UNBOWED is an Erasmus+ KA1 training course for youth workers aged 18+, held in Casapesenna, in the Agro Aversano area of Southern Italy, from 30 November to 6 December 2026, with applications open until 11 November 2026. Accommodation and meals are covered and travel costs are reimbursed up to โฌ309. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full infopack from the host organisation, Giosef Italy, and set out below what the course covers, who it is for and how the practical side works.
What Happens to a Building Taken from Organised Crime?
This is the question at the centre of UNBOWED: can a place once associated with intimidation and private criminal power become a resource for an entire community? The motto of the course sums up its direction: reclaiming spaces, rebuilding communities and creating sustainable alternatives.
UNBOWED is a training course for youth workers that explores the social reuse of assets confiscated from organised crime as a practical model of community development, social innovation and democratic participation. The programme looks at how confiscated properties can be transformed into:
๐ Spaces for education
๐ข Social enterprises
๐ฅ Youth services
๐ญ Cultural activities
๐ Economic opportunities
Looking Beyond the Moment of Confiscation
The project goes further than the symbolic significance of confiscation and concentrates on what happens afterwards. Participants look closely at how reclaimed spaces are:
๐๏ธ Assigned
๐ ๏ธ Managed
๐งน Maintained
๐ฆ Financially sustained
๐ฏ Made genuinely useful to local communities
How the Learning Works
Participants analyse the opportunities and challenges of turning reclaimed spaces into sustainable community resources through four main approaches:
๐ถ Study visits
๐งญ Territorial exploration
๐ค Encounters with local initiatives
๐ฒ Non-formal education methods
Applying These Ideas in Other European Contexts
UNBOWED invites youth workers to consider how the same principles can work elsewhere in Europe, including:
๐๏ธ The regeneration of abandoned buildings
๐ณ Underused public spaces
๐ง Places affected by exclusion or unequal access
Why Casapesenna?
Casapesenna is a territory deeply marked by the presence of the Camorra, but also by decades of civic resistance and grassroots social transformation. For UNBOWED, it is more than a location: it is a living case study of social antimafia, community resilience and the challenges of turning confiscation into lasting change.
Il Paguro: A Former Camorra Property Turned Youth Centre
At the heart of the experience stands Il Paguro Euromediterranean Youth Center, a former Camorra property that Giosef Italy has transformed into a youth hostel, training centre and community space. Since 2015, it has welcomed young people, international volunteers and organisations, showing how a confiscated asset can become a sustainable resource for education, cooperation and local development.
The host describes Paguro as a home, a network and an open space: a liberated place that today welcomes, connects and inspires. The centre aims to promote and nurture the development of the territory by opening it up to new and innovative cooperation processes between local and European citizens.
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๐ All opportunities in Italy โ
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Project Objectives
๐๏ธ Understand the social and institutional processes involved in the seizure, confiscation, public allocation and reuse of assets linked to organised crime
๐๏ธ Explore confiscated assets as infrastructure for community development and youth participation
โ๏ธ Analyse the economic, organisational and social sustainability of reuse initiatives
๐ช Learn from the local experiences of social enterprises, cooperatives and community-based organisations
๐บ๏ธ Develop methods for reading territories, mapping resources and identifying barriers to access
๐ช Strengthen the capacity of youth workers to support participatory regeneration processes in their own communities
What You Should Take Away from the Course
By the end of the training course, participants are expected to be better equipped in three areas:
๐ง Knowledge: understanding the main stages of the Italian confiscated-assets system, the role of public institutions and the characteristics of social reuse models
๐ง Skills: analysing community needs, mapping territorial resources, assessing the sustainability of community initiatives, facilitating participatory discussions and adapting local experiences into educational methods
๐ป Attitudes: recognising the value of collective ownership, long-term community responsibility, solidarity, cooperation and democratic management of shared resources
Who Can Participate?
