Youth Works Hub has gathered 22 fully funded ESC volunteering projects in Italy for 2026, open to young people aged 18-30. All 22 calls run under the European Solidarity Corps and are spread across 16 Italian cities and villages, including Genoa, Milan, Naples, Padova and Catania.
The calls suit young people who want to volunteer abroad with children and teenagers, refugees, rescued animals, culture, communication or the environment. Placements range from three weeks to 52 weeks, many of them individual volunteering placements, with team volunteering in Buccino and Satriano di Lucania. Learn what fully funded ESC volunteering means before you apply.
Each call has its own angle:
🇮🇹 Italy: a volunteering team in Buccino spends Christmas planting agroforestry lines and building a nativity scene with the local community.
🇮🇹 Italy: a group of 10 volunteers in Satriano di Lucania supports one of the oldest carnivals in southern Italy and creates ivy costumes.
🇮🇹 Italy: volunteers in Magnago care for more than 200 rescued animals at a farm animal sanctuary.
🇮🇹 Italy: volunteers in Arese care for the dogs of an animal rights shelter and live on the shelter grounds.
🇮🇹 Italy: a project in Genoa supports refugees and asylum seekers in the historical centre of the city.
🇮🇹 Italy: volunteers in Bordano shoot, edit and publish photos and videos for a butterfly house.
🇮🇹 Italy: a climate justice project in Catania links environmental education with social equity.
🇮🇹 Italy: two projects in Naples are intended for female volunteers and are open to residents of Türkiye.
Every project here is a European Solidarity Corps placement, which makes it fully funded: flight, accommodation, food, pocket money and insurance are covered for selected volunteers. Placements in Milan, Magnago, Arese and Cornedo Vicentino also list on arrival training, and several projects support Italian language learning during the stay.
📅 Deadlines: 15 Nov (6) · 18 Nov (2) · 20 Nov (5) · 23 Nov (1) · 28 Nov (1) · 30 Nov (2) · 4 Dec (1) · 9 Dec (1) · 15 Dec (2) · 31 Jan (1) 🌍 Countries: 🇮🇹 Italy (22)
In This Batch
- 📅 15 Nov · Agroforestry Planting and a Community Nativity Scene · Buccino
- 📅 15 Nov · Supporting Young Girls at a Residential Community · Genova
- 📅 15 Nov · Educational Activities With Children and Adolescents · Genova
- 📅 15 Nov · Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers With Integration · Genoa
- 📅 15 Nov · Supporting Children and Adolescents at an Educational Youth Center · Genoa
- 📅 15 Nov · Supporting At Risk Boys in a Housing Community · Menfi
- 📅 18 Nov · Supporting Young Children in Kindergartens and Pre Primary Schools · Padova
- 📅 18 Nov · Supporting Children in Kindergartens and Pre Primary Schools · Padova
- 📅 20 Nov · Communication Team Assistant and Project Management Support · Rosà
- 📅 20 Nov · Ancient Carnival Traditions and Ivy Costume Making · Satriano di Lucania
- 📅 20 Nov · After School Activities and Creative Labs at a Youth Center · Milan
- 📅 20 Nov · Caring for Rescued Farm Animals at a Sanctuary · Magnago
- 📅 20 Nov · Dog Shelter Care and Animal Rights Promotion · Arese
- 📅 23 Nov · Youth Centers and After School Activities for Children · Cornedo Vicentino
- 📅 28 Nov · Communication and Social Media at a Butterfly House Museum · Bordano
- 📅 30 Nov · Art Social Work and a Community Kitchen at a Youth Centre · Recanati
- 📅 30 Nov · Community Engagement and Inclusion for Young People · Naples
- 📅 4 Dec · Climate Justice Community Lab and Environmental Education · Catania
- 📅 9 Dec · Events and Performing Arts at a Contemporary Culture Center · Catania
- 📅 15 Dec · Hostel Management and Educational Support for Youth · Crotone
- 📅 15 Dec · Social Inclusion and Community Work With Children · Naples
- 📅 31 Jan · Supporting People With Intellectual Disabilities in a Mountain Community · San Ginesio
What's in this batch:
22 ESC Volunteering Projects · 1 Country
🌱 ESC Volunteering Opportunities
1. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🌳 Agroforestry Planting and a Community Nativity Scene 🎄
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Buccino, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An ESC volunteering team in Buccino, a small village in inland Southern Italy, spends Christmas planting agroforestry lines, creating habitats for biodiversity, joining an olive harvest and building a nativity scene with the local community. It suits practical young people aged 18-30 with artistic sensitivity and manual skills, and one place is reserved for a volunteer who handles communication.
