ESC Team RISE 2025 in Crotone | Volunteers Share Their Experience!
The ESC Team project “RISE”, 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!
Diana’s Testimonial
Coming to Crotone was something I honestly needed. I wasn’t happy with my studies and I felt completely lost about what I wanted for my future. I didn’t feel like myself anymore and I knew I needed a break to breathe and understand what direction I wanted to take. When I saw this project, it felt right. I always wanted to try volunteering and I always imagined how it would be to live in Italy, so I decided to take the risk and come. Before arriving I had really high expectations and they were all met. I loved this experience from the beginning. I feel like I discovered a new part of myself, one that I didn’t really know before, and it feels good to finally feel more connected with who I am. I learned so much from living here. I learned to share space, to listen better and to understand different personalities and cultures. I learned how to live with people who don’t think the same way I do, and how important patience and respect are in a group. But I also learned how to be alone in a healthy way. I learned to enjoy my own company, to go for walks by myself and to feel comfortable just being with me. That was something I had been missing for a long time. The activities we did made me feel useful and gave my days a sense of purpose. Even the small moments, like cooking together, talking late at night or exploring the city, made everything feel meaningful. I felt present and connected, not only with the people around me and the local community, but also with myself and with the world in general, which is something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I really recommend this experience because, for me, it was the best decision I could have made. I needed this time to find myself again and to feel more confident about my future. I met incredible people who inspired me and helped me grow, and I’m leaving the project feeling stronger, more independent and ready to continue my path without fear.
Evelina’s Testimonial
Hi, my name is Evelina, I am 22 years old and I currently live in Rome, where I am a university student. I chose to take part in a volunteering project because I was going through a difficult period and I needed a change, something that could shake me up and move something inside me. What made me decide to join this project was the variety of activities: it seemed very stimulating and exactly what I needed. I didn’t have high expectations; I just wanted to experience whatever would come, and that is exactly what happened. This project helped me a lot. The most important thing I learned — and that my travel companions taught me — is to let go of problems, not to carry them with me for days or months as I used to do. I am learning to live more peacefully. I took part in many different and stimulating activities, including: creative activities with migrants, homework support for children facing social difficulties, food collection and distribution for people in need, olive harvesting together with people with disabilities, tasks related to the management and maintenance of the hostel where we were staying, help with the restoration of some churches, and many creative workshops. I really appreciated this project and I think it will always remain close to my heart, both for what I experienced and for what I did. There were difficult moments when I could have given up, but I didn’t, and I achieved a wonderful result. I wouldn’t change anything. If I could go back, I would start doing this kind of project from the age of 18. They help you grow a lot and discover yourself. Stepping out of your comfort zone is always a challenge, but it always leads to beautiful results.
Ilaria’s Testimonial
From the 9th of October to the 8th of December 2025, I took part in an ESC project with Team Cooperativa ONE in Crotone. We were a total of 16 volunteers from all over Europe. We carried out various activities, including: Ostello di Chiara, where we took care of the green areas and cleaning of the hostel; Cooking Team, where each volunteer was part of a cooking team that prepared meals for the other volunteers every day; Agorà, a place where asylum seekers live; Camper della Speranza; Red Cross activities; after-school support with children; radio activities; Terre Joniche; lessons on healthy nutrition; and help with cleaning and reopening a church. This project was full of stimulating and interesting activities. I would recommend anyone who wants to take part in this wonderful project to do so without any fear. The people who hosted us at the hostel are extremely welcoming and make you feel at home from the very first day. The food is delicious, and the people who live here radiate warmth. P.S. If you decide to take part, don’t worry about the language barrier — if I managed to do it, anyone can! Thank you.
Manel’s Testimonial
I decided to join this volunteering project in Italy because I wanted to discover new cultures, meet new people, and of course explore real Italian food. I wanted to broaden my view of the world and step out of my routine while living a meaningful experience in a country that has always attracted me. Before leaving, I also had a very personal goal: improving my English and gaining more self-confidence. I wanted to challenge myself, learn to be more independent, and dare to try new things. Looking back, I can say that these expectations were more than fulfilled. During this project, I learned a lot. I realized how different we all are, how we don’t live in the same way, and how these differences make a community richer. About myself, I discovered that I really enjoy living with others, sharing simple daily moments, and learning alongside other volunteers. I also took part in many different activities: helping in the hotel, cleaning the hostel, cooking with the other volunteers, picking olives from the trees, doing agricultural work, and joining activities organized by associations supporting migrants. I even had the chance to participate in American football activities, prepare meals for people in need, and join a radio show. Each task taught me something—whether it was a skill, a new perspective, or simply a beautiful memory. Overall, I truly loved this experience. It allowed me to learn so much, make new friends, challenge myself, and improve my English. It was a complete, human, and enriching adventure. I highly recommend this kind of volunteering experience to young people. You learn as much about others as you do about yourself. The encounters, the different cultures, and the experiences you live help you grow in a unique and unforgettable way.
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.