PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This project is a volunteer activity where you become part of rural life in the countryside of Rome, Italy and experience sustainable ways of living. Collaborate with people who are striving to live together and work towards a better future!
Sustainable agriculture means thinking about not just the present but the future, minimizing damage to the earth and its ecosystems, and producing only as much as needed to ensure responsible consumption. This project promotes collaboration among many people and aims to develop sustainable local communities through environmentally friendly agricultural methods.
Become part of a community that cultivates only the necessary amount of land, grows and harvests crops, and recycles discarded items. Choose a better path to change the world with people who are dedicated to making a difference! Your small contributions can collectively drive significant change.
Cultivating crops, managing farmland, and caring for livestock require working together with others, sharing help and support. Experience becoming a part of the community by interacting and collaborating with others. In the time spent as ‘us,’ filled with care and love, you will find healing for your shortcomings and recovery from inner wounds.
Watching a small seed grow and bear fruit can be truly amazing. Experience the wonder of nature by growing and harvesting life with your own hands in the countryside of Rome, Italy. The valuable fruits of your labor and the sense of accomplishment from this experience will be emotions you rarely encounter in ordinary life.
Enduring the weight of daily stress, worries, and unresolved issues can sometimes make you feel like your life will remain unchanged, causing anxiety. If you desperately need a change in life, leave behind your familiar routines and head to an unfamiliar place. Through new experiences and encounters, you may find new happiness that you couldn’t enjoy before.
Escape the noisy and complex city life and take a moment to rest in the quiet and slow-paced countryside of Rome. Living among nature and blending with relaxed and generous people, you will gradually find yourself becoming like them. Rediscover the calm you’ve forgotten and recharge your strength to return to everyday life within the Roman community.
* This project operates with a small number of participants, so availability may vary significantly depending on the desired application period. If you wish to apply, please do so promptly!
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
This project is a volunteer activity where you experience rural life in Rome, Italy, manage various agricultural plots, and build a cooperative community with diverse people to live a sustainable life.
The project is based on multiculturalism, sustainability, and ecology, and involves working with social minorities, including the elderly, children, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as people with mental and physical disabilities. Join forces with a variety of people to work towards a sustainable life!
Main Activities
Participants will engage in various activities depending on the local conditions at the time of their participation.
1. Agricultural Activities | Planting, weeding, watering, and overall garden maintenance |
Cultivating and harvesting various crops like vegetables and legumes | |
Urban beekeeping and honey production | |
Caring for livestock | |
2. Cultural and Artistic Activities | Craft workshops using waste and recyclable materials to create various objects |
Fun design workshops for children | |
3. Educational Activities | Multicultural cooking classes |
4. Institutional Support | Supporting the sale of handmade crafts and food during events |
*The above activities are examples for understanding. Specific details will be provided locally.
Additional Information
Time | Schedule | |
6:00 ~ 10:30 | Breakfast | |
10:00 ~ (Morning Activity) |
Volunteering - Travel to activity location, join staff, start activities |
Free Time - Rest, sightseeing, language classes, etc. |
13:30 ~ | Lunch (Not provided) | |
14:00 ~ (Afternoon Activity) |
Volunteering | Free Time |
20:00 ~ 22:30 | Dinner |
*The above schedule is for illustrative purposes. The specific schedule may vary based on local conditions.
*Participants will only engage in one of the two volunteer sessions (morning/afternoon) each day. The rest of the time can be spent freely.
English Proficiency ★☆☆☆☆
Physical Fitness ★★★☆☆
|
SUPPORT
Local Orientation | Online Orientation | Online Consultation | Certificate of Completion |
KGY Certification | Pre-Departure Care | KGY Consultation | KGY Mission |
24hr Emergency Care | Flight Ticket Booking Assistance | Real-Time Consultation Service | KGY Note Book |
Project Registration and Participation Fee | Gap Year Mission Scholarship Payment | Orientation Materials | Local Accommodation |
Pickup Service After Arrival | Local Meals | Local Coordinator | Local Activity Coordination |
City Tour | Italian Culture Class |
Details of Support
■ Accommodation and Meals
■ Project Activities
■ Care Services
■ Certificates and Letters of Recommendation
* Certificates and letters of recommendation from the local organization will be issued upon the participant’s request after the project ends. The format or issuance of these documents may vary depending on the local organization’s form.
* Certificates and letters of recommendation will be issued after the project is completed and the feedback is submitted.
Items Not Included
INSTITUTION INTRODUCTION
This project is carried out by an NGO organization located in Rome, Italy. It operates in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, Goal 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, Goal 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, Goal 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”, Goal 13 “Climate Action”, Goal 15 “Life on Land”, and Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”. The project aims to foster a sustainable community by working together with people from various backgrounds to create positive change through action and practice.
A Word from the Local Coordinator
The history of Rome, the Eternal City, has spanned from 3,000 years ago to the present day. And now, you have the opportunity to add your steps to Rome's history through an international volunteer program.
Do you love animals? Are you interested in environmental protection? Can you be a good friend to children? If you want to drive positive change in various social and environmental issues, come to Rome and start volunteering. Through this special experience, you will immerse yourself in social challenges, meet new cultures, and make friends with like-minded people from around the world.
Are you ready to create meaningful stories together?
