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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer in Iceland and help restore a unique community space? Our Renovation Program in Borðeyri offers a hands-on opportunity to work alongside skilled foremen, a professional carpenter, and the team at Brú Sustainable Center, helping renovate and maintain buildings used by the local community and future volunteers.
As a volunteer, you’ll support real renovation and construction projects around Borðeyri — from improving community infrastructure to restoring existing buildings. On longer-term projects, you’ll even continue the important work started by previous volunteers, meaning your contribution becomes part of something much bigger than just a single week of volunteering.
This project blends practical, physical work with meaningful purpose. Your efforts help create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone, while supporting an initiative that is rooted in the real needs of the organisation and the local community. Because of this, tasks may change depending on what support is most needed at the time.
Whether you’re painting walls, installing new flooring, repairing doors, or helping improve outdoor spaces, every task you take on directly supports the ongoing development of Brú’s community work — while giving you valuable skills and experience you can take into your future.
Key Activities:
• Support the maintenance and renovation of houses used for volunteer accommodation and community projects
• Assist with basic repairs such as sanding, cleaning, painting, and general upkeep
• Help improve interiors through tasks like laying new floors, replacing doors and windows, and insulating walls
• Get involved in creative improvements including murals and outdoor upgrades such as playground renovations
• Work as part of a multicultural team to prepare materials, organise workspaces, and support daily renovation goalsThis program combines real hands-on renovation experience with the rewarding goal of restoring one of Iceland’s unique cultural landmark spaces — while also supporting sustainability awareness, cultural exchange, and long-term community impact.
By volunteering on our Renovation Team Program in Borðeyri, you will:
✅ Support real community-led projects by helping renovate and maintain important local buildings and volunteer housing.✅ Work alongside skilled foremen, the Brú Sustainable Center team, and a professional carpenter, gaining valuable hands-on guidance.
✅ Learn practical renovation skills such as painting, sanding, basic repairs, insulation support, and general building maintenance.
✅ Be part of a multicultural volunteer team working together toward a shared goal of restoring safe, welcoming spaces for everyone.
✅ Contribute to long-term projects by continuing the renovation work of previous volunteers and seeing the visible impact of your effort.
✅ Gain a deeper understanding of Icelandic architecture, local history, and the cultural importance of the Brú House within the community.
✅ Build transferable life skills like teamwork, adaptability, organisation, and problem-solving—useful for future careers and everyday life.
Whether you’re hands-on by nature or looking to learn something completely new, this program is a rewarding way to make a real difference while experiencing Iceland through meaningful community impact.
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Renovation Team Volunteer
Every day on our Renovation Team Program in Borðeyri is a chance to roll up your sleeves, learn practical skills, and contribute to real community-led improvement projects in Iceland. Your tasks may change depending on the local need, the weather, and which renovation stage your team is working on — but here’s what a typical day might look like:7:30 AM – Morning Routine & Breakfast
Start your day with breakfast at your accommodation, get ready for the day ahead, and prepare for hands-on work.8:30 AM – Daily Briefing & Task Planning
Meet with the team for a short briefing, where you’ll go over the plan for the day, safety guidance, and what materials or tools you’ll be using.9:00 AM – Morning Renovation Work
Begin your renovation tasks alongside your supervisors. This could include sanding, painting interior walls, basic repairs, workspace preparation, or helping improve outdoor areas. Some days may involve more structured projects like flooring, insulation support, or assisting with doors and windows.12:30 PM – Lunch Break & Rest
Take a well-earned break for lunch, recharge, and enjoy a bit of downtime with your fellow volunteers.2:00 PM – Afternoon Project Work & Team Support
Continue renovation work for the afternoon, focusing on completing tasks, tidying work areas, organising materials, and supporting ongoing projects. You may also get involved in creative upgrades such as murals, or assist with community-focused improvements like playground renovations.5:00 PM – Free Time & Community Living
Wrap up the workday and enjoy your free time. You might relax at the accommodation, explore Borðeyri’s peaceful surroundings, or spend the evening connecting with your volunteer group.Evenings
Evenings are a great time to unwind, share meals together, and enjoy the social side of volunteer life. You may also take part in cultural exchange moments, group discussions, or relaxed community activities.Days Off
Volunteers usually have two days off per week, giving you the chance to explore more of Iceland, enjoy local nature walks, take scenic trips, or simply rest and reset after a productive week of hands-on work.This is a program where you’ll see the impact of your work every single day — creating safer, stronger spaces for the community while building real-life skills you’ll carry with you long after Iceland.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By volunteering on our Renovation Team Program in Borðeyri, you’ll be directly supporting the restoration and maintenance of important community spaces in rural Iceland. This project is rooted in real local needs — meaning your time, energy, and effort go into creating safer, stronger, and more welcoming buildings for both the community and future volunteers.Through hands-on renovation work, you’ll help improve the living and working spaces used by Worldwide Friends and the Brú Sustainable Center, while also contributing to a wider mission of sustainability, cultural exchange, and youth development.
