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Volunteer opportunities in ITALY


Environmental and maintenance works in the Convent San Giorgio
       Goriano Valli, Abruzzo          May 26 - June 6, 2008

Volunteer project: Since 1999 the ex-Convent San Giorgio, a Volunteering Permanent Centre, has hosted hundreds of volunteers in different occasions (national and international workcamps, European Volunteering Service, etc).
The Convent is situated in the region of Abruzzo, centre of Italy, about 150 km away from Rome. It has been fully restored by the local institution Mountain Community and furnished following as much as possible the "static free" standards.

The project aims to bring new economic, tourist and especially cultural and spiritual movements in a quite isolated area. It deals with sustainable living, no waste, recycling and clever use of energies.

As every year, from January until June, international volunteer groups will spend some days at the ex Convento San Giorgio: a good chance to meet people from all over the world, to know a bit of Italian culture, getting in touch with permaculture and sustainable living; all this while staying in a Convent of the XVII° century. Tasks of the participants change according to the period of the year, the season and the weather, but can be summarized in:
• maintenance of the structure (cleaning the Convent, painting walls, restoring windows,...)
• feeding the animals (chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, donkeys)
• working in the garden
• cleaning paths around the Convent in the wonderful Regional Park of Sirente-Velino.
The work will often be outside. Average winter temperature is -5°C to +5°C.

Language: English

Accommodation: Volunteers will be sharing rooms inside the Convent. This is an ex-Convent from the XVII century and there is no heating in the rooms. Please note that there is no internet connection available at the Convent; telephone is available only with international prepaid phone-cards.

Location: Goriano Valli (Tione degli Abruzzi - Fontecchio), Province of L'Aquila, Region Abruzzo

Terminal: Closest international airports are Rome or Pescara

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: Euro 100 to be paid upon arrival
 



 

Cleaning and safeguarding the Po River Delta area
       Parco del Delta del Po, Veneto
          June 5 - June 19, 2008

Volunteer project: This international volunteer project will take place in the area around the Po River, characterized by a peculiar plains and dunes landscape, fishing valleys, the Po river bank and a lagoon.

Volunteers will work on cleaning and safeguarding the Po Delta area, will put up signs and will clean and maintain beaches and paths, in collaboration with local young volunteers. Volunteers will be hosted in the Barricata eco village, located inside the Po natural Park and during free time, excursions and tours will be organized.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Parco del Delta del Po, Rovigo, Veneto

Terminal: Venice, Bologna airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental and renovation works in a small Piemonte village
       Borgofranco, Piemonte
          June 9 - June 23, 2008

Volunteer project: Borgofranco d’Ivrea is a small rural village born at the end of 1200 as a military outpost. Thanks to its position right on the famous Via Francigena, the village was in the past an important pilgrims passing point and has now become a junction among Italy, France and Switzerland. The village seems to be divided in many different parts, each with a small church, a Romanic age bell tower, and a very peculiar architectural complex of Balmetti, shaped by the wind blowing from natural caves in the terrain.

Volunteers will work on paths maintenance, cleaning, cutting bushes and fixing small walls and fences.

Language: English

Accommodation: Municipality guest house

Location: Borgofranco, Turin, Piemonte, North of Italy

Terminal: Turin International airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Help preserve the natural environment in Milan Province
       Cinisello, Lombardia
          June 15 - June 29, 2008

Volunteer project: The Grugnotorto-Villoresi Park is located on the northern hinterland of Milan. The massive urbanization occurred in this area after the Word War II, changed the features of this territory, once an old and typical country landscape and today covered mostly by roads, industries and houses. For this reason, at the end of the ‘80s, some groups and associations joined together, claiming the protection of the agricultural territories against their urbanization. This dream has become reality through one of the younger parks in Milan Province, the Parco Grugnotorto-Villoresi, founded in 1999. Therefore, a “work-in-progress” park needs your help to grow-up.

Volunteers will collaborate in cutting grass, cleaning the underbrush, maintaining the structures of the park and watering plants.

Language: English

Accommodation: Red Cross Headquarter

Location: Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Lombardia, North of Italy

Terminal: Milan international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental preservation of the area of Lavino Hot Springs
       Scafa, Abruzzo
          June 15 - June 29, 2008
       Scafa, Abruzzo          July 13 - July 27, 2008

Volunteer project: The Regional Park of Lavino Hot Springs is managed by the Scafa Council. The Park has a huge archaeological, historical and environmental importance thanks to its peculiar hot springs, the old mineral caves, the canals and the water mill.

