Volunteering in Sweden
Come and join us for an unforgettable summer at our property in Sweden
volunteer work in sweden
Up for some forest fun and community vibes?
Volunteering with us in Dalarna’s forest is your chance to unplug and dive into community life. Whether you’re into woodworking, gardening, or upcycling – you’ll help build our tiny house, grow veggies, forage, and even tinker with machines. We share everything – from cooking to laundry.
Our motto? “Work hard, play harder.” After work, we bike to the lake, BBQ, have bonfires, raves, and movie nights.
We value open communication, so each morning starts with a check-in to share how we’re doing. Community is at the heart of it all.
Meet Indie and Joel
So who the fuck are we?
Well, we’re Indie and Joel – two people who decided that van life wasn’t chaotic enough, so we bought an old property in the middle of the forest instead. After years of road-tripping, we wanted a place to actually put down roots (and maybe grow a carrot or two).
And we ended up here, in Dalarna, at a property from 1912 that feels like stepping into a time machine (in a good way).
Now, we’re turning this place into a home.
Our vision? A community where everyone feels welcome, safe, and part of something real. One day, we hope to be self-sufficient – maybe even surrounded by like-minded neighbors.
Want in on the madness this summer? It’s worth it.
How to volunteer in sweden
How does the work away / volunteering work?
We would like for you to stay at least 2 weeks and it will be a classic workaway exchange. We will organize and provide accommodation and food for you in exchange for 25 hours of work on the property per week. We are very flexible in how we schedule the workdays and hours, so once you are here we will sit down and come up with a plan that works great for both you and for us.
How to become a volunteer or work away in sweden
Easy steps to join our community
Apply
Fill out the form and tell us a bit about yourself and which time period you want to apply for and your skills.
Open from January 1 to January 31.
We will read all the applications
From the February 1 we will read all the applications. you can still apply after as we take drop ins during the summer as well.
Final Decision
By March 14, you’ll be informed if you’ve secured a spot, have been placed on the waitlist, or if we unfortunately won’t be able to host you this time.
Volunteering in sweden
What to expect as a volunteer at our property
- Being part of a community living household
- Working in groups on various projects
- Sharing your skills and knowledge with the other volunteers
- Foraging in the surrounding nature
- Building with both repurposed and new materials
- Enjoying freedom and late-night conversations by the bonfire
- Maybe some parties and karaoke nights
- The occasional hangover 😉
Hear from our volunteers
Some love from previous volunteers
What is the Location
The property is nestled between Malung and Hagfors. Once you’re booked in as a volunteer, we’ll provide you with an exact Google Maps pin. We offer pick-ups from the Hagfors or Malung bus stations. If you’re arriving on the same day as another volunteer, we can arrange a ride share. You’re also welcome to bring your own car or van to the property.
Just a heads-up: there are no grocery stores nearby, as we live deep in the forest—like, really deep. Be prepared to disconnect from civilization and make sure to bring your personal stash of favorite snacks and drinks when you arrive.
How does a day as a volunteer look like
We have plenty of tasks that need attention on the property. Our day typically begins with a morning check-in, where everyone can share how they’re feeling both energy-wise and emotionally. Afterward, we review what needs to be done, make a check-list and divide the tasks within the group based on your preferences.
Tasks can range from clearing the forest, chopping wood, doing dishes, building a tiny house, organizing a tool shed, building a bench, painting a shed, planting seeds in the garden, harvesting veggies, making a garden bed, picking berries, or taking the car to town for some shopping. A work day is 5 hours and we have scheduled breaks throughout the workday for Swedish fika, lunch, and a swim in the lake if the weather is hot.
Do you need to have prior experience?
You do not need any prior experience with volunteering but we do see that you have a can do attitude. This year we will be searching for special skills so have a look at the sign up pages to see if you are a right fit for us!
For Families
Families are welcomed but It’s important to know that our property is a work in progress, focusing more on outdoor living than indoor comforts. If you’re raising little wildlings, this place is perfect for you and your family.
If your family enjoys outdoor adventures and doesn’t mind a less polished living space, you are more than welcome. During some of these weeks, my niece, who is 8 years old, will be with us, so there will already be some kids to play with if they are around the same age.
About Sweden / VISAs
We have been in contact with both the Swedish Migration Agency and the Swedish Tax Agency. Since our volunteering is more of a work-away and community project, you do not need a work visa. If you are coming from a country outside the EU, you can participate under a tourist visa.
Good to Know:
- Weather: Sweden experiences distinct seasons, with cold winters and mild summers. Be prepared for varying weather conditions, especially if you’re visiting rural areas.
- Fika Culture: Swedes cherish their coffee breaks, known as “fika,” which often include coffee and pastries. It’s a social tradition that emphasizes taking a moment to relax and connect with others. We always have fika around 4 pm every day!
- Allemansrätten: Sweden has a unique law called “Allemansrätten,” or the Right of Public Access, which allows people to roam freely in nature, camp, and forage, as long as they respect the environment and private property.
Activities to do
We have a lot of bikes, some of which need a bit of fixing, and it’s only a 10-minute bike ride down to the lake. We also have two longboards, fishing gear, a canoe, and plenty of berries to pick and bake into delicious pies. We love playing games, both indoors and outdoors, so there’s plenty to choose from.
