Alice’s testimonial
My name is Alice, I’m 20 years old and I’m from Italy. Last year I finished high school, and lately I felt the need to give my life a new direction. I felt a bit trapped and disconnected from myself, so I thought that taking part in a volunteering project would be both a great personal challenge and a great opportunity to help others.
It was my first volunteering experience, and I decided to apply for the project at Cascina Eutopia because it seemed like a really beautiful place to be, surrounded by nature and with interesting, varied activities to do.
Before leaving I had very high expectations, and volunteering met all of them: I wanted to challenge myself, clear my head and look at life from a new perspective. Learn new skills, create something special with the people I met and leave a mark.
During this month and a half, we repainted several rooms of the house, helped tidy up the green spaces and organised the indoor areas. We also took part in activities with the local community and did some creative recycling art activities. The many group reflection sessions gave me the chance to think more about myself and my needs, about the way I live with others, and also to understand the points of view of the other volunteers.
Free time was also well balanced and allowed us to bond a lot with each other.
At Cascina everyone was kind and the atmosphere was very warm and open. Even though I was a bit reserved in the first few days, I quickly connected with some of the volunteers, and the time we spent together helped us build a great group, which by the end of the project was very close-knit.
I had a lot of fun during the project and I can’t say anything negative about this experience, because everything went for the best.
After this first volunteering experience, I’m sure I’ll do more, because it taught me a lot. I got to know myself better and realised that, even though I’m a bit shy, I really enjoy interacting with new people. The project gave me the chance to open up and to fear other people’s judgement less.
I discovered that I’m capable of doing many things, and I rediscovered the joy of doing them together with others.
Cooking and then eating all together is also a sweet memory for me.
Overall, this project was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to any young person, because it lets you take home new skills and, above all, awareness, lots of new experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
Alina’s testimonial
I was 20 years old when I applied for the project after finishing university, eager for a change from the job I had been stuck in for too long. I wasn’t specifically looking for a project like this, with physical work and life in the countryside, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I’m incredibly happy that this completely new experience became part of my life thanks to Eutopia.
I didn’t have any particular expectations at the beginning of the project, and looking back I can say that in the first few days I saw our group and the place in a completely different light. At first I simply hoped to switch off and get away from my daily life, to meet interesting people and get to know them better. This experience was extraordinary, and I can say that life surprised me in the most wonderful way.
I learned more about how other people live and about their culture; thanks to the others, I developed new painting techniques and learned lots of new words in all the languages I can remember.
Together, we tidied up the grounds, cleared the overgrown vegetation and organised our activities, even getting to the point of setting up a swimming pool. We spent a lot of time painting walls and tidying up, decorating the outdoor spaces, and I drew many beautiful pictures together with the others.
I’m incredibly happy to have lived this experience, and it has definitely changed me for the better. To anyone wondering whether to try something new, I can say that this project was the best thing that happened to me this year. Being among kind people, immersed in nature and exploring everything around you gives you so much strength. I wish everyone to meet their own “best people” in a project like this.
Anastasya’s testimonial
I’m 18 and I’ve just finished my first year of university, where I study economics. Before this project I had already had a very positive volunteering experience in France, and I had also been actively involved in volunteering and youth activities in my country. But at the same time, my life had started to fill up with lots of “adult” things: university, work, the reality of the war and responsibilities. Somewhere in the middle of all this, I had started to lose touch with myself. I did what I had to do, but I had begun to forget who I really was and the things that made me happy.
Before leaving, I expected to meet interesting people, experience a friendly atmosphere and see what daily life in Italy was like. I was also very interested in the practical side of the project, especially the creative work and the recycling. But there was something more personal that I hoped to get from this experience. I wanted to understand myself better and figure out what I really wanted from my life. I didn’t know exactly what the answer would be. And in the end I received much more than I expected.
Everyone in the project was different. Each person had their own story, their own background, their own way of seeing life. And somehow, in a relatively short time, we managed to open up to each other. For me this was incredibly special. When people share their stories with you, you start to see life from completely different perspectives. Their choices, their mistakes, their dreams and their experiences can make you reflect on your own life in a new way. Listening to these people gave me an unexpected strength.
It made me want to grow. It made me want to find my path — not the one considered “right”, successful or expected by someone else, but the one that truly makes me happy.
During this project, something inside me started to change. I realised how easy it actually is for me to connect with people when I stop worrying so much about how I’m perceived. I like making friends, talking a lot and sharing stories. I became open and curious instead of scared. I think I had lost that version of myself. And finding it again was probably the most precious thing this project gave me.