The international volunteer project aims to valorise and preserve the area. Volunteers will put up signs, build paths and distribute leaflets in the Park. They will also be involved in cleaning the area around the mill, maintaining the public areas, and participating in local summer events.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a hostel

Location: Scafa, Abruzzo, Centre of Italy

Terminal: Pescara and Rome international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Building a natural path from the Calabrian coastline to the Aspromonte Mountains
       Palmi, Calabria
          June 16 - June 29, 2008

Volunteer project: Volunteers will work on an abandoned track's restoration, with the aim to turn about 1 km stretch between Palmi and Seminara into a natural path for hikers, bikers and horse-riders. This project, organized within the campaign “Railway Roads”, focuses on the track which connects the coastline with the Aspromonte Mountains, a beautiful area characterized by olive yards, cultivated terraced fields and beech woods.
Due to the hot weather, the volunteers will work during the early morning. It will be mainly maintenance and manual work.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Palmi, Reggio Calabria, Calabria

Terminal: Reggio Calabria international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Theatre Festival “Il giardino delle Esperidi”
       Ello/Campsirago, Lombardia
          June 16 - July 2, 2008

Volunteer project: The Scarlattine association was born in 2004 as a corporate body for the organization of cultural events for the Scarlattine Theatre company, active in the field of Italian drama since 1998. Since 2007, Scarlattine manages the Residential Centre for Environment and Theatre in Campsirago and promotes cultural activities around S. Genesio Park. Since its beginning, the association started a cultural itinerary involving other forms of art (photography, video and live music), also starting partnership with different kinds of associations.

During the project, volunteers will help setting up the structures of the Festival “Il giardino delle Esperidi”, an art theatre event organised in the area of the Monte di Brianza Park in collaboration with the Lecco province. This event will last about one week and will take place in different areas of the Park, transforming footpaths and medieval villages into stages. During the first week, the project will be hosted in the Ello Council building; volunteers will be divided in 4 groups and will attend a theatre workshop besides a workshop about lights and audio techniques, stage and scenic settings, reception and audience of artists, environmental maintenance works.
Second week volunteers will move to Campsirago, one of the several rural ancient villages in the Park, where the “Permanent Centre for Voluntary Service and Environmental Education” is located. Volunteers will take care of setting the festival structures, giving their support and seeing the performances. The last days of the project they will collaborate in closing the Festival.

Language: English

Accommodation: Council building / Voluntary and Envinronmental Education Centre

Location: Ello-Campsirago, Lecco, Lombardia

Terminal: Milan international airport

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: Euro 100 to be paid upon arrival
 

 

Maintenance of green areas and creating disabled access footpath by Sentino river
       Genga, Marche
          June 16 - June 29, 2008

Volunteer project: This project will take place in the “Gola della Rossa e Frasassi” regional park, a beautiful natural reserve formed by the Fossi valley, a small lake, the Sentino river and a peculiar flora and fauna.

Volunteers will collaborate with the Park’s staff on the river bank area maintenance, will realize an accessible foothpath for disabled people and will do manual and pruning work.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Genga, Ancona, Marche

Terminal: Rome, Ancona – Falconara airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Developing agriculture on former mobsters' land in the south of Italy
       Mesagne, Puglia
          June 16 - June 29, 2008

Volunteer project: Mesagne is a city lying in the northern area of the Salentina peninsula (southern Italy, in front of Albania), surrounded by wine yards and olive trees. The area maintains important historical and architectural evidences from the Roman and Norman ages, such as the Castle from the XI century.

The volunteer project is organized in support of “Terre di Puglia-Libera Terra” cooperative with the aim of developing fields confiscated to mafia. Volunteers will collaborate in farming activities: in particular, grapevines cleaning and maintaining and tomatoes harvesting.

Special requirements: A motivation letter is required with application.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Mesagne, Puglia, South of Italy

Terminal: Brindisi and Bari international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Making and renovating paths in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines
       Alpe di Cavarzano, Tuscany
          June 17 - July 2, 2008

Volunteer project: Located on the Tosco-Emiliano Appennine at 1006 m altitude, this area is one of the most wild and distinctive of central Italy, characterised by beautiful waterfalls, wide grasslands and impervious woods.

