IGNetwork

Revitalising the local area through art

Six volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps spent two weeks in Milena (Sicily), working alongside Il Circo Pace e Bene at the Magazzino Culturale.
Through art, participation and intercultural exchange, they explored the local heritage, helped to maintain community spaces and created art installations inspired by the stories and identity of the local area.

This experience demonstrated how cultural heritage can become a driving force for inclusion, dialogue and community regeneration.

The activity forms part of the ESC project co funded by the European Union.

Magazzino Culturale "Ex Oleificio" Associazione InformaGiovani

“Take Your Space. Youth Participation Through Youth Spaces” Youth Exchange is Coming to Palermo

From 30 October to 7 November 2026, InformaGiovani will host a new youth exchange funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, involving young people from four European countries: Italy, Greece, Portugal and Slovakia.

The preparatory visit, involving the leaders of the partner organisations, has recently taken place.

The project aims to promote different forms of youth participation, both traditional and alternative, such as civic engagement, online activism and thematic campaigns, and to foster a culture of “youth spaces”.

During the exchange, participants will analyse the youth spaces available in their respective local areas, with the aim of developing proposals and initiatives to improve their role and impact within local communities.

Through non formal education methods, participants will have the opportunity to:

• explore different forms of youth participation, from traditional forms such as voting to those related to civic engagement, digital activism and community initiatives;
• explore the role of physical and digital youth spaces in promoting active citizenship, social inclusion and youth-led change;
• acquire practical tools, methods and skills to design campaigns, advocate for their rights and collaborate in implementing initiatives in youth spaces;
• identify challenges and opportunities in their local contexts and co create concrete solutions to strengthen participation, inclusiveness and engagement within the community.

The project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and contributes to Goal 9 of the European Youth Strategy, “Spaces and Participation for All”.

Associazione InformaGiovani European Youth

Discover Opportunities at Przystanek Mlodych.

In collaboration with the Regional Volunteer Centre, we are organizing a series of information sessions at Przystanek Mlodych, a space to get involved, learn, and grow together.

The initiative will offer the local community the opportunity to discover the many free activities aimed primarily at young people, but open to people of all ages.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet local and international volunteers and trainers, and take part in English conversation classes and other language activities, book club meetings, cultural evenings, integration events, themed workshops and community focused initiatives.

Thes eactivities are supported by the of the European Union, which supports initiatives aimed at strengthening equality, the protection of fundamental rights and civic participation within the European Union.

Regionalne Centrum Wolontariatu w Kielcach

A volunteering experience in one’s own village that opens up new ways of living within the community.

"This experience allowed me to look at my local area with fresh eyes, to discover new sustainability related practices, and to meet people who enriched my journey. To anyone considering taking part in an ESC project, I say: give it a try. You can learn an incredible amount even while staying in your own village."

Monica is originally from Polia (RC), where she took part in a short term ESC volunteering project, coordinated by Associazione InformaGiovani and hosted by Associazione Kalistratia. An experience that enabled her to rediscover her territory and see it from a new perspective.

She recommends ESC volunteering to anyone who wishes to challenge themselves, step outside their daily routine, and live a meaningful experience even without travelling far from home: an opportunity to learn by doing, encounter new realities, and discover interests that can accompany you well beyond the duration of the project.

Discover Monica’s story: https://www.ignet.eu/monica-a-volunteering-experience/

Project no. 2025‑1‑IT03‑ESC51‑VTJ‑000346893
Associazione InformaGiovani

From Emilia Romagna to Calabria: an experience of nature, community and new skills.

"This project allowed me to discover so many new things, stay close to nature and feel part of a welcoming community. If you’re thinking about joining an ESC volunteering project, my advice is: go for it. It truly enriches you."

Monica, 28, took part as a volunteer in the ESC project Kalistratia, in the heart of Calabria, in Polia: a small village where kindness and hospitality made her feel immediately at home.

