48379051052_6dc94f955c_o

Hoping Against Hope – France

In today’s fast-paced and uncertain world, many of us struggle to find hope that endures. How can Christian faith provide resilience, meaning, and reassurance in times of anxiety and global uncertainty? Hoping Against Hope: Theology for an Anxious Age offers a space to explore these questions in a serene and reflective environment.

About the Retreat

This unique retreat will take place at Domaine des Courmettes, near Nice in Southern France—a location renowned for its stunning landscapes and peaceful natural surroundings. The event is designed to help participants engage deeply with the theological and practical dimensions of hope, particularly when life feels overwhelming or uncertain.

Through a combination of talks, reflection, and community engagement, participants will explore how Christian theology can provide tools for resilience, hope, and spiritual growth. The retreat also emphasizes the importance of reflection and dialogue in developing a personal and communal sense of hope that can sustain participants beyond the event itself.

Who Should Attend

This retreat is primarily aimed at English-speaking participants and welcomes attendees from across Europe and beyond. Whether you are seeking personal renewal, professional development in ministry, or simply a space to reflect on the challenges of modern life through a theological lens, this retreat offers something meaningful for everyone.

Spaces are limited, so interested participants are encouraged to learn more and register soon. For full details on the retreat, schedule, and registration, visit the official page: Hoping against hope: Theology for an Anxious age

 

48749540006_1ec2d831dd_o

Volunteer at Les Courmettes – France

Le Domaine des Courmettes is A Rocha France’s second site, an hour’s drive up into the hills northwest of Nice. It offers 600 ha of preserved wildlife in a variety of natural habitats and a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. The Domain is open to the public, with several hiking trails.

This is a pioneering experience, with a small on-site team and volunteering needs in many areas: building, painting, roofing, insulating, administrating, welcoming visitors and hikers, nature surveying, path-making, marketing, hosting commercial events, and so on. Les Courmettes holds huge potential for touching hearts and lives and helping visitors connect with the losses generated by climate change and the joys of living healthily. Come and be a part of it as an individual or even better, as a group!

A Rocha also hopes to develop various environmental education tools in the near future, as well as eco-tourism in the years to come.

Volunteers at Les Courmettes are welcomed for stays of at least two weeks. Living conditions are a little rougher than at Les Tourades, especially during the winter months, and city dwellers might feel somewhat isolated over longer stays. Count on about 130 euros for a week’s full board (subject to change).

Those who participate in outdoors work need to be physically fit and able to hike around the Domain. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Courmettes is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience

Long-term volunteer positions at Les Courmettes include:

  • logistics assistant for events management and welcoming visitors (with organisational and people skills)
  • building maintenance coordinator (with a variety of construction and home improvement skills)
  • land management assistant (with skills in environmental management)
  • renewable energy project manager (for implementation on site and to offer feasibility studies for churches and parachurch structures)
  • environmental education assistant (with skills in education, small group leadership, graphic design and drawing)
  • gardening and house help (with agriculture and organisational skills).

These team members may live on or off-site; they would join the team for six to 12 months or more. They must be financially self-supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.

To apply, please fill out our volunteer application form.

Canada-Brooksdale

Tatalu Conservation Residency – Canada

Looking for a meaningful, hands-on opportunity in environmental stewardship? The Tatalu Conservation Residency at the BC Environmental Centre offers a unique, apprenticeship-style experience that goes far beyond traditional training.

This residential program is designed for individuals who want to grow both practically and personally—combining skill development, community living, and a shared commitment to caring for the environment.

🌱 About the Program

The Tatalu Residency provides practical training and instruction in one of four focus areas:

  • Conservation Science
  • Environmental Education
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Food & Hospitality

But this is more than a professional opportunity—it’s an immersive lifestyle experience. Residents join a vibrant community grounded in environmental stewardship and a faith-based vision for the flourishing of people and the natural world.

Applications for the next term are currently open and close on May 12, 2026. Only 15 slots are available. Register now.

