OPEN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

If you are between 18 and 30 and are interested in getting involved in our

Erasmus+ Conservation Volunteer program in 2026,

please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you!

PLEASE CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU OR A FRIEND

OR GROUP YOU KNOW ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

We have 8 places on our conservation volunteer team in 2026

To do so please Email us at info@dswai.ie and put ERASMUS+ 2026 in the title.

We would look forward to hearing from you.

For more information on 2026 and what is involved in general please read on.

Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that promotes education, training,

sport, and youth, through international exchanges, skills enhancement,

and the sharing of practices (https:/erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu).

The host organisation is Rempart (www.rempart.com),

which represents more than 180 local associations that

preserve and promote heritage throughout France.

This autumn (28th July to 11th August) we will be sending

a team leader (any age) and eight young volunteers (18-30)

to participate in an ongoing restoration project at a historic site in France.

The group will learn about traditional masonry skills

and help with the restoration of the building.

The location this year is the beautiful village of la Mure,

near Grenobles at La Chappelle st. Beaumont.

The team will be hopsted by The Rural Mountain University (URM).

URM is an association for the study, preservation and promotion of heritage in South Isère.

Find out more about them and their work on their website here

> https://www.urm-patrimoine.fr/nous-connaitre/

The activities of the chantier are decribed by them as:

This construction project is part of a magnificent overall renovation project of an old chapel.

Join us for a new phase of the ground floor development:

– covering the walls with an earth plaster on wooden laths,

– cladding the area around the large bay windows of the future concert hall with wooden panels,

– pouring a hemp-lime screed at floor level, which will later be covered with wooden parquet flooring,

– creating a brick vaulted arch.

There will also be plenty of excursions and

opportunity for hiking in the stunning local landscape.

Every year there is also a place for a person

of any age to be the group Leader and take the DSWAI volunteer team to France.

No conservation experience needed to be a team leader and funded training is provided.

This year the team will be lead by DSWAI member Ross Gavigan.

Ross has just returned from France where he spent a week undergoing training for our group leaders

from 28th March to 11th April 2026

Key Details for REMPART Erasmus+ 2026:

Program Structure: The 2026 workcamps run from June to September.
Locations: Opportunities are available in regions such as Var, Aveyron, Gironde, and Hauts-de-France.
Activities: Volunteers work on restoring historic sites, enhancing local heritage, and promoting environmental awareness (e.g., biodiversity protection).
Participation: Participants engage in a collective, multicultural environment, often working alongside other European volunteers.

For successful applications the following is included in the ERASMUS+ program:

Travel expenses (up to €275) will be covered.

Accommodation and food are provided by the host.

This applies to the Leader and all volunteers that travel to France.

This project is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and experience France and its heritage.

Erasmus+ Heritage Leaders and Volunteers 2026

The volunteers can be selected (by mid-May). If you or someone you know

(even from outside of DSWAI) might be interested in participating, please let us know as soon as possible.

Key dates:

1. Mid-end May 2026 Select Volunteer Team

2. 28th July to 11th August 2026 volunteer camp

PLEASE CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU OR A FRIEND OR GROUP YOU KNOW ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

To do so please Email us at info@dswai.ie and put ERASMUS+ 2026 in the title. We would look forward to hearing from you.