ESC Team 2025 with Cooperativa One in Italy | Volunteers 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 Cooperativa One 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!
Elliott’s Testimonial
20 years old is the age of doubts. You may feel lost on your path and unsure of what to do, because sometimes you need to explore before you can truly discover yourself. That’s why I try to find opportunities to go abroad. I wanted to leave with a group of strangers for the longest period possible. That’s why T4HL3 was the perfect opportunity! I want to work in the social field, helping people in need, and doing outdoor work for the hostel while taking part in group activities like theatre, dance, painting, or yoga. Experiencing all that under the sunny weather was amazing for my personal growth. Doing this kind of volunteering can only make you grow. All emotions feel more intense because of the unique context. Living with a group of people from different nationalities for a short period of time, all while improving both your professional and personal skills. The only heartbreaking part is having to face reality again when you return to your country, leaving behind the magical journey you experienced.
Tamas’ Testimonial
I wanted to join this project to get a better perspective on the struggles of immigrants and the local culture. I had no particular expectations but before my departure, I already felt the professionalism of the NGO. I was right about this feeling as any time we were introduced to a new activity the met my expectations. As a person who is interested in EU affairs, this project was perfect to discover more about the diversity of the European Union. During the activities, I learned to cooperate with others from different backgrounds and cultures. I became more conscious about my decisions and how one’s choices can impact everyone. I gained valuable information about the struggles of immigrants through their stories. These activities included working with immigrants and sharing our cultures. We often cooked together tried each other’s food, and painted and danced together. Another unique program was called Camper where we had the opportunity to collect food from local restaurants, and markets and give it away to those who were in need. While sometimes this activity was challenging it felt right to do it. Other activities farm-related related, to agriculture, helped us to understand the importance of sustainability and the minimizing of food waste. While we learned we also planted trees native to this climate. We also had a chance to participate in the reparation and maintenance of a farm through another activity. This project is well-organized and cares about its volunteers and workers. Their methods and guidelines are to serve the community through the volunteers which gave me more motivation to continue through harder times. Although, their professionalism is undoubtedly they remain humane. I sincerely hope others can also experience this or similar projects hosted by the Joint and have a great, unforgettable time in Italy through the European Solidarity Corps.
Anastasia’s Testimonial
As an international law student with a keen interest in migrant law, the opportunity to apply for this ESC volunteering project felt like a natural fit. I was eager to gain firsthand experience in a field I’m passionate about, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to see the realities of migrant support from the inside. Being my first ESC project, I arrived without any specific expectations, choosing instead to embrace whatever the experience would bring. What I’ve come to realize most profoundly throughout this journey is that communication is truly the key. This understanding was woven into every aspect of my work. I had the privilege of collaborating with Associazione Sabir, an organization dedicated to supporting children with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, and migrant families. I also assisted “Camper della Speranza” on the road, distributing essential food supplies to those in need. Another impactful experience was engaging with Cooperativa Terre Joniche, where I contributed to managing a former mafia property, promoting legality alongside students and volunteers. Beyond these direct engagements, I even had the chance to contribute to the local paper “Il Crotonese” by writing an article. Overall, this project has been an incredibly interesting experience. It has not only broadened my understanding of migrant law in practice but has also taught me invaluable lessons about human connection. I would absolutely recommend this experience to other young people. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, refine your communication skills, and truly understand how to co-exist and collaborate with people from vastly different backgrounds. It’s an enriching journey that extends far beyond any textbook.
Tom’s Testimonial
I chose to do a volunteer project because I was bored and didn’t really know what to do with my life and it seemed like something that could be enriching for me. I didn’t really have any expectations other than having fun as it was my very first project. I discovered other cultures, learned to live in a community, to adapt, to listen and to cooperate. I also became aware of the concrete impact that small gestures can have within a group. In terms of activities, we did agriculture, worked with different associations working with children with certain problems, or with migrants. We also had to renovate certain parts of the hotel as well as participate in workshops organized by the volunteers. I think what struck me the most were the human connections. Whether with the locals or the other volunteers, each exchange enriched me. I highly recommend this experience to all young people who want to travel differently, make themselves useful and get out of their comfort zone. It’s not just about giving your time, it’s about receiving so much more in return.
Elea’s Testimonial
I was studying on September in a school which was not for me. I decided to quit after a semester and to try different ways to help and travel at the same time. After doing a wwoofing, I wanted to feel useful for more people than «only» a family, so I chose this project to meet and help the more people I could. I didn’t have particular expectations before this project, except using English as a main language, bounding with people from
abroad, and feeling useful. Cheerfully, those hopes were fulfilled! I learnt a lot of things thanks to this project, but what impacted me the most are how are the political situations abroad (here in Italy, but also where the other volunteers are from); how to deal with the consequences of living as a group (for the group itself and for me); and how to try to give the best of myself for people (by helping as a volunteer and by being part of a group for two months, and by adapting myself with what is around me). We did some gardening; renovating activities in the hostel; we went to two different associations for immigrants in which we talked with the immigrants; we tried to assist educators with the children they take care of; we created workshops; we gave food to the people who need it…and more! The project was great and unique. Every day were different, the associations are flexible and adapted according to the possibilities of the organization, which is a chance and permits us to be surprised and be in the here and now. The project is more about helping with small things that are not really visible but change things with time, and about creating relations with each other. I would recommend this experience for many reasons. We learnt how to get out of our confort zone, we met a lot of people, we worked and were useful but also had free times, and we improved ourselves in a way that only exists by traveling and creating relationships with strangers.
Marlon’s Testimonial
I wanted to apply for this project because I know the growth that comes with exploring new places and meeting new people. Getting out of your comfort zone like that is always good , it challenges you to adapt, reflect, and grow. I had really different expectations of the project when I came into it, which is why I felt a bit disappointed at times when those expectations weren’t met. Over time, I learned to be patient with myself and with others, and to approach both with kindness and understanding. I’ve participated in the activities that were offered to me, while also spending a lot of time practicing different instruments and working on my personal goals, such as making music. My general opinion of the project is that it’s mainly a deep personal learning process. Maybe the organized activities weren’t always as impactful as I had hoped, but the overall experience had a huge impact on my personal state of being and how I relate to others. I would not recommend the experience to very young people who haven’t had a lot of life experience yet. It can feel like a lot of pressure, and you need to be a strong character to navigate the emotional, social, and practical challenges that come with it.
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.