UNBOWED is open to participants aged 18+ and brings together 17 youth workers, with 2 per partner. It is designed for:
๐ฃ๏ธ Youth workers
๐ Community educators
๐ฃ Youth leaders
๐ก Social innovators
๐ท๏ธ NGO representatives
๐ณ๏ธ People involved in youth participation
๐พ People involved in the social economy
๐งฑ People involved in the regeneration of community spaces
It is particularly relevant if you are interested in developing practical approaches to territorial inclusion, social entrepreneurship and community-based learning. If you are new to this field, it helps to read about the role of youth workers in Erasmus+ projects before you apply.
The Host Organisation: Giosef Italy
Giosef Italy (Giovani Senza Frontiere) is a national youth organisation dedicated to promoting active participation, social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and European mobility opportunities for young people. Through non-formal education, community projects and international partnerships, it supports youth empowerment and fosters positive social change across Italy and Europe.
Partner Organisations by Country
Each partner brings different experiences and perspectives to a shared learning journey:
๐ Stairs and Levels: Portugal
๐ฒ TAVO Europa: Lithuania
๐ฐ InterMediaKT: Greece
๐ Pancar Derneฤi: Tรผrkiye
๐ฆ Potrafimy: Poland
๐ Yellow Shirts: Romania
๐ Professional Forum for Education: Bulgaria
The Profile of the Organisations Involved
The infopack describes the kind of organisations Giosef Italy looks for in this network, which share its commitment to social justice, democratic participation and non-formal education:
๐ซ Youth organisations, NGOs and non-profit associations
๐คฒ Organisations actively involved in youth work
โ๏ธ Experience in Erasmus+ projects and international cooperation
๐ Interest in legality, civic engagement and social inclusion
๐ Commitment to preparation, participant support and follow-up activities
Where You Will Stay
Participants stay at Il Paguro, at IV Traversa, Via Raffaello, nยบ5, Casapesenna, CE 81030. You will share a same-gender room with bunk beds, equipped with sheets and towels, and the bathrooms are also shared. The living room area and the kitchen are on the ground floor, fully equipped and adapted for shared use, and the same floor gives access to the garden.
Available at the venue:
๐๏ธ Shared rooms
๐ฟ Shared bathrooms
๐ถ Wi-Fi
๐ป Working spaces
๐ง Reflection areas
๐งด Towel and toiletries
Meals and Daily Logistics
Meals are covered. Participants will receive detailed information about meals, daily routines and the use of shared facilities before arrival. Because UNBOWED combines facilitated sessions with territorial exploration, some activities may take place outside the main venue. The host also has one piece of local advice: if you have not tried a mozzarella di bufala, you have not truly been to Casapesenna.
What Is Covered and How Reimbursement Works
๐ Accommodation is covered
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals are covered
๐ Travel costs are reimbursed up to โฌ309 per participant
Reimbursement follows these rules:
๐งพ Keep all boarding passes, tickets and receipts
โ Travel expenses must be approved in advance
๐ค Reimbursement is processed after all required documents have been submitted
๐ Taxis, Uber and private cars are not eligible for reimbursement
๐ฉบ Participants must arrange their own personal health insurance
Since reimbursement is processed only after your documents are submitted, it is worth reading about what you pay first and get back on a funded project.
How to Reach the Venue from Rome
The route from both Rome airports runs through Roma Termini and then by train to Albanova.
