Check Transitions Abroad for ideas about the range of volunteer openings in Italy. The online magazine is dedicated to working vacations and has collated a range of opportunities throughout the country. There are links to organizations currently seeking volunteers as well as inspirational articles from previous participants. Activities include helping the elderly near Turin with United Planet, and working with the immigrant population in Parma with Volunteers For Peace. Transitions Abroad gives you a good overview of the cost, anticipated free time, and skill requirements.
Lonely Planet warns that the popularity of volunteer vacations has meant a few unscrupulous organizations have jumped on the bandwagon. Cowboy practitioners are as likely in Italy as anywhere else, so it's important to research your organization's credibility. A good starting point is responsibletravel.com which, while not specific to volunteer travel, allows you to search voluntary holidays in Italy by region and type. Another good site is volunteerabroad.com. As of May 2010 it displayed 30 organizations offering 53 volunteer programs throughout Italy.
It is important to remember that a volunteer vacation demands a commitment from each participant in order to be effective. A good organization will spell out clearly the minimum time required. While this can vary from one or two weeks to over 12 months, some projects are flexible about time obligations. When you book your trip, be clear about how long you are expected to stay. A project restoring medieval houses in Baiardo, for example, run by the Associazione Culturale Linguistica Educational, typically accepts participants for two to four weeks, but also has volunteers who are committed for one or two years.
Make sure you know about preregistration requirements. Some programs may require a working knowledge of Italian before you arrive, while others may demand a certain level of fitness or be more suitable to those working or studying in specific fields. For instance, academic research into dolphins in the Italian Mediterranean will be more suitable for those with some knowledge of marine biology than for those looking to increase their experience of working with the elderly.
As well as the benefits to local communities, volunteer travel is a great way to develop your skills. If you are hoping to learn Italian, a volunteer vacation to Italy may be just the thing. But there are other benefits. Volunteering can very occasionally lead to a permanent, salaried position in the host country and within your chosen organization. More likely it will improve your career prospects once you return home. If your work requires you to deal with Italian companies, a knowledge of Italian culture, law and even the cuisine will help build stronger personal, working relationships. Most programs will also include some free time for exploring and arrange group trips to local attractions.
