Two months programme in Spain
📍Sarón, Cantabria
🗓️ October- December 2025
(101186587 - BICYCLE - ERASMUS-YOUTH-2024-YOUTH-TOG)
INDEX
ABOUT THE HOSTING ENTITY
Where we come from:
Where are we now:
Where we will be:
Permacultura Cantabria was founded in 2005. It was born as an ecological farm where we carried out social and ecological projects based on permaculture principles. However, we grew and the facilities became too small to support our activities. Therefore, in 2018 we decided to move to a larger area.
Currently we have left this farm to start a new stage and create a reference project at European level. Though, adapting facilities to permaculture design takes its time so we are in a 8 years transition period, from 2018 to 2026. Nowadays, we develop our activities in Penagos and although the facilities are not designed through permaculture now, we are close to Cabárceno Natural Park (participants can visit it in their free time) and we'll try to visit other sustainable initiatives developed in our rural area.
In 2026, we will move to another area with more than 6ha where we will placed new and larger facilities based on the principles of permaculture. These new facilities, aim to be an international reference project of permaculture and ecology.
PROJECT SUMMARY
BICYCLE: Where Youth, Civic Power, and Sustainability Ride Together!
Imagine a project where the humble bicycle becomes a tool for political empowerment, environmental action, and youth connection across Europe. Welcome to BICYCLE – BIcycle Culture as Youth’s Civic and sustainabLe Empowerment – a bold, youth-driven initiative uniting Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
BICYCLE is not just a project, it’s a movement. At its heart lies a powerful idea: young people are more likely to engage in politics and civic life when it's rooted in something tangible and relatable. And what’s more universal, accessible, and empowering than a bike?
In a time where youth feel unheard and distant from political processes, BICYCLE brings participation to the streets, literally. From local bike routes with advocacy stops to international training camps, youth exchanges, and volunteering experiences, the project turns pedals into policy.
Highlights include:
🛞 Training 24 youth workers and 60 young people in civic engagement through the lens of cycling.
🛞 36 young volunteers working abroad to bring local initiatives to life.
🛞 Advocacy rides in 6 countries, linking grassroots action to real political dialogue.
🛞 A culminating youth delegation to Brussels to present their work at the European level.
BICYCLE is about reclaiming space, both on the road and in decision-making rooms. It’s about inclusion, sustainability, creativity, and giving young people the tools, platforms, and courage to co-create the Europe they want to live in.
What if volunteering could be more than just helping out—what if it could shape policies, empower voices, and connect youth across Europe?
Welcome to the BICYCLE Volunteering Programme, where 36 young changemakers from 6 countries hit the road (on two wheels, of course!) to turn local action into international impact.
This isn’t your average volunteering gig. For 59 days, young people will travel abroad, join forces with partner organizations, and bring their ideas for civic and environmental change to life. From co-designing community projects to meeting with local policymakers, volunteers won’t just talk about change, they’ll make it.
But that’s not all! During the programme:
Pedal the Change! BICYCLE’s International Volunteering Adventure: GROUP 3 October - December 2025.
PROJECT SUMMARY
And the journey doesn’t end there, each volunteer’s experience will be captured in a collective "Diary from the Journey", a powerful source of inspiration for future generations.
🛞 This programme is more than an opportunity, it’s a transformational ride toward active citizenship, inclusion, and European unity.
VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME
Group 3: From 13th October to 10th December 2025
The Volunteering Programme focuses on empowering young people through civic engagement, sustainability, and international cooperation. Volunteers will explore how cycling can drive social and political change, while developing leadership skills, discovering the Erasmus+ world, engaging in sports and outdoor activities, and connecting with diverse cultures. It’s all about learning by doing, building community, and making real impact—locally and across Europe.
Missed the summer edition?
Don’t worry! After the success of the first group in June–July, we’re opening this new call for more young people to join. Live an international experience, learn, connect, and take action in a multicultural environment while promoting sustainable mobility.
ARRIVAL DATE
13th October 2025 at 17:00h. �The meet & greet activities will start around 17h.�We’ll have the dinner at 20.30h
DEPARTURE DATE:
10th December, after breakfast.
These dates and hours are established according to the granted budget. If these hours and dates are not complied by the participants, the sending organisation will be responsible of the costs that should be returned to the National Agency.
G3: From 13th October to 10th December 2025
The training course will be held from 13th October (Arrival Date) to 10th December (Departure Date), 2025 in one of Permacultura Cantabria’s facilities based in Sarón (Cantabria, Spain).
VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME
Number of participants:
There will be 36 participants in this activity, in three calls (June/July, September/October & October/December):
6 from Erasmus Pays Basque (France)
6 from Oriel Aps (Italy)
6 from Youth for Exchange and Understanding - YEU (Belgium)
6 from Permacultura Cantabria (Spain).
