Volunteer in Italy

Noored Ühiskonna Heaks (NYH) is promoting a call for participants for European Solidarity Corps (ESC) short-term volunteering projects in Sicily, Italy.

‍

About the Project

"HANDS": Opportunity with Strauss APS, 25 placements for an organization, for 2 months, starting from May 2025. HANDS - Harvesting, Analyzing and Nourishing Development Strategies - is a Volunteering Teams ITINERANT project under the European Solidarity Corps, taking place in Sicily from 20 May to 10 July 2025 (travel days included). It will touch 4 DIFFERENT TOWNS for activities, another location for Welcome Training and Final Evaluation + 15 more areas of central Sicily. It engages international volunteers in non-formal education initiatives designed to support disadvantaged children and youth, including disabilities, migration, and other vulnerable groups. Through workshops, activities and research, volunteers analyze data on educational needs, developing innovative strategies and promote inclusive learning. The project encourages intercultural collaboration and fosters active engagement with local communities. Volunteers create activities, awareness campaigns, strengthen local networks, and contribute to a sustainable model for tackling educational poverty in rural and urban contexts across Sicily.‍

At the beginning of the project there will be 5 days of Welcome Training in Montedoro. Volunteers will be divided into 4 action groups and each group will have its own base camp: 1 in Mussomeli, 1 in Prizzi, 1 in Milena, and 1 in Riesi. By the 20th day of activities, a switch will be made between Mussomeli and Prizzi and another
between Milena and Riesi. Each group will therefore operate in two different territories. A Mid-Term evaluation will be realized. At the end of the project, a Final Evaluation Meeting will be held in Montedoro, for another 5 days. The activities will be done also in at least 3 other different towns nearby the base camp.

The project will collect and analyze data on the educational needs of children and youth, considering their specific disadvantages. This will be done through non-formal education activities, focus groups, surveys, interviews, and awareness-raising actions across all 5 target areas. Key steps include:

- Collecting information through local actors and community engagement.
- Conducting focus groups and needs assessments.
- Organizing test workshops using non-formal education methods.
- Developing an itinerant educational methodology.
- Gathering input to design awareness campaigns.
- Evaluating and incorporating feedback to refine the educational approaches.
The data will come not only from youth but also from third sector organizations, schools, local institutions, and community representatives, ensuring a comprehensive analysis.
IMPORTANT: other kind of activities in the field of youth, environment, community, non formal education will be organized accordingly to the specific target community.

‍

About the organization

Strauss APS, originally known as Associazione Culturale Strauss, is a non-profit organization established in 1999 in Mussomeli, Sicily. The organization's primary mission is to foster a multicultural and multiethnic society by promoting European community values in marginal and peripheral areas, particularly within the former province of Caltanissetta. Strauss APS is dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of young people, offering opportunities that support their social, professional, cultural, and personal development, with a strong emphasis on social inclusion for those with fewer opportunities.

‍

Goal

The main goal is to foster social inclusion, promote active citizenship, and offer volunteers an intercultural and educational experience in close contact with the Sicilian territory.

‍

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

Accommodation is provided for the entire duration of the project. Participants receive a money allowance for meals (food pocket), and local transport related to project activities is covered. Travel expenses to and from Sicily are reimbursed up to the official distance thresholds. For more information, please refer to the info pack link: https://straussaps.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Info-Pack-HANDS-4.pdf  2 free days per week - 2 holidays days during the experience.

‍

Training during the activity

Participants benefit from an initial Welcome Training designed to introduce the project’s objectives, methods, and tools, with a strong focus on non-formal education. A Mid-Term Evaluation offers an opportunity to assess progress, exchange experiences, and address emerging challenges. Finally, a comprehensive final evaluation helps volunteers reflect on their development and collectively review the outcomes achieved.

‍

Objectives:

- INNOVATIVE LEARNING METHODS: Develop and apply new itinerant pedagogical approaches to improve access to education and fight educational poverty.
- STRONGER EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY: equip Sicilian educators with innovative tools to address local challenges and share solutions with nearby areas.
- YOUTH INVOLVEMENT: Actively engage disadvantaged youth in project activities, fostering their skills and community participation.
- LOCAL NEEDS: Address educational and social exclusion through sustainable methods.
- INTERNATIONAL REPLICATION: Develop innovative solutions in Sicily that can be adapted and applied in other countries through international partnerships.

‍

Participants profile:

• Age 18-30 years.
• Strongly interested in the project and ESC programme topics.
• Flexible and adaptable. Independent and problem solving oriented. Willing to cooperate.