ESC: Youth-Driven Cultural Hub: Volunteering in Sicily’s Creative Center at Mistero Buffo, Acireale

Code: 43688 Copied

Italy European Voluntary Service Environment Culture European Voluntary Service Environment +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Circolo Arci Babilonia is a social promotion organisation (not for profit) whose members are mainly young people between 20 and 35 years old and which is part of the national network Arci Nuova associazione. The main activity of the organisation is the management of the Youth/cultural centre Mistero Buffo, which developed in 2000 within a Youth programme Action 3 – youth initiatives project and over the past 15 years has established itself as a point of reference for cultural promotion at local level. In 2008 the organisation started a partnership with other 3 local ngos “Associazione Culturale Scarti” , “circolo Legambiente Sartorius von Waltershausen” and “associazione Altroquando” to offer new services for the young people taking part in the daily life of the centre. The model of management of the Mistero Buffo centre is based on co-management and self-funding principles, following a decision made by the young people which are active part of the centre. The centre is open to all valuable cultural initiatives coming from anyone willing to invest their time in sharing their passions and skills to enrich the local community.

💼 What the programme involves

Join us in Sicily for a unique volunteering experience at Mistero Buffo, a place where creativity meets social and environmental impact! Circolo Arci Babilonia, through the Youth Cultural Center "Mistero Buffo," is a hub of culture and youth engagement in Acireale. Run by young volunteers, we promote culture, creativity, and environmental sustainability in our community. Our center is a safe space open to everyone, but we attract mostly young people (20-30 yo) or older, depending on the event. As a volunteer, you will participate in artistic workshops, cultural events, jam sessions, and initiatives supporting social inclusion and environmental education with Legambiente, a partner association. You'll play a key role in managing the center, organizing events from music to art, and cinema, in partnership with Scarti and the "Magma Film Festival." Plus, you'll have the chance to propose and develop your own project in a relaxed, cooperative, and self-managed environment.

🏠 Accommodation on site

The two volunteers will be accommodated in a cozy apartment in the historic center of Acireale. The accommodation includes a single bedroom and an open-space area with sleeping area and kitchen, complete with essential amenities: washing machine, shared bathroom, and a beautiful terrace. The apartment is strategically located, within walking distance of both Mistero Buffo center and Piazza Duomo, the heart of the city. The train station is easily accessible with a 25-minute walk, ensuring access to public transportation. Volunteers will receive pocket money to manage their own meals.

🎒 Leisure activities

Volunteers will participate in two training sessions organized by the National Youth Agency: an initial training and a mid-term evaluation. At the beginning of the project, they will receive support for center activities, which will mainly take place in the late afternoon. They will be guided to settle in within a friendly atmosphere, with evening outings with other volunteers. The hosting organization also provides regular evaluation meetings with other Mistero Buffo volunteers to ensure an educational and enriching experience in every aspect.

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: We are excited to welcome volunteers ready to take on the challenges of our dynamic, growing center. We seek creative, independent individuals with strong initiative and autonomy. These qualities are crucial for contributing effectively to our project and making an impact in our community. You should be comfortable managing the space constructively, fostering a positive atmosphere, and interacting primarily with peers aged 20-30, while maintaining flexibility. If you have experience in NGOs or creative, environmental, and cultural sectors, this will certainly enhance your experience. However, such experience isn't required. What matters most is your personal motivation, desire to actively contribute, and how this experience aligns with your life goals and future plans. Acireale, the host city, is a town of 50,000 inhabitants on Sicily's eastern coast, near Catania. This setting offers the perfect balance between small-town tranquility and proximity to Catania's urban activities. While not a major cultural center, Acireale's scene is evolving with new initiatives and engaged youth. Volunteers should be ready to connect with local youth and address challenges in maintaining consistency and expanding outreach. Working hours are flexible and will be arranged according to needs. Weekends are completely free, offering opportunities to organize trips and explore Sicily. You'll also build friendships with other ESC volunteers in Catania, creating an atmosphere of sharing and fun. We'll carefully evaluate each candidate's motivations to understand how this project could foster personal and professional growth. Please explore our Instagram profile (https://www.instagram.com/misterobuffoacireale/) to better understand our activities. During the interview, we welcome proposals for projects or courses you'd like to develop during your 8-month stay. If you're committed to making a positive impact, we look forward to exploring how we can collaborate to create something meaningful for both you and our community.
Deadline: 04/01/2025 20:00

ℹ️ Additional information

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.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

IT43688

13/01/2025 → 31/08/2025

Closed

0 / 2

♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1

Deadline: 04/01/2025

ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–30 years old

Solidarity donation

0.00 EUR

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

Via Pennisi, 25, 95024 Acireale CT, Italy

Italy

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)

Timezone

Central European Standard Time

Local time: 22:20 (12/11/2026)

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Italian