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ESC in Nature: Community Life with Autistic Young Adults in Italy Verified listing Verified listing

Tipology

  • Disabilities and special needs

Description

At Cascina Croce Piaggi, a rural community in the Apennine hills of the Oltrepò Pavese (Ponte Nizza, PV, Italy), you will join a small residential setting where about 10 autistic adults (18-30) live alongside families, educators and volunteers.

Together with them you will care for the vegetable garden and orchard, gather wild herbs, tend the henhouse, produce honey and collect seasonal firewood. You will help produce jams, juices, compotes and preserves in the food lab "La Banda dell'Ortica", prepare meals with participants and staff, keep common spaces clean and tidy, and join craft workshops (clay, weaving, painting).

You will also develop your own personal project — a diary, a social media account, or intercultural activities with participants — agreed with your tutor.

This is a genuinely rural, quiet and isolated placement, five days a week with two days off: patience, flexibility and a love for nature and community life are essential.

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Tasks

- Care for the vegetable garden and orchard
- Gather wild herbs
- Tend the henhouse
- Produce honey
- Collect seasonal firewood
- Help produce jams, juices, compotes and preserves in the food lab "La Banda dell'Ortica"
- Prepare meals with participants and staff
- Keep common spaces clean and tidy
- Join craft workshops (clay, weaving, painting)
- Develop a personal project (a diary, a social media account, or intercultural activities with participants), agreed with your tutor

About the organisation

Hosting: Cascina Croce Piaggi, Ponte Nizza (PV)
Cascina Croce Piaggi is a rural community located in the Apennine hills of the Oltrepò Pavese (Ponte Nizza, PV, Italy). It is a small residential setting where about 10 autistic adults (18-30) live alongside families, educators and volunteers.

Coordinating organisation: Associazione No Borders

The on arrival training also involves the coordinator and tutors of Fondazione Oltre il Blu.

Volunteer Profile

Eligibility criteria

Available for the whole duration of the project (October until March 2027)
Aged 18–30, citizen or resident of an EU country
Intermediate level of Italian
Ready to do manual and outdoor tasks
Willing to share living spaces, including bedrooms
Willing to contribute to cleaning of the house and grounds
Ready to cook for the team
Love for nature and animals
Comfortable living in a rural, isolated setting
Community-oriented, comfortable with shared group life
Proactive, empathetic and respectful
Willing to communicate with people who express themselves in non-conventional ways

Considered a plus, not required: previous experience with people with disabilities or in care settings, familiarity with rural/farm life, specific motivation towards autism and inclusion

Apply

    Your Cover Letter (please upload doc and docx only)

    Others files if required

    Location

    Starting Date

    • 01/10/2026

    Ending Date

    • 01/03/2027

    Economic conditions

    Everything covered by European Solidarity Corps Program

    Selection Process

    Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email for an online interview. If you do not receive an invitation within 2–3 weeks, please consider that you were not selected.

    Application Closing Date

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