Germany: ESC: International Women’s* Theatre Festival (IF*TF) of Frankfurt

About the local hosting organization

FPD was founded in 2009, thanks the Regional Governament which granted its foundation on the basis of the activities planned for the social development of the regional rural areas. It is a non-profit regional civil organization, made by young and senior people. It's mission is to promote and facilitate the development of rural areas of the Puglia Region, thanks to the implementation of projects concerning volunteering, youth, social inclusion, environment protection, sustainable development, promotion of the importance of biodiversity, organic farming, nature and sport and outdoor activities. FPD focuses its attention on European mobility, both for the personal development of its single members and for the growth of local partner organizations at International level. The main target group is youth under 35 y.o., but the organization also works with senior people. Both the categories have in common the fact they are made of disadvantaged people from rural areas. The young people are mainly NEET, which means FPD offers them several opportunities to learn, be trained and educated at local and European level in order to enrich their curricula and get more chances for their job-placement or self-employment. FPD cooperates with several Public and Private entities at all levels, such as: a) Municipality of Taurisano (IT) - FPD cooperates in the organization of local events in several fields (waste collection, Music festivals, youth participation in decision making processes, cultural activities, music events, photo exhibitions....); b) Province of Lecce (IT) – FPD had a project concerning young people's involvement in local initiatives concerning ecology and biological food, re-use of different materials and recycle of waste; c) Region of Puglia (IT) – FPD cooperates with its Region on projects concerning promotion of natural resources of rural areas; d) Several EU NGOs are partners in the implementation of Youth Exchanges, Youth and Democracy projects, Training Courses, seminars, workshops, volunteering activties in different fields. What is more, FPD is member of numerous European Networks financed by the Europe for Citizens Programme, for the valorization of the EU Cultural Heritage (tangible, intangible, digital and natural), the promotion of Youth Mobility for learning, training, working, studying and volunteering abroad, the active participation (mainly digital participation) at EU level of youth and seniors.

Presentation of the programme

This volunteering activity only addresses female* volunteers. The International Women’s* Theatre Festival (IF*TF) is a one week festival dedicated to women*. It has a feminist and collective approach, with the aim to bring artistic works made by women* to the stage in a framework of solidarity and thus to increase their visibility in the performing arts. Bárbara Luci Carvalho, the artistic director of the festival, is a member of The Magdalena Project, an international network of women* in contemporary theatre. The asterisk (*) stands in German for people who define themselves as female. Which gender identity or sexuality a person ascribes to themselves is just as much a part of the feminist empowerment process as the promotion of people regardless of their origin, religion or age. Volunteers will help to build up/down the festival, as well as participating in the maintenance of the community. 

About the accomodation

Everybody sleeps on the cultural space of protagon e.V., in the garden, where a lot of rooms where build out of containers, busses, caravans and big tents. Volunteers will share their room with others. In the house, they will find the bathrooms, a canteen and other commodities such as a laundry. Food is provided in the community (with meat, vegetarian and vegan options) for the three meals per day. Some bikes can be available.

About the leisure activities

Volunteers are invited to learn about the gestion of an international cultural event. From the build-up of the festival to its build-down, passing by organisational tasks, preparation of the ground, of the rooms, of the stage. Alongside the cultural event, they will also get to experience the community lifestyle of protagon e.V. Volunteers are free to watch the performances, the concerts and to attend to the different speeches and activities. They can also participate into workshops themselves (two workshops are offered to each volunteer).

Requirements

The Participant profile: -The participants are female* participants under 31 years old (the asterisk (*) stands in German for people who define themselves as female)-They should have a strong interest into arts and cultural events-And be ready to live in a community with a lot of different people, who have different nationalities, ages and social situationsDeadline: 25/08/2026 23:00