Recycling art park: Alpo's Savannah, Nummijärvi, 4.-18.8.2024

Picture of Alpo's Savannah, from www.alponsavanni.fi

Host organization

Alpo's Savannah is a recycling art park with over 150 animal sculptures made from recycled material.  The park was founded by DIY artist Alpo Koivumäki (1934 – 2023). He was one of the most famous DIY artists in Finland,  whose work has been shown in museums and art halls around Finland and globally. He was also chosen as the "DIY artist of the Year" in 2023.  

Alpon savannin ystävät ry (the Friends of Alpo's Savannah) takes care of the sculpture park while also diversifying the activities of the place. The association participates in the care, repairs and preserves the sculptures and its surroundings. 

Volunteer's tasks

The volunteers will clean the surroundings of Alpo's Savannah, both environment and buildings. They also have the chance to try and make art from the recycled materials found in the local environment. 

Accommodation and meals

Shared accommodation in a cottage by the small lake, Säkkijärvi. The cottage has a sauna and a good beach for swimming.

Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and evening snack are vegan. Volunteers  prepare their own breakfast and evening snack and participate in the preparation of other meals.

Description of the area

Alpo's Savannah is located far from everything. The nearest town, Kauhajoki, is 30 kilometers away. There are also the nearest shops. The village where Alpo's Savannah is located is called Nummijärvi. The nearest small shop is in Nummijärvi camping area, 10 kilometers from Alpo's Savannah. 

The closest train station is in Parkano (60 km away), where the volunteers will be picked up on fixed time (only) on the arrival day and where they will be taken on the departure day.

The nearest cafe is in Alpo's Savannah. You can buy coffee, ice cream and other snacks from there.

More information

Project is supported by the European Solidarity Corps and open for 18-30 year old citizens and permanent residents of EU countries and Ukraine.

Participation is free of charge, as well as board and lodging. Volunteers need to stay the full duration of the project in order to get pocket money (5 euros per day) and travel cost reimbursed (20-530 euros depending on the distance).

Volunteers will be chosen based on the application below. Fill in the form in English language.

Please note that we are selecting the participants based on their genuine motivation, and applications that use AI will be discarded. 

Application deadline has ended. 

"Alpo's Savannah" application form 

Answer in English!

ESC program promotes inclusion for all young people and there will be extra support if needed. We especially welcome volunteers whose personal situation fits in any of the below mentioned ones. Does any of these options describe your background?
If you replied yes (or maybe) above please choose option(s) which describe your situation:
We want to encourage the volunteers to use Green travel. Are you interested in this (travelling by land)?

For more information about green travel, check our website here.