Italy: ESC: Community life in nature with autistic young in Italy

About the local hosting organization

No Borders Association is an association of volunteers settled in Milan and born in August 2014 in order to promote opportunities of mobility and inter-cultural learning for youngsters from Milan and its region. We try to involve mainly students from schools and universities and participants with fewer opportunities. As it is a young organisation our experience comes from the experience of youth workers and young volunteers previously involved in intercultural and international activities in other youth organisations. In order to develop our association and our network, we are looking for long-term strategic partnerships. Our main activities are: Youth Exchanges, training courses, promotional events to promote E+ opportunities, Radio No Borders and the local activities in cooperation with local organisations. The aim of the association is to give more and more opportunities to young people with fewer opportunities and migrants thanks to learning opportunities at local level and in the field of international mobility and intercultural learning, helping them to open their mind, develop their skills and competences and foster their participation in society. Our goal consists also in stimulating the personal growth of youngsters and people with fewer opportunities, by raising their sense of citizenship, an active participation inside society and a real awareness about their role as European citizens. The volunteers that decided to create it, did it with the perspective to have new opportunities to develop their own ideas and projects. We try to educate youngsters to a peaceful cohabitation with people coming from different cultures, countries and social conditions, by giving them the opportunity to confront themselves within an inter-cultural environment which stimulates the development of a conscience about the complexity of our society.

Presentation of the programme

At Cascina Croce Piaggi, a rural community in the Apennine hills of the Oltrepò Pavese (Ponte Nizza, PV, Italy), you will join a small residential setting where about 10 autistic adults (18-30) live alongside families, educators and volunteers. Together with them you will care for the vegetable garden and orchard, gather wild herbs, tend the henhouse, produce honey and collect seasonal firewood. You will help produce jams, juices, compotes and preserves in the food lab "La Banda dell'Ortica", prepare meals with participants and staff, keep common spaces clean and tidy, and join craft workshops (clay, weaving, painting). You will also develop your own personal project — a diary, a social media account, or intercultural activities with participants — agreed with your tutor. This is a genuinely rural, quiet and isolated placement, five days a week with two days off: patience, flexibility and a love for nature and community life are essential.

About the accomodation

Volunteers live directly at Cascina Croce Piaggi, sharing a double room in an apartment equipped with kitchen, washing machine and internet access. Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are shared with participants and staff following the community's schedule. Volunteers receive a pocket money of 6€/day (paid monthly by bank transfer) plus an additional 30€/month for extra beverages, sweets or personal items. Travel expenses (home–Italy–home) are reimbursed according to European Commission distance bands, with an increased budget if more than 51% of the journey is made by bus or train (green travel).

About the leisure activities

Volunteers will participate in the On Arrival Training organized by the Italian National Agency. Associazione No Borders, the coordinating organization, will organize an on arrival training with the volunteers and the coordinator and tutors of Fondazione Oltre il Blu.

Requirements

The Participant profile: Deadline: 26/10/2026 00:00