shared desire to contribute to a common project. Here, every action has meaning, and every moment becomes an opportunity to grow together. Through sharing and mutual support, we transform our differences into real strengths!
Work
The Beaumotte Centre is a lively and dynamic place that welcomes people from all walks of life every year. It is an environment of learning and creativity where everyone can make a contribution. During this workcamp, you will learn the basics of woodworking by making wooden shutters for the house, while also taking part in activities in our permaculture garden. You will help maintain and improve our living environment, while preparing the outdoor spaces for the coming winter. Accompanied by leaders, you will learn how to use different woodworking tools and techniques. You will also take part in the shared daily tasks (cooking, cleaning and maintaining common areas), in a spirit of cooperation, respect and togetherness.
Accommodation and food
You will be accommodated within our association, in a two-story shared dormitory. You will sleep in bunk beds in a mixed-gender, international environment. Please bring all necessary personal items, as there is no washing machine on site. At Beaumotte, Wi-Fi access is limited to one room and only available at specific times, helping us maintain an atmosphere focused on authentic and human connections ! You will cook in turns in our professional kitchen, always with a group leader available to assist. The group will take an active part in community life, organizing cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc. All food is provided by the association, using organic and/or local products. You will eat meat twice during the project and fish once, with the option of having exclusively vegetarian meals. Please note that Beaumotte has been running a social project for over 45 years, hosting minors under state protection and people on social reintegration programs. Therefore, alcohol is not permitted on site.
Leisure activities
Afternoons and weekends will be dedicated to leisure activities, which you will plan together with the facilitators. You will also be encouraged to propose your own activities. Some must-do experiences include visits to Besançon, walks in the surrounding countryside, and fun and intercultural activities.
Project 2: CURTAINS DOWN, TOOLS UP!
Place: Vaour, France
Dates: 30.10.2026 – 14.11.2026
Duration: 2 weeks
Would you like to take part in the restoration of the famous theatre of the Templar Commandery in Vaour? This vibrant place dates back to the 12th century and houses, within its impressive stone building, a cultural space where all kinds of companies have been performing for years. This remarkable theatre has become a place where words resonate and where lovers of the arts come together. Then head to the Tarn for this autumn project, which will allow you to take part in a rewarding and enriching collective adventure, while discovering a different environment. You will thus be part of an intercultural civic project aimed at having a positive impact on the local area and creating connections within your group and with local people. Finally, this workcamp will be a great opportunity to meet young people from all over Europe and the world, exchange about your cultures and share convivial moments together.
Work
For this restoration project involving a building listed as a Historic Monument, the municipality wishes to carry out work on a first section by setting up an international youth workcamp. Indeed, for a village that is so artistically vibrant and where collective action is a way of living and thinking, this initiative is a natural continuation of what already exists. In small groups and guided by skilled professionals, you will set out to tackle this remarkable building. You will work on restoring the structure and its upper section, as well as its façades, by consolidating them and removing the invasive plants whose presence is currently weakening the structure. You will be guided through the other stages of consolidating the identified sections. Depending on the progress of the work, you may also be involved in some light masonry and lime repointing. There is also a plan to clear and prune hiking trails around the village. A washhouse, which has been transformed over the years according to the needs of local residents, may also require some restoration work to restore its original character and allow the water to flow again.
Accommodation and food
You will be accommodated in the municipal village hall in Vaour. The hall will be arranged for this purpose. You should expect to sleep on mattresses placed on the floor, in non-mixed sleeping areas separated by partitions. You will take turns being responsible for the kitchen. You will use the kitchen in the village hall where you will be staying to prepare balanced and seasonal meals. It is important to know that you will not eat meat every day; we plan for two meat-based meals per week. Arrangements can be made for specific dietary requirements in consultation with the group leaders.
Leisure activities
You will be able to enjoy the beautiful Grésigne Forest, explore the surrounding countryside and discover beautiful views over Aveyron, the Tarn and its medieval villages. You can also discover some of these villages, such as Penne, Bruniquel and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. Depending on the opportunities available, you may take part in various workshops (yoga, relaxation, etc.). You will also spend two days helping run the village’s community café, providing great opportunities to meet local people, exchange and share. In the evenings and at weekends, let your imagination run free and organise evening activities with group games, folk dancing and musical moments. Finally, what could be better than organising a large international dinner, open to everyone, to share your country’s culinary specialities with local inhabitants and visitors passing through?
Application
To apply for one of these projects send your CV and motivation letter (in English) to mariachiara@bonafides.pl & anna@bonafides.pl or contact us for further information!
Write ‘ESC workcamps in France‘ in the title of your e-mail.
Check out all the projects we’re currently recruiting for
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