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!
William’s Testimonial
Living in Italy has always been a sweet dream for me — a promise of beauty, meaningful encounters, and discovery. Immersing myself in a southern city was something I had long wished for, and this project finally gave me that opportunity. What drew me in the most was the variety of activities offered, as well as the unique chance to share daily life with 16 other volunteers from all across Europe. I particularly loved the activity with Agora. As a french speaker it was very easy for me to create a strong connection with the migrants because 80 % of them spoke french. It was a very meaningful experience. I also really loved the dance workshop with Katerina, it was very funny, she is an incredible teacher and i learned a lot thanks to her ! Living in such a diverse community meant learning every day — from others, from their cultures, their stories, and from myself. Every conversation, shared meal, or group activity became an opportunity to broaden my perspective. It taught me the beauty of coexistence, empathy, and the importance of listening without judgment. I discovered how powerful human connections can be when built on mutual respect and curiosity. These moments of exchange are the ones that stayed with me the most — simple, yet deeply meaningful. This volunteering experience has been truly transformative. It allowed me to grow, to open up to the world, and to become a more thoughtful and caring person. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful human adventure, personal growth, and a deeper sense of purpose. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown with confidence. Above all, it reminded me of the power of community and the importance of giving without expecting anything in return.
Mira’s Testimonial
Hey there! My name is Mira, I’m a 26-year-old girl from Bulgaria. I’ve been volunteering with ESC for most of the past 2 years. This project with Cooperativa One and Joint is intended to be my last one, and I’m happy it’s the experience I get to close this chapter of my life on. I didn’t have any expectations, which led me to being open to all the possibilities that Crotone had in store for me. We had so many diverse activities – agricultural work, group workshops, helping in the local social centers and learning about social issues and how they’re dealt with in Calabria. I feel like I got in-depth experience on some topics that are often discussed in a prejudiced way – such as refugees and immigration, the homeless population, the care of children with disabilities, the battle against the mafia and the consequences of its activities in the region. I’m grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself into Italian culture, and for all the unique individuals I met along the way. It truly has been a profound learning journey. I always recommend volunteering to the young people I meet. In fact, I wish I knew about it and participated earlier in my life, since it really is an experience that can polish your personality and shape you as a person. It serves as a personal challenge, and a way to spread solidarity and foster positive values. And if I have to talk about the T4HL3 project in particular – it held a mirror to me that made me realise how much I have grown in the past 2 years.
Valeriia’s Testimonial
As a recent graduate in Teaching I have always been interested in projects that involve learning by doing and cultural exchange. When I applied for this ESC project, I was searching for something that would push me to try something new, more practical and allow me to contribute to a meaningful cause. I had some previous experience living abroad and volunteering, so I also knew what to expect from it. Living and working closely with other volunteers from different parts of Europe was one of the most enriching aspects of the experience. It was inspiring to see how different perspectives and ideas came together in such a collaborative way. Throughout the project, we lived at Ostello Casa di Chiara, which we helped maintain and improve through gardening, restoration, and small repairs. Cooking in teams also added to the sense of community, as we experimented with meals and shared them together. Our volunteer work was diverse. At Associazione Sabir, we supported activities for children with cognitive and physical disabilities, as well as for unaccompanied minors and migrant families. It was emotional and eye-opening. With Camper della Speranza, we helped collect and distribute food to people in need, by visiting bakeries and pizzerias in the evenings to recover unsold items and deliver them around the city. One of the most powerful parts of the experience was working with Cooperativa Terre Joniche, on land confiscated from the mafia. We contributed to agricultural work and learned how the space now promotes legality, justice, and community awareness. In just two months, I learned to work closely with others, to take initiative, and to see value in both big and small tasks. I’m grateful for the connections I made and the people I met. I would definitely recommend this project to anyone looking for a hands-on experience that’s grounded in social justice, community care, and human connection.
