OVERVIEW:
- Founded in 2005.
- volunteering projects on environmental protection, cultural exchange, and community development.
- beach cleanup projects.
- monthly Coastal Care Sundays including beach cleaning, waste sorting, and educational workshops.
What is SEEDS?
SEEDS Iceland is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Reykjavík that brings together volunteers from around the world to take part in hands-on projects across Iceland. Founded in 2005, SEEDS focuses on environmental protection, cultural exchange, and community development, using volunteering as a bridge between people and nature.
Through its workcamps, SEEDS engages international and local volunteers in short-term projects supporting Icelandic communities and the environment. These projects range from trail restoration, reforestation, and habitat protection to cultural heritage work and coastal clean-ups.
Marine Litter Projects
Their “Coastal Care Sundays” take place monthly, bringing volunteers together to remove litter from the south coast of Iceland. In addition, many of SEEDS’ environmental workcamps throughout the year include shoreline clean-ups, waste sorting, and educational workshops about plastic pollution, ocean currents, and sustainable consumption.
Through these activities, SEEDS combines hands-on action with education, turning every cleanup into a learning experience about marine ecosystems, waste sources, and circular solutions. The collected data and documentation contribute to a growing understanding of how marine litter affects Iceland’s coasts and communities.
Accomplishments
Since its founding, SEEDS has:
- Hosted thousands of volunteers from more than 40 countries.
- Organised over 1,400 projects across Iceland.
- Contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours to environmental and community work.
- Developed ongoing coastal clean-up initiatives that bring locals and visitors together to care for Iceland’s marine environment.
- over 2000 kilograms of trash removed from the coastline.
Tools and Approach
SEEDS combines practical action with education. Its workcamps include workshops on sustainability, waste management, and the circular economy. Volunteers often document their findings through photography and storytelling, helping communicate environmental challenges in creative ways. The organisation also collaborates with local partners, municipalities, and schools to expand its reach and ensure long-term impact.
