Intercultural Exchange at Narava Project Farm: Discover, Learn, and Give Back

"Help us to help others" is our motto within the Intercultural Exchange program. Discover yourself, explore hidden gems in Slovenia’s green pearl, and make a positive impact.

With your helping hands, a friendly - positive work attitude and respect towards others, the host family and the local villagers, you’ll contribute to life at The Social Intercultural Community Farm Narava as well as to the surrounding natural areas, the local community, were sometimes you will help with the maintenance at local schools or local volunteer organisations. The work Activities we do on and around the farm, include forestry work, gardening, DIY projects, maintenance, repairs, painting, create and maintain walking paths and sometime maintenance at the small tent pitches for the summer exchange as our social target groups. Every year we try to raise donations and set up fundings for helping people in need within our non-profit projects and charity programs through activities online, activities on the farm and small events in the summer for locals and travelers. It's the little things we can do for each other in society to help others and make a difference in the world.

Between 2025 - 2027 we will working on creating a new mini cuddle farm and covered sitting area that we are rebuilding. The Narava Farm had major damage from the storm and 2 floods in 2023 that caused not only losing some of our farm animals, our beloved dog and destroyed many things. Almost everything and years of project work gone that we had to rebuild and restore without our insurance covered the damage of 60,000 euro, pointing and the hard reality that the half the country and road structure had suffered enormous damage. Now that we have recovered from all. The new mini cuddle petting zoo will be direct connected with another studio room & hostel, but in this case it will get more beds, extra outside basic sanitary facilities. The goal is get this ready pure for the intercultural exchange guests like yourself and for those in our social programs all year round.  The future goal is also to provide the top floor of the old farm with 1 small nature apartment and 4 or 6 small separated rooms. In addition to the exchange and social target groups, it offers space not only for families, mothers with a child(ren) in various situations, but also for people with a visual impairment and those who have a terminal illness, offering a beautiful carefree holiday without profit and social support and a warm welcome.

Do you feel called out to help us help others, help us reach the goals that are meaningful for many target groups on the most humble and non-profit ways.  Please help us in the the form of a personal donation or help set up some crowdfunding from outside your country * this means a lot for all *

Participate in the intercultural exchange:  With helping us and enjoying in between the beautiful valley area of Slovenia without having the normal high rental costs and everything that comes with it. You can join us in all periods and also share, learn and improve languages, knowledge, enjoying music, enjoying fun evenings and playing guitar, while learning even in between new skills such as traditional cooking, world cuisine, baking, and self-defense lessons for those interested. 

Enjoy a variety of activities and hikes during your exchange, enjoy the natural swimming options at the rivers and lakes, join the nice pizza workshop, fun evenings, use the mountain bike or kayak and join activities within the pcep program that everyone joins automatically for the low contribution on time only upon your arrival, this so that high costs are saved and no one is excluded from the options and nice extras to have during their stay. This just for only one time 35 euros contribution and the rest is sponsored by the foundation and host family. Learn during your stay to make fresh bread—our program is also well-suited and friendly for single parents and families with children and have been welcoming for many years, next to students for their school work assignment - for themselves that often help them greatly to discover more about themselves or escape from study stress in the nature surroundings, we welcome for years also intercultural exchange travellers and digital nomads. Slovenia is one of Europe’s safest and friendliest countries and the area and surrounding villages of the Narava Farm is full of friendliness. This is making it ideal for solo cultural travellers In which we are here also to offer support or social assistance with a listing ear that you can count on. Plus, with little to no air pollution and an abundance of nature, it’s a perfect place to unwind and reconnect with the outdoors an being in another country and culture to learn and share. 

Because we appreciate the helping hand and also want to provide positive feedback, everyone will receive a digital Certificate of Conduct on the last day of participation. This allows you to demonstrate positively for similar projects and/or future employers. If you have positive feedback or reviews that you can show us from previous participation in projects, we would of course like to see it as well before your participation.

We also offer underprivileged families and single parents with child(ren) outside the work exchange a good time and give them the opportunities to develop themselves and have a good time in Slovenia and surroundings without incurring the high costs that are often simply not feasible for them *outdoor between May - October and in other periods or with a baby with use of the studio room in good consultation and availability*  

What We Offer

We provide a warm welcome in the beautiful green countryside near Slap ob Idrijci and Most na Soči lake. Our classic project farm with a special past and story of kindness, each year new expansions for all will be build, surrounded by nature with blue rivers and lakes (Soča & Idrijca) inviting you for a refreshing swim or even some bridge diving in late spring and summer. In some periods you can participate alone or together and in certain periods there are also other participants, which always varies, but the warm welcome and enjoyment of everything in and around the Narava Farm and its surroundings remains.

Beyond learning and cultural exchange, you’ll have the opportunity to explore charming villages, interact with kind locals, and take day trips to experience more of Slovenia, Sometimes it is also possible to join us for a fun day. Whether you seek adventure or simply a retreat from daily life, our project farm offers the perfect setting. 

