A Journey of Solidarity in the Heart of Nature: Environmental Protection in Iceland

Hello, I am Anıl Görkem KAYA.

Through KOZ-DER, I had the opportunity to take part in the Environmental Protection project in Iceland, hosted by Veraldarvinir / Worldwide Friends Iceland within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps. Our project was carried out between 02 July 2026 and 15 August 2026 in Reykjavík and Brú, Iceland.

Setting Out and Taking the First Step

My main motivation for joining this project was to come together with volunteers from different cultures, develop local solutions to global environmental problems and actively contribute to nature. Iceland’s unique, clean and untouched nature offered a wonderful environment to experience sustainability awareness not only in theory, but directly in the field.

Before starting the project, I wanted to gain more awareness about environmental protection. However, as the process continued, I realised that this experience was not only about contributing to nature. It also became a valuable journey of working with people from different countries, taking responsibility, making an effort for a common purpose and seeing the real impact of volunteering.

What We Did in the Field

Throughout the project, our main focus was coastal clean-up and raising environmental protection awareness. Together with my teammates, we collected plastic and various types of waste accumulated along the ocean shores and separated them according to recycling standards.

We also took part in environmental maintenance and improvement activities in solidarity with the local community. We carried out awareness-raising activities on protecting nature, using resources consciously and adopting sustainable living practices. Each working day helped us feel our responsibility towards the environment more strongly.

During the coastal clean-up activities, where we physically worked in the field, I saw more clearly how delicate the balance of nature is. Every piece of waste we collected may have seemed small, but it was a meaningful step for the environment. This process showed me that environmental problems can be addressed not only through large-scale policies, but also through the conscious contributions of individuals.

Gains and Personal Transformation

Working for a common purpose with volunteers from different countries gave me valuable experience in teamwork, intercultural communication and environmental awareness. Even though everyone came from different backgrounds, making an effort for the same goal showed me that solidarity is a universal language.

Throughout the project, I built a stronger connection both with nature and with people. Seeing the visible change in the areas after our coastal clean-up activities made me deeply feel the concrete impact of volunteering. This experience reminded me once again that small contributions can create big changes when they come together.

During my time in Iceland, I felt that I developed not only in the field of environmental protection, but also personally. I gained a more responsible, sensitive and aware perspective. This project helped me understand more clearly my responsibility towards nature, the power of volunteering and the importance of acting together.

A Message to Future Volunteers

Volunteering is not only about going somewhere or taking part in a project. Volunteering means going beyond your limits, seeing the world from a different perspective, touching different lives and leaving a meaningful mark behind.

I sincerely recommend this experience to everyone who wants to discover their own potential, meet new cultures and contribute to nature and society. Projects like this do not only give you new knowledge; they also strengthen your perspective on life, your sense of responsibility and your self-confidence.

I would like to thank KOZ-DER for making this unique experience possible, Veraldarvinir / Worldwide Friends Iceland for hosting us, and all my fellow volunteers with whom I worked throughout the project.

Glad to have you, KOZ-DER.