 

 

Marine-Opportunities

Marine Conservation Student Theses

The A Rocha family conducts marine conservation across the globe, often with the help of students. We have opportunities for those who need to conduct research for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degrees. Similarly, post-doctoral projects are highly encouraged at our project sites. Note, there is NO funding for these projects. However, your project will assist in practical marine conservation and provide information and expertise needed for our local teams.

Process:

  1. Examine our Marine Conservation Programme website to discover the range of projects and locations where we work.
  2. Look through the list below to see specific projects that are of current interest. These are not the only topics available, but they reflect current country priorities.
  3. Fill in A Rocha’s volunteer form stating that you are a student and looking for a specific project in a particular location. Feel free to indicate more than one project or location. These will be forwarded to the appropriate country, where they will work with you to see whether your project is possible. Each country has its own set of requirements, including costs, and so you will need to work directly with them.

Kenya

  • Trait-based assessment of Watamu Marine National Park Biodiversity. The biodiversity of this marine park is known. The question we are interested in answering is about the relationship between these species and their habitats and the functional diversity of this park. This could be a desk-top study.
  • Assessment of the abundance, distribution, and population dynamics of the crisp pillow coral (Anomastraea irregularis).

Portugal

  • Sources of polystyrene microplastic pollution in the Alvor Estuary. Our microplastic research indicates that this is the most prevalent microplastic on beaches offshore of this estuary. We are interested in understanding potential local sources.
  • Biodiversity studies within the estuary. We know little about many taxonomic groups in the Alvor Estuary.

Florida, USA

  • Microplastic in the gut contents of Atlantic mole crabs (Emerita talpoida).
  • Feeding ecology of shorebirds and its implications for the transfer of microplastics between Atlantic beaches and the Indian River Lagoon system.
DSC_2036[1]

A Rocha France – Kitchen Crew

 The Domaine des Courmettes is a magnificent natural area managed by A Rocha France, a Christian environmental protection association, which organizes numerous stays, seminars and group events throughout the year. 

We’re looking for volunteers to help out in the kitchen all year round, particularly in April and July-August. 

  • Are you interested in helping out with training or vacation stays? 
  • Do you enjoy working in a (small) team? 
  • Are you comfortable with potentially repetitive tasks (cutting, peeling, washing up, etc.)? 

We’re offering you the chance to join our team and help prepare meals for our holiday participants: 

  • at least one week, more if possible (we prefer applications for longer periods) 
  • in an exceptional natural setting between sea and mountains 
  • with the possibility of taking part in certain activities (depending on scheduling constraints) 
  • ….. and the opportunity to meet people of all ages and backgrounds! 
  • 4 to 5 hours work per day 
  • Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings off + 1 day a week 
  • Room and board: 16.50€ / day or tent: 11€ / day 
  • Or possibility of combining volunteer work with vacation on site…. 
 
To contact us, please click the link below and fill in the online form
Online form

You can also contact us directly at: [email protected]

Czech volunteer week

Volunteering week with A Rocha Czech Republic

Where: Keith Morris Eco-centre – Krupárna, Dobré č. p. 85, Dobruška

Mapy.cz: 50.2629261N, 16.2520033E

Programme:

  • Above all, lots of fun and joy together, but we’ll also work hard and get our hands dirty!
  • You’ll practice your English and German (and Czech!).
  • Morning work in groups in the garden and in the eco-centre building (cleaning ponds, weeding beds, preparing wood for the winter, building a forest latrine).
  • Afternoon active rest, e.g. mini-course in ornithology, mycology and herbalism, observation of bumblebees, wetland exploration, trips to the Eagle Mountains and other interesting places.
  • Mornings and evenings with songs, talks, concert and Bible readings on environmental topics.
  • Evenings together sharing participants’ experiences in the field of nature conservation.

We will be happy for you to bring photos or short films.

Accommodation: preferably in your own tent or forest shelter; some beds are available with local friends. There is also space to put a mattress on the floor in the building.

