Fully-Funded Volunteering Opportunity in Italy 2026 (Housing and Monthly Pocket Money)

The European Youth Portal, part of the European Solidarity Corps program, has announced that applications are open for a fully-funded, long-term volunteering project titled “Hands for the Community” in the town of Finale Emilia, in the province of Modena, Italy, coordinated by the association PiGreco-SEMI di Intercultura and hosted by the organization Associazione Manitese, for the year 2026.

Fully-Funded Volunteering Project in Italy: Hands for the Community 2026

This volunteering project aims to support the local community, protect the environment, and raise awareness of social and environmental justice issues through active participation in innovative field activities sponsored by the host association, according to the official arrangements and conditions detailed below:

1. Candidate Duties and Volunteer Activities in the Project

The volunteer work scheduled for participants is spread across multiple multidisciplinary areas and workshops, including:

• Ceramics Workshop (Manifatti): Contributing to inclusive workshops and working alongside people with disabilities to produce artistic ceramic pieces, the proceeds of which are dedicated to funding and supporting the association.
• Circular Sewing Workshop (Manigolde): Participating in recycling and transforming used clothes and fabrics to give them new life and produce unique, sustainable pieces to raise awareness of the circular economy and reduce the impact of “fast fashion.”
• Second-Hand Market: Helping sort and collect used clothes and supplies, coordinating displays and managing sales twice a week, and welcoming visitors and explaining the importance of reuse.
• Community Garden and Farm (DoMani): Contributing to the care of the ecological garden, caring for animals, and growing crops following the principles of sustainable agroecology.
• Education and Schools: Supporting the organization of non-formal educational activities and educational workshops for students and young people of various ages on issues of social justice, the environment, and human rights.
• “Bar Al Riparo” Community Café: Contributing to managing and animating this space, which hosts discussions on the 2030 Agenda, pasta-making and sewing workshops, and artistic and musical events that promote solidarity and active citizenship.

2. Funding and Benefits Granted to Volunteers

The project is fully funded by the European Union and covers the following costs and benefits:

• Accommodation and Housing: Housing is fully covered and free, in a comfortable, equipped house in the town of Finale Emilia, shared by volunteers in single or double rooms, with Wi-Fi internet access and access to a shared kitchen and living room. Volunteers are responsible for the daily upkeep of the house and for respecting the rules of shared living.
• Local Transportation: Each volunteer is provided with a personal, free bicycle as the primary, eco-friendly means of daily transport between the housing and the association in the countryside, via a safe, dedicated bike path (a distance of 4.6 km taking only 15 minutes).
• Financial Compensation and Pocket Money: A personal monthly grant (Pocket Money) of €330 per month, paid in advance monthly and transferred directly to the volunteer’s bank account to cover food and daily needs.
• International Travel Reimbursement: Reimbursement of round-trip flight ticket costs up to a maximum of €395, in line with EU distance standards (green travel options are strongly recommended and encouraged).

3. Working and Rest Hours

• Daily activities amount to only 5 working hours per day, followed by one hour dedicated to a lunch break.
• Work periods are divided into a morning shift (from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and an afternoon shift (from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM).
• The volunteer works 5 days a week with two consecutive weekly days off, in addition to two extra paid days off as monthly leave (planned in advance with the association).

4. Eligible Countries for Application and Acceptance Conditions

• Required volunteer profile: The opportunity is open to passionate young men and women who are ready to learn, adapt, work as a team, and help others, with a sense of responsibility and creativity. No prior professional experience is required, and selection is not based on gender, ethnicity, or income, but on self-motivation alone.
• Accepted participating countries: All European Union countries, in addition to partner and associated countries under the program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Turkey). The organization verifies residency documents or residence permits in the relevant country in advance.
• Important notice regarding non-accepted countries: The program does not accept applications from candidates residing in countries not associated with the program (including Arab countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria…), as these nationalities do not fall within the funding quota allocated for this specific individual volunteering project.

5. How and Steps to Submit an Application

Candidates who meet the conditions must carefully follow these steps:

1. Fully review the detailed information guide (Infopack) for the project via the following direct link: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d77tz.
2. Fill out the application form with full attention (it takes about 10 minutes to complete), attaching a Motivational Letter; a CV is not required.
3. In the final section of the form, it is mandatory to provide the details of a reference person who can vouch for you (name, email, and phone number with country code — for a teacher, previous employer, or trainer).
4. After the applications are reviewed, the best candidates will be asked to submit “proof of passion and motivation” (in the form of a video or an innovative project introducing themselves and their creative contribution), ahead of the oral interview and final selection of accepted candidates.
5. To follow updates and for communication, you can visit the official website of Agence Marchica and the institution’s approved websites:
   • Official association website: www.manitesefinale.it
   • Email for direct contact and inquiries: [email protected]