There are numerous forest trails to hike and off-trail adventures to seek if you’re feeling brave. Many lakes are nearby, perfect for swimming and playing during our free time when the weather is nice.
We also just got a boat that we’d love to fix up for the summer—maybe that’s a project you’d enjoy taking on? Once the boat is ready, we can bring it down to the lake.
Can extend my stay if I am loving it?
Of course!! We’ll talk more about it when you’re here!
We had plenty of people that decided to sty longer last summer and we love it!
What is the vibe like?
The vibe is all about community, creativity, and connection. Imagine a summer camp for adults where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, share their skills, and learn from one another. Our days are filled with laughter, hard work, great food, and a shared passion for community.
You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere focused on enjoying the moment and the beauty of nature—except when the mosquitoes are too bad, then we hide inside, haha. Whether we’re working on projects, sharing meals, or relaxing by the bonfire, there’s a sense of openness that we hope makes everyone feel at home.
We believe in balancing hard work with plenty of play, so expect to dive into various tasks while also having time to explore, unwind, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in the forest. And yes, things can get a bit wild—we love a good party and know how to celebrate! You’ll definitely experience this if you decide to stay for our yearly festival.
Me and Joel is super social and love to play games, sing karaoke, stay up late and have wine, maybe a night time swimming trip or going dumpster diving partying. I’ll tell you about it when you get to the property 😉
Are there any costs?
There are no costs, except for your transit to and from the nearest town where we will pick you up. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. We do not provide alcohol during your stay, so you’ll need to purchase and bring your own. There’s an alcohol store in town where you can buy what you need before we pick you up, so you don’t have to travel carrying a heavy load. We typically go into town at least once a week, providing additional opportunities to make purchases.
So any tobacco, alcohol and snacks you want for yourself its on you.
Can I bring my pet?
YES, absolutely! We love animals and welcome you to bring your pets. However, we do need to know in advance to ensure there are no issues with cats, kids, dogs, and other animals. Please let us know beforehand so we can make the necessary arrangements if needed.
Its a special section in the form when you apply about pets
I have my own van / bus / trailer / tent
If you have your own van, that’s fantastic! We have plenty of space on the property for you to park and plug in. You can fill up your water, charge your van, or even do some renovations, as we have all the tools you might need. We’d be more than happy to have you come and stay in your van on our property.
If you are traveling around with a tent we always have space for that as well.
What we offer
- Free accommodation in a shared room
- Free parking and services for your campervan
- Free food, with meals based on seasonal availability
- A hot shower surrounded by nature in the back of our garden
- Laundry machine access
- Community vibes and lots of love
Indie and Joel
We are your hosts and probably new hippie friends
We’re Indie and Joel – two nature-loving souls who traded van life for forest life. Our days are filled with building, gardening, cooking, and dancing around the fire.
Indie’s the DIY queen, project boss, and kitchen dance party host. Joel’s the laid-back garden guy, cocktail master, and everyone’s favorite vibe.
We love community, bonfires, and sharing what we grow. Whether we’re cooking, building, or hiking – we’re all in.
Come as you are – we can’t wait to meet you!
Volunteering with building a tiny house
What are the Freeside projects?
The tiny house
Our biggest building project and the one we focus on most of the time when possible. We started building it with our volunteers two summers ago and are excited to finish it this summer! Our aim is to construct the tiny house using recycled materials whenever possible, but we’ll also use new materials when needed, as time is of the essence and sourcing recycled materials in our area can be challenging and time consuming.
We’re also gradually working on fixing up the big timber house and the barns when the weather keeps us from working outside. Any previous building experience is super welcomed!
The forest
We have a lot of forest on the property and are looking to create more open space for our garden and other projects. If you have a chainsaw and know how to use it safely, we would greatly appreciate your help! If you know how to use one but don’t own or can’t bring one, we can arrange to rent one, so please let us know. This project involves forest conservation and some physical work as we clear the forest and sort the trees for building materials and firewood.
The garden
Our dream is to become as self-sustainable as possible in the future, so we’re dedicated to creating a beautiful and well-planned garden for everyone to share. If you have gardening skills, you’re most welcome, but it’s not a requirement, as we’re all learning by doing. This year, our primary focus will be the tiny house, which means we’ll concentrate on getting the garden started at the beginning of the volunteering period, followed by harvesting, replanting, and maintaining it. However, in our free time, we (Joel & Indie) might spend some time preparing and clearing the land for future years, and you’re welcome to join us if you share our interest.
The wood shed
We are started building a wood shed for storing firewood throughout the years last summer, a project we will resume in the beginning along with the garden. Having a dedicated wood shed is crucial for several reasons. It ensures that our firewood stays dry and well-preserved, which is essential for efficient burning and heat production during the colder months. A well-organized wood shed also helps us manage our resources sustainably, allowing us to store enough wood to meet our needs without over-harvesting from our forest.
The biggest project of them all
Creating a community is the biggest and greatest project we can imagine! Meeting new people, connecting, and sharing with each other is something we truly believe in. Here at the Freeside project, we cook and eat as a family, enjoy bonfire evenings, explore the forest together, swim in the lakes, and occasionally have a hangover movie night.
If you have your own project, like building on your van, you’re more than welcome to work on it at our property. We have most of the tools, including power tools, that you might need for your project.
Indie and Joel
You want to apply?
Volunteering in Sweden 2026
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