During the project, she carried out a wide range of activities linked to rural life and sustainability: permaculture, regenerative agriculture, electroculture, clay work using the potter’s wheel, woodworking, natural fabric dyeing, essential oil distillation, soap-making and the creation of shared community spaces.
A path rich in practical learning, collaboration and everyday community life.

Monica says she felt supported by the Kalistratia team and found an environment where she could grow, learn and challenge herself.

Read Monica’s story: https://www.ignet.eu/monicas-experience/

Project n. 2025-1-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-000346893

Associazione InformaGiovani

The Almond Camp has come to an end at Girasoli Land, a property confiscated from organised crime and now a symbol of hospitality and legality.

The camp brought together young people from the association I Girasoli ETS and the SAI projects in a volunteering experience that combined agricultural work, community life and intercultural exchange.

Participants carried out agricultural activities, taking care of the outdoor spaces and harvesting almonds with commitment and teamwork. Alongside the work in the fields, they joined artistic, culinary and language workshops designed to promote inclusion, non formal education and skills useful for active citizenship.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, partners, volunteers and guests who made Almond Camp 2026 possible. The dedication shown by each person demonstrates that building bridges, cultivating the land and defending rights is not just work, but a collective act of care towards a fairer and more supportive future.

European Youth I Girasoli Associazione InformaGiovani

The workcamp at the Libera Scuola Waldorf has come to an end.

It has been a programme that combined mutual learning and shared work, enabling the group to collaborate effectively and build meaningful relationships.

Throughout the activities, participants contributed to the care of the outdoor areas and the maintenance of the school’s facilities, improving the usability of the courtyard and enhancing several common spaces.

Daily work encouraged collaboration, attentive listening and shared organisation.

People from different countries turned living and working together into an opportunity for growth, building connections and developing a strong sense of collective responsibility.

This activity was part of the IGNet annual workplan, supported by the of the European Union, which supports initiatives aimed at strengthening equality, the protection of fundamental rights and civic participation within the European Union.

Associazione InformaGiovani European Youth

Today we met with a delegation from the Ochotnicze Hufce Pracy, the Voluntary Labour Corps of the Polish Ministry of Labour.

It was an opportunity to discuss and exchange views on our practices regarding social inclusion, support and participation for young people facing difficulties.

We presented the work we have carried out with the IGNet network across Europe and locally to promote the European Union’s tools and opportunities, and we learnt about an interesting working model that puts people at the centre.

We discussed the use of EU funds as a resource for social intervention and for creating new opportunities.

We hope this marks the start of a new collaboration!

The international workcamp Cleaning of Nature Reserve 4, held at the Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve (Palermo), has come to an end.

Volunteers worked alongside LIPU to clean the area, restore pathways and address invasive species, helping to rebalance a fragile natural habitat.

The experience also connected environmental stewardship with civic memory through activities at MuST23 in Capaci, where the group collaborated with those who preserve and share the history of the Capaci bombing.

The volunteer camp leaves an impact that continues over time: in a cleaner reserve, in the relationships built during the experience, and in a strengthened awareness of the role of active citizenship in caring for local territories and communities.

This activity was part of the IGNet annual workplan, supported by the of the European Union, which supports initiatives aimed at strengthening equality, the protection of fundamental rights and civic participation within the European Union.

Associazione InformaGiovani Lipu Sezione Di Palermo European Youth

From Estonia to Palermo: ten months of volunteering and new discoveries

“This experience taught me how to adapt, slow down, and appreciate the simple things. If you’re thinking about joining an ESC project, my advice is: do it. It will change your life.”

Mariann took part in a long term ESC volunteering project with Associazione InformaGiovani in Palermo, contributing to activities of non formal education, youth support, and European project management. She also helped welcome international volunteers and assisted in the organisation of youth exchanges and volunteer camps. In addition, she led a personal finance workshop for local young people.

Discover Mariann’s story: https://www.ignet.eu/marianne-my-new-home-in-sicily/

Associazione InformaGiovani

Project n. 2024-2-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-000268869