Volunteers will be involved in making and renovating paths. This project is right for people who love isolated and quiet places.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Alpe di Cavarzano, Prato, Toscana region

Terminal: Florence and Pisa international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Signposting and maintenance of paths in the Piemonte countryside
       Montafia, Cortazzone e Cortandone, Piemonte
      June 18 - July 2, 2008

Volunteer project: Montafia, Cortazzone e Cortandone are located in a beautiful valley characterized by streams, torrents, wellsprings, besides wide forests and important romanic churches.

During the project, the volunteers will work on the maintenance of paths, will put up signs and will attend seminars and cultural excursions aiming at discovering the territory and local food. Volunteers will also learn about herbs, local flora and paleontologic heritage of the area.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a guesthouse

Location: Montafia, Cortazzone e Cortandone, Asti, Piemonte

Terminal: Turin international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Help in the organization and running of the Festambiente festival
       Vicenza, Veneto
          June 20 - July 3, 2008

Volunteer project: Vicenza, founded by Euganei people, occupied by Galli and annexed to the Roman Empire, was enriched with fabulous buildings and amazing monuments by Palladio, one of the most important Italian architects, in 500. In 1994 Vicenza was registered in the UNESCO “world heritage” list. This volunteer project will take place during the “Festambiente” festival, an event organized since 2002 by many local organizations to promote a lifestyle of sustainability.

During the project, volunteers will help in the organization of the festival activities: concerts, performances, exhibitions, sports, cinema etc. The aim is to raise awareness on environmental, social and solidarity issues, also to give people the right tools to be used in their everyday life. Volunteers will also help maintaining the Rettone River Park which will host the festival.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Vicenza, Veneto

Terminal: Venice, Treviso, Verona international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Support the activities of the Chestnut eco-museum in Nomaglio
       Nomaglio, Piemonte
          June 23 - July 7, 2008

Volunteer project: Nomaglio is a small village (575m high), located at the entrance of the Serra Morenica and part of the Morenico Amphitheatre. It is a unique area, thanks to its geological, naturalistic and anthropological characteristics. In 1996, the municipality started a project to restore and develop local cultural values and to create a chestnut eco-museum. The museum is dedicated to the benefits of the chestnut tree: the whole village, the surrounding forests, the mule tracks and the old water-mill are all part of the eco-museum, which is, most of all, a workshop for schools, visitors, chestnut workers and people interested in local history and environment.

Volunteers will work on this project by cutting bushes and briars, restoring dry stone walls, setting up signals and participating in workshops and seminars on environmental and conservation issues. Volunteers will also have the chance of discovering typical local products and food.

Language: English

Accommodation: Municipality building

Location: Nomaglio, Turin, Piemonte, North of Italy

Terminal: Turin International airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Restoration and conservation works in a Volunteer meeting centre on the Island of Sardinia
       Gergei, Sardinia
          June 25 - July 6, 2008

Volunteer project: The “Volunteer Meeting Centre” has been confiscated to mafia and assigned from the municipality of Gergei to the Association “La strada” of Cagliari. The Centre is located 2 km away from the village Su Piroi, and has a main building, surrounded by a big swimming pool (to be restored) and some other facilities.

Volunteers will reclaim the building, will restore the go-kart track, and will prepare the soil for the next figs planting season. They will also participate in meetings with associations, cooperatives and local groups. The project is close to Nuoro and some beautiful cities such as Cagliari (60 km) and Alghero (170 km).

Special requirements: A motivation letter is required with application.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Gergei, Nuoro, Island of Sardinia

Terminal: Cagliari international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Maintenance of paths and green areas in Cavallaria mountain
       Quassolo, Piemonte
          June 27 - July 12, 2008

Volunteer project: This international volunteer project will take place in Quassolo, located at the slope of the Cavallaria mountain (1464 m high), in the Valle d’Aosta Region. The ancient centre of the village, known in the past as Riperia della Dora, overlooks the vineyards and shows many examples of ancient rural architecture (like the old cheese factory “al Casun”, the mill with the woodworking “al Mulin d’Alera”, the cellar “la Fujera”) and typical fountains made of stone (called Burnel), which are still offering good and pure water to local people.

