No, you need to create a HOST account to list your place to host Helpers.

It’s simple, click on "Sign up > As a host". Fill in the form with your contact details and information about your place, accommodation, food, type of project, etc. Then submit your information. As soon as it is confirmed by an admin (after you have confirmed your email), your place will be live and helpers can find you in the host list.

As a Bildar (Helper) willing to find a travel buddy, you can contact other Bildars also looking for travel buddies. You can also contact hosts. As a verified host, you can contact Bildars.

Right now, you can’t. You can only list your place/project as a host. The projects listed are about natural building or permaculture. In the long run, we will allow all types of events to be listed on Ecobilda, so that it becomes a platform for all learning opportunities.

It stands for “ecological builder”, but you already got that didn’t you?

As stated once in a TEDx Talk by the co-founder, all we truly need in life is FOOD, SHELTER and LOVE. ECOBILDA is about facilitating the emergence and spreading of just that: skills to grow your food in sustainable healthy ways (permaculture/organic farming), skills to build your natural home (natural building). And the love, necessary for all of this to make sense, is found in travelling, meeting people, helping each other, sharing knowledge, caring, teaching, learning, etc.

Bildars are the individual members who wish to volunteer at sustainable projects.

Not at all! Sustainable self-build projects, as with everyone has the freedom to choose who they help or host. Make your profile as honest and interesting as possible! Sustainable self-build projects may have many help requests, so try to make yours stand out from the others! Show interest in their build and lifestyle. Highlight any skills, knowledge and experiences that you may have!

That's fine. Situations change for everyone from time to time. Be courteous and inform them of any changes in plenty of time. If you feel you can no longer be an Ecobilda user, there is no need to delete your account as you may wish to use it in the future!

Once again, that depends on the sustainable project. It is advised that host state on their profile a minimum or maximum time in which individual Bildars (Helpers) can stay and volunteer with them.

Yes! This is one of the main advantages of using Ecobilda! Show enthusiasm, energy and the willingness to learn and it is inevitable that you will gain many new sustainable living and building methods and techniques! Maybe one day you will be a build project host yourself! It is what usually happens, and we hope you do :)

This will, of course, vary between projects. If you have skills, experience or qualifications related to a certain trade, be sure to list them on your profile! If not, do not panic!! Ecobilda is the perfect opportunity to learn and develop new skills. It's more than likely that you have other skills to bring to a sustainable project - everyone likes someone who can cook, right? Or maybe you are that person who can tell a great campfire story, play a musical instrument or teach a foreign language? Green thumbs in the garden? Ecobilda is about exchanges of all types with the end goal to increase global awareness and get people engage in sustainable practices.

Nope. We facilitate the meeting between those who want to travel, meet and learn, and those who are building, needing a little help to give a push to their project, but we don’t fund either your trip or your building project.

No. Ecobilda is not responsible or liable for any accidents, events or issues that may occur at build projects, or between its members. Look out for yourself and others and be comfortable about asking hosts any questions regarding your safety! For more information, see our Terms of Service.

Sometimes. Ecobilda is for both skilled and unskilled people! Project hosts are encouraged to enter their previous experiences plus any relevant qualifications that they may have. Often with natural building or permaculture, the skills required are basic and can quickly be learned by anyone. View profiles, be open-minded and be willing to teach and be taught by those that have a desire to share.

Yes, although this can be a grey area as to what exactly passes as a sustainable build project. Some build projects may not be fully sustainable. Bildars should not feel obligated to volunteer on a build project they deem unsustainable. Check out Ecobilda's page on sustainable building for a little guidance on what to expect.

Obviously, there is no one answer for this! As with Bildars, hosts can potentially be anyone from anywhere in the world! Exciting right? It could be someone just like you who once was a Bildar, but now having learnt and practiced the required skills, is now planning a build project of their own! View profiles and connect with the right people for you. Ecobilda is here to make it easier and more culturally interesting to volunteer whilst gaining new experiences and skills!

This depends on the project host that you are staying with. Ecobilda encourages hosts to provide nutritional meals suited for high energy work. Should you have any special dietary requirements, contact your proposed host prior to arriving. Communication is the key!

Currently, there are no fees to be any type of Ecobilda member! However, as the site will eventually grow, gaining traffic and at the same time, causing us more trouble to manage it all, we plan on charging a small fee to cover for the sweat and get some light in our bulbs. We have no idea when that will be, but you’ll clearly be informed ;)

This will vary between projects and is not the decision of Ecobilda. Project hosts have the opportunity to state what they expect of Bildars on their project listing. However, open communication between hosts and Bildars about expected work time per day is essential! Again, communication is key!

No. In exchange for your labour, you will be provided shelter (room/tent/bed/floor space) or an area to pitch a tent/park a camper van. Ecobilda encourages projects hosts to provide meals and water.

These are Ecobilda members who have a sustainable project (in natural building or permaculture) and are looking to get some volunteer help. The volunteers who can help are known as Bildars!

Everyone that is planning or currently undergoing a natural building project or permaculture work and who desires and can afford to host Helpers (“Bildars”) to come and help.

Yes, absolutely.

That is up to you, but keep in mind that you will have to provide at least food and accommodation, as well as sometimes entertainment and company for all of them during the whole time of their stay. So make sure you accept the number of people you can decently care for! We strongly recommend that you focus on quality over quantity.

Yes and no. That's all up to you, what they can do or are willing to learn. There are no rules, although we suggest not putting too many responsibilities on Bildars that have no appropriate skills. They’ll possibly be the ones teaching you skills you didn’t have in the first place. Ecobilda isn’t a school, it’s a cultural and skills exchange community, keep that in mind.

Well, you, me, everybody! And that's the beauty of it. Everyone can join you on your build, from everywhere in the world. You may find out that building your house out of mud was the wildest trip you have ever taken after meeting and getting along with people from all walks of life, from all over our planet!

Ecobilda is aware that people' situations may vary and we understand this. However, it is worth considering that providing for extra people can sometimes work out more economically than you may at first think. Be creative with meals, try to grow your own produce, buy staples in bulk and reduce luxury items such as meats, dairy, alcohol and sweets. A balanced diet is essential for a happy and hard working labour force! Whether providing meals or not, always state so on your project listing.

Nothing! Ecobilda discourages payment in the form of currency. Instead, it is asked that you provide accommodation, food and drink in exchange for the help, expertise or company that Bildars provide you with.

To list your project/place as a host is totally free.

As a host, everyone can visit your profile, but only verified users can see your contact details. As a Bildar (verified user), your information is only visible to hosts that you have contacted.

To register on Ecobilda, we need your email address to confirm your account. This information is not available to other users. However, if you publish a project as a Host, the certified Helpers will be able to view the contact details that you will have chosen to show them.