Volunteer Opportunities in the Faroe Islands for 2020

For the second consecutive year, the Faroe Islands will close for maintenance, but there’s still one way to be a visitor — by volunteering. This unique opportunity allows individuals to immerse themselves in the local culture and contribute to the preservation of these breathtaking islands.

Volunteer Details

On April 16th and 17th of 2020, 100 volunteers will have the chance to stay with local residents, work collaboratively on maintenance projects, and share meals together. These initiatives will focus on repairing tourist attractions and enhancing the natural landscape. Specifically, volunteers will engage in:

• Rebuilding tunnels
• Repairing walkways
• Draining areas that have flooded

Commitment to Sustainable Tourism

Guðrið Højgaard, Director at Visit Faroe Islands, emphasized the importance of sustainability in tourism: “For us, tourism is not all about numbers. We welcome visitors to the islands each year, but we also have a responsibility to our community and to our beautiful environment. Our aim is to preserve and protect the islands, ensuring sustainable and responsible growth.”

Apply Early for a Chance to Volunteer

Given the exceptional response to last year’s volunteering program, the Faroe Islands intend to make it an annual event. In 2019, the program saw thousands of applications from 25 countries vying for just 100 spots. Therefore, if you wish to visit and volunteer in 2020, it is advisable to apply early.

Travel Considerations

Selected volunteers will be required to cover their own airfare to and from the islands. Although the Faroe Islands are not suffering from over-tourism, the local tourism board prioritizes infrastructure and maintenance, especially as tourism increased by 10 percent in recent years. Last year, about 110,000 people visited the islands, which is notable compared to the overall population of approximately 51,000.