Volunteers will work on cutting bushes and briars, cleaning torrents, maintenance of paths and dry stone walls, and restoration of fences.

Language: English

Accommodation: Municipality building

Location: Quassolo, Turin, Piemonte, North of Italy

Terminal: Turin International airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Improving forest paths and organizing animation activities for local youth
       Mezzoldo, Lombardia
          June 28 - July 12, 2008

Volunteer project: This project will take place within the initiative “Foreste da Vivere” (Forests to live in), an initiative promoted by Lombardia region to foster the 23.000 hectare of forest through cultural and sport events, excursions, tastings, and many other. The workcamp was established thanks to the collaboration with ERSAF (Regional Authority for Agricultural and Forest Services), to guarantee a development of cultural activities addressed to the local community and the numerous hikers visiting the surrounding valleys. The working area lies within the Azzaredo – Casù forest, around 114 hectare, characterised by small alpine villages, the local gastronomic products (such as “bitto” cheese) and the rare presence of beech trees.

Volunteers will put up wood signs, benches and tables, organize animation activities for local youngsters and clean and maintain paths around the village. This project is physically demanding and volunteers must be motivated.

Language: English

Accommodation: ERSAF guest quarter.

Location: Mezzoldo, Bergamo, Lombardia

Terminal: Orio al Serio or Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental education and park maintenance in Milan
       Milano, Lombardia
          June 28 - July 12, 2008

Volunteer project: Volunteers will collaborate with the local “Quarto Oggiaro Vivibile” Association in the Villa Scheibler’s park, a green area characterised by two 18th century Villas and located in the Milan suburbs (reachable by bus). The Quarto Oggiaro association organizes many sports, cultural and social activities inside the park.

The group of international volunteers will help to spread environmental education, help in the maintenance of the park and to list the local flora and fauna.

Language: English

Accommodation: Vivibile Association’s guest house

Location: Milano, Lombardia

Terminal: Orio al Serio or Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental clean-up and construction works in a medieval village in Abruzzo
       Fara San Martino, Abruzzo
          July 1 - July 15, 2008

Volunteer project: The volunteer project will take place in the medieval village of Fara San Martino, on the eastern border of the Majella National Park at about 460 m altitude.

Volunteers will build and put up wooden security fences along the road between the Park entrance and San Martino gorges. Volunteers will also clean the olive-yard below the road, which is often used as a garbage dump.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Fara San Martino, Chieti, Abruzzo

Terminal: Rome, Pescara international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Fire prevention project in Sicily
       Galati Mamertino, Sicily
          July 1 - July 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Nebrodi Park is one of the most beautiful protected areas in Sicily, characterized by many different natural landscapes and the Mar Tirreno coast (30 minutes away by bus) where volunteers will possibly spend the hottest hours of the day.

Volunteers will work in fire prevention activities: checking fires, cleaning abandoned sites, restoring paths, setting up signs and also some manual work for the local community.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Galati Mamertino, Messina, Sicilia, South of Italy

Terminal: Catania international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental maintenance and restoration in the area of prehistoric rock art engravings in Valcamonica
       Paspardo, Lombardia
          July 1 - July 14, 2008

Volunteer project: The Ceto-Cimbergo-Paspardo regional reserve of rock art engravings, located in the middle of Camonica Valley, was established in 1983 by the Region of Lombardia with the aim of protecting the area characterised by prehistoric rock engravings and several important ethnological and environmental elements concerning the evolution of Alps over the last thousand years.

Volunteers will work on environmental maintenance and restoration.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Paspardo, Brescia, Lombardia

Terminal: Brescia or Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Cleaning beaches and participation in ecology workshops in a Natural Marine Reserve
       Punta Campanella, Campania
          July 1 - July 13, 2008

Volunteer project: This project will take place in Massa Lubrense, a small village located on the farthest edge of the amazing Sorrento Peninsula, one of the most beautiful Italian coasts. Volunteers will work in collaboration with the “Environment and Legality Observatory” located in Punta Campanella, a marine protected area established with the aim to spread environmental legality culture and contribute to monitor and prevent illegal actions on the coast.

