The project is structured in a network action thought the southern part of Italy, which would interest several different communities. Events, campaigns, meetings, workshops, work-camps, festivals would be the main activities. Health, well-being, healthy lifestyles, civic participation, will be promoted as means to achieve the main objectives. In total, will be hosted 32 volunteers, divided in groups of 16. The project will last 40 days.
Aims of this project:
- to contribute to the improvement of health and well-being of vulnerable people, by promoting healthy, eco-friendly, and positive lifestyles.
- to help building inclusive communities by supporting vulnerable groups impacted from ongoing crises.
- to raise awareness about prevention through campaigns, promotion and public discussions to improve the general and mental health of the populations.
Leonardo
Hi, I am Leonardo, I am 22, and I come from Italy. Wait…what?! An Italian youngster taking part into an
Erasmus+ project in Italy? Yep, you understood that correctly, and now I will be shortly telling about this
experience.
The activities focused on the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing among the population of two
different regions: Calabria and Sicily. In the first venue, we volunteers (coming from more than 10 different
countries) focused on the delivery of a daily festival for the local community; in the second place, a summer
camp was organised for the children of the village in which we stayed.
When I saw this opportunity on the European Youth Portal, I was immediately attracted by it. In fact, having
taken part in previous Youth Exchanges and European Solidarity Corps abroad, I always wondered how it
would have been joining international youth in my home country. It turned out as a challenging, mind-
opening, and heartwarming experience. Challenging because, being just one of the two Italian volunteers
among a group of around 30, I was forced to take a more active part in managing the activities, especially
when it came to facilitating the communications among locals and internationals, and vice versa. Mind-
opening because I had to adapt my lifestyle and my routine to that of many others with whom I shared the
same house, and this strengthened my level of flexibility. Finally, heartwarming; not only because during
the free weekends we could explore the wonderful landscapes of Italy, but also because every time I take
part into these projects I remember how lucky, privileged, and grateful I am for living this enriching
adventures.
My sincerest thanks to Europe, to the host and support organization, to the organisers and to the
volunteers for making all of this possible.
Ciao!
Berat Aycı
Hello, I’m Berat, a 23-year-old student. First and foremost, I want to express my pride and happiness for being accepted into this project and having the opportunity to represent the LIDOSK association and, of course, Turkey. When I first heard about the project, I had a lot of questions in my mind, but once we arrived, all those doubts disappeared, thanks to the amazing people there. They guided us through every step, explaining and demonstrating everything in detail.
To give a brief overview of the project: during the first week, we were shown the steps we needed to take. In fact, this project was shaped and developed by me and the other 32 participants from 13 different countries who were there with me. The project mainly took place in the Sicily region of Italy. Before going there, I didn't know much about Italian people and was a bit nervous since this was only my second experience abroad. However, the warmth of the people, the friendly and cheerful participants, and many other wonderful things made me feel like I was in a family environment.
The project had two phases, and we participants were divided into two groups. First, we planned a summer camp for children in the city of Mussomelli, where we spent time with them in a fun and educational way. Meanwhile, the other group organized a festival near a university in the Calabria region. They collaborated with the local community, bringing together people of all ages to create a wonderful festival filled with enjoyable activities. Later, the two groups switched roles; my group moved to Calabria to prepare the festival, while the other group headed to Mussomelli in Sicily to organize the summer camp for the children.
By the end of the project, I felt so happy and accomplished that words cannot describe it. I believe I have grown in many ways, and I want to extend my deepest thanks to all the organizations involved, especially LIDOSK, for this unforgettable experience. If you ever feel hesitant about joining a project, don’t be. Whenever you see a new opportunity, apply without hesitation, knowing that there is so much to gain.
Sarp Arda
Hello, I am Sarp. I am very pleased to share with you about my 40-day ESC Project "HYPHEN 8" that took place in Italy/Sicily-Calabria this summer. It was a wonderful period during which I collected unforgettable memories with a total of 32 participants from 14 countries. We were very integrated with the local community throughout our project, which provided me with great opportunities to develop my communication skills and foreign language. It was fantastic for us to plan all the activities in the first part of our project by ourselves (as a team). I believe I have greatly improved in team work, planning, time management, and interpersonal relations. The majority of my free time was spent visiting surrounding cities, towns, and villages; gaining different perspectives were wonderful days I will never forget. I would like to thank the LIDOSK Family for their constant support and for giving me this opportunity.
