H3 - Health, Hiking, Heritage | ESC Team Volunteering in Italy (Fully Funded)

Are you an avid traveller seeking a thrilling journey across Europe? Are you interested in joining 45 participants from all over Europe  for 59 days in south Italy? If yes, then this is an ideal opportunity for to join ESC Volunteering "H3 - Health, Hiking, Heritage" in Italy. This program is organised by Strauss APS in Sicily and funded by the European Union through European Solidarity Corps programme.

About the volunteering program

"H3 - Health, Hiking, Heritage" is a team volunteering brings 45 participants from across Europe. Along the numerous trekking paths and trails of the historic Via Francigene Siciliane, there is nomadic activity that affects remote and rural villages as well. During the project volunteers will promote non-formal Education activities on different topics and they will implement both personal and team actions. The main aims of the project are: 

• To improve the health and overall well-being of marginalised populations by promoting for healthy, eco-friendly, and positive lifestyles

• To support to the promotion and protection of Sicily's cultural heritage

• To increase awareness on health, cultural heritage, nature and inclusion.

The project will directly impact on:

- Young volunteers who, thanks to activities based on non-formal education and Eco-Coaching, will be able to develop transversal competences and skills useful for their personal, social and professional development.

- Local communities of more than 20 Sicilian cities and villages, who will benefit from the solidarity action of volunteers engaged in tracing and mapping the heritage and promoting walking as a healthy lifestyle practice and in carrying out practical actions and raising awareness on environment.

- Organisations involved in the project and the Sicilian economic-tourist fabric, which will benefit from greater visibility at regional national and European level.

Eligibility | Who can apply ?

- young people aged between 18 - 30 years old from one of the following countries (Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova (Republic of), Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira).;

- Strongly interested in the project with trekking and hiking motivation;

- Extremely flexible, Independent and problem solving oriented;

- Willing to take part in both team and individual activities;

- ability to deal with stress and problem - solving attitude;

- Able to organise own food and accommodation during hiking;

- Willing to sleep in tents if necessary and hike for long distance around 10 km per day.

Practical conditions 

All the project expenses are covered by the European Solidarity Corps programme and includes: 

-  No participation fee.

- Accommodation is provided by Strauss APS during the team project activities.

- Participants will receive a daily amount for food and accommodation, additional to the pocket money, during the hiking.

- Each participant will get a pocket money of 6 euro/ day for 61 days.

- Generally, activities will take place from Monday to Friday for about 6 hours a day. The volunteer is entitled to 2 days off each week and additional two vacation days during the month..

- Travel expenses from your home country to project venue will be reimbursed after participation in the project according to the distance between your  travelling place to the volunteering venue as follows:

• for travel distance between 0 and 99 km: 23 EUR / person.
• for travel distance between 100 and 499 km: 180 EUR / person, +30 EUR extra for Green travel.
• for travel distance between 500 and 1999 km: 275 EUR / person, +45 EUR extra for Green travel.
• for travel distance between 2000 and 2999 km: 360 EUR / person, +45 EUR extra for Green travel.

• IMPORTANT: In case you are officially selected for this project, Do not book travel tickets before confirmation from the host organisation also, keep all your travel documents! Online boarding passes and tickets for reimbursements. No documents = no reimbursement!

- Youthpass Certificate will be granted for all participants at the end of the project to add to your CV.

Timeline

Application deadline: 1st of March 2024

Arrival day: 19th of May 2024

Departure day: 18th of July 2024

You can arrive in Sicily a bit earlier on the days from 17 to 19 May. On the 20th May, first day of activities, your presence is required at the Welcome Training. You can depart on July 18th or a few days later (no later than July 20th for reimbursement purposes)

PLEASE NOTE: If you decide to arrive before 19th of May and/ or leave after 18th of July, you will have to cover the expenses related to food and accommodation.

What to Bring?

- Hiking boots

- Trekking backpack, Waterproof backpack cover

- Sunglasses, hiking hat, Sunscreen cream

- Mosquito repellent

- Mobile phone with gps, Power bank

- Technical compact towels

- Personal hygiene kit

- Trekking poles

- Technical sleeping bag

- Camping tent (recommended but not compulsory)

- Technical clothing

- After-sport and leisure clothing and footwear 

- Water bottle

How to apply?

If you are interested in the project, you can apply by filling out the application form before the deadline

More Details

Before applying for the project, check the info-pack about all the project details from HERE

Apply Now⇗

Opportunity Website⇗

By applying to this volunteering program, you take responsibility and risks. Inform yourself about the regulation and potential risks. "Opportunity 4U" cannot be held liable for any of the potential risks, and this post is only for informative and popularising purposes.