You will:
• Help maintain and renovate houses used for volunteer accommodation and community projects
• Support the restoration of a unique cultural landmark and protect it for long-term community use
• Improve safety and comfort through repairs, insulation support, and general building upkeep
• Contribute to ongoing projects by continuing the renovation work of previous volunteers
• Strengthen the Brú Sustainable Center’s ability to host and support future volunteer teams
• Be part of a program that promotes sustainability awareness through real action and community-led developmentEvery wall you paint, every repair you support, and every improvement you help complete creates visible, lasting change. You’ll leave behind something real — a stronger space, a safer environment, and a community project that continues to grow long after your time in Iceland.
This isn’t just volunteering — it’s building something meaningful, with your own hands.
Your Homes in Iceland
During your time on our Renovation Team Program in Borðeyri, you’ll stay in welcoming shared volunteer accommodation designed to help you feel comfortable, connected, and part of the Worldwide Friends community from day one.Pre-Camp Accommodation (2 Nights – Reykjavík Area)
Your experience begins with 2 nights in a cosy, fully equipped house located on the outskirts of Reykjavík, around 30 minutes from the city centre. You’ll stay in shared, hostel-style rooms and have the chance to settle in, meet your fellow volunteers, and receive a warm welcome and project introduction before heading to the main program location.And yes — you’ll also be sharing the house with the team’s lovely cat, Lisa! 🐾
Project Accommodation (Borðeyri)
For the main program, volunteers stay in a large volunteer house (approximately 1,000 m²) with space for up to 25 people. The house includes 12 double rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, several bathrooms, common areas to relax and socialise, and additional spaces such as workshop rooms and galleries.Wireless internet is provided free of charge, and there is also a washing machine on site to help you stay fresh and comfortable throughout your stay. Please note that occupancy may vary depending on the season, health regulations, or other restrictions.
To operate, the program requires a minimum of 4 volunteers plus Camp Leaders. If the minimum number isn’t reached, Worldwide Friends Iceland will offer alternative projects in advance so you can still take part in meaningful volunteer activities.
Food & Meals
All food is included for the full duration of your program. Meals are prepared as a team, and everyone is expected to do their fair share of cooking and cleaning — it’s all part of the community experience!We provide a healthy, well-balanced variety of ingredients including whole grains, seasonal fruits and vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. To reduce the program’s carbon footprint, meat consumption is limited and sustainable, plant-based meals are encouraged.
Volunteers are also welcome to bring favourite recipes from home — and if you love baking, even better. Soft drinks and candy aren’t provided, but there are plenty of ingredients for baking snacks, and as the team bakes their own bread, you’re invited to bring your best golden-crust recipe too.
Please make sure you inform us in advance if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs, so we can accommodate you properly.
History
Founded in 2001, our local partner has grown into one of Iceland’s most recognized non-profit organizations promoting environmental conservation and intercultural understanding. What began as a grassroots initiative has now hosted nearly 20,000 international volunteers, who together have contributed over 2.15 million hours to Icelandic nature and sustainability efforts.
Their longstanding presence in Iceland has forged strong relationships with local communities, environmental agencies, and municipalities—creating a powerful platform for volunteers to make a meaningful impact.
Mission & Vision
The mission is simple yet profound: to promote nature protection, peace, and international friendship. Through environmental volunteering and sustainable living programs, they aim to foster global cooperation and deepen intercultural understanding.
By uniting people from all backgrounds in common purpose, they envision a world where ecological stewardship and cross-cultural collaboration form the bedrock of a more peaceful and sustainable future.
Program Fees
Duration Fee (€)
2 weeks €750
4 weeks €1,500
6 weeks €2,250
8 weeks €3,000
10 weeks €3,750
12 weeks €4,320
13 weeks €4,875
Important Things To Note: All programs include a Travel Roots Service & Support Fee in addition to the listed program fee. This helps cover the support we provide before, during, and after your placement, including application guidance, partner coordination, pre-departure preparation, welcome pack support, and ongoing assistance throughout your journey.