6 from CWE - Creative Works Europe (Poland)
6 from AENIE (Portugal)
PROPOSALS FROM PARTICIPANTS TO WAKE UP
DAWN
8.30
MORNINGS
DYNAMIC THEORY
13:30
MEAL
AFTERNOONS
WORK IN GROUPS AND PRACTICE THEORY
DAILY EVALUATION
BEFORE DINNER
20:00
DINNER
SOCIAL INTERACTION AND PROPOSALS OF LUDIC ACTIVITIES
NIGHTS
Daily Organization
BREAKFAST
This planning is a general proposal, some activities and visits could change depending on the weather or other factors.
PRESENTATION
Each organisation will present themselves, their main activities, working areas, best practices, interests pursued in this activity, expectations, etc. �Please prepare this presentation in advance and send it to us to activitycantabria@gmail.com
Also, please write in the email Subject the name of the Project and dates of the training course to help our logistics team to manage the documentation.
What do i need to prepare before the training course?
Dissemination agreement
For the proper dissemination of the project, please consider that coming to the activity you accept to disseminate the project and activities via your social networks and that we can disseminate pictures/videos of the activity and the participants on the internet.
How to get to Spain:
TRANSPORT
Santander Airport
Which is the closest one to our town. These are the best options to arrive and the links to find timetables and make reservations: Santander Airport Webpage
It is 15 minutes far from the city center. It is a local airport, which counts with low cost airlines like RYANAIR. The rest of flights could be expensive. RYANAIR Webpage
Bilbao Airport
It is probably one of the best options if you can’t arrive to Santander. It is a small airport, but much more active than Santander’s. It is located outside of the city of Bilbao. Bilbao Airport Webpage
* Note that neither of this airports are open between 12am and 5am, so staying during the night is not an option.
The activity will take place, mainly, in a town called Sarón, in Permacultura Cantabria’s facilities.
The address is: El Ferial, 17, 39620 Sarón, Cantabria
Sarón is not so well connected in terms of public transport. There are a few daily buses from Santander. So please, check the buses timetable in next slide.
the venue:
From the airport to sarón
PUBLIC TRANSPORT - BUS
From Bilbao to Sarón:
Step 1: Bilbao Airport to Intermodal Bus Station: To get to Bilbao’s bus station, there are buses from the airport every 30 minutes. The cost is approximately 3€. It is the public bus line (Bizkaibus) and the line number is A3247.
Step 2: Intermodal Bus Station to Santander. Buy tickets at ALSA company, approximately 8€. Please consult the time schedules on the website.
Step 3: Santander Bus Station to Sarón: Buy the tickets at ALSA company. The cost is approximately 2,35€. Please consult the time schedules on the website.
Step 4: Walk from the bus stop to El Ferial (400m) in the following direction El Ferial, 17, 39620 Sarón, Cantabria
From Santander to Sarón:
Step 1: Santander Airport to Santander city: In order to go to Santander, you have buses every 30 minutes, taking only 10 minutes to the city centre.
Step 2: Santander Bus Station to Sarón: Buy the tickets at ALSA company. The cost is approximately 2,35€. Please consult the time schedules on the website.
Step 3: Walk from the bus stop to El Ferial (400m) in the following direction El Ferial, 17, 39620 Sarón, Cantabria
Click here to get the full map: From Sarón bus stop to El Ferial
PRIVATE TRANSPORT
TAXI - The taxi option will only be available for special timing, such as late at night or very early in the morning.
BILBAO TO SARÓN: Its price is around 140€ per taxi.
SANTANDER TO SARÓN: Its price is around 40-50€ per taxi.
RENTAL CARS: The best and easiest option that has worked for everyone before, is to RENT A CAR.
This is the preferred choice for most entities since it provides freedom of movement during the activity (a quite cheap option for groups of 3-4 people).
The prices for a car rental (in Santander or Bilbao airport) are around 20 euros per day, depending on the car´s engine. We recommend you to use this company: HERTZ
This is the fastest and most comfortable option.
From the airport to sarón
If PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR ARRIVAL TIME, you should use this option
unless you have the approval of your sending entity to use private transportation.
Permacultura can manage your transportation
Permacultura Cantabria can also manage your transportation from Bilbao and Santander to reach the venue (round trip).
Once the sending entity inform us about the travel plan, we will be able to know all participant's flights details. With this, we will make groups according to your time and place of arrival so that one car can take you to the venue.
We will contact you and let you know the spots where we can pick you up.
The transfer from the airport will be arranged and paid by the sending organisation, and will only be available for groups travelling together, and not for individuals, in order to facilitate the organisation.
Those who travel individually can choose one of the travel options explained in previous pages to reach Permacultura Cantabria facilities.
EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement Policies
For the project: BICYCLE (101186587 - BICYCLE - ERASMUS-YOUTH-2024-YOUTH-TOG) Erasmus+ has authorised the following budget:
TRAVEL SUPPORT | ||
ENTITY/COUNTRY | PARTICIPANTS | TRAVEL PER PARTICIPANT |
Permacultura Cantabria, Spain | 6 | 220 € |
Oriel, Italy | 6 | 220 € |
Erasmus Pays Basque, France | 6 | 220 € |
AENIE, Portugal | 6 | 220 € |
YEU, Belgium | 6 | 220 € |
CWE, Poland | 6 | 300€ |
Please, contact your sending organisation to provide you information regarding the transportation tickets and reimbursement details:
Permacultura Cantabria Erasmus Pays Basque
THE SENDING ORGANISATIONS MUST KNOW:
Boarding Passes, flight tickets and other TRAVEL invoices:
The sending organisations are responsible for submitting to activitycantabria@gmail.com all the travel documents (flight tickets, boarding passes, invoices) before September, 20th, 2025.