Food: we will enjoy community meals together, prepared by a professional chef and with the help of participants.

Cost (food and energy allowance): 1 500 CZK for the whole stay. Students 1 200 CZK.

Capacity is limited to 30 people.

Can’t make it for the whole week? You are welcome to come just for a few days.

Pavel Světlík and the A Rocha team are looking forward to seeing you!

Please complete the application and send it [email protected] by 15 June.

APPLY HERE
IMG_0144

A Rocha France – European Volunteer – ESC (Mas Mireille)

The project offers young people the opportunity to acquire competences in scientific studies of flora, fauna and ecosystems and to put this into practice by implementing projects for managing and protecting the sensitive and threatened wetlands of the Vallée des Baux near Arles. Volunteers will take part in observation, monitoring or censing of species, taking samples and analyzing them, protecting biodiversity of the sites managed by A Rocha by direct actions (tree planting, vegetation cutting, setting up nesting boxes or perches, etc). Specific time (up to 10%) will be devoted to learning French language, 10% of the time will be devoted to communicating about the ESC through different medium (video, stands, articles). 30% of the time will be spent on tasks related to the proper functioning of the Centre A Rocha France: – Welcoming visitors – Maintenance of the domain and its park, various tasks related to Community life.

WHERE? Lieu-dit Mas Mireille, 13280 Arles, France

WHEN? As soon as possible

JOB DESCRIPTION: 1 year volunteering position with A Rocha France in the Vallée des Baux, starting before the end of March Open to young European citizens from outside France.

Send resume and motivation (with two references) to Timothée Schwartz, science director and Mas Mireille centre director, [email protected].

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

The volunteers are housed at the study centre, which is also the logistic base for the projects, the head office and the hub for running the life of the team. They share rooms (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper are eaten together during the week with the team and any other participants at fixed times. Breakfasts are self-service. The team members take turns at preparing the meals for the group. Special diets are catered for. The centre is no-smoking. Bikes are available for getting around. Rules of life might be adapted due to the COVID situation.

Training during the activity

Training will be provided at arrival concerning the rules of life at the center, community life, week planning and project and activity description. Field work training is provided all along the project to the volunteer such as: species identification skills, protocols, use of observation tools and other field equipment. Training in database management, data analysis and report drafting is also provided depending on the volunteer skills at arrival.

Participant profile

We are looking for volunteers who have a real interest in protecting the environment. They will need to enjoy life in the country and the contact with the flora and fauna, which means sometimes putting up with difficult conditions, getting around by bike, the wind, dry heat, etc. The volunteers will have to show that they can take initiatives in the tasks they undertake and take them through to completion. They should not hesitate to ask for clarification or direction if necessary for their projects. A basic knowledge of French is an advantage for the volunteers, but not a necessity.

ESC (AR France)

A Rocha France – European Volunteer – ESC (Courmettes)

Activity description:

Starting by the end of February 2023 for a year

Les Courmettes is a natural site of 600ha in a Natura 2000 area. Located nearby Nice, scientific studies and monitorings are implemented along side actions to raise awereness and train people. The European volunteers, under the direction of the nature activities manager, will participate in protecting this rich site by reconciling both nature conservation and welcoming the public. Volunteers will develop competences in environmental education, scientific studies and natural site management.

LOCATION: Domaine des Courmettes 06140 Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France

DATE: As soon as possible for 12 months

ORGANISATION: 35h/week, 1week-end over 2 and public holidays

POSITIONS TO BE FILLLED: open to young European citizens from outside France

Send resume and motivation (with two references) to Charlotte Léon, Nature Projects manager at Les Courmettes : [email protected].

