ESC Team 2025 with Fattoria L’Arca 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 Fattoria L’Arca 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!
Aurara’s Testimonial
Hello! My name is Aurora, and I’m from Rome. I applied for the project in Belvedere Marittimo for several reasons. First of all, I felt the need to escape from the chaos of my city and find a more peaceful place where I could reconnect with nature and discover the reality of southern Italy. I was also really interested in learning more about organic agriculture and gaining new practical skills. In addition, I wanted to spend meaningful time with others and be part of a shared experience. In the past, I worked in the field of education with children and adolescents. However, over time, I realized that I feel more fulfilled working outdoors and in contact with nature. This project gave me the chance to explore that passion. During these two months, our tasks changed a lot depending on the needs of the project. We started by preparing the fields, fertilizing the soil, planting, and taking care of the vegetables. We also worked with animals, such as goats and chickens. Since the place that hosted us is also an agritourism site, we had the opportunity to participate in two events, helping out as waitstaff and assisting in the kitchen. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to take part in this experience. I feel lucky to have shared it with a wonderful group of people—funny, kind, empathetic, and non-judgmental. We supported each other and grew together. I would totally recommend this project to other young people. It’s a great opportunity to open your mind, connect with other cultures and habits, learn how to share and collaborate, respect others’ needs, and gain hands-on experience in a completely different environment.
Lisa’s Testimonial
Heey, I’m Liza, I’m 18 and I’m from Ukraine. 2 months ago, I joined a volunteer project in Italy, Belvedere Marittimo—and I can honestly say, it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I applied because I wanted to explore a new country, to meet new people, and to experience something different. I didn’t have many expectations—just a hope for adventures and good company. But I ended up getting way more: a second family, unforgettable memories, and understanding myself better. The project focused on agriculture. We spent our days harvesting fruits and vegetables, learning how to sort them, and A LOT OF physical work. To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be something I’d enjoy so much—but it turned out to be the best kind of work. There was something really grounding about it. Mornings started at 5 a.m. with strong coffee and sleepy eyes, but once we got into the rhythm, it felt almost like meditation. Sometimes you just needed to switch off your brain and let your hands do the job—and that felt surprisingly peaceful. Our group quickly became a real team, our jokes and singing made every working day better. I also started learning Italian— we had official lessons every week but also I picked up words at work, in shops, while travelling and even ordering gelato (very important skill) When you’re surrounded by the language every day, it kind of sneaks into your brain. It’s a great chance for any volunteer to learn, because you get to practice all the time—on the field, during lunch, or even when someone yells something in Italian and you’re just trying to figure out if it’s good or bad. Honestly, it felt amazing when I started to understand full sentences without asking my friends to translate! Whenever we had some free time, we took every chance to explore every town and beach we could find. Whether it was getting a bit lost (on purpose) or hunting for the best pizza, we made бо every trip an adventure. Every weekend was the perfect excuse to take a break, have a laugh, and make memories that made this experience even more special. So advice for you is: don’t waste a moment, get out there and see as much as you can! This project truly changed me. I discovered so much about myself, became more confident, and learned how to enjoy the little things—even the early mornings and tired hands, italian “passeggiata”, sunsets and beach days. If you’re thinking about doing something like this, don’t hesitate. Just be open, curious, and ready to say yes. You’ll meet people from all over the world that become a second family for you. You’ll laugh, grow, maybe cry a little in the end (maybe not little), and come back home with stories you’ll tell for years. So go for it! To my amazing team—I love all of you guys so much. Thank you for making this journey unforgettable. I’m already missing you and counting the days until we meet again. Wherever life takes us next, this experience and this connection we made will always stay with me.
Mayla’s Testimonial
My name is Mayla, I’m 28 years old, and my story with L’Arca is not a closed chapter—it’s a book I love to reopen. The first time was a discovery, a dive into the unknown that gave me invaluable lessons. This time, however, it felt like coming home, but with a new perspective—more aware, more intentional. I found again the welcoming atmosphere, the extraordinary people, and that constant connection with nature that I had missed so much. The scent of the earth, the rustling wind through the olive trees, the vibrant colors of the garden—every detail was familiar, yet carried a new depth, the awareness of what I had already lived and how much I had missed it. Even though I had already worked in the garden, taken part in cooking and other activities, every day felt like a new immersion. It wasn’t about the “first time” anymore, but about reinforcement—a deeper rooting in the practices that had already enriched me so much. The human aspect of L’Arca is what truly makes this place magical. My first experience allowed me to meet wonderful people, to share laughter—and sometimes a few tears. This second stay strengthened those bonds and created new ones. Reuniting with familiar faces and welcoming new companions from all over the world made the experience even richer. We learned from one another, sharing not only work experiences but also pieces of our lives and cultures. L’Arca proved once again to be a place of personal growth, where I continued to face my fears, overcome new limits, and build deeper trust in myself. I still remember the sunrises before starting work, which I now savored with even more gratitude. The afternoons spent exploring the surroundings—rafting on the Lao River, pasta-making and ceramics workshops, activities with local associations—were even more precious, because I knew I was there by choice, to deepen an experience I already loved. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an authentic adventure, a chance for personal growth, and maybe, like me, a place you’ll want to return to again and again. L’Arca is much more than a farm—it’s a place where dreams come to life, and where, for the second time, I found a piece of myself.
Dasha’s Testimonial
From March to May 2025, I took part in the ESC volunteering project Team for Healthy Life 3.0 (T4HL3) in Belvedere Marittimo, Italy. Hosted by Associazione Joint and held at Agriturismo L’Arca, a beautiful social farm in the Calabrian hills, this experience was truly unforgettable. The project aimed to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, and that’s exactly what we lived every day. We worked outdoors four days a week doing various tasks—planting vegetables, harvesting, feeding animals, digging soil, cleaning green spaces, and working in the greenhouses. It was real hands-on work that made me feel connected to nature and proud of every little thing we accomplished as a team. Every week, we had a dedicated workshop day. Some were organized for us, like rafting on the Lao River (an incredible experience), pottery making, basket weaving, and even cooking traditional dishes. But what I really enjoyed was that we also had the chance to lead our own workshops. Some volunteers organized portrait painting, beginner Italian lessons, and macramé-making sessions. It felt amazing to share our skills and create something together. The living conditions were simple but cozy—we shared rooms, ate delicious homemade meals prepared by Anna, and spent a lot of time bonding as a group. I met people from different countries, learned a lot about myself and others, and formed friendships that I’ll always treasure. This project wasn’t just about volunteering—it was about growing, connecting, and living a slower, more meaningful life. I’m so thankful I was part of it, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and enriching experience.
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, ESC Teams 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.