Non-Profit Private Guided Tour

In some periods and the possibility is there, the option is also offered at your own wish and request for a private guided tour with the host family through Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. This option will be sometimes possible as a thank you for your efforts within the foundation and host family, you will only pay only the current costs of the fuel and you do not bear the costs of the tourist tour prices you normal would have, but please understand that it is not always possible to arrange for the host family. 

Location & Transport:
We are just 15 minutes from Most na Soči train station if you are traveling by public transport or car, there are also bus stops close to the farm, just 10 minutes walk from the farm parking (that driving a few times during the day, except on Sunday. 
In good consultation and normal times, for only at the current fuel costs as we have no taxi service around the valley, the host can voluntary in his free time also pick you up and drop you off at the train or bus station within the region, but also drop you of for a nice daytrip or to visit stores on your free time. Given the friendliness of the people and high safety in the country for solo travelers, people are often open to giving a lift along the way if they are going in a certain direction.   Link   *Bus*    *Train*      

Important Note for Non-EU Nationals and registration in general for all our programs and participants around the world:   
If you are from outside the EU, you will need a valid passport and must arrange yourself your own visa for traveling within the EU or Slovenia. * It is also mandatory to have a valid health insurance policy in case of need that covers Europe * For EU citizens, at all time you also will need to have your valid passport or id card and health insurance in Slovenia.

We would like to point out  We can not help with a letter of invitation or sign for responsibility for you enter Slovenia & Europe. Therefore requests about this will not be answered - deleted, for more information about the travel visa & migration, please submit this request to the embassy.

To register in our program: After we agreed your participation and had a good conversation and personal talk by phone or call through WhatsApp on appointment, we have to register you upfront within our legal operating Narava Foundation. This is also in case for your child(ren), we will send you the basic foundation agreement by email. For the registration with us in Slovenia, we need your address, telephone number and copy of your ID card or passport to complete your legal participation. Note We cant make any acceptation to accept people without having a valid id or passport through the foundation and are obligated to do so in case of emergency. Your registration data will be at all times destroyed after a certain period of time after you participate to guarantee your privacy.  In case you want to cancel your participation, this is possible up to 3 weeks before your participation date. If you do this later, we will have to charge 50 euros due to registration costs and preparations, with the exception of emergencies.

Volunteer Hours & Expectations

We value honesty and transparency in our exchange program. Volunteering takes place on weekdays from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  *9:30 - 14:00*

• If you arrive on a Friday or Saturday, we kindly ask for a helping hand that day if possible or on your first Saturday.

• On Saturday and Sundays the host is always free from work and support—we sometimes organize also fun local activities and small trips you can join on your own wish.

• If you stay for two full weeks, your second weekend is always free to explore the country and against actual  fuel cost we can provide a ride towards the train station.

• Minimum stay : 7 days  *you wish to stay shorter, see our non-profit cultural camp farm options*
  
  
  

Basic rules for all within all of the programs

As the farm is also a family friendly home with children and those from others in certain periods, please respect the privacy of those living on the farm at all times and their surrounded villagers. In case you will not respect this, enter private spaces and living, force yourself upon children from others or the host family, having inappropriate behaviour. We must cancel your participation, and you must leave. Within our programs, in and around the farm, the use or in possession of drugs is forbidden as within the law of Slovenia. Your participation will also then be terminated immediately. In the event of an emergency like theft, violence, possession of weapons, destruction of property or arson that will be on your own cost at all times and we have to respond directly, trespassing private living areas without permission - that is seen as a criminal offense and invasion of privacy - acts of libel and slander in person or through social media, incitement to hate or deliberately want to cause damage towards the Narava Farm and other guests after you had to leave through your own fault by such actions or inappropriate behaviour. We are obligated in such situations to always notify the authorities in our and your country and drawing up an official situation calamity report – this will permanently by your own fault result in no more access within our projects in Europe and those of many of our partners. We are well known as a family-friendly nature farm dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming environment for all ages, and we take pride in caring for our community with genuine kindness.  With all our voluntary efforts the whole year round almost, positively known with great pleasure and a warm welcome for all that is reflected in many pictures and movie material, 4 - 5-star feedback and reviews offline and online. Unlike many European foundations, in Slovenia the host family solely owns the property and community areas, building and maintaining all around through dedicated voluntary work and significant personal investment.  The warm welcome that is offered without high cost you normal would have in staying in the area and around the Soca Valley without food support and all other positive support and activity options with it we all offer, for just a small helping hand on educational basis with much fun in return. Maintaining a positive attitude and showing respect towards another culture and way you want to join on your own wish, will ensure an enjoyable experience for many years ahead, enabling this remarkable journey to continue benefiting diverse cultures and target groups who join. 

Notice: out of safety and protocols for all, we cannot allow persons with paranoid disorders, extreme mental illnesses and persons with a serious criminal history to join.  In the event that this does occur and participate in our exchange or social programs without mentioning and any form of undesirable behaviour that endanger the safety in any way for others, villagers or the host family, we must proceed with immediate removal from the Narava Farm and surroundings, and contact the authorities in our and your country in case of need and drawing up an official situation calamity report if you would not cooperate. 

