Roots & Wheels
Long-term individual volunteering opportunity
Duration: 6 months
from July 2026 (flexible start)
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Organiser: Szatyor Association in cooperation with Cargonomia
About the project
Cargonomia is looking for two motivated volunteers to join our community-based sustainability project in Budapest for a 6-month European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering experience.
Cargonomia is a community initiative working on:
- sustainable food systems,
- cargo-bike logistics,
- agroecology,
- community education,
- low-tech solutions,
- and ecological transition.
The project connects urban and rural initiatives between Budapest and the village of Zsámbok, where we also develop agroecology, eco-construction, and food processing activities.
This volunteering experience combines practical involvement, community life, non-formal learning, and participation in a dynamic international network working on solidarity and sustainability.
The Activities
Depending on the season, interests, and ongoing projects, volunteers may participate in:
- cargo-bike logistics and local food distribution,
- support for community events and workshops,
- agroecology and gardening activities,
- food processing and preservation,
- communication and documentation,
- helping maintain community spaces,
- educational and awareness-raising activities for youth, adults and families,
- support for solidarity and sustainability projects.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own ideas and initiatives.
No specific previous experience is required — motivation, openness, and willingness to participate in collective work and community life are the most important.
Accommodation
- Private room in a shared apartment near Cargonomia
- Shared kitchen and common spaces
- Access to fresh vegetables from partner farms
- Public transport pass for Pest County
- Access to shared bicycles
- Mentoring and support during the whole activity
Volunteers should be ready for:
- collective and community-based environments
- practical hands-on activities
- simple and sustainable lifestyles
- flexibility and teamwork.
What the ESC programme covers
The European Solidarity Corps programme provides:
- accommodation,
- food support,
- local transportation,
- insurance,
- pocket money,
- reimbursement of travel costs according to ESC rules.
About You
We are looking for motivated young people aged between 18 and 30 who are legal residents of the European Union - a total of 2 people - who are:
- interested in sustainability and ecological transition,
- curious about alternative ways of living and organising,
- open to intercultural exchange,
- motivated to participate in community projects.
Practicalities
- Pocket money: You will receive 7 EUR/day as pocket money to cover daily expenses.
- Travel reimbursement: Your travel costs will be reimbursed by Szatyor Association according to the distance between your home and Budapest (up to 309 EUR, 417 EUR if choosing green travel options).
- Green travel options: To minimize the project’s carbon footprint, we invite all of you to opt for green travel options such as buses or trains, making the journey to Budapest as eco-friendly as possible. When you opt to do so, the reimbursements are more flexible.
- Hungary is part of the Schengen area, easy to enter for EU citizens with a passport or an ID. We can host only European residents in this event.
- Accommodation: Private room in a shared apartment near Cargonomia, shared kitchen, washing machine, and common spaces.
- Bank account: You must have a European bank account with an IBAN number to allow Szatyor Association to reimburse your travel costs and pay your pocket money.
- Health insurance: Please make sure to have your valid EU Health Insurance (EHIC) card with you. Volunteers are also insured through the ESC’s Henner insurance scheme.
- Currency: The local currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), with 1 Euro being approximately 360 HUF.
- Youthpass certificate provided
What to bring
- EU Blue social security card (EHIC)
- comfortable clothes/shoes that you do not mind if they get dirty in the garden, while working with mud or doing work. Best to bring sturdy boots that are safe for work on a construction.
- seasonal clothes (it can be either very hot in the spring, summer (hat, sunscreen), or very cold in the autumn / winter)
- raincoat
- hat, sunscreen
- your own water bottle
- mosquito and tick repellents
- toiletry items
- towels
- natural soaps
- special medication, if you need them
- personal documents
About Us
Cargonomia is a community-based organisation in Budapest and Zsámbok working on:
- sustainable food systems,
- cargo-bike logistics,
- agroecology,
- eco-construction,
- low-tech solutions,
- and community education.
For more than 10 years, Cargonomia has organised workshops, camps, traineeships, and educational activities connecting urban and rural sustainability initiatives.
Szatyor Association is a community-focused association dedicated to sustainability and nature connection. We provide information, inspiration, and learning opportunities for both young people and adults through non-formal education, trainings, and participatory events. Our mission is to provide hope, tools, and space for individuals and communities to live their lives in an environmentally conscious, authentic, free, and collaborative way.