Payment Terms
• Program fees are due 60 days before your start date
• If applying within 60 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation
What’s Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, enriching, and impactful experience:
✅ Shared accommodation
✅ All meals provided with a vegetarian/vegan focus
✅ Use of fully equipped kitchens, common areas, and facilities
✅ Airport Transfers & Transportation between project sites
✅ Expert-led environmental workshops and sustainability training
✅ Welcome orientation and ongoing local support
✅ Excursions, group activities, and cultural exchange experiences
✅ Wi-Fi access at each accommodation site
✅ Certificate of participation
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ Fair & Flexible Refund Policy
✅ And so much more
What’s Excluded
✖️ Flights
✖️ Visa costs (if required)
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses
✖️ Additional tours or activities
✖️ Vaccinations (if required)
Your Investment in Renovation and Yourself
Joining our Renovation Team Program in Borðeyri is more than just volunteering — it’s a powerful investment in both your personal growth and the local community you’ll be supporting. Whether you’re a practical hands-on person, a student looking to build real-world experience, or simply someone who loves meaningful travel, this program gives you the chance to learn valuable renovation skills while creating something that lasts.
Your program fee helps cover your accommodation, food, project materials, and the experienced local team guiding you throughout the work. In return, you’ll gain transferable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, organisation, and basic construction awareness — all while being part of a welcoming international volunteer community in one of Iceland’s most unique rural settings.
Where You’ll Be: Experience the Peaceful Beauty of Northwest Iceland
Our Renovation Team Program is based in the heart of Northwest Iceland, around 2 hours from Reykjavík, at the Brú Sustainable Center. Set just off the main road and surrounded by wide open countryside, this is the perfect place to slow down, reset, and truly connect with Iceland’s raw, untouched landscapes.
Because the centre is not located in a town, the only way to get around is by car, giving the whole experience a more remote, off-the-grid feel. It’s the kind of place where you can breathe deeper, think clearer, and fully escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The closest city is Borgarnes, around 1 hour away, so this program is ideal for volunteers who love nature, simplicity, and community living.
All around the house, you’ll find pure and unspoiled Icelandic wilderness — including waterfalls, rivers, canyons, craters, and endless scenic views that make every walk feel like an adventure.
The purpose of the Brú Sustainable Center is to help protect the surrounding nature and raise awareness of sustainability among both locals and visitors travelling through the region. By volunteering here, you won’t just explore Iceland’s beauty — you’ll be living inside it, contributing to a community project that supports both people and planet.
Iceland – Land of Fire, Ice, and Wild Wonder
Iceland is one of the most unique countries on Earth — a place shaped by volcanoes, glaciers, and the powerful forces of nature. From steaming geothermal hot springs and dramatic black sand beaches, to towering waterfalls and endless mountain landscapes, it’s a destination that feels almost unreal.But Iceland isn’t just beautiful — it’s also deeply connected to sustainability and nature protection. Many communities across the country work hard to preserve their landscapes, reduce environmental impact, and inspire more responsible ways of living.
That’s what makes volunteering here so special.Whether you’re watching the sky glow during golden hour, hiking through untouched valleys, or sharing stories with your volunteer team after a day of hands-on work, Iceland has a way of grounding you — reminding you what really matters, and how powerful it feels to contribute to something meaningful in a place this extraordinary.
Free time Activities
& Tours
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When you're not out helping protect Iceland’s stunning landmarks, there are endless ways to explore and enjoy your time:
Soak in the Blue Lagoon or local geothermal pools – relax your muscles in Iceland’s naturally heated waters.
Chase waterfalls – visit iconic spots like Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss.
Explore the Golden Circle – see geysers, volcanoes, and the rift between two tectonic plates.
Hike coastal trails and volcanic landscapes – from city paths to wild lava fields.
Discover Icelandic culture – wander through Reykjavik’s art galleries, music venues, and cosy cafes.
Spot puffins or whales – join local wildlife tours or go birdwatching along the cliffs.
See the Northern Lights – during winter months, watch the skies come alive with auroras.
Your weekends and evenings are your time to unwind, reflect, and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Whether you want quiet hikes or bustling culture, Iceland offers both in magical measure.
