I applied for this project because it is in line with my values. Since high school I wanted to do volunteering related to environmental issues. I studied Environmental Technology and Management and I decided to do this project now because I was on a break after my studies and I thought that this was the opportunity to allow me to learn more and meet people with similar ideas. I expected to learn more about the vegan diet, upcycling ideas and practical farm work and that is what happened! We learned vegan recipes, how to sew and repair clothes, new tasks on the farm… we also learned about native species of the region, about the reproduction of toads and how to make a stop-motion video. In addition to this we also took care of the hostel with rotating tasks and we cooked for each other, allowing us to bond even more with our colleagues and the hostel staff. This project is very well designed, it allows the volunteer to learn new skills but also to have time to explore Monte Barro and have personal time — you decide. The location is beautiful and it is perfect for nature lovers, since it is very isolated and allows volunteers to explore the mountain. Even if you are not yet a mountain lover you could become one — as happened to me! This project allowed me to have a fulfilling experience: contributing as a volunteer for environmental issues, learning more about them and developing social and personal skills. I met fantastic people with similar ideas that I now call my friends, I felt at home and I was able to grow. I would definitely recommend this project to people who are looking for an immersive experience in the mountains and who cannot wait to meet new people and maybe also develop a new version of themselves!
ESC Team ‘RISE’ in Italy with Ostello Monte Barro and Legambiente Lecco | Participants’ Testimonial
The ESC Team “RISE” project, funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme and implemented by Associazione Joint in collaboration with Ostello Parco Monte Barro and Legambiente Lecce in Italy, has come to an end!
The overall objective of the project, in line with the priorities set for 2021, was to promote well-being and a healthy lifestyle for both volunteers and local communities. It provided participants with the opportunity to reclaim a space where they could socialise in a healthy and safe way, while at the same time engaging in volunteering activities that promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, as well as health and well-being within communities.
The project activities focused on specific themes, in agreement with the hosting organisation and the needs of the local community:
- nature and outdoor life
- mental health
- prevention and health promotion
- mindful nutrition
Let’s hear what the participants have to say!
Maté’s Testimonial
On March 9 the biggest adventure of my life started. I had never left home for more than two weeks before, especially not alone. I was afraid that I would not feel comfortable anywhere else. So when we arrived at Ostello Monte Barro, and I immediately felt safe, I was very surprised. Everyone was super kind and motivated to get to know each other. The organisers created a really peaceful and kind environment. When we were building nets to keep the toads safe, making shelves with fruit crates or visiting a farm, everything felt as if we were a group of children on a school trip. Our main goal was to save the toads from being run over by cars, however we also did many other things. One of my favourite days was a visit to a local farm, Cascina Selvetto. We looked around the farm, learning about beekeeping, about olive trees, about different types of fruit, and then we took part in the planting of new vegetables. During the weekends we had all the free time in the world. We discovered nearby cities and towns, such as Varenna, Bellagio and Lecco. We had “family dinners” together, playing, watching movies and talking for hours. When the weather was nice, we did yoga and meditation on the roof, observing the wonderful view. I learned a lot about a sustainable lifestyle, about toads, about agriculture, about sewing, about recycled paper production, about solar printing and many other things that I feel will be useful for me in the future. I am eternally grateful to Associazione Joint and to Legambiente for giving me this opportunity to grow. Since I came back home, I have recommended to all my friends to do a similar project, because I had so much fun. I learned to be more confident and I became more inspired to follow my dreams. I feel that I understand others better — but also myself. I will always continue to look for the feeling that I experienced at Ostello Monte Barro.
Ana’s Testimonial
Kobe’s Testimonial
Hi! I am Kobe (he/him), from Belgium. I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. When I applied for the project, I was taking a gap year between my bachelor’s and my master’s degree. I was attracted to the project for several reasons: I wanted to do volunteering in a team and working with toads was a big plus for me. Also staying in the middle of a beautiful nature reserve like Monte Barro attracted me. I expected that we would do real work for five hours a day with two days off, or something like that, but in reality we worked much less in the end. In addition, I expected to work more around the topic of toads. Another thing I did not expect was how nice the group and the leaders were and how close we became, which was great. I learned the basics of sewing and how to recycle shredded paper. In addition to this, I learned about social inclusion. We did many team-building activities to get to know each other (more than expected), various upcycling projects (for example turning wooden fruit crates into shelves, making a notebook by sewing sheets of paper onto a stick we found in the forest), sustainability workshops (for example paper recycling, sewing), excursions (we visited and worked in two sustainable farms). Of course, nature conservation work days were part of the programme: a hike in a wetland area where we removed bushes to restore species-rich wet meadows, four days of net preparation and beach cleaning for the toad campaign, and two nights of toad rescue. I really enjoyed this project: the people and the surrounding nature were incredible, the food was ok, and most of the activities were fun to do. I only felt a bit guilty because we did not do enough useful work for the money we received, I felt a bit spoiled in a way. If you are prepared to go down and up a small mountain (500 m down, 500 m up again) for every activity in your free time outside Monte Barro and you like being in a group and in nature, then I would strongly recommend this project for you!!!
ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps
The special feature of ESC Teams is their short duration, ranging from 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months. This makes them accessible even to young people who work or study and cannot dedicate an entire year to travelling.
Despite their short duration, group ESC projects offer meaningful and intense life experiences, during which participants can acquire numerous professional skills. Moreover, by sharing life and work within a group, similar to a community, participants have the opportunity to build strong bonds even in a relatively short period of time.