The project itself was also full of experiences I had never had before. Much of our work consisted of helping to renovate a house. We painted, plastered and worked together on various renovation tasks. Later we also created colourful drawings on the walls. One of my drawings stayed there as a small memento of me and the project. I especially appreciated the creative part because it gave me the chance to work on a much larger scale than I normally do. Even the physically demanding days became enjoyable because we did everything together. When everyone works side by side, even hard work can become fun. We also had the opportunity to help local people during a festival and to work with grapes. They may sound like small things, but for me they were incredibly unique experiences. They allowed me to see a side of Italian life that I could never have discovered by simply visiting Italy as a tourist.
At times it was emotionally difficult, because I felt that something inside me was changing. When you start questioning yourself, your life and what you want, it can be uncomfortable. Things happened inside me that I didn’t expect. But somehow, being surrounded by people made those moments much easier.
When I think about what I learned, I don’t think first of practical skills. Of course, I learned to work in a team, to paint and plaster, to create art on a large scale and even to say a few words in Italian. But those are not the things I’ll remember most. I’ll remember the people. I hope I haven’t simply met people for the duration of a single project. I want to stay in touch with them, see them again in the future and find out how their stories continue. Because I’m truly curious to know who they will become.
I would recommend an experience like this especially to young people who are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone. You don’t have to know exactly what you want from life before you go. You don’t even have to feel ready. Sometimes it’s enough to simply give yourself the chance to try. For me, this project wasn’t simply a trip to Italy or volunteering abroad. It was made of people, of trying something new, and, unexpectedly, it became a journey back to myself.
Andie’s testimonial
In a world where everything moves fast, I believe that sometimes we need to stop for a while, be present and reconnect both with what surrounds us and with the people around us. Looking back, I think that was exactly what I was looking for, even though I didn’t realise it at the time. I applied for this volunteering project because it was something I had always wanted to do, but I couldn’t clearly explain why. Only after living it did I understand that the opportunity came at exactly the right moment.
I didn’t have many expectations before arriving. In a way, I was trying to escape from my daily life, and I had never really had the time to think deeply about what the experience would be like. However, I obviously had some ideas and assumptions about it, but my expectations were exceeded in more ways than I could have imagined. I never expected to discover so many things about myself. Nor did I expect to feel such a strong bond with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, including those with whom I didn’t share a language, a religion or even beliefs.
Beyond this, I learned many practical and personal lessons: how to be more independent, how to live and work within a multicultural community, how to adapt to different situations, and even simple everyday skills like cooking, painting or sharing responsibilities. But above all, I learned that volunteering is not only about helping others, but also about cooperating with them towards a common goal, seeing them as human beings and acquiring values such as tolerance and empathy.
All in all, I would always encourage young Europeans to step out of their comfort zone and seize the opportunity to work on a project with people from all over Europe. Some of the most valuable lessons, the strongest friendships and the most rewarding experiences can come from facing difficulties together, as a team, growing along the way.
Arthur’s testimonial
From 16 July to 28 August 2026, I had the chance to live one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, as part of the European Solidarity Corps project “ESC TEAM IN EUTOPIA RISE I – RENOVATING AND UPCYCLING” in Casaleggio Boiro, Italy.
For five weeks I shared daily life with young people from different European countries, immersed in nature, through renovation, maintenance, upcycling, gardening, cooking and other activities. The goal was not simply to work on a farmhouse, but to help create a future safe and inclusive place for young people and international projects.
What I’ll remember most, however, is the community we created. We worked together, cooked together, travelled, discovered new places, played sports and games, talked for hours and shared countless laughs. Living together was sometimes challenging, but it taught me how important communication, cooperation, patience and openness are.
Cascina EUtopia also gave me the opportunity to discover another way of living: closer to nature, with fewer distractions and more time for the people around me. I learned new practical skills, but I also learned a lot about myself. I became more independent, stepped out of my comfort zone and gained confidence in communicating in English with people from different backgrounds and countries.
During these 44 days, Italy became much more than just a destination. Cascina EUtopia became a place full of friendships, challenges, discoveries and memories that I will always carry with me.
I arrived in Italy expecting a volunteering experience. I left with much more: new friends, new skills, unforgettable moments and a stronger desire to keep taking part in European and volunteering projects. This project was not just a project. It was an experience that made me grow.
ESC Teams with the European Solidarity Corps
ESC Teams stand out for their short duration: projects can last from 2 weeks up to a maximum of 2 months. This is precisely why they represent an accessible opportunity even for young people who study or work and can’t leave for long periods.
Although shorter than other volunteering paths, group ESC projects are intense, dynamic experiences full of human exchange. In just a few weeks you can develop practical and transversal skills, live in close contact with people from different countries and build authentic bonds by sharing everyday life.
For many participants, these projects become a space to break out of routine, challenge themselves, gain greater autonomy and rediscover the value of collaboration and community life.
If you’re thinking of going abroad but can’t commit for months, an ESC Team might be the perfect starting point.