Volunteers will be involved in cleaning beaches and coastline, informing tourists about recycling, and participating in ecology workshops.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Massa Lubrense, Naples, Campania, South of Italy

Terminal: Naples and Rome international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Recovering an estate confiscated to the mafia
       Volvera, Piemonte
          July 1 - July 15, 2008

Volunteer project: Acmos is an educational community which tries to help people to become the protagonist of their own future through sharing, temperance and hosting. Born in 1999, Acmos has been collaborating on a Youth project since 2000. Thanks to their hard work, a hospitality centre was created, with the aim of developing sustainable lifestyle and solidarity.

For the fourth year, the community will host an international volunteer project, with the aim to recover some properties confiscated to mafia. In particular, volunteers will work and do some farming works on fields located around Volvera and Cesana. There will also be several training moments about the law on properties confiscation and about mafia in Italy and abroad. Volunteer will also be involved in cultural exchanges and meetings with local community.

Special requirements: A motivation letter is required with application.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Volvera, Torino, Piemonte, North West of Italy

Terminal: Turin international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Preserving forests and conducting a tree census in Lombardia
       Bienno e Campolungo, Lombardia
          July 5 - July 19, 2008

Volunteer project: This project will take place within the initiative “Foreste da Vivere” (Forests to live in), an initiative promoted by Lombardia region to foster the 23.000 hectare of forests through cultural and sport events, excursions, tastings, and many other.

Volunteers will clean grasslands, cut shrubs and bushes, and will conduct a census of local trees, classifying them with photographs and measures. Volunteers will work in a mountainous area at 1.500 m, in the middle of the state-owned forest managed by ERSAF.

Language: English

Accommodation: Mountain shelter

Location: Bienno e Campolungo, Brescia, Lombardia, North of Italy
Bienno, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a small medieval village (500 m high), located in Valcamonica, the northern area of Brescia. The village is very well known for the old tradition of iron manufactures and for the typical "borgo". The Adamello Park is located in the centre of the alpine chain, in the north-eastern part of Brescia and it is almost 51.000 hectares. Campolungo (1.500 m high) is approximately one hour and a half far from the outskirts of Bienno, and has very interesting traces of the Roman copper and iron manufacturing industries.

Terminal: Milan international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 


 

Footpath maintenance and setting picnic areas in a heritage area of Tuscany
       Bacchereto, Tuscany
          July 6 - July 20, 2008
       Bacchereto, Tuscany          July 22 - August 6, 2008

Volunteer project: The volunteer project takes place in Bacchereto, a village located in a wonderful area, rich of typical olive trees, woods and hills and close to beautiful Tuscany cities, such as Florence, Siena, Volterra and Montecatini. Interesting archaeological and Renaissance ruins characterize the area, as well as the typical cooking with wines, dried figs and olive oil.

Volunteers will work on maintenance of the paths, will put up signs related to the typical flora and fauna, and will set up picnic areas (benches, signs and wooden tables) in the most remarkable locations.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Bacchereto, Prato district, Tuscany, Centre of Italy

Terminal: Florence and Pisa international airport

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental maintenance activities along the river Lanza
       Bizzarone, Lombardia
          July 6 - July 20, 2008

Volunteer project: Volunteers will work in the Valle del Lanza Park, located between Como and Varese in an area famous for its lakes. The park extends along the river Lanza, that reaches the River Olona, showing a very unique biodiversity. The Park is crossed by the old “Valmorea” railroad, now used by tourists during the summer. In the past, this area was also important for its quarrymen who digged some artificial caves, impressive for their dimensions. This area is rich of rivers, torrents and ancient mills, some of which still working.

Volunteers will work on the maintenance of paths and on the cleaning of the area along the Lanza River, in collaboration with the Risk Prevention local group.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school/gym

Location: Bizzarone, Lombardia region, North of Italy

Terminal: Milan International airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Maintenance of pathways in Valletta Park
       Cassago Brianza-Valletta, Lombardia
          July 6 - July 19, 2008

Volunteer project: Valletta Park is an agricultural area, located between Bergamo and Como. Its name traces its origin from the folk tradition, the canals and the surrounding depressed area, covered by a 16 km cycle-pedestrian route, which allows visitors to enjoy the nature and landscape peculiarities.

Volunteers’ activities will involve path maintenance in collaboration with the Amici della Valletta local organization.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a gym

Location: Cassago Brianza, Lecco, Lombardia

Terminal: Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Improving green areas and footpaths for the local community of Ceggia
       Ceggia, Veneto
          July 6 - July 19, 2008

Volunteer project: Ceggia is a lively town with ancient traditions, located in the eastern Venetian plain, very close to important tourist places such as Venezia, Jesolo or Treviso. Local environmental group intends to improve the green area and footpaths along the river, used mainly by the local community.

