ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Cantiere Giovani (CG) is a non-profit, non-governmental and secular organisation founded in 2001 in the metropolitan area of Naples, a region characterised by great cultural and historical wealth, but also by strong social contradictions and a high density of young people. CG’s mission is to promote social inclusion, active citizenship and solidarity, with a particular focus on young people, people in vulnerable situations and those with a migrant background. Through non-formal education, pedagogical experimentation and experiential learning, the organisation encourages autonomy, participation and the development of personal and social skills.
CG manages numerous educational and cultural projects and spaces. The “Il Cantiere” socio-cultural centre hosts a quarterly programme co-created with young people, volunteers and citizens, which includes language courses (also for migrants), creative workshops, art exhibitions, theatre performances and concerts, public events and seminars. With the “Cantiere dei Pirati” project, children aged 5 to 13 participate in afternoon activities such as school support, cooperative games, manual and creative workshops (cooking, gardening, recycling, archaeology), sports, intercultural education and excursions. Every summer, CG organises summer camps for children and teenagers in its own spaces and in local parks and schools: opportunities for cooperative learning, active citizenship and personal resource development.
At the same time, CG carries out educational projects in schools to combat early school leaving, promotes audiovisual education initiatives to encourage young people to use media creatively and consciously, and promotes public events through CGioco, which uses games made from recycled materials to raise awareness among families and citizens about urban sustainability. Through the Svolta Sostenibile (Sustainable Change) programme, the organisation offers performances, experiential games and flash mobs to stimulate reflection on the impact of urbanisation and the environment on quality of life. It is also one of the founders of the CSL (Local Development Coordination) network, which brings together 30 associations in Naples and Caserta engaged in awareness campaigns, public events, reuse of common goods and promotion of social cohesion.
One innovative aspect is the SPAS sensory garden, a space designed to stimulate the five senses through playful and inclusive experiences, and involvement in a residential community for adults with mental health issues, where creative workshops and horticultural therapy activities are carried out for therapeutic and community purposes.

European Solidarity Corps volunteers will be gradually trained and accompanied in these activities, with a diversified and multidisciplinary programme, so as to enhance their interests and aptitudes and promote the development of transversal skills. The main tasks include:

• Support for educational, cultural and recreational activities at the Il Cantiere centre and the Cantiere dei Pirati programme, including entertainment, workshops, events and summer camps.
• Collaboration in the organisation and implementation of intercultural workshops, artistic, linguistic and audiovisual activities.
• Participation in the management of the SPAS sensory garden and co-facilitation of inclusive experiences with children, young people and adults.
• Support for activities with adults suffering from mental illness through creative workshops, horticultural therapy and community events.
• Involvement in the promotion of active citizenship and European solidarity, including through awareness-raising initiatives, public events and the promotion of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.
• Participation in activities in schools and network projects in the area, contributing to the fight against social exclusion and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

During the year of volunteering, participants will have a transformative experience in a context rich in cultural and social stimuli, developing language skills (particularly Italian), communication and intercultural skills, organisational and creative abilities. They will be encouraged to contribute their own ideas, work in teams and experiment with innovative methods of education and active citizenship.

The project therefore offers volunteers the opportunity to combine personal growth, civic engagement and intercultural exchange, becoming an integral part of a local community that believes in social change and in building a united and inclusive Europe.

To learn more about the hosting organisation, take a look at  Facebook page and Website Page!

If you want to participate, please fill the Form!