Since 2014, the Trust has welcomed 66 long term volunteers with European Commission funding through its Youth in Action, European Voluntary Service and latterly, European Solidarity Corps programmes.  These volunteers have been recruited through 10 separate projects with a total project value of over 672,000 Euros.

These programmes have given young people aged between 18 – 30 the opportunity to spend up to 12 months living and working in Scotland.  Volunteers receive funding to support their living costs including accommodation.  They also get the opportunity to experience a new country, improve their English, get a life experience but also to improve their employment prospects.  Most of our volunteers had a relevant academic background and were looking to develop their environmental skills and knowledge by undertaking practical reserve work.  Many were keen on getting a career in conservation or the landbased sector.

Most projects placed European volunteers with our Reserves Project Officers in 4 regions of Scotland but we also placed volunteers in our visitor centres at Loch of the Lowes and Montrose.  Even using a conservative estimate, their work donated to the Trust has been worth an extra 40 full time equivalent roles over the time we have benefitted from the programme.  Many of our tasks on our nature reserves are labour intensive or, for health and safety reasons cannot be undertaken by Reserves Project Officers alone and it’s fair to say our volunteers have been invaluable and allowed us to achieve more on our reserves.

They’ve also brought enthusiasm, energy, dynamism, a desire to learn and motivation to make the most of their time in Scotland.

 

Over the 8 years we’ve been involved in the programme, we’ve welcomed an almost equal split of male & female volunteers from 13 different European countries, with most volunteers being recruited from France and Spain.

 

Elisabeth at Rahoy 2022 ©Beth Harwood

Our volunteers have loved the Scottish landscapes and have particularly enjoyed residential trips to Handa which was a feature of these placements for several years.  We have enjoyed being a host and showcasing some of the best habitats and landscapes Scotland can offer.

As a result of their placements, many volunteers became seriously employable candidates and we’ve employed two of our own ex-European volunteers; Erika Pöltz Faggiani was seasonal ranger on Handa for 2 years whilst in January 2021, Beth Harwood was employed as a Reserves Project Officer in the North, managing the same sites she worked on as an Erasmus+ volunteer.

For some, the experience with Scottish Wildlife Trust has been life changing but all have left with a positive image of Scotland, a better understanding of Scottish habitats and a better understanding of themselves.

The programme has provided the Trust with a wonderful opportunity (and the financial means) to recruit and work with, good quality long term and full time volunteers.  It’s also widened our horizons to opportunities at a European level.  The Scottish Wildlife Trust will miss the end of the programme in the UK.

Here’s to our European volunteers!