Meet Emma, Constance, and Vanja: three long-term volunteers who have joined the community of “La Città dell’Utopia” and SCI Italia through the international programs “European Solidarity Corps” and Service Civique. Each of them brings a unique background and perspective, but all share a passion for learning, personal development, and contributing to meaningful projects.

Emma, a 26-year-old, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in English linguistics.

“My name is Emma, and I’m from Groningen, the Netherlands. I came across the opportunity to volunteer here through the “European Solidarity Corps” website, and, as this project is based in the area where I used to live, I immediately became interested in it.”

Although this is Emma’s first volunteering experience, she’s already excited about the opportunities it offers. “My main motivation was to return to Italy and improve my Italian, but I also wanted to do something different from academic work. This place is amazing — it’s international, community-oriented and has values that resonate with me, like feminism and anti-fascism. I was looking for something meaningful and active, and this project offered just that. Before, I didn’t even know these kinds of opportunities existed. It’s a refreshing change from my studies and I’m looking forward to participating in more projects like this in the future.”

Her role at La Città dell’Utopia involves various tasks. “I support Samanta and the other volunteers, help maintain the space, take care of communications and help organize events and projects. It’s a dynamic role that involves me in many aspects of the community. I’ve always wanted to be an activist, but as a student, I wasn’t sure how to connect with activism in my hometown or country. This experience has opened the door to the world of activism for me. I hope that I can apply what I learn here in the Netherlands or another country by connecting with people who have the same interests. Also, I’d like to learn more about how these types of organizations work, and how to bridge the gap between the academic and activist worlds. This experience will help me build new relationships and gain knowledge that I can take back with me.”

Emma advises anyone considering volunteering: “Be open-minded and flexible. You’ll meet all kinds of people, and the experience is something you do for yourself – in the end, it will only benefit you.”

Constance, a 23-year-old, has a master’s in Communication.

“My name is Constance, and I’m from La Flotte, France. I was looking for opportunities and discovered the possibility of volunteering outside France. After spending time in Palermo with ESC and participating in Erasmus+ training programs in Italy and France, I felt ready for another program.”

Constance liked the community-oriented nature of La Città dell’Utopia. “What attracted me most to this project was the strong sense of community. It’s not just office work here – there’s a genuine belief in what they do. Their vision and freedom of creation and expression spoke to me.”

She’s involved in various aspects of the project. “I help coordinate the space, and that includes everything from cooking and organizing events to managing social media and similar tasks. It’s a versatile role that allows me to get to know different aspects of how the community works. This experience shows me how to foster and strengthen a sense of community, even in larger cities or neighborhoods. Culturally, I’m learning how to coordinate activities and how

organizations work. I may pursue something similar in the future, and everything I’m learning here is incredibly useful. This also broadens my perspective on an international level, and gives me insights into other ways of organizing and working.”

For anyone considering a similar path, Constance advises: “It’s a wonderful experience. It can be challenging at times, but in the end, it’s worth it. One thing my French coordinator told me has stuck with me: ‘If you can accept what you leave behind, you’ll be able to accept what you find.’”

Vanja, a 27-year-old, has a master’s degree in French linguistics.

“My name is Vanja, and I come from Trstenik, Serbia. I discovered this ESC opportunity on their official website, and was immediately intrigued.”

Vanja has participated in Erasmus programs in Serbia, France, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but this is her first long-term volunteer experience. “I’ve always been curious to try something new. I was looking for an opportunity in Italy because I wanted to explore its cities and villages, culture and improve my Italian. I wanted to discover new worlds, meet people from other cultures, and work in a community that shares the same values as me.”

The project she is involved in is called Digitalizzazione e comunicazione etica. “My tasks are mainly to help with communication, organization, marketing, training and events. I’d love to use the skills and knowledge I’ve gained here for my future career. I hope to broaden my knowledge of different social issues, learn more about ethical communication, get to know different cultures, improve my Italian, and understand how SCI works. I’m also looking forward to learning how to lead workshops, training, and work camps. The more I learn, the more I grow as a person, and I know everything I learn here will be of great value.”

To those considering a volunteer program, Vanja says: “Be open-minded and take your time to choose the right project for you. ESC is a wonderful experience when you do what you love.”