Boarding passes will be required during the training course for the correct justification of the project.
Requirements and Conditions
Erasmus + makes us keep all the invoices, flight tickets and boarding passes for a correct Financial Reporting of the activities.
We also have to duly justify all payments done from our bank account for accounting purposes. For these reasons, you need to comply some requirements and conditions before we reimburse your expenses.
Coming to the activity or starting using the Funds of this activity means that you accept these conditions and requirements:
To get all the expenses reimbursement it is necessary to follow all these points during all the activities.
PERMACULTURA CANTABRIA’S �FACILITIES
FACILITIES
where we are?
The training course will take place at Permacultura Cantabria's facilities:
El Ferial, 17, 39620 Sarón, Cantabria
ACCOMMODATION
Each room has 2 or 3 beds, so they are ready for 2 or 3 people. �Bear in mind that not every room has a private bathroom.
According to the Spanish law, we must register all visitors in advance.
We need your passport or ID previously
Please, send to our email a copy of your passport or identity card before you travel (please write in the email’s subject the name of the Project and dates of the training course to help our logistics team to manage the documentation).
activitycantabria@gmail.com
Documents required
IMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING
PASSPORT
To enter in Spain, you need a valid identity document (passport or identity card).
VISA
Whether you need a Visa for entry depends on your nationality. Citizens of EU and EFTA countries do not need a Visa.
If you need a Visa, make sure you apply for it immediately because it can take a long time. If you need an invitation or confirmation letter from Permacultura Cantabria, please let us know.
Personal Documents
As a member of the European Union, Spain has agreements for the recognition of insurance systems. Those who possess a European insurance card should therefore be covered for illness and accidents in the same way as they are in their country, so please bring this card with you.
In any case, please remember that health insurance as well as travel insurance is your responsibility, we assume no liability knowing that EU health card is enough. So, do not forget to check & bring your insurance card with you!
Not sure how to issue it? Click here
Insurance
Currency
The currency in Spain is the Euro. You will need to bring money only if you need something for the travel or if you want to buy personal things (like presents for your family or if you wish to go out).
Weather
The weather might change from one day to another, so we might change the plans, but if the weather permits, we will go to a walking tour during the free time.
If you just want to check the forecast before coming, please click on the following link:
https://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/santa-maria-de-cayon-id39074
Emergency numbers
We’re sure everything will go smoothly, and you’ll have an amazing time! But just in case you ever need a helping hand, here are some essential emergency numbers. It’s always good to be prepared, even if we hope you’ll never have to use them! Stay safe and enjoy your time! 🚀😊
Emergency: 112
Local Police: 092
Firefighters: 112
Local taxi (Sarón): 655 800 222
🆘
Multicultural Activities
Please bring something you would like to share with us from your country. �E.g.:
FOOD
MUSIC
PICTURES
DON’T BRING ALCOHOL
If you want to bring a typical drink for the cultural night, we kindly ask you to bring something non-alcoholic. We want our activities to be alcohol free as part of the Erasmus+ policy. By participating in this activity you accept this policy.
Things for the suitcase
Clothes & Accessories for changeable weather. Can be cold and rainy or hot and sunny.
Personal & Hygiene products (towel is not required)
Bring your own reusable bottle to reduce plastic waste
(if it is possible)
Plugs in Spain are the most common in europe: V230-50hz
Each participant will be responsible for their own belongings throughout their stay. The organization will not be held liable for any damage or loss resulting from the participant's lack of responsibility.
STORIES
CRAFTS
GAMES
Places to visit �in Cantabria
The area is only a little over 5,000 km2, but it really has �it all. Whether you´re a nature lover, culture fan, sport enthusiast or a foodie, you´ll find your niche here.
Cantabria displays a surprising range of landscapes: coasts, marked by cliffs and beaches, always green valleys and the mountain range with the famous Peaks of Europe. Surfing and mountain climbing are among �the most popular activities around here.
CAVES: Cantabria's�underground paradise
Beneath its beautiful mountains and meadows, Cantabria hides a priceless underground treasure. It is a mysterious world of extreme beauty, packed with art, fanciful shapes, faint lights and shadows, and resonating sounds: a huge network of fascinating caves and caverns.
Mountains
There are many mountains around Cantabria. Get immersed in them and contemplate the beautiful landscapes.
�
Pasiegan Valleys
Places to visit
in Santander
Santander’s
beaches
Sardinero
Paseo Pereda
Magdalena’s Palace
And, don’t forget to…
Bring good vibes and your best smile!