Domaine des Courmettes
The ocellated Lizard, threatened
Orchids monitoring

Missions

Volunteers will take part in :

  • raising awareness with the public through different media (panels, discussion, educational tools etc.)
  • species and habitat studies (fieldwork, data analysis etc.)
  • maintenance and management actions (trail marking, site defence etc.)
  • learning French (10% of the time) and communicating about the ESC through different media (10% – video, stands, articles)
  • tasks related to the proper functioning of the Les Courmettes centre: welcoming visitors, maintenance of the estate and its park, various tasks related to community life, cooking, etc. (30%)

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

Volunteers are housed at the Courmettes centre, which is also the logistical base for the projects, A Rocha France’s head office and the hub for running the life of the team. Rooms are shared (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper, prepared by a cook, are eaten together at fixed times during the week with the team and any other participants. When the cook is absent, team members take turns to prepare meals. Breakfasts are self-service. Vegetarian diets can be offered. Cars are available (with a fee) to get around. The modus vivendi ‘rules of life’ may be adapted due to the COVID situation.

Participant profile:

  • real interest in raising awareness and protecting the environment 
  • enjoying rural life, contact with people and flora and fauna. Meaning sometimes putting up with difficult weather conditions and being ready to welcome visitors at Les Courmettes and talk about the site’s regulations.
  • taking initiative in the tasks they undertake and following them through to completion
  • basic knowledge of French and a driving license are an advantage for the volunteers
2018-09-01_Centenaire_Activités_samedi_CAW (40)

France – European Solidarity Corps Volunteer

Reconciling biodiversity preservation and welcoming the public at Les Courmettes.

  • Location: Domaine des Courmettes – 06140 Tourrettes sur Loup – France
  • Date: from Monday the 3rd of January 2022, for a period of 12 months
  • Organization: 35h/week, mission including work on weekends and public holidays (2 weekends per month) and some school holidays (spring and autumn)
  • Positions to be filled: two, open to young European citizens from outside France
 

Activity description:

The project offers young people the opportunity to acquire experience in a project that includes both nature conservation and welcoming the public, a new issue that many natural sites worldwide are currently facing. By being involved in the management of the site of Les Courmettes, a beautiful and naturally rich site near Nice, volunteers will develop competences in environmental education, scientific studies and natural site management.

Volunteers will take part in raising awareness with the public through different media (panels, discussion, educational tools etc.), species and habitat studies (fieldwork, data analysis etc.), maintenance and management actions (trail marking, site defence etc.). Specific time (up to 10%) will be devoted to learning French and communicating about the ESC through different media (10% – video, stands, articles). 30% of the time will be spent on tasks related to the proper functioning of the Les Courmettes centre: welcoming visitors, maintenance of the estate and its park, various tasks related to community life etc.

Accommodation, food and transport arrangement:

Volunteers are housed at the Courmettes centre, which is also the logistical base for the projects, A Rocha France’s head office and the hub for running the life of the team. Rooms are shared (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper, prepared by a cook, are eaten together at fixed times during the week with the team and any other participants. When the cook is absent, team members take turns to prepare meals. Breakfasts are self-service. Vegetarian diets can be offered. Cars are available (with a fee) to get around. The modus vivendi ‘rules of life’ may be adapted due to the COVID situation.

Training during the activity:

Training will be provided on arrival concerning the modus vivendi of the centre’s community life and how the week, project and activities will unfold. Field work training is provided for the volunteer throughout project such as: species identification skills, protocols, use of observation tools and other field equipment. Training in welcoming public and environmental education will be provided on arrival.

Participant profile:

We are looking for volunteers who have a real interest in raising awareness and protecting the environment. They will need to enjoy rural life, contact with people and flora and fauna, which means sometimes putting up with difficult weather conditions and being ready to welcome visitors at Les Courmettes and talk about the site’s regulations. Volunteers will have to show that they can take initiative in the tasks they undertake and follow them through to completion. They should not hesitate to ask for clarification or direction if necessary for their projects. A basic knowledge of French is an advantage for the volunteers, but not a necessity.

Contact:

Send resume and motivation (with two references) to:

Coline Raillon, Nature Projects Officer at Les Courmettes

[email protected]