Project’s code: 2021-2-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-000044961
Eligibility period: 01.02.2022-31.01.2024
Allocated contribution: €139.611,00
This project, coordinated by YouNet APS under the European Solidarity Corps programme, offers young people the opportunity to engage in long-term international volunteering experiences in Bologna and surrounding areas. The initiative aims to foster inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and active citizenship, with a special focus on young people with fewer opportunities, including those from rural or marginalized communities.
Through participation in educational, cultural, and solidarity-based activities, volunteers support local communities, promote European values, and grow personally and professionally. The project contributes to building a more inclusive and cohesive society, while empowering young people to become agents of change both locally and across Europe.
Objectives:
Intercultural Dialogue & European Belonging
- Promote understanding of European values, cultures, and opportunities.
- Focus on rural and peripheral youth with fewer opportunities.
- Volunteers foster intercultural dialogue, build awareness of the EU, and strengthen community cohesion.
Social Inclusion & Cohesion
- Support disadvantaged groups in rural/peripheral areas to reduce social exclusion.
- Volunteers organize socio-cultural, educational, and recreational activities.
- These initiatives encourage solidarity, intercultural and intergenerational integration, and empower volunteers as future ambassadors of inclusion.
Empowering Young Volunteers
- Engage young Europeans with fewer opportunities in volunteering.
- Provide safe, supportive environments that promote active citizenship and inclusion.
- Volunteering develops skills, relationships, and confidence, helping youth grow while contributing to a fairer, more cohesive society.
Activities:
Activity 1: Individualised educational support and entertainment activities with minors
Hosting Organisation: Associazione La Strada – Location: Medicina, Italy
Mission: The no-profit Association La Strada, supports children, youth, and immigrants through personalized educational programs, social services, Italian language learning, and assistance with job research and bureaucracy.
Activity 2: Inclusion and diversity
Hosting Organisation: Casa Santa Chiara – Location: Bologna, Italy
Mission: The Centre for people with disabilities in Bologna, involves volunteers in social and recreational activities, integration initiatives, and daily tasks like workshops, physical activities, events, and excursions alongside staff members.
Activity 3:Promotion of intercultural dialogue, sense of belonging, active participation in society, European project
Hosting Organisation: YouNet APS – Location: Bologna, Italy
Mission:YouNet’s mission is to empower young people by promoting European values, active citizenship, and personal development through social involvement, education, and cultural exchange.
Activity 4: Promotion of European citizenship and intercultural dialogue
Hosting Organisation: YouNet Reggio Emilia – Location: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Mission:YouNet Reggio Emilia’s goal is to support young people’s empowerment by fostering European values, active citizenship, and personal development through educational, social, and cultural exchange opportunities.
Activity 5: First aid support and assistance with CRI
Hosting Organisation: Croce Rossa Italiana – Location: Marotta Mondolfo, Italy
Mission:The mission of the Italian Red Cross is to provide humanitarian aid, promote health and social well-being, and offer emergency services, focusing on supporting vulnerable individuals and communities through education, first aid, and disaster relief while fostering solidarity and respect for human dignity.
Activity 6: Social, educational and cultural activities
Hosting Organisation: Proatlantico – Location: Portugal
Mission: ProAtlântico’s mission is to strengthen the inclusion and participation of young people and vulnerable communities by promoting solidarity, intercultural dialogue and European citizenship.
Alba
Spain
La Strada
It was also the best decision I have made in my new life. I learned to be more expressive, sociable, embraced a new culture, a new language [...] They treated me like one of the family, and that’s where I felt free. I discovered my home, my new family, and I saw clearly what I wanted to do with my life, so, if you’re reading this and you’re still not convinced, let me tell you that if you feel lost, don’t hesitate and do a volunteering experience.
Angela
Spain
La strada
If you have the opportunity, don't think about it, don't let the Missing your family, friends and country take away from living a unique experience that will definitely change you both inside and out, because I assure you that you will return with a suitcase full of wonderful memories and experiences.
Maria Carolina
Portugal
Casa Santa Chiara
Volunteering in Italy proved to be more challenging than I ever could imagine. Very growth-inducing as well.
Marta
Spain
Casa Santa Chiara
I am so grateful to have lived this experience and to have met so many people who have become very good friends and have changed me. Volunteering abroad should be mandatory!
Karin
Slovakia
YouNet APS
La vita è troppo corta e dobbiamo imparare, cercare, provare cose nuove, vivere furori dalla zona di comfort, aiutare gli altri ed essere positivi. Queste sono poche idee che ho imparato durante questo anno...
Voglio andare più avanti, con il mio cuore aperto dove sempre resterà uno spazio grande per Bologna, il centro Montanari, YouNet e le miei amiche e amici internazionali.
Anne
Spain
YouNet APS
“A Bologna, e grazie a questo progetto, sono cresciuta come persona e sono diventata adulta. Ho finalmente trovato il mio percorso professionale che vorrei seguire grazie alle attività che ho sviluppato in YouNet.
Elif
Turkey
YouNet APS
In the end, apart from all these tasks and responsibilities, I had the chance to meet amazing people from all over the world, which helped me discover myself
Sandra
Poland
YouNet Reggio Emilia
“A whole year of volunteering in Reggio felt like just a month to me. Fun times always go by fast, so I guess that means I had a really good time. During this experience, I achieved everything I set out to do, like learning Italian, which I can now speak fluently. It was a year of facing challenges, trying new things, but also having amazing adventures, making friends, and forming close bonds. What made it special were the people I spent time with, especially Celina, who guided me throughout the project and became a close friend, and also the other girls from the office like Bea, Sara, and Giulia, who were always there to help out whenever I needed.
Maria
Greece
YouNet Reggio Emilia
This volunteering experience was priceless because it gave me the chance to cultivate further my working skills, soft skills and most importantly gave me the natural sense of contributing in the accomplishment of a better society
Mia
Germany
Croce Rossa Italiana
Raquel
Spain
Croce Rossa Italiana
“Hi ! My name is Raquel and I’m from Valencia, Spain. This is my last year of the degree in Advertising and Public Relations at UJI. I’m currently doing my Erasmus internship here at YouNet. I’m very thankful for this opportunity, for sure, it will be very useful for my future!
What can I say about myself? I really like photography and social media , that’s the reason why I chose my degree. In my free time, I love traveling , meeting new people and working to improve my skills . Last year, I studied Italian at university, and during my time in Italy, I will practice and learn even more!
Paola
Italy
Proatlantico
Olà, sono Paola, 28 anni, italiana.
Lavoro in un centro con persone disabili. Amo questo tipo di lavoro e amo le persone. Sono fantastici e hanno un cuore davvero grande! Mi mancheranno
Agosto è stato in generale un mese pieno di riflessioni. Ho avuto tempo per pensare alla mia vita, ai miei progetti futuri e alla mia esperienza personale in Portogallo. Amo questo Paese, i miei amici e le persone speciali che ho conosciuto in questo anno!
Beatrice
Italy
Proatlantico