Step 1 from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Roma Termini:
๐ By bus from outside the arrival terminal: about โฌ9 and about 50 minutes
๐ By Leonardo Express train: โฌ14 and about 30 minutes
Step 1 from Rome Ciampino (CIA) to Roma Termini:
๐ By bus from outside the arrival terminal: โฌ9 to โฌ12 and about 45 minutes
Step 2 from both airports, Roma Termini to Albanova:
๐ By train: around โฌ12 and about 2 hours
๐ Trains are quite frequent, but the last one is at 20:50
๐ฌ It is best to arrive at the airport by 18:00 at the latest
What to Bring
๐ ID or passport
๐ซ Boarding pass
๐ก๏ธ Insurance
๐ณ European Health Card
๐งฅ Clothing suited to the weather and the dress code of specific activities
๐ฅพ Comfortable clothing and walking shoes
๐ป Laptop or tablet
๐ฐ Refillable water bottle
โ๏ธ Medication
๐ A symbolic object or small gift for intercultural activities
๐ EU plug adapter (Type F/L)
๐ Notebook and pen
๐งผ Slippers for the shower
What to Know Before You Arrive
The venue is in a small town in the province of Caserta, Southern Italy. Supermarkets, pharmacies, cafรฉs and other essential services are nearby, but this is not a large city. The host asks all participants to arrive with an open mind, a spirit of adaptability and respect for the local community and the shared spaces. By staying at Il Paguro, you become part of a story of transformation, where places once associated with criminality are now used to create opportunities, learning and positive social change, and you are asked to take care of the place as if it were your own home.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the online application form. Read the infopack first so that you know the programme, the conditions and the travel rules before you apply.
Find more Erasmus+ opportunities like this one on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNBOWED training course about?
UNBOWED is an Erasmus+ training course on the social reuse of assets confiscated from organised crime. It examines how such properties can become spaces for education, social enterprises, youth services, cultural activities and economic opportunities, and how they can be sustained over time.
Where and when does the course take place?
The course takes place from 30 November to 6 December 2026 in Casapesenna, in the Agro Aversano area of Southern Italy. The venue is Il Paguro Euromediterranean Youth Center, a former Camorra property transformed by Giosef Italy.
Who can apply to UNBOWED?
The course is for people aged 18+ who work as youth workers, community educators, youth leaders, social innovators or NGO representatives, or who are involved in youth participation, social economy or the regeneration of community spaces. Participants come from Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Tรผrkiye and Bulgaria.
How many participants will take part?
The infopack lists 17 youth workers, with 2 per partner organisation. Each partner brings its own experiences and perspectives to the shared learning process.
What costs are covered?
Accommodation and meals are covered, and travel costs are reimbursed up to โฌ309 per participant. Participants must arrange their own personal health insurance, and taxis, Uber and private cars are not eligible for reimbursement.
Is there a participation fee?
The project information does not mention a participation fee or a package fee. Travel expenses must be approved in advance and are reimbursed after all required documents have been submitted.
What will the accommodation be like?
Participants stay at Il Paguro in same-gender shared rooms with bunk beds, sheets and towels, and the bathrooms are shared. The venue also offers Wi-Fi, working spaces, reflection areas, a shared kitchen, a living room area and a garden.
How do I get to Casapesenna?
From Rome Fiumicino or Rome Ciampino, travel to Roma Termini by bus or, from Fiumicino, by Leonardo Express, then take the train to Albanova. The Termini to Albanova journey costs around โฌ12 and takes about 2 hours, and the last train is at 20:50.
What will I learn on this course?
You will learn about the main stages of the Italian confiscated-assets system and the role of public institutions. You will also practise analysing community needs, mapping territorial resources, assessing sustainability and adapting local experiences into educational methods.
Do I need to be from a partner organisation's country?
The infopack lists 2 youth workers per partner, and the participating countries are Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Tรผrkiye and Bulgaria. On Youth Works Hub, we list these as the eligible countries for this course.
Project Snapshot
๐ Type: Training Course
๐ Location: Il Paguro Euromediterranean Youth Center, Casapesenna (Agro Aversano), Italy
๐๏ธ Activity Dates: 30 November โ 6 December 2026
๐ Countries: Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Tรผrkiye, Bulgaria
๐ Age: 18+
Deadline
โณ 11 November 2026
Links
๐ Application form: https://shorturl.at/iLrpG
๐ Infopack: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHYiSz2nTQ/FuoIYmk3hBa9jtAbNR4TPA/view
๐ Giosef Italy website: https://www.giovanisenzafrontiere.it
๐ท Giosef Italy on Instagram: @giosef_italy
๐ Giosef Italy on Facebook: Giosef Italy (Giovani Senza Frontiere)
๐ง Contact: natacha.fragata@giosef.it
โ๏ธ Communication contact: comunicazione@giosef.it
