ESC Team RISE with Cooperativa One in Italy | Participants’ Testimonials

The ESC Team “RISE” project, funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme and implemented by Associazione Joint in collaboration with Cooperativa One in Crotone, has come to an end!

We asked the participants to share their experiences.

Gustavo’s Testimony

I recently graduated with a Master’s degree and decided to apply for this project in order to step away from the routine of studying and working, recharge my energy, and at the same time actively participate in an initiative that I believed could contribute to greater social justice.

I had certain expectations regarding the project, particularly because of my interest in working with people experiencing migration and forced displacement. However, I do not feel that these expectations were fully met, as the activities carried out in collaboration with migrants were sporadic and limited.

My experience was also heavily affected by the fact that I broke a finger and was therefore unable to participate in some activities that could have enriched my skills, particularly those related to agriculture. Despite this, I feel that I improved my abilities in working with children thanks to my experience at Piccoli Passi, where I helped children with their homework and spent time socializing with them.

During these two months, we had the opportunity to support the community in several ways: through community kitchens, food distribution, beach clean-ups, social activities, the restoration of an educational park, and agricultural work. In addition, these activities were complemented by workshops for volunteers focusing on physical and mental health, healthier nutrition, and the development of new skills, such as cocktail-making workshops and Italian language lessons.

My overall opinion of the project is influenced by my extensive experience collaborating, directly or indirectly, with various organizations. I must admit that I was disappointed by certain aspects of the project, as I felt that Cooperativa One and some partner organizations did not demonstrate a genuine commitment to helping the community in a way that aligned with my personal values.

Furthermore, I never felt that we volunteers were truly welcome within the hostel environment, and I often had the impression of being treated as an inferior person. I felt that volunteers were viewed more as a burden than as a resource and that the organization did little or nothing to make the experience easier or more enjoyable for those taking part.

For these reasons, I would not recommend this experience to young people who share my values, as I believe they would quickly identify the same issues that I encountered.

Marion’s Testimony

I decided to apply for this project because taking part in a humanitarian experience had always been one of my dreams. When I heard about this volunteering opportunity, I did not hesitate for a second and submitted my application immediately. I have always had a desire to help others, and I love learning, discovering new things, and getting to know different cultures.

Before leaving, I had some expectations, especially regarding activities with children, which unfortunately we were not able to carry out as much as I had hoped. At the same time, I wanted to improve my language skills, and I feel that I achieved that goal. It is not perfect yet, but I am very satisfied with the progress I have made. I also hoped that this experience would help me grow as a person and get to know myself better, and I can confidently say that it did.

During these months, I learned many things. I realized even more how different we all are from one another and how that diversity can be a source of richness. I also discovered that I am capable of facing situations with greater calmness and ease, without becoming overwhelmed by stress as I did in the past.

The activities were numerous and very varied. One of the experiences I am most proud of was organizing a Pilates class for the group. Even though not everyone participated, it was very rewarding to see people trying it, having fun, and laughing together. We shared a wonderful moment. I also really enjoyed working with dogs, gardening, distributing food to migrants, and collaborating with the Red Cross, an activity I particularly appreciated.

I also attended the Italian language lessons, which were not always easy for me, but nevertheless helped me learn a great deal. I enjoyed the activities at Lily’s as well as the work carried out at the Road Safety Education Park, especially creating road routes and pathways for children.

Overall, my assessment of the experience is very positive. I enjoyed almost all of the activities. If I had to identify areas for improvement, I would say that I would have liked to work more with children, and that there were occasionally organizational issues and misunderstandings. I also sometimes feel that I did not give everything I could have given. However, I believe that once I return to France, I will truly realize everything I have done and experienced here, and I am sure I will be proud of it, just as my family will be.

I would definitely recommend this experience to other young people. Crotone is a welcoming and beautiful city where it is easy to feel comfortable. The people I met during the volunteering experience were kind, supportive, and always willing to listen. The activities were interesting and educational, and this experience allowed me to grow, learn many new things, and meet remarkable people.

I am convinced that the people we meet along our journey help us discover something new about ourselves, and that is one of the most precious gifts I will take away from this experience.

Simone’s Testimony

My name is Simone, I am 26 years old, and I come from Tuscany, Italy.

I am a huge travel enthusiast. I love exploring, challenging myself, and meeting new people is a source of motivation that I never want to give up. That is exactly why I chose to participate in this project: I wanted to try something new and once again step outside my comfort zone.

When I was selected, I started wondering what the experience would be like, what difficulties I might face, and I had many unanswered questions. But one thing was certain: I expected to meet new people and have fun, and I would say those expectations were more than fulfilled.

Over the course of these months, I learned many things through the activities. I improved my English a little—although I still have a long way to go—learned how to use various tools and equipment, and gained many other skills.

I believe I was able to contribute to several local initiatives, and I found that very rewarding. Despite the challenges, I genuinely enjoyed this project, and I think I would recommend everyone to try an experience like this at least once in their life. It allows you to experience realities that might otherwise remain distant from us.

I hope that one day I will have another opportunity to join a similar project, somewhere else in the world. As I said before, I love travelling.

I would like to thank each and every one of my fellow volunteers for accompanying me on this adventure. It was truly a lot of fun.

ESC Teams and the European Solidarity Corps

ESC Teams stand out because of their short duration: projects can last from two weeks up to a maximum of two months. For this reason, they are an accessible opportunity even for young people who are studying or working and cannot commit to longer periods abroad.

Although shorter than other volunteering opportunities, group ESC projects are intense, dynamic experiences rich in human exchange. In just a few weeks, participants can develop practical and transferable skills, live closely with people from different countries, and build genuine connections through shared daily life.

For many participants, these projects become a space to step out of their routine, challenge themselves, gain greater independence, and rediscover the value of collaboration and community living.

If you are considering going abroad for an international experience but cannot commit to several months, an ESC Team could be the perfect starting point.