Katerina’s Testimonial
Ciao, my name is Katerina and I come from Athens, Greece. After obtaining my degree in Engineering, I felt the need to take a break from academics and explore something different. I wanted to gain new experiences, meet people from different cultures, and discover more about myself by travelling the world. That is why I chose to become a volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps program. Volunteering is a great way to experience interculturalism through a shared, co-living environment while simultaneously offering help to those in need. It provides the chance to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and develop useful skills. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, form meaningful connections, and contribute to positive change in a local community. Prior to my arrival in Crotone, I imagined the city to be a bit smaller and more traditionally picturesque. Nevertheless I really enjoyed the city. The historical center, the castle, and the park nearby became some of my favorite spots. They are definitely the highlights of Crotone and hold special memories for me. During the two months of volunteering, we worked with several local associations, each focusing on different causes. My favorite experience was with an initiative called Camper, where we collected unsold food from stores and distributed it to people in need. It was both humbling and impactful, and it allowed us to make a real difference in the community. In addition to the volunteering work, I discovered a new passion: crocheting. I never imagined I would enjoy it so much, but it became a relaxing and creative outlet during my free time. Overall, this project was a truly enriching experience. I highly recommend this and other similar Erasmus+ opportunities to everyone. They are not only meaningful for the communities we serve, but also incredibly valuable for personal and professional growth.
Weronika’s Testimonial
My name is Weronika, I’m 22 years old and from Poland. I studied astronomy for a year, but eventually realized it wasn’t the right path for me. What truly opened my eyes was 1.5 years of solo travel through Central and South America, during which I volunteered in various places. That period became a turning point in my life—it helped me understand how many ways there are to live meaningfully. My inner calling is to live with purpose, to make a real impact—not just be a taker, but also a giver. I no longer want to blindly follow what society considers a “normal” life path. Instead, I want to grow by learning from others and experiencing the world first-hand. That’s what led me to apply for the ESC Team for Healthy Life 3 project at Cooperativa One, an initiative focused on helping migrants and promoting cultural exchange. As soon as I was accepted, I didn’t hesitate—I bought a ticket, quit university, and dove into the unknown. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful I took that risk. Forcing myself to stay in a path just to meet others’ expectations would’ve meant ignoring my own potential. I want to use my youth to explore and discover what truly fulfills me. I joined this project hoping to meet people who shared my mindset—and that’s exactly what happened. Working as a team, we faced challenges but also shared unforgettable moments. I won’t sugarcoat it: we had ups and downs. But to me, the real beauty lies in imperfection and authenticity. Living with 15 young people, sharing routines and responsibilities, taught me not to make assumptions. Our diverse backgrounds shape how we view the world, and learning to understand that has been a powerful lesson. I would wholeheartedly recommend any young person to try an ESC project. It may not be for everyone, but it’s a rare opportunity to learn, grow, and connect on a deep level. For me, it was one of the most enriching choices I’ve made.
Nastya’s Testimonial
Before the project, I had no experience of communicating with foreigners and it important for me to learn more about different cultures, to step out of my comfort zone and become more open-minded. I was also interested in the topics of the project (working with children and migrants, permaculture gardening, etc.), so I was very happy to have the opportunity to join the group of volunteers. Before starting the project, I was most interested in working with children with mental disorders and migrants. Honestly, my expectations regarding activities with children were not met due to problems with the organisation of our work in the centre. However, I am sure that the organising team will make efforts to improve this situation. In general, this did not spoil my experience here at all because we actually had a lot of different activities and workshops. I especially liked how the organisers divided our tasks and we alternated between more physical and mental work. I really learnt a lot from living with very different people for 2 months. Now I am really more open to new experiences and not so afraid to try something new. I also realised how important it is to talk about your feelings with others. It was a truly invaluable experience for me, the organisers did a great job even though not everything always went according to plan, the activities were really interesting and I learnt a lot of new things, and the team was friendly, open and non-judgemental. I sincerely recommend this project to others.
Cristina’s Testimonial
My name is Cristina, I am from Spain and I am 26 years old. I have studied social work and I had a previous experience with the European Solidarity Corps. It was so important and meaningful for me that after a few years, studying a master’s degree and working in my city, I wanted to take again one opportunity like this. I had been in Crotone for two months with a team working with associations with the focus directed on the migrants. I had the expectation to learn, to continue to grow while living an experience of coexistence in a large group, and so it has been. I have learned to be more flexible, to work in a team, to help and be helped; I have also learned about the phenomenon of the Italian mafia, migration, the war in Ukraine or permaculture. We have carried out activities of dynamization and support in various associations with homeless people, children with disabilities, migrants; we have also carried out permaculture activities in a territory confiscated from the mafia; a lot of creative workshops and maintenance of the hostel. I can say that it has been a very nice experience, with its lights and shadows, full of compassion and acceptance. I recommend it to anyone who wants to live adventures and grow as a person. With more or less embarrassment, a project like this will be an opportunity to let yourself be seen, show your values and connect with the people who accompany you for these weeks.
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.