The Palma Nana cooperative was found in 1983. It operates in the fields of environmental conservation and preservation, and the promotion of environmental and civic awareness with people and pupils. The cooperative organizes and manages activities of environmental education on behalf of the Italian Chapter of the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). Environmental Education and Responsible Tourism are the key priorities of Palma Nana’s activities. Aiming to promote ecological awareness, the cooperative organizes didactic activities in schools, updating and training courses, seminars, exhibitions, events, summer camps for youth, nature holidays for adults, family camps and excursions in natural and urban environments. The cooperative mainly operates on two fields: in the city of Palermo our staff works in and with schools, organizing daily excursions and school workshops. We also run a Center for Environmental Education (CEA) in the Madonie Mountains Park. Serra Guarneri is both a tourist venue and a didactic structure. During the summer, we organize tematic holidays for families and adventure camps for young of different age. In autumn and spring, Serra Guarneri hosts school trips and a range of events in collaboration with diverse institutions that deal with the environment. We work in the structure -where we organize nonformal education activities; in the woods- where we cover both the botanic aspect of nature, and its sensory interpretation; and in the surrounding territory, trying to promote virtuous examples of the rural world. Our main educational goals -To stimulate citizens’ sense of interest and love for nature -To facilitate tighter links between citizens and their territory -To rediscover a form of active and direct knowledge of surrounding territory -To stimulate civic behaviors of involvement and active participation in environmental issues, decision-making and policies -To build the ability to connect local dynamics to environmental phenomena at the global scale -To produce behavioral changes in people and communities. In the field of training, education and awareness-rising, the Palma Nana cooperative has developed direct actions to encourage knowledge transfer and awareness in young people through workshops, stages, courses and residential activities. Our work is aimed at people of all ages, students, teachers and workers. These actions were carried out in collaboration with institutions and operators operating in the field of the protection of natural heritage, the third sector and economic operators with the aim of preserving natural reserves, forests, the sea, cities and neighborhoods for discover their differences together. The Palma Nana Method implements non-formal education paths, with the aim of transmitting the values of Environmental Education through workshops and experiences. The educational objective of the proposals is to offer activities where the participants are personally involved in doing (learning by doing); we bealive that it is not enough to act, manipulate, operate, it is necessary to reflect, think (learning by thinking); moreover, there is no action, there is no thought, without motivations, interests, passions (learning by loving). The courses stimulate the development of life skills to improve one's cognitive and socio-emotional well-being and the recognition of one's talents. The values that support the actions of the Palma Nana Method are: -Give value to respect -I listen and I am part of a group -Consistency between what I say and what I do -Educate to beauty -Research of well-being -Moments of autonomy through creativity and play -Innovation and communication -Involvement of local communities Palma Nana is part of the board of the AITR (Italian Association for Responsible Tourism) association, and of the Adventure Camps circuit: two national networks that work in synergy to promote the enhancement of the territory through direct and sustainable knowledge. We are part of Eruopean networks operating within the Erasmus plus program for the dissemination of knowledge on the Sustainable Development Goals, and for the research for local strategies for their local application. As an Environmental Education Center, we participate in territorial networks for Local Development, for the production and distribution of food. We work for local development through our actions, training and tutoring courses addressed to young people, helping them to develop sustainable business forms. In the Madonie Park, we have a wide range of seasonal rural activities to support the receptive structure: we produce oil, jams of all types and every job is carried out in harmony with the cycles of seasons.

This 3-month project will take place in Palermo and focuses on engaging young people in meaningful community work while addressing some of the social challenges present in the city. The project also aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of European values such as solidarity, inclusion and active citizenship.Young volunteers aged 18–30 from different European countries will take part in practical activities that support the local community. Throughout the project, volunteers will collaborate with local organizations working with people who experience social marginalization and limited opportunities.Volunteers will contribute to our work for social and environmental justice and will have the chance to bring their own ideas and creativity into the project. They will support educational and social initiatives for young people, and promote intercultural exchange by sharing their language, culture and experiences.

Shared rooms in an apartment in the historical centre of Palermo. The food allowance will be provided through food vouchers. Volunteers will receive a pocket money of € 6,00 per day of activity. For the transportation the volunteers will receive a bus ticket.

The participant will participate in the Online Linguistic Support scheme and will be involved in an Italian course of 20 hours in attendance. Moreover they will be involved in the on arrival training in Rome managed by the Italian National Agency.

The Participant profile: We are searching for four young, motivated and flexible volunteers. Not a high level of enghlish will be required. No strong previous experience will be necessary to access the project, but a strong motivation to be open to transformation, not only at a personal level but also as a search toward social and environmental justice in the local ad the wider community.
Deadline: 21/06/2026 10:00

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.