ACCOMMODATION INTRODUCTION
2 people per room (gender-separated) / In-room bathroom / Free Wi-Fi / Basic bedding / Breakfast and dinner provided |
You will be living with volunteers from around the world in an eco-friendly volunteer house that incorporates the concept of sustainability. Located on the outskirts of Rome, it provides easy access to essential facilities such as cafes, supermarkets, ATMs, and pharmacies. The nearest bus stop is just a 5-minute walk away, making public transportation convenient.
You will stay in a cabin with an in-room bathroom and air conditioning. The house provides basic bedding and free Wi-Fi.
If you prefer a private room, you can upgrade for an additional fee. Please inquire for more details.
(Inquiries: koreagapyear@gmail.com)
* Common facilities: Dining room, swimming pool, garden
Breakfast and dinner are provided at the volunteer house. You can enjoy a variety of foods, including Italian local dishes, healthy Mediterranean cuisine, and seasonal dishes in a buffet style.
* If you have specific dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose intolerance, please inquire separately.
* Lunch is not provided, but you can buy meals affordably from the food truck at the accommodation or enjoy local food at various restaurants in the city.
If requested, you can use the washing machine and dryer for an additional fee.
LOCATION INTRODUCTION
| Location: Italy, Rome
Rome, Italy, was the heart of the vast Roman Empire, a city so influential that the phrase “All roads lead to Rome” was coined. It's a city rich with a variety of historical sites. Even today, you can find traces of Rome's glorious past and historical remnants throughout the city.
Rome was also a center of the Renaissance, where numerous artists created outstanding works. Today, millions of people visit Rome to see Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. It’s no exaggeration to say that the city itself is like a museum.
But art is not all that Rome has to offer. Besides pizza and spaghetti, you can find many gourmet dishes, and the mild Mediterranean climate makes travel enjoyable. Additionally, the friendly and warm people make it easy to feel at home in Italy’s capital.
| Recommended Travel Destinations
01 Trevi Fountain
One of Rome’s landmarks featured in countless films like “Roman Holiday,” the Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. When you visit the famous Trevi Fountain, you’ll see many tourists tossing coins into it. According to legend, if you throw a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand, your wish will come true or you'll return to Rome. The coins tossed into the fountain are used for the restoration and preservation of Rome's cultural heritage, so why not make a wish at the Trevi Fountain?
02 Colosseum
A symbol of ancient Rome, the Colosseum is one of the most iconic ruins of the Roman Empire. This amphitheater, built during the Roman Empire, could hold over 50,000 people and showcases the advanced architectural skills of the time. However, it has lost much of its original appearance over the centuries, and restoration work is still ongoing. In the future, we may see the Colosseum used in even more diverse ways!
03 Vatican City
The world’s smallest independent city-state, Vatican City is located within Rome but is a sovereign nation. Despite its small size, it is home to the Vatican Museums, famous for its numerous artworks, Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. With its numerous notable buildings and art collections, it’s always crowded with tourists, so plan your visit accordingly!
SCHEDULE AND PRICES
■ This project starts on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 2 weeks.
■ The costs below include project fees, accommodation, breakfast/dinner, and one-way airport pickup service.
Duration | Participation Fee |
2 weeks | 3,030,000 KRW |
3 weeks | 3,880,000 KRW |
4 weeks | 4,720,000 KRW |
5 weeks | 5,580,000 KRW |
6 weeks | 6,430,000 KRW |
7 weeks | 7,280,000 KRW |
8 weeks | 8,120,000 KRW |
9 weeks | 8,980,000 KRW |
10 weeks | 9,830,000 KRW |
11 weeks | 10,680,000 KRW |
12 weeks | 11,520,000 KRW |
■ Eligibility and Qualifications
- Adults 18 years and older who are in good health
- Individuals who can communicate in basic English
- People interested in caring for and cultivating nature
- Those who are interested in sustainable living and society
- Individuals who need time to rejuvenate away from daily life in nature
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ Learn More)
■ Payment in Installments
If you cannot pay the full amount upfront, you can make an initial payment of 500,000 KRW and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. The process for confirming participation will begin from the date of the initial payment, allowing us to check availability and the number of spots. It’s important to secure your place early for your desired dates and duration! (Refunds are not available once participation is confirmed.)
*However, if the start date is approaching, the balance payment schedule may vary depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird Discount and Emergency Application Information
For all Gap Year projects, we recommend applying at least 3 months before the project start date due to the standard application process and preparation time. Applications should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start date. However, if you need to apply urgently, you can use the emergency application service by paying an additional fee for expedited processing.
*Although we will assist with expedited processing, there are basic times required for communication with local institutions and confirmation of participation, and all procedures will follow the standard process. Therefore, those applying through the emergency application service should actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year operations team.
** Applicants who apply 180 days or more before the start date will receive an early bird discount.
*** The emergency application service is available in the options above. For inquiries about the emergency application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
- What is Provided: Automatic application for Gap Year Mission and Notes / Full provision of orientation materials upon confirmation / Additional placement of emergency personnel / Assistance with document preparation if needed * If you have difficulty calculating dates, refer to the Naver date calculator >> Naver Date Calculator |
** Note: For ultra-urgent applications, there may be no available spots depending on local conditions, and subsequent procedures will follow the Gap Year refund policy. Problems arising from participant non-cooperation are the participant's responsibility.