Since 2010, the management of the UNESCO World Heritage site Wachau has been organising annual summer camps that focus on the nature conservation work of the region. Each year, young people from around the world come to the World Cultural Heritage site of Wachau for 2-4 weeks and provide voluntary help with the time-consuming and strenuous job of maintaining dry grassland areas and also with other work relating to the protection of the biotope and conserving the cultural landscape. In doing so, the young people make a significant contribution towards maintaining the World Heritage cultural landscape and at the same time, they get to know other cultures and customs. Since expanding the camp to nearby nature reserves in 2015, the volunteers have also learnt more about two different landscapes in Austria. It was extended again from 2018 to collaborate with the nearby World Heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and the combined camp in both World Heritage cultural landscapes. The project also took part in UNESCO’s World Heritage Volunteer Programme for several years.

“My favourite project. A really grounded approach! The young people do actual work (a hugely important experience!), look after the cultural landscape and in doing so, they get to understand its value and the effort it takes to maintain it. And at the same time, they get a chance to make friends with their peers from all over the world. A truly meaningful and rewarding investment in their own future.”

“Hands on – what could be more appropriate for getting to know a region than actively getting involved in the everyday work and daily tasks. The Wachau volunteers make it possible.”