ESC: Volunteer in Italy in an NGO for local and international cooperation

Guradavanti: per il futuro dei bambini is an Italian NGO founded in 2011. It is active in the field of international cooperation and development and its aims are those of: - fostering intercltural communication and cultural exchange, overcoming stereotypes and supporting the social integration of migrants; - supporting solidarity actions in Italy and abroad through different projects and actions, including international development ones; - promoting a fairer and more sustainable future. Central to Guardavanti is the will to overcome the categories of "rich" and "poor": the Association operates in countries in both the North and the South of the world, in developing and in more advanced economies, by supporting fair trade projects as well as initiatives for the economic self-development and emancipation from poverty, generated by the current political, social and economic conditions. A continuous exchange of knowledge and experiences between the Association and its partners in both Italy an the south of the world, allows for the projects to be the fruitful result of the process of reciprocity. The Association is free from political and religious bonds. In the South of the world, Guardavanti is active in projects dedicated to sustainable agriculture and tackling malnutrition, as well as in support of schools and in children sponsorship. On the Italian territory, Lombardy in particular, on the other side, it is active in projects about global citizenship education in schools of different order and degree, in projects for the social inclusion of migrants, and in projects fostering economic emancipation and employability, specifically for younger people. In particular the Association has carried out these activities involving youngsters: - The translation of the site to English, Spanish, French and German thanks to the contribution of students of the A. Volta Scientific High School in Milan, thanks to which the school and the association won the Oscar Light Up! given by the Ciessevi in Milan for the soft-skills in volunteering; - The project Stand up!carried out since 2013, for the employment of young and vulnerable people (such as migrants) within the Christmas campaign of the association. The project provides workers with adequate training and a fair compensation and has so far allowed 87% of the beneficiaries to enter the work market within the 12 months following the closure of the project; - The conclusion of 50 curricular and extracurricular internships; - The training, aimed at 100 high school students in the realm of school-work alternation, on event management, marketing/fundraising strategy, PR and IT skills, depending on the school specialization; - The promotion of the association by volunteers through dedicated banquets and leisure activities aimed at children at fairs and local festivals; - The promotion of interculture through events that allow people to meet different nationalities in the territory; - Vocational training for employability within 5 secondary schools and 3 high schools in Milan and Mestre targeting in particular students with immigrant backgrounds. More than 300 students have been involved in such trainings, Italian L2 courses, study support workshops and in, peer-to-peer activities. The association performs, in addition, the following activities aimed at minors and young people: - Promotion of sustainability practices within the “Green School” initiative involving 20 schools in Lombardy; - Promoting the role of the “educating community” , through the construction of a computer laboratory co-managed by teachers, caregivers and parents at the school in Capoterra (CA) within the project Piccoli che Valgono!. The association today consists of 100 members from 13 different nationalities and counts, for his projects and interventions, on the passionate work of volunteers and interns. Guardavanti currently employs 4 people count on the effort of 30 local volunteers, 9 of whom collaborate continuously with the association. The ESC volunteers will be supported, during their experience, not only by our staff but also by Alessandro Prece, who will be their mentor. The person in question is young and well inserted into the territory of Somma Lombardo and the varesotto (Varese province) area