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🌍 All opportunities in Italy →
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2. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🏠 Supporting Young Girls at a Residential Community 🤝
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Genova, Italy · 👥 Aged 23 An individual ESC volunteering placement in Genova is open to a volunteer aged 23 who wants to support young girls in a residential community. Volunteers help the staff prepare activities, join outdoor activities and trips and share daily life with the girls, and mature, autonomous and responsible people are sought.
3. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧒 Educational Activities With Children and Adolescents ⚽
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Genova, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An individual ESC volunteering placement in Genova supports educational activities with children and adolescents, for young people aged 18-30. Volunteers help with after-school support, including Italian language and culture, share lunch with the kids in the canteen, back the local football and volleyball teams and join summer camp activities.
4. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🤝 Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers With Integration 🏠
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Genoa, Italy · 👥 Required age of 25 An ESC volunteering project in Genoa supports refugees and asylum seekers in the historical centre of the city, with a required age of 25. Volunteers help manage the flats where refugees live, run integration activities such as Italian courses, sports and cultural events, and support legal, health and job market processes. The ideal volunteer is ready for a multicultural environment and has a basic knowledge of Italian.
5. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧒 Supporting Children and Adolescents at an Educational Youth Center 📚
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Genoa, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An ESC volunteering project in Genoa places young people aged 18-30 at an educational centre for youngsters aged 6 to 18 in the historical city centre. Volunteers support after-school activities and Italian language learning, join the canteen, help with football and volleyball teams and take part in summer camp activities.
6. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🏠 Supporting At Risk Boys in a Housing Community 🤝
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2026 📍 Menfi, Italy · 👥 Aged between 23/24 and 30, studies or experience in social work or psychology An ESC volunteering project in Menfi, on the island of Sicily, is for volunteers aged between 23/24 and 30 with studies or experience in social work or psychology. Volunteers support educators in a shelter for boys aged 13-18 on a path towards rehabilitation and social inclusion, helping with homework and workshops and accompanying the youngsters on trips. Training includes on-arrival training, an Italian online course and project-specific training.
7. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧸 Supporting Young Children in Kindergartens and Pre Primary Schools 🎨
📅 Deadline: 18 November 2026 📍 Padova, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30, residents of Spain An individual ESC volunteering placement in Padova brings a creative and empathetic young person aged 18-30 into kindergartens and pre-primary schools to read stories, offer emotional support and facilitate cultural activities in English and Italian. The volunteer also designs language-based workshops and helps promote European mobility programmes in the community. Open to residents of Spain.
8. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧸 Supporting Children in Kindergartens and Pre Primary Schools 🎨
📅 Deadline: 18 November 2026 📍 Padova, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An individual ESC volunteering placement in Padova is open to young people aged 18-30 who want to support children in kindergartens and pre-primary schools. Volunteers provide emotional support, lead linguistic and cultural workshops using arts and music, and promote intercultural education.
9. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 📻 Communication Team Assistant and Project Management Support 📊
📅 Deadline: 20 November 2026 📍 Rosà, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 · ⏳ 50 weeks A 50-week individual ESC volunteering placement in Rosà suits young people aged 18-30 who want to work in the social sector. Volunteers support the communication team with photos, videos, texts and social media, promote EU opportunities for young people through workshops and help with administrative tasks and EU funded projects. No specific degree is required.
10. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🌿 Ancient Carnival Traditions and Ivy Costume Making 🎭
📅 Deadline: 20 November 2026 📍 Satriano di Lucania, Italy · 👥 Group of 10 volunteers aged 18-30 · ⏳ Three weeks A three-week ESC volunteering team in Satriano di Lucania brings a group of 10 volunteers aged 18-30 to support one of the oldest carnivals in southern Italy. Volunteers create ivy costumes, join the carnival preparation team, welcome visitors and support recycling stations for a green festival. The project looks for people with a love for nature and rural life, basic skills in photography, video or storytelling, craft skills and good English.
11. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🏀 After School Activities and Creative Labs at a Youth Center 🎨
📅 Deadline: 20 November 2026 📍 Milan, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An individual ESC volunteering placement at a youth centre in Milan supports young people aged 8 to 18, many with a multicultural background, and is open to volunteers aged 18-30. Volunteers help with homework and study, support creative and educational labs on topics from ecology and human rights to ceramics and gardening, and take part in sports activities and tournaments. The project suits people who love working with teenagers and are motivated to learn Italian.
12. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🐷 Caring for Rescued Farm Animals at a Sanctuary 🌾
📅 Deadline: 20 November 2026 📍 Magnago, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 · ⏳ 8 January 2027 to 31 May 2027 An individual ESC volunteering project at a farm animal sanctuary in Magnago invites volunteers aged 18-30 to care for more than 200 rescued animals, many of them elderly, disabled or recovering. Volunteers are trained and supervised from the very start and receive On Arrival Training and task-specific training on animal care, security, hygiene and communication tasks. The project suits people ready for morning shifts and heavy physical tasks outdoors in all weather conditions who are motivated to learn Italian, and only vegan food is allowed inside the sanctuary.
13. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🐕 Dog Shelter Care and Animal Rights Promotion 🐾
📅 Deadline: 20 November 2026 📍 Arese, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 · ⏳ 8 January 2027 to 31 May 2027 An individual ESC volunteering project in Arese invites volunteers aged 18-30 to care for the dogs of an animal rights shelter, preparing their food, taking them on walks, cleaning their spaces and getting to know each animal's needs. Volunteers also support events for animal rights and help with social media and the website. The project suits people with a great love for dogs who are ready to get up early, do physical tasks and live on the shelter grounds, where volunteers follow a vegan diet.
14. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧒 Youth Centers and After School Activities for Children 📚
📅 Deadline: 23 November 2026 📍 Cornedo Vicentino, Italy · 👥 Two volunteers aged 18-30 · ⏳ 20 weeks A 20-week individual ESC volunteering project in Cornedo Vicentino is for two volunteers aged 18-30. Volunteers are involved in one of two areas: youth centers, promoting EU projects, mobility and orientation, or after school centers, offering children activities once the school day ends. Training includes pre-departure training, on arrival training, a mid-term evaluation, on the job training and online linguistic support.
15. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🦋 Communication and Social Media at a Butterfly House Museum 📸
📅 Deadline: 28 November 2026 📍 Bordano, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 · ⏳ 20 weeks A 20-week ESC volunteering project in Bordano supports the communication of a butterfly house, for young people aged 18-30. Volunteers shoot, edit and publish photos and videos of animals and plants, manage websites and social media channels and plan media campaigns. The ideal volunteer knows video production and editing, social media and graphic design and is ready to live in a small village.
16. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🎨 Art Social Work and a Community Kitchen at a Youth Centre 🍲
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026 📍 Recanati, Italy · 👥 One volunteer aged 18-30, residents of Spain An ESC volunteering project at a youth and cultural centre in Recanati is for one open-minded, flexible and creative young person aged 18-30. The volunteer chooses activities such as working with children, taking care of the garden, organising courses and events, inclusion through sport and helping in a social kitchen, and learns through self-managed methods and Italian classes. Open to residents of Spain.
17. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🤝 Community Engagement and Inclusion for Young People 🎨
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026 📍 Naples, Italy · 👥 Female volunteers aged 18-30, residents of Türkiye · ⏳ 52 weeks A 52-week individual ESC volunteering project in Naples promotes social inclusion, solidarity and active youth participation, with a focus on children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Volunteers organise creative workshops, educational games, homework support, sports and storytelling, with Italian language learning supported throughout. The opportunity is intended for female volunteers aged 18-30, open to residents of Türkiye.
18. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🌍 Climate Justice Community Lab and Environmental Education 🌱
📅 Deadline: 4 December 2026 📍 Catania, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An individual ESC volunteering project in Catania invites volunteers aged 18-30 to help young people become protagonists of the ecological transition, linking climate justice with social equity. Volunteers support environmental education workshops, awareness-raising campaigns and public events, as well as local research and community mapping. It suits people with a strong interest in the environment and climate change, youth participation and social inclusion.
19. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🎭 Events and Performing Arts at a Contemporary Culture Center 📸
📅 Deadline: 9 December 2026 📍 Catania, Italy · 👥 Two volunteers aged 18-30 · ⏳ 12 months A 12-month individual ESC volunteering project in Catania, Sicily, is for two volunteers aged 18-30 at a multidisciplinary culture center that produces theatre and dance performances, concerts, cinema projections and festivals. Volunteers help manage and promote events through communication and photo and video documentation, and learn how to set up performances and concerts under the supervision of the technical director.
20. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🛏️ Hostel Management and Educational Support for Youth 📚
📅 Deadline: 15 December 2026 📍 Crotone, Italy · 👥 Aged 18-30 An ESC volunteering project in the historical town of Crotone is for volunteers aged 18-30 who love open-air activities and are highly motivated to learn Italian. During summer volunteers help manage a hostel promoting sustainable tourism, from reception to the municipality's tourist infopoint and social media, and from autumn to spring they continue at the hostel and assist in a local school and educational activities with young people.
21. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🧒 Social Inclusion and Community Work With Children 🤝
📅 Deadline: 15 December 2026 📍 Naples, Italy · 👥 Female volunteers aged 18-30, residents of Türkiye An individual ESC volunteering project in Naples promotes social inclusion and solidarity, with a focus on children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Volunteers organise creative workshops, homework support, sports, storytelling and cultural exchange activities and join initiatives supporting migrants and families, with Italian language learning supported. The opportunity is intended for female volunteers aged 18-30, open to residents of Türkiye.
22. 🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 💛 Supporting People With Intellectual Disabilities in a Mountain Community 🏔️
📅 Deadline: 31 January 2027 📍 San Ginesio, Italy · 👥 Two volunteers aged 18-30 An individual ESC volunteering placement in San Ginesio, near the Sibillini Mountains, welcomes two volunteers aged 18-30 to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, working every day with youngsters and elderly participants too. Volunteers join recreational, sports and training activities, an educational garden, markets and public events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ESC volunteering projects in Italy fully funded?
Yes, ESC volunteering projects in Italy are fully funded under the European Solidarity Corps. The programme covers the flight, accommodation, food, pocket money and insurance for selected volunteers. Several of the 22 Italian projects also list training: the Milan, Magnago and Arese placements include On Arrival Training, the Menfi project adds an Italian online course, and the Cornedo Vicentino project includes pre-departure training, a mid-term evaluation and online linguistic support. The two Naples projects support Italian language learning throughout, and the Recanati project includes Italian classes. For the full breakdown, read about what ESC covers.
Who can apply for ESC volunteering in Italy?
Most of the 22 ESC projects in Italy are open to young people aged 18-30, but some calls have narrower age or residence rules. The Genova residential community placement is for a volunteer aged 23, the Genoa refugee support project has a required age of 25, and the Menfi shelter project is for volunteers aged between 23/24 and 30 with studies or experience in social work or psychology. The two Naples projects are intended for female volunteers and are open to residents of Türkiye, while one of the Padova kindergarten placements and the Recanati youth centre project are open to residents of Spain. The other calls list the countries their applicants can come from on each project page. Check the eligible countries before you apply.
Which ESC volunteering deadline in Italy closes first?
The first deadline is 15 November 2026, when six ESC projects in Italy close: Buccino, two in Genova, two in Genoa and Menfi. The two Padova kindergarten placements follow on 18 November 2026, and five projects close on 20 November 2026, in Rosà, Satriano di Lucania, Milan, Magnago and Arese. Later deadlines fall on 23 November (Cornedo Vicentino), 28 November (Bordano), 30 November (Recanati and Naples), 4 December and 9 December (both Catania) and 15 December (Crotone and Naples). The latest call is San Ginesio, open until 31 January 2027. Before your deadline arrives, follow the steps to apply for ESC.
The Italian projects fall into a few clear groups: work with children and teenagers in Genoa, Padova, Milan, Naples and Cornedo Vicentino, animal care in Magnago and Arese, culture and communication in Catania, Bordano and Rosà, and rural traditions in Buccino and Satriano di Lucania. If animals are your focus, read more about volunteering with animals and nature.
According to Youth Works Hub's review of these 22 calls, the placements run in 16 Italian cities and villages, from big cities to small mountain and rural communities. Pick the project that fits your skills, prepare your motivation and apply on the project page.
