Learn by doing. Connect with others. Contribute to meaningful initiatives.
Interested in gaining hands-on experience in community projects, ecological initiatives, events or rural regeneration activities in Gran Canaria?
“Before coming here, I had never considered the influence of moon cycles on agriculture. Seeing how planting, pruning and other activities were organised around them made me question why this was never part of our education. It was one of the most memorable lessons of my stay.”
— Dutch Agriculture Student
Over the last year, we have welcomed volunteers from different backgrounds who have contributed to activities such as:
- Ecological gardening and agricultural projects
- Hospitality and restaurant operations
- Community events and gatherings
- Research and documentation
Beyond Volunteering
We believe that meaningful learning happens through real experiences, meaningful relationships and active participation.
The Learning Lab is designed for people who want to do more than volunteer. It is a space to learn by doing, contribute to real projects, explore new possibilities and become part of a growing community of people shaping positive change.
We are currently co-creating a new volunteer programme together with participants, community initiatives and international partners.
Our goal is to move beyond traditional volunteering and create an experience that combines practical work, personal development, community participation, learning and real-world impact.
Rather than simply assigning tasks, we aim to create a learning journey that helps participants discover their strengths, develop new skills, build meaningful connections and gain valuable experience for their future path.
The My Experience Learning Spiral
Our programme is inspired by the My Experience Learning Spiral:
Connect: Get to know the people, the place and the purpose behind the project.
Belong: Become part of a community and experience daily life from the inside.
Participate: Contribute to activities, projects and learning experiences.
Co-Create: Work together with others to develop ideas, solutions and initiatives.
Impact: Contribute to tangible outcomes and regenerative solutions.
Regenerate: Reflect on your experiences and explore how your learning can create value for yourself, your community and the wider world.
Ways to Participate
Depending on the location, season and ongoing projects, opportunities may include:
- Ecological gardening and food-growing initiatives
- Community-building activities
- Events and workshops
- Research and documentation
- Photography, video and storytelling
- Living Lab projects and experiments
- Cultural exchange activities
- Communication and outreach
- Project support and coordination
- Hospitality and local business experiences
- Career exploration and work opportunities with local businesses
The Learning Lab is designed to connect people with meaningful learning experiences in real-world settings.
Opportunities may be offered through community projects, local initiatives, partner organisations and local businesses. We also collaborate with employers, particularly in the hospitality sector, where there is a growing demand for motivated people who want to gain experience, develop new skills and explore future career opportunities.
Our goal is to help participants learn by doing, contribute to meaningful initiatives and build connections that can open doors to new professional and personal pathways.
Learning, Documentation and Certification
A key part of the programme is documenting the experience.
Participants are encouraged to reflect on what they learn, how they grow and what impact they help create. Through this process, we aim to develop learning portfolios, testimonials and forms of certification that recognise both participation and contribution.
By documenting experiences, we hope not only to support individual learning journeys, but also to generate practical knowledge that can benefit other communities and projects.
Practical Information
Every learning opportunity is different. We therefore aim to provide clear information about accommodation, schedules, participation expectations and other practical arrangements before participants commit to a programme or project.
As part of the programme development, we are working on clear frameworks regarding:
- Accommodation
- Meals and food arrangements
- Working hours and expectations
- Mentoring and support
- Duration of participation
- Learning objectives
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Community guidelines
Specific arrangements may vary depending on the project and location.
Beyond the Experience
One of the most important questions we are exploring is what happens after the experience.
How can participants translate what they have learned into future opportunities?
How can practical experience contribute to finding meaningful work, starting a project, becoming self-employed or joining other initiatives?
As part of the programme, we aim to provide guidance, mentoring and career support to help participants identify their strengths, discover their purpose and explore possible next steps.
Building an International Learning Network
We are currently working together with an international network of rural initiatives, Living Labs and Rural Activators to develop shared methodologies, learning pathways and quality standards for regenerative volunteer experiences.
Our ambition is to create opportunities where participants can learn across different locations, communities and projects while contributing to positive social, environmental and economic impact.
Interested?
We are still building and refining this programme.
If you are interested in participating, contributing ideas, becoming a pilot participant or staying informed about future opportunities, we would love to hear from you.