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!
Apolline’s Testimonial
After finishing my studies, I wanted to experience something different, something that would allow me to grow on a personal level while exploring interests that my academic journey had only introduced me to. One of those interests was farming. Having studied food politics, I wanted to understand agriculture not only in theory but in practice. I also hoped to improve my Italian speaking, immerse myself in an intercultural environment, and experience community living as an alternative to the more individualistic lifestyle that is often promoted today. My expectations were met, partly because I allowed myself to stay open and be surprised by the project. It was very complete and well-balanced, offering a good mix of work, workshops, and free time. I learned a lot about farming; it is far more complex than simply planting and harvesting. I also had the chance to organise a workshop—a tiramisu contest—which ended up being one of the funniest memories of my stay. The biggest learning curve, however, was community life. Living closely with a big group of people teaches a lot about oneself as well as new ways of approaching relationships. It was one of the most valuable parts of the entire experience. I would absolutely recommend this project to young people. It is a unique opportunity for personal growth, making friends, cultural exchange, and learning new things (not to mention the amazing food). It is something meaningful you can do for yourself. A huge thank-you to Joint and Anna for creating this opportunity, and a special mention to Marta for putting up with us for two months. I am truly grateful to have been part of this project, and I hope future volunteers will enjoy their time in L’Arca just as much as I did. Grazie mille 🙂
Artem’s Testimonial
As soon as I saw this project on the page of my sending organization, I immediately felt that I should try. I already had experience that I wanted to share, and I knew that volunteering abroad could become an important step for me. Before arriving, I was curious and excited to meet new people and to learn more about agricultural practices in Italy, something I had never experienced before. When I arrived in Italy, I wasn’t particularly shocked — but I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this kind of project, especially because it was my first time participating in something like this. I immediately felt that I was entering a new environment full of opportunities to grow. Our group consisted of people from all over Europe, including a few volunteers from my own country. We didn’t all connect instantly, but with time we got used to each other and eventually became very close. We shared everything — work, meals, moments, stories — and created a warm, supportive atmosphere. Throughout the project, I took part in many different activities: garden work, animal care, construction tasks, cooking, and helping with event organization. This variety helped me develop both personal and practical skills. Personally, I improved my communication a lot. Even though my English was not perfect, we always found a way to understand each other. Practically, I learned new agricultural techniques that I am excited to share and apply back home. I truly loved our team, the place where the project took place, and the local people we interacted with. The only thing that was a bit challenging for me was waking up early — but in the end, it became a good habit that I’m grateful for. Just like any project, there are always things to improve. For the future, I would suggest having an additional responsible person to support the trainer or coordinator with organizational tasks, preparation and logistics. A clearer weekly structure or plan B for activities would also make the teamwork even smoother and more efficient. But overall, I would absolutely recommend this project to anyone who wants to explore themselves, contribute to a meaningful cause and enjoy the freedom of learning through real experiences. For me, it was a beautiful journey — intense, inspiring and full of growth. Grazie mille to everyone who made this project possible.
Catarina’s Testimonial
I have to start by saying that I feel happy, this project and this adventure I decided to embark on gave me so much more than I could have expected. The truth is that I didn’t have many expectations, I was simply looking for a new challenge and the desire to meet people and discover the world. Those people I met in Belvedere Marittimo, in a place I never thought I would go — in fact, I didn’t even know it existed — showed me that even far from home I can find people so similar to me and create deep connections in a relatively short time. But more importantly, they showed me that I should value my life. Being in contact with people from different backgrounds made me realize how lucky I am to have a family and ahome I can return to, that I should appreciate never having lived through a war and having everyone I love safe and well. Meeting these people gave me the desire to live more, to chase my dreams because, no matter how strange they may seem, they showed me that there are dreams that can be even bigger. These months made me reflect, meeting so many inspiring people showed me that after the fear of the unknown — like going to live in another country for two months without knowing anyone — something truly good might be waiting for us. Yes, it’s hard to overcome that barrier of fear, but as someone told me: “jump off the cliff and grow your wings on the way down.” I just want to conclude by saying that I feel grateful. I take with me memories that make me smile just by thinking about them, the memory of the incredible Italian food I had the chance to try, all the things I learned about agriculture, and a feeling of home. It will be missed, and that’s how I know it was worth it. <3 I leave a part of myself in Belvedere Marittimo, but I grew so much here that I take with me far more than I could have ever imagined.
Daria’s Testimonial
My experience in this volunteer project has been truly transformative. From the very first day, I felt welcomed and supported by the entire group, which made it easy to open up, participate, and enjoy every moment. The activities, workshops, and trips we take together create a sense of adventure that I’ve never felt before. I’m constantly learning new skills, discovering different perspectives, and growing not only as a volunteer but also as a person. Every day here brings something meaningful — whether it’s a small moment with the team or a new challenge that pushes me forward. I’m genuinely grateful for this opportunity and for the people who make this experience so special.
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.