Volunteers will clean and maintain the area. Besides, they will do manual work to set up an equipped area to be used by the hospitality Centre for disabled people, hosted in the park.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Ceggia, Venezia, Veneto

Terminal: Venice or Treviso international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Environmental maintenance of alpine rural areas
       Crandola Valsassina, Lombardia
          July 6 - July 19, 2008

Volunteer project: The green valley of Valsassina is located between the Grigne massif and Bergamo Pre-Alps and is characterized by a rich nature and various landscapes. Volunteers will be hosted and supported in their activities by the local community, which has already involved volunteer groups in the organization of campaigns such as “Piccola Grande Italia” (small big Italy). This campaign aims to promote the environmental and cultural heritage of small Italian municipalities, also involving schools and students.

Volunteers will work on the environmental maintenance of the area of nearby Crandola Valsassina. This work will mainly regard the surrounding mountainous areas and volunteers will reach the working place walking along the paths.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Crandola Valsassina, Lecco, Lombardia, North of Italy

Terminal: Milan International airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Riverbank clean-up project in Lecco
       Lecco, Lombardia
          July 6 - July 19, 2008

Volunteer project: Lecco is a small town on the eastern arm of Como Lake, located at the source of River Adda. This area is very well-known thanks to its important writer, Alessandro Manzoni who wrote the novel “The Betrothed" (I promessi sposi). Lecco is situated within a dell between the Lake and high Prealpine mountains. Lecco undertook the “Agenda XXI” project for sustainable development, an agreement signed during the Environmental and Development Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Volunteers will clean the river bank area, supported by the local Civil Protection group.

Language: English

Accommodation: Municipality guest house

Location: Lecco, Lombardia region, North of Italy

Terminal: Milan International airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Restoration and signposting of paths in the Venetian Pre-Alps
       Fumane, Veneto
          July 9 - July 20, 2008

Volunteer project: Fumane is located on the Pre-Alps Mountains, in the Verona province. The famous Valpolicella, one of the best Italian wines, is produced in this area. This area is also characterized by beautiful natural places, such as the Molina waterfalls Park or the Veja bridge located between two mountains described by many notorious writers (for example Goethe). Fumane’s houses still maintain the ancient urban design, as their roofs are made of huge local stones, very valuable in the entire Veronese area.

Volunteers will work on the restoration and cleaning of paths, building and setting up signs and maintaining the green areas.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Fumane, Verona, Veneto

Terminal: Verona and Venice international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Footpath maintenance and cleaning of mountain areas in the Orobie Alps
       Alpe Dosso -Delebio, Lombardia
          July 13 - July 26, 2008

Volunteer project: Orobie is the first alpine chain in the north of Lombardia. The southern side has valleys with a very articulated morphology, while the northern side, where the area of the Park Orobie Valtellinesi extends its borders, is steeper and it develops in the direction of river Adda with deep parallel valleys.

This volunteer project takes place within the initiative “Foreste da Vivere” (Live the forest), an initiative promoted by Lombardia region to foster the 23.000 hectare of forests through cultural and sport events, excursions, tastings, and many other. Volunteers will be hosted in Delebio village and then will walk to Alpe Dosso mountain shelter at 1500 m, where they will be involved in maintaining footpaths, cleaning pasture lands and doing manual work in the mountain shelter. Volunteers are requested to be properly equipped and physically trained as they will have to reach the mountain shelter (about 2 hours of ascent).

Language: English

Accommodation: Mountain shelter

Location: Alpe Dosso, Delebio, Sondrio district, Lombardia region, North of Italy

Terminal: Milan International airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Footpaths restoration and naturalistic researches in San Venanzio Gorges
       Raiano, Abruzzo
          July 13 - July 29, 2008

Volunteer project: Raiano is located in the Peligna Valley, on the sheep track from Celano (Abruzzo) to Foggia (Puglia), a very important transhumance way. Raiano has been influenced by its position since the origins, transforming the small village into an active centre; there are also some Medieval churches testifying for its peculiar artistic liveliness. The village is known since XVII century and has a nice, wild, and attractive appearance. In the XVI century it was destroyed and rebuilt in the valley, but there are still some ruins on the hills around.

