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FACTS & FIGURES

Since project inception, 36 projects (25 separate sites) have been closed for maintenance since 2019 on ten different islands. More than 400 people have volunteered from 40 different countries (A small percentage of the 13463 people who have applied for participation). We’ve been working in all kinds of weather on a diverse range of tasks.

  • Elduvík, 2022

    Meanding the path between Oyndarfjørð and Elduvík. May 2022. 

  • Suðuroy, 2021

    The gray team erecting signage for a path between villages on Suðuroy. September 2021. Photo: Ophélie Giralt 

  • Nólsoy, 2021

    Volunteers building a bridge in on the island of Nólsoy. April 2021. Photo: Klara Johannesen

  • Gjógv, 2019

    A new timber staircase leading to a popular viewpoint in Gjógv, replacing the eroded pathway. 2019

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Nature is always in an ever-changing state. The spontaneous Faroese weather has molded the scenic landscape for eons, but recent human access and activities are increasingly setting their marks. If we want to preserve safe access to our natural beauty and prevent unnecessary erosion, we need to both understand these changes and act.

Infrastructural improvements need maintenance and unfortunately, nothing seems to be maintenance-free. We’ll therefore likely never be finished, but we believe that important work needs to be done and that this work can be satisfying and socially and culturally fulfilling.

FACTS

  • 36 projects have been closed for maintenance since 2019
  • 10 islands have been impacted
  • 13.463 people have applied
  • 263 foreign volunteers have participated
  • 127 Faroese volunteers have participated
  • 170 staff and coordinators have participated 

TIMELINE

CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE The Faroe Islands is putting measures in place to ensure its natural environment and local heritage remains protected and preserved by temporarily “closing for maintenance” to tourists, for a few days, except for 100 volunteer visitors from all over the world who are willing to work on projects towards the archipelago’s preservation.

Selection process

100 volunteers are selected from a list of applicants that have signed up on our website, you can signup for our newsletter to be notified when registration opens.

Between 80-90% of the volunteers are selected randomly. Some spots are reserved for journalists, photographers, and people with skills or backgrounds that we believe will complement the projects. Most of the applicants come from Nordic countries, the rest of Europe, and the United States.

CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE The Faroe Islands is putting measures in place to ensure its natural environment and local heritage remains protected and preserved by temporarily “closing for maintenance” to tourists, for a few days, except for 100 volunteer visitors from all over the world who are willing to work on projects towards the archipelago’s preservation.

Qualitative evaluations

Visit Faroe Islands collects information through surveys and meetings after each annual event to gain insights into satisfaction, most common challenges, and possible improvements. We want to improve the initiative on all levels and keep volunteers and collaborators motivated and satisfied.

Read Also: Why close the Faroe Islands?

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Why close the Faroe Islands?

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Closed for Maintenance 2019 in Skarvanes, Sandoy. Photo: Tróndur Dalsgarð

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