FACTS & FIGURES

Since its launch in 2019, the Closed for Maintenance project has brought together dedicated volunteers worldwide to help protect and preserve the Faroe Islands’ stunning landscapes. With a shared commitment to sustainability, they have worked across multiple sites and islands, ensuring safer access to nature while mitigating the impact of human activity.

Nature is constantly changing. The unpredictable Faroese weather has shaped the stunning landscape for thousands of years, but recent human activity is increasingly impacting the environment. It is essential for us to understand these changes and take action to preserve safe access to our natural beauty while preventing unnecessary erosion.

While infrastructural improvements require ongoing maintenance, it is important to acknowledge that nothing is truly maintenance-free. Therefore, the work will likely never be complete, but we believe that the necessary efforts can be rewarding and culturally meaningful.

FACTS

  • 62 projects have been closed for maintenance 
  • on 41 unique sites and 11 different islands
  • 39,310 people have applied
  • 687 foreign volunteers have participated
  • 218 Faroese volunteers have participated (numbers from 2025 not available yet)
  • From more than 54 diverse countries and six continents
Numbers from 2025

Examples of projects from previous years

  • Sundshagi 2024

    Lendisbati is a project of the Faroe Islands National Museum that aims to restore degraded landscapes in the Faroe Islands by preventing soil erosion, improving biodiversity, and restoring wetlands for carbon storage.

  • Leirvík 2023

    Maintenance work is being done in and around ancient Viking ruins in Leirvík, making them more accessible and easier to communicate with visitors.

  • Suðuroy 2021

    The gray team erecting signage for one of many a path between villages on the island of Suðuroy. 

  • Nólsoy 2019-24

    Volunteers building a bridge in on the island of Nólsoy where the path leads to the lighthouse of Nólsoy (Borðan).

  • Elduvík 2019-2022

    Meanding and securing the village path between Oyndarfjørð and Elduvík has been a part of the project for a few years.

  • Gjógv 2019

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

  • slider category icon
  • slider category icon
  • slider category icon
  • slider category icon
  • slider category icon
  • slider category icon
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

We select 80 to 100 volunteers from those who sign up on our website. To be notified when registration opens, sign up for our newsletter. Approximately 70% of the volunteers are chosen randomly, while some spots are reserved for journalists, photographers, and individuals with specific skills or backgrounds that we believe will enhance the projects. Most applicants come from Nordic countries, other parts of Europe, and the United States, although we also receive registrations from around the world.

TIMELINE

Qualitative Evaluations

Visit Faroe Islands strives to maintain a high standard for the project. To achieve this, the organisation conducts surveys and meetings after each annual event to gather feedback on satisfaction levels, identify common challenges, and explore potential improvements. The goal is to enhance the initiative at all levels while keeping volunteers and collaborators engaged, motivated, and satisfied.

Read Also: Why close the Faroe Islands?

Conducting research?

Our innovative initiative has garnered much interest and attention, with many individuals wanting to conduct research or make assignments related to the project. We encourage this enthusiasm and invite you to contact us at info@visitfaroeislands.com with any inquiries or proposals. We are always happy to collaborate and share our knowledge with others who share our passion for this initiative.

Related articles to Facts & figures

The Faroe Islands

Frequently asked questions

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

Newsletter
Arrow pointing to the right, to the next link in the breadcrumb
Closed for Maintenance
Arrow pointing to the right, to the next link in the breadcrumb
About
Facts & figures