Environmental resistance and traditional mountain values in Val Codera
Description: The Associazione Amici della Val Codera odv (www.valcodera.com) has been involved for 40 years in the protection and eco-compatible promotion of the Codera valley. The valley is located in the Rhaetian Alps, is carved into the granite and is still wild and intact, despite the climatic changes have led to the erosion of the soil and the rock. The main objective of the association's activities is the protection and enhancement of the environmental and cultural heritage of the valley for the benefit of the residents, and of a cultural and environmental tourism that knows how to appreciate the peculiar attractions of the place. The activities take place in the surroundings of the village of Codera, reachable only on foot with a 2-hour walk from Novate Mezzola village.
Type of Work: The activities planned during the camp will be as follows: manual work in the gardens such as the cultivation of potatoes, beans, corn and seasonal vegetables; cleaning of fields and paths, as well as arrangement of abandoned and uncultivated plots with digging; reconstruction of dry retaining walls; cleaning the wood from weeds and arranging the wood; cleaning and recovery of the ancient pedestrian traffic. The volunteers will work for about 6-7 hours a day near the village of Codera.
Study Theme: The study part includes the analysis of the situation of the Italian and Alpine mountains, with particular regard to marginal areas such as the Codera valley, where the phenomenon of depopulation is more present, with consequent loss of identity of the population, loss of traditions and abandonment and instability of the territory. The workshop will open on the last day of the camp to the community of the valley:in fact we believe that the young international volunteers, their ideas and involvement in the field can represent a boost of awareness and growth for the inhabitant of the valley.
Accommodation: The volunteers' accommodation is provided in rooms with several bunk beds equipped with mattress, pillow and blankets (however, it is necessary to bring your own sleeping bag); in the structure there are common bathrooms. The village of Codera is located at 825 meters above sea level and there are no shops. The village is about 2 hours of scenic walking on a hiking trail from the nearest road (cumulative climb 800 meters). Meals will be prepared by volunteer members of the Amici della Val Codera Association and served with the indispensable help of the volunteers of the camp.
Language: English and Italian
Requirements: In consideration of the characteristics of the location of the camp, in an isolated place, away from the noises and contradictions of the modern world, but also from the comforts of consumer society. Manual skill in the use of simple agricultural tools or environmental restoration tools, adequate resistance to physical fatigue and ability to relate to the local population.
Approximate Location: The workcamp will be in Codera, a village of the municipality of Novate Mezzola, in the province of Sondrio, which is part of the Lombardy Region. The closest cities are Milan, Lecco, Bergamo, Como and Sondrio reachable by bus or train.
Notes: The place of the workcamp is an alpine valley with no road access; the village of Codera, where you are staying, is located about two hours' walk from the nearest road and is accessible only on foot along a stepped path (cumulative climb 800 meters); there are no shops in the town; the only public exercise is the Osteria Alpina Refuge, where meals will be consumed and where it is possible to buy various types of drinks, local cheeses and other basic foodstuffs. Volunteers with food intolerances or specific requests must specify their needs in advance. There is a landline phone in the town; portable telephones have a diversified signal depending on the provider; Internet connection available on request at the Osteria. In free time there is possibility of swimming in the waters of the river.