ESC Team 2025 at Ostello Monte Barro in Italy | Arianna, Giulia and Vanja Share Their Experience!
The ESC Team project “Team for Healthy Life 3 – T4HL3”, financed by the European Solidarity Corps programme and run by Associazione Joint in cooperation with Ostello Parco Monte Barro in Italy, has come to an end!
The overall objective of the project, in accordance with the priorities set for 2021, was to promote well-being and a healthy lifestyle for the volunteers and local communities. It was an opportunity for participants to reclaim a space to socialise in a healthy and safe manner, while engaging in volunteer activities that promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, health and wellbeing in communities.
Project activities touched on specific themes, in accordance with the host organisation and the needs of the local community:
- nature and outdoor life
- mental health
- health prevention/health promotion
- conscious nutrition
Let’s see what participants have to say about it!
Arianna’s Testimonial
It’s hard to sum up in just a few lines the overwhelming experience I lived during my month at the Eco Hostel Parco Monte Barro. Once you reach the hermitage, the first thing that catches your eye is the stunning view — overlooking three lakes, with mountains behind you and, on a clear day, a skyline that reveals the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. You find yourself immersed in nature, watching spring slowly take over the forest as primroses, forget-me-nots, and daffodils brighten the hiking trails. The hostel itself is extremely welcoming, both in terms of furnishings (armchairs, lamps, and paintings are all the result of upcycling work that gives the place a warm and colorful vibe) and thanks to the people who take care of it — you instantly feel at home. It was truly the people who made this experience unique: a diverse group of wonderful souls from all across Europe, all sharing the same adventurous spirit and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. With them, every task, every activity, and every workshop became fun — music, laughter, and conversation filled each day. Of course, living together constantly, seven days a week, isn’t always easy. Even dividing up responsibilities in group work takes time and patience. Nevertheless, this challenge turned out to be the most educational part of the journey. On one hand, it helped each of us understand our limits — how far we could push ourselves, the importance of carving out time alone to listen inward. On the other hand, it helped us develop a strong sense of empathy — realizing how everyone reacts differently to difficulties, and how crucial it is to respect each other’s physical and emotional space. Throughout this process, an equally amazing, supportive, and attentive team guided us in organizing, dividing responsibilities, and building deep interpersonal connections. The main focuses of our work were building barriers to protect a local toad colony and renovating the hostel’s ecological area. These were hands-on activities that allowed me to gain practical skills, while also giving me space to express my creativity and my desire to contribute meaningfully to society. The workshops — on paper recycling, creating notebooks, t-shirts, stamps, and personalized tent tags — helped me realize that buying something new isn’t always the right choice. In fact, there are much more satisfying and fun ways to create useful items from what already surrounds us. It was also deeply interesting and enriching to explore themes like environmental sustainability and eco-transfeminism through eye-opening presentations and debates. As if that weren’t enough, we did outdoor yoga, climbed a cliff, visited a local farm, and learned how to skateboard. It might sound too good to be true — and yet that’s exactly how it was. This is an experience I would truly recommend to anyone. I left a piece of my heart on that mountain, and all the amazing people I met there have a special place in my most cherished memories.
Giulia’s Testimonial
Vanja’s Testimonial
My experience at Ostello Parco Monte Barro was truly one of a kind. Nestled in one of the most beautiful mountain regions I’ve ever seen, surrounded by serene lakes and breathtaking views, it was the perfect setting for both personal growth and meaningful connections. Every new experience can feel challenging at first, but as I became more familiar with the Ostello, the people, and the surroundings, everything began to feel more comfortable and enjoyable. It was incredibly rewarding to meet people who share similar values—those who deeply care about nature and are passionate about making the world a better place. I believe I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to meet such inspiring individuals. The workshops we took part in throughout the project were both practical and enlightening. I gained new skills, expanded my knowledge, and found joy in learning. One of the most memorable workshops was the day we went rock climbing. Although I’m afraid of heights, it felt empowering to challenge myself and push beyond my comfort zone. What made it even more special was the support and encouragement from everyone—cheering each other on and celebrating each small victory together. Another highlight was our skateboarding session. Even though most of us were beginners, it was such a fun and freeing experience—simply enjoying one of our last days together while trying something new. The workshops also taught me valuable lessons about self-sufficiency and showed me that with determination and effort, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. We also had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental work, like upcycling the area where waste is disposed to make it look colorful and inviting, and helping to build protective barriers for migrating toads. While we didn’t see many toads—due to the sunny, dry weather in the final days—I honestly didn’t mind, as it meant we were blessed with plenty of sunshine throughout the month. It was truly beautiful to work outdoors, enjoy our meals under the sun, and witness the transition from winter to spring, with flowers blooming all around us. This project has had a deep impact on how I see myself, others, and the natural world. After this month, I feel more inspired than ever to immerse myself in nature and live more sustainably. I even plan to adopt a more vegetarian diet, thanks to the delicious and creative recipes I discovered during our time together.
ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps
The special feature of the ESC Teams is its short duration, ranging from 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months. This aspect makes it accessible also to young people who work or study and cannot dedicate a whole year to travel! Despite the brevity of the projects, Group ESCs offer meaningful and intense life experiences, during which numerous professional skills can be acquired. Moreover, by sharing life and work with a group of people, similar to a community, the participants have the opportunity to create strong bonds even in a short period of time.