BIODIVERSITY
CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE, OPEN FOR VOLUNTOURISM
FAROE ISLANDS
Photo: Polar Films
Having the chance to care for the places you visit, not just admire them, can make travel more rewarding. If you are lucky, you can help the Faroe Islands maintain its fragile environment with an exclusive volunteer program offered once a year.
What's
changing
Tourism has an undeniable impact on the environment, from airplane emissions to ecosystems trampled by heavy foot traffic. Volunteer programs are becoming important complements to hired workers needed to preserve and maintain the fragile ecosystems that residents and visitors love.
What's already
possible
Every year, more than 110,000 visitors flock to the Faroe Islands, a North Atlantic archipelago with a population of 54,000. To mitigate the negative effects of tourism, the islands’ annual “Closed for Maintenance” program shuts key attractions over three days and allows a limited number of volunteers to refresh trails, repair fences and install signs.
Seizing
the opportunity
Would-be volunteers must apply, and the program attracts thousands vying for about 100 spots. Successful applicants receive a coupon for a discounted flight with Atlantic Airways. Upon arrival, each volunteer is assigned to a team with a three-day project and goes to a worksite and provided with a room at a guesthouse, inn, host home or bunk on historic ships. The weekend offers plenty of opportunities for guests to taste local food, partake in cultural experiences, and it ends with a celebratory dinner party.
Standout
tactic
Locals are welcome to join the program, no application necessary, and comprise almost half of the volunteer group. Experts lead the projects, providing guidance and safe practices.
How
it helps
Since the project began in 2019, more than 23,800 people have applied, and 409 visitors, 167 Faroese volunteers and 214 volunteer staff have participated. Volunteers, working on 54 projects across 10 islands, have saved many hours of work for locals, maintained key sites and the fragile environment, and helped local communities.
Diving
deeper
Is there a risk that volunteer-driven maintenance may focus on immediate, easier, visible repairs rather than address long-term, complex or ongoing issues?
Increasing
impact
Larger destinations with a long list of maintenance work and additional resources could consider shoulder-season volunteer initiatives, giving visitors more opportunities to help. This could also encourage more low-season tourism and minimize the time between maintenance periods.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
