Svitene palace I | YS-2026-06 | 2026-07-20 - 2026-07-29 | RENO,MANU,CULT | Age: 17 - 99

"Mums pieder pasaule" (MPP) was founded in 2011 as a non-profit youth organization dedicated to community development and active citizenship. They focus on sustainable development and community engagement, aiming to create a positive impact on the local community and nature through volunteer-driven initiatives. Local young people are expected to join the camp activities for several days, supporting international exchange and cooperation.

Work: The project focuses on historical preservation and gardening at two important Latvian heritage sites. The project is organised by the youth organisation “Mums pieder pasaule”. Svitene Palace – Cellar Excavation Volunteers will work in the cellar of Svitene Palace, a historic building originally constructed in the 16th century. The main tasks include: Digging with shovels Carrying soil in buckets Transporting earth to a nearby compost area This is physical outdoor work. As the palace has a long history, there is a possibility of discovering historical remains during the excavation process. Rundāle Palace – Garden Work Bee (One Day) Volunteers will also participate in a one-day community work bee in the formal gardens of Rundāle Palace. Tasks may include basic gardening and maintenance work to help preserve the beauty of this important cultural site. Important to Know The work is mainly outdoors and depends on weather conditions. The schedule or tasks may change if necessary. No previous experience is required. However, volunteers should be in good physical health and ready for manual work. Motivation, flexibility, and a positive attitude toward outdoor activities are essential. Why This Project Matters This project contributes to the preservation of Latvian cultural heritage. Work in Svitene Palace supports the preparation of the site for future research, restoration, and possible community use. Participation in the Rundāle Palace garden work bee highlights the importance of collective effort in maintaining public heritage spaces. Through practical, hands-on experience, volunteers learn about heritage preservation, teamwork, and community-based volunteering while contributing to meaningful local initiatives.

Accomodation and food: Volunteers will stay at the Svitene Youth Center, located near Svitene Palace Park. The Youth Center is situated on the second floor of the Svitene Community Center building. Accommodation is simple but comfortable. Volunteers will sleep in shared rooms, with up to 6 people in one room. There is one large common space where the group can spend time together. Showers are available on the same floor, and the kitchen is located on the ground floor. Please bring your own towel and sleeping bag. As everyone will share the space, participants are expected to behave respectfully and considerately toward others. Wireless internet is available in the Community Center. Food will be provided three times a day. Volunteers will receive ingredients and will be responsible for cooking and cleaning. Breakfast: prepared individually Lunch and dinner: prepared in daily cooking teams Each day, a small team of volunteers will cook lunch and dinner for the whole group. This encourages teamwork and shared responsibility. Please note that the organisation “Mums pieder pasaule” provides vegetarian food only. An intercultural evening will also be organised. Volunteers are encouraged to bring traditional food, recipes, or drinks from their home country to share with the group. Living conditions are basic, but the experience offers community spirit, shared responsibility, and a chance to live close to a historical and natural environment.

Location: Svitene

Location and Leisure: Svitene is a small rural village located about 20 km from the municipal centre of Bauska and 89 km from Latvia’s capital city, Riga. The area offers a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by nature, historical buildings, and countryside landscapes. During the camp, volunteers will have the opportunity to explore the local environment. One day will be dedicated to a hike to a nearby nature park, including a visit to an observation tower and the Lielupe River. Evenings will include intercultural activities. Volunteers from different countries will take turns presenting their country and culture in an informal and creative way. This can be done through a presentation, games, music, theatre, or any other format you prefer. Participants are encouraged to bring traditional food, photos, music, small objects, or anything interesting that represents their country. These evenings are a great opportunity to learn from each other and share cultural experiences in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The location offers a mix of nature, history, and intercultural exchange, creating a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Airport: RSC

Train/Bus station: Bauska bus station

Requirements: To cover general organisational costs of the workcamp (food, materials, local transport, coordination, and educational activities), participants are asked to contribute a participation fee. Payment Conditions The participation fee must be paid by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp. Payment options: Bank transfer to Youth for Smile bank account (available for EU member states). Online payment system allowing payments via VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut, Wise, and N26. If you are not able to make a bank transfer, please contact your sending organisation to find a suitable solution. Confirmation Procedure To ensure responsible participation and preparation: Within 30 days after receiving the official acceptance confirmation, the participant must confirm their participation by sending travel information to Youth for Smile. The participation fee must also be paid no later than 30 days after confirmation. Failure to confirm participation or complete the payment within this period may result in cancellation of the placement. Cancellation Policy If a participant cancels their participation: At least 45 days before the project starts, or Within 14 days after receiving the acceptance confirmation, → 100% of the participation fee will be refunded. If cancellation happens at least 14 days before the project start, → 50% of the participation fee will be refunded. Cancellations made less than 14 days before the project start are non-refundable. This policy helps ensure responsible commitment from participants and allows the organising team to plan the camp sustainably and fairly for all involved.

International arrival terminals are Riga International Airport or Riga International Bus Station. The final meeting point will be at Bauska bus station. Please inform us about your arrival time at least one day before the camp starts. We strongly encourage participants to see travelling to the camp not only as a transfer, but also as a valuable learning experience. Planning your journey, navigating public transport, communicating in an international environment, managing time and budget – these are all important life skills and competences. Travel itself is part of the non-formal learning process. To support smooth communication, we will create a WhatsApp group for practical questions. This will also be a great opportunity to connect with other participants in advance and possibly organise parts of your journey together. We invite you to use this opportunity to learn, explore and grow already on your way to the camp.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 300 EUR