ESC Volunteering Opportunity in Italy 2026 in Recycling and Community Work
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 30
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
INSIEME SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA SOCIALE A R.L. is offering a long-term volunteering opportunity under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme in Vicenza, Italy, where two volunteers will be selected to participate in the project from October 2026 to June 2027.
The project focuses on three main areas: social inclusion, the circular economy, and environmental sustainability. Volunteers will work around 30 hours per week alongside a multicultural team and under the supervision of the organization’s staff.
Volunteers will take part in a wide range of activities, including supporting people from vulnerable groups, working in second-hand shops, bicycle repair, the cooperative café, textile reuse, collecting and sorting reusable materials, as well as environmental education in schools and digital communication.
Benefits and Funding
Volunteers will receive:
- Accommodation in shared apartments in the city of Vicenza.
- A monthly allowance of €150 for personal expenses.
- Pocket money of €6 per day under the ESC programme.
- Coverage of round-trip international travel costs according to the ESC distance-based travel allowance.
- €211 for travel distances between 10 and 499 km.
- €309 for travel distances between 500 and 1,999 km.
- A bicycle for local transportation.
- Public transportation tickets for local travel.
- Coverage of visa costs when required.
- The possibility of having free lunch at the cooperative.
- An Italian language course for 3 hours per week.
- A one-week on-arrival training programme.
- A 4-day mid-term evaluation.
- Workshops on social and environmental issues.
- Training on the European volunteering experience, working in the third sector, and cooperatives in Italy.
Duties & responsibilities
- Support people from different backgrounds and social groups.
- Assist in second-hand shops.
- Contribute to bicycle repair and maintenance.
- Sort and prepare reusable materials.
- Contribute to textile reuse activities.
- Assist with waste collection and reuse services.
- Work in the cooperative café and help prepare food and drinks.
- Interact with customers as part of the cooperative’s activities.
- Support environmental education workshops in schools.
- Contribute to digital communication activities.
- Promote opportunities and programmes offered by the European Solidarity Corps.
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants should be open-minded, proactive, and highly motivated to participate.
- Have an interest in social work, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy.
- Be willing to take part in practical tasks and direct work with people.
- Have a team-oriented mindset and be willing to work within a multicultural team.
- Be willing to learn and develop new skills.
- Be able to interact with others with empathy and flexibility.
- Be prepared to live in Italy for the full 9-month duration of the project.
- Be able to adapt to a new environment and culture.
- Have an interest in social inclusion and supporting vulnerable groups.
- Previous experience is not required in volunteering, social work, or environmental education, although it is considered an advantage.
- Have at least a basic knowledge of Italian or English.
- Be available to participate for the entire duration of the project.
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