What’s Included in the Exchange Program

✅ Meals: Basic breakfast (~9:00 AM), Basic lunch (~2:00 PM - 14:00 ), Basic dinner (~6:30 PM - 18:30)
✅ Beverages: Instant coffee, tea - sugar and milk powder, fruit syrup, mountain water (fresh)  *Other drinks can be purchased, but some are arranged in the PCEP program*
✅ Accommodation: Tent space, bed, or room (limited availability and we focus as much as possible on the outdoor between May - October)
✅ Outdoor Experience: Between May - October, we focus on outdoor activities and reducing screen time for children and being closure to nature and nice activities. All participants must bring their own tent, sleeping bag and can choose or create their own spot around the farm on the back area. Across the street from the farm at the river, there are also trees where you can sleep with hanging up your own hammock in the summer. In some cases or extreme cold, we offer the studio room, but most for small families and single parents, which can be arranged in advance. In 2026 - 2027 another studio room & hostel with more beds will be also available for all target groups. *small tents or pop up tents are easy to carry in all types of transport and are very cheap to purchase in Slovenia, as online and be delivered to the farm in case of need*
✅ Special Shorted Exchange Programs for Scouts and Youth Groups, we provide on low budget and part sponsoring include 3 meals a day and drinks *10eur pp - per day , scout, individuals, families can also join outside the work exchange but within the cultural program.  <see the link>

Do you want to participate in the winter?

When the basic heat is not sufficient for you and we understand that the valley & mountain climate can sometimes take time getting used to, you have the option to buy extra wood, gas or use one of the electric heaters at the actual electric cost it cost us. So you can make the heat temperature more according your wishes.

Dietary Requests: While we provide a basic meal plan, special dietary needs (such as vegan meals, dairy and gluten allergies and because of it, you will need each day adapted food or want other special food and drinks outside our basic offer and the pcep that provide already some nice extra's to help out, can only be accommodated at cost price it cost us, or buy yourself in the village market 15 min from the farm, or we can for the actual cost of the fuel to bring you towards the supermarket in the city (20min) with much wider options and all kind of other stores. In case you want to cook separately within your dietary wishes and own food, we can borrow you an extra gas stove if you pay for your own gas filling during your stay. We try to think along as much as possible wherever possible, but we can only offer in what we have in stock at the moment and is feasible for the host family. In case of special needs for your child(ren) are also your responsibility as parent(s). Our program is entirely voluntary and non-profit with much efforts and already extra high private investments from the host family too to help, and with the fact we support many charity efforts and social assistance , so we must set limits on personal food and drink preferences and need to understand you come in another culture and ways to join, to lean and to share in respect for the host family and the villagers around. We help from our hearts and always with a warm welcome.

Farm & Community Facilities

• Large communal tables (seating up to 20+ people)

• Covered dining area with a grill next to the mini cuddle farm

• Clubhouse with music, amusements, kitchen access, and a play area for children on certain days and evenings

• Trampoline, slides, kiddie rides, and family-friendly seating's around

• Outdoor compost toilet, indoor clubhouse toilet, outdoor shower that is the only offer from May - October  *2026 there will be an extra public indoor shower for all*

• Indoor shower, toilet kitchen in the studio room (available only for those that in upfront agreement are using the studio)

• Pizza kiosk, large fire pit (30+ seats), outdoor grill, and fire kettle for campfire cooking, camp fire place 30+ persons

• Movie & music room (on select evenings for families and those that will be long term in our projects)
  
  Extra Facilities

• Camper stop at the road parking, water and air for vehicles and bicycles, charging point and basic WiFi signal
  
  

Entertainment & Additional Benefits (PCEP Program)

Since our activities are non-profit and volunteer-based, we understand that budget constraints can many times limit participation for certain target groups to join in workshops and events. Causing disappointment, sometimes even shame and the feelings of exclusion. That’s why we created many years ago, the Participant Cultural Exchange Program (PCEP)—a small contribution-based initiative that everyone automatically joins and contribute on arrival cash, this program with large sponsorship from the foundation and the host family (80%), with much effort and maintenance with it to continue it each year again for all on such low contribution, that ensures everyone can enjoy the full experience and enjoyment.  For a one-time €35 per person contribution for all in all of our programs (children - 12 are covered almost full by Narava Farm - the host family and only a fee from €10 has to be paid per child).     


🎵 Music entertainment + some extra snacks and drinks on certain evenings * For scouts and in case of large youth groups, additional arrangements can always be made*
🎸Use of an acoustic or electric guitar and karaoke on certain evenings
🔥 Fire-gathering evening and use of the covered grill area and small bakery kitchen to make your own bread during your stay
🍕 Pizza-making, bakery workshops and even making fresh cookies with your child(ren).
🚴 Free use of the mountain bikes, kayaks, mobile speaker, computer, entertainment, music and the arcades in the clubhouse.
🎉 Popcorn or pancake party for kids with music, use of the nice play areas around for children
📶 WiFi point & charging station around and in the clubhouse & pizza grill kiosk

We look forward to welcoming you to Narava Farm for a meaningful and enriching exchange experience! 🌿🌍💚