Agricultural volunteering in Cyprus: eco lifestyle and support for Ukraine

Volunteering is something that empowers, inspires and changes lives. For me Volunteering is helping others, improving many aspects of life, intercultural experience and integration into the local community.

In this article, I will share my experience of volunteering within the European Solidarity Corps in the project “Agro culture volunteers”, organized by the Cypriot group “Youth Dynamics”. It was a short-term group volunteering: 21 days, from February 25 to March 18, 2022, which was attended by 30 representatives of different countries (Ukraine, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Malta, Serbia, Latvia, Romania).

Location

The project took place in the picturesque Cypriot village of Agros, in the Picilia region at the foot of the Troodos Mountains. This is a place with enchanting nature and clean air, there are several lakes, wine plantations, goat farm. Drinking water “Argos” is famous all over the island.

“Agros” was named after the monastery Megalos Agros, which was built on the site where the Church of the Holy Virgin is located now. According to legend during the iconoclasm era, 40 monks from the city of Kizik in Asia Minor, left the monastery of Megalos Agros in Kiziki. They moved to Cyprus to preserve the icon of the Mother of God.

Agros is a modern village, it has own police, fire service, sports and youth center, school, theater, European Information Center, several museums and hotels. Despite the developed infrastructure, Agros still retains its traditional character, has a unique natural environment, special color, as well as rich historical and cultural monuments.

The village has been known for its agriculture, including the production of roses (rose oil, perfume, soap, syrups, liqueurs, candles) and Cypriot delicacies (jams, sweets, meat products).

Activities

Our Volunteering was aimed at research and development of cultural heritage, ecology, environmental protection and agriculture. Within teams we joined the campaign to clean up the area, recycle waste, reforest and maintain existing forest areas, plant trees and care for vineyards, work in the fields and on hiking trails, learn more about harvesting and processing in the production process and also joined in the restoration of graffiti walls with paints.

The project “Agro culture volunteers” is included in the European campaign #TheGreenTrack, which mobilizes young people to fight for the protection and restoration of nature. #TheGreenTrack activities provide a voice for young people and promote their environmental performance, especially biodiversity and conservation.

We had a lot of team building, interactivity, intercultural communication, outdoor activities and creative pastime. Among other things, we took part in the traditional carnival celebration – the coming of Spring.

Also as part of Re-Cycle Youth Art, we painted and decorated old bicycles as one of the symbols of the village of Agros, giving them a second life. We visited local farms and businesses, where we learned about the peculiarities of the promotion and development of local business. We also visited a goat farm and thanks to the animals got a lot of positive emotions and pet therapy.

Together we mastered the skills of public speeches and presentations, positive thinking; conducted information campaigns and created videos where we shared our observations on the terrain and the future for young people; learn more about the European Solidarity Corps and exchange skills in the framework of youth activities and mobility projects. As part of the European Year of Youth, we discussed the future we create: more inclusive, green, digital and better.

The most important thing was that each of the volunteers was involved in the process, had the opportunity to share his experiences, integrate into the local community and develop soft skills.

Also, each participant presented the group the peculiarities of the cultural heritage of his country. Volunteers held cultural evenings with quizzes, games, dances and other activities to talk more about their homeland.

Cultural aspect

During our volunteering, we visited the capital of Cyprus – the city of Nicosia, where we met the representatives of the research organization “Center for Social Innovation” (CSI), which deals with social innovation. Migrants involved in the organization’s activities conducted for us language workshops “TANDEM Multiplier event” and shared their experience of integration into the local environment.

In Nicosia, we visited the Municipal Museum of Levendis, which presents the social and historical development of the city from the Eneolithic to the present. I was impressed by the collection of archeological finds, traditional folk costumes, ceramics, medieval maps, engravings, jewelry.

We visited the city of Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus (population 140,000), which has the largest port on the island and explored its pearl – the Castle-Fortress. The Castle now houses the Cypriot Museum of the Middle Ages, which represents the weapons and armor, marble carved fragments of an early Christian Basilica, a collection of coins, oil lamps and ceramics.

We saw the ancient city of Curion and its Greco-Roman amphitheater. Curion is located on a 70-meter cliff on the shores of Bishop’s Bay (where British military bases are located now). Today, on the site of the ancient city-state is the Archaeological Park, where we saw the ruins of Curion. The excavations revealed a complex of 30 different rooms, including several swimming pools. All buildings are built of limestone. Most impressed are the house of Eustolios with Roman baths with preserved mosaic, the house of Achilles and the house of gladiators.

We also made a hiking while visited the Troodos Mountain tract, its geological center and the Botanical Park. We were immersed by natural landscapes and visited one of the traditional Cypriot villages – Omodos. The village has retained its ancient beauty and color, has long been famous for winemaking and orchards, narrow streets, picturesque landscapes, as well as ancient stone buildings with carved wooden balconies, a special place among which is the Monastery of the Holy Cross.

Support for Ukraine

During the project, all the organizers and participants expressed support and help to Ukraine. We formed the word “PEACE” with our bodies, sending our own message about the end of the war in Ukraine. We also raised the flag of the European Union calling on European leaders to intervene to bring peace back to the country. The youth of Europe have unanimously called on the world for peace and security, where differences between peoples are resolved through the values of dialogue, respect and humanity.

Also, I attended an action-meeting supporting Ukrainiane in Limassol where I had a chance to join the movement of Ukrainians and together draw public attention to the topic of war, solidarity and tolerance.

Conclusion

As part of the project, we implemented various green actions aimed at combating climate change and caring for the environment.

Even small steps mark the beginning of changes both in the local community, personal and professional development of the volunteer. We share ideas, sustainable measures, exchange the best practices and possible solutions to overcome the negative effects of climate change. We learned more about the values of recycling, reuse, composting and renewable energy, gained knowledge and skills on green development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Agreement. Thanks to this project, we have mastered the ecological way of life and in practice we have been able to develop ecological consciousness.

I’m grateful to “Youth Dynamics”, especially Vasilis and Nikolas Christofi, for the opportunity to become a part of the Project, for the hospitable and warm welcoming, support, solidarity and high level of volunteering.