In Raiano’s area there are several protected areas: the Natural Reserve of Gole di San Venanzio (San Venanzio Gorges) near to the village is amazing thanks to its beautiful landscapes and its examples of flora and fauna. The beautiful hermitage of San Venanzio is between Mentino and Urano mountains, near to Aterno river. The volunteer project consists in restoring some paths in the natural reserve “Gole di San Venanzio”; researches on the endemic flora of the reserve, realisation of a multi-language herbarium; and realisation of environmental didactic trails for school.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a school

Location: Raiano, Abruzzo region, Centre of Italy

Terminal: Closest international airports are Rome and Pescara

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Various environmental activities in the Natural Reserve of the Aniene Valley in Rome
       Roma, Lazio
          July 13 - July 27, 2008
       Roma, Lazio          July 27 - August 10, 2008

Volunteer project: The Aniene valley natural reserve is located inside the city of Rome, along the Aniene river. In the last years, volunteers collaborated in the restoration and valorisation of the area, stopping the urban development that was destroying local biodiversity. The area is characterised by a medieval tower and the “Cervelletta” rural home, dated at ‘600, which now hosts a small museum on ancient rural people, realized with old tools and pictures of local population.

Volunteers will be involved in many different activities such as maintenance of natural paths, maintenance of signals and fences, land reclaiming, removing garbage.

Language: English

Accommodation: Cervelletta rural home

Location: Rome, Italy’s capital, Lazio, the Centre of Italy

Terminal: Rome international airports

Age range: 18 and over


Rome
     An exciting and vibrant city, Rome is the home of the Pope, ruins of temples, spectacular architecture, flamboyant people and the center of chic style exist alongside the Italian fashion conscious people going about their daily business. A Mediterranean country, Rome is the capital of Italy, a beautiful city; as such it is fair to say that Rome is the center of fun and frivolity for the Italian people. A city of amazing historical buildings. You could spend a month in Rome and still have plenty left to see, coupled with the many bars and restaurants it is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Italy.
 


 

Weed clean-up and path maintenance at the rolling hills of Franciacorta
       Rovato, Lombardia
          July 13 - July 26, 2008

Volunteer project: Monte Orfano is an isolated hill placed in Franciacorta, a well-known green area famous for its vineyards and gastronomic itineraries. The hill is very close to Iseo and Garda lakes and it is characterized by peculiar flora and fauna, such as birds, hares and some kind of reptiles and amphibian.

During the project, volunteers will clean the area from weeds and will help in path maintenance.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Rovato, Brescia, Lombardia

Terminal: Brescia or Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Conservation of a stopover site along an important bird migration route
       Sorico, Lombardia
          July 13 - July 26, 2008

Volunteer project: The Pian di Spagna area is an important migration route which hosts several birds species, recognized as an international importance site by the convention signed in Iran in 1971. This half-marshy zone, formed by a gradual mud deposit transported by Adda river, is covered by thick groves of reeds and lived by several animals and plants. Any alteration would lead this habitat to lose a precious heritage and take the birds away from this migratory stopover.

Volunteers will help the reserve’s staff in developing the environment, removing weeds and cleaning paths. Bikes will be provided.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory

Location: Sorico, Como, Lombardia

Terminal: Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over
 

 

Maintenance of natural areas in Valvestino valley
       Turano Valvestino, Lombardia
          July 13 - July 26, 2008

Volunteer project: This international volunteer project will take place within the initiative “Foreste da Vivere” (Live the forest), an initiative promoted by Lombardia region to foster the 23.000 hectare of forests through cultural and sport events, excursions, tastings, and many other. This project was established thanks to the collaboration with ERSAF (Regional Authority for Agricultural and Forest Services), with the aim of guaranteeing the development of cultural activities addressed to the local community and the numerous hikers visiting the surrounding valleys. Valvestino is one of the widest valleys next to the Garda lake, characterized by seven small villages very close, even if invisible to each other.

Volunteers will work on the maintenance of surrounding natural areas and will do some manual work needed by the hosting ERSAF guest quarter. Volunteers will have to walk to reach the work area.

Language: English

Accommodation: ERSAF guest quarter

Location: Turano Valvestino, Brescia, Lombardia

Terminal: Brescia or Milan international airports

Age range: 18 and over