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Sustainable Farming Volunteering in Rome - Italy

Sustainable Farming Volunteering in Rome - Italy

Curious about Sustainable Farming volunteering in Italy - Rome? International Volunteer HQ’s Sustainable Farming project empowers volunteers to get their hands dirty at one of Rome’s many farms and parks. Volunteers may have the opportunity to work side by side with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as with people with disabilities, the elderly and even children. Taking part in this hands-on initiative with a focus on multiculturalism, sustainability and ecology enables these groups to gain professional skills and increase social inclusion and engagement which can improve their quality of life.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every second and fourth Monday of the month
  • Affordable fees from $1635 for 2 weeks
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Support community and sustainability initiatives in local farms and parks

  • Enjoy Italy’s legendary art, culture and cuisine

  • Stay in an eco-friendly lodge not far from Vatican City

Key information

Support the community through farming
Based in Rome's parks & farms
Shared twin rooms at camping lodge
Volunteers aged 18+
Fully hosted experience from $1635 for 2 weeks
Durations from 2 - 12 weeks
Explore Rome’s stunning architecture
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Hands-on volunteers who care about sustainability, conservation and social inclusion. As your tasks will vary based on the season, you should be open to helping out in any kind of activity that is prioritized while you’re there.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

The Sustainable Farming project gives volunteers a taste of the Roman countryside while supporting a social integration model and assisting with a range of seasonal tasks. The goal of this project is to maximize production and help with the care of vegetables and aromatic plants in the garden while also empowering the local people you’re working alongside to gain professional skills.

As a Sustainable Farming volunteer you’ll be helping with a range of activities that vary according to the season and local priorities. You can expect to do some of the following:

  • Planting, weeding, watering and general care for the garden which hosts a collection of plants typical to the Mediterranean area
  • Cultivating and harvesting vegetables and legumes in the large garden
  • Craft workshop activities creating objects of various designs using waste or recyclable materials
  • Urban beekeeping and honey production
  • Taking care of farm animals
  • Multi-ethnic cooking sessions
  • Helping with events and the sale of handicraft and food products
  • Running playful design workshops for children
  • Urban redevelopment interventions, entirely with recycled material

Any profits resulting from these activities go back to the projects in which the workers are involved, as well as to other local non-profits associations involved in supporting social issues.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

As job losses escalate as a result of Covid-19, it is estimated that nearly half of the global workforce is at risk of losing their livelihoods. We must improve access to jobs, decent work conditions and community services in order to achieve peace, sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all.

Why do Sustainable Farming volunteering in Rome with IVHQ?

When you volunteer on the Sustainable Farming project in Rome you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Using sustainable methods to support communities
  • Practicing your Italian
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Learning new practical skills
  • Gaining agriculture and horticulture experience
  • Immersing yourself in Italian culture
  • Exploring the beauty of Italy’s charming capital city

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

YG
Yod Gebre
31 Oct 2023

The guidance and preparation resources from IVHQ were great, as well as the support from the local team. I got to see firsthand how sustainable farming can benefit both the environment and local communities. It's gratifying to know that my efforts contribute to a more eco-friendly and socially responsible approach to farming. I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of sustainable farming and its positive impact on the environment and communities.

Volunteering in this program equipped me with practical eco-friendly farming skills, including organic techniques and resource conservation, while offering a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to a sustainable future.

As for someone hesitant about joining this program, I would advise them to consider the personal growth and learning opportunities it offers. This program not only imparts valuable skills, but also cultivates environmental awareness and a profound sense of purpose. It fosters a supportive community among sustainability enthusiasts. I encourage anyone with hesitations to embrace this deeply rewarding experience.

...
YH
Yuer He
05 Sep 2023

Everyone was friendly and my anxiety disappeared as soon as I reached the accommodation. I met lots of foreign friends and was able to practice my English skills as someone whose first language isn’t English.

...
GJ
Grace Jordan-Williams
05 Sep 2023

This volunteering was an amazing experience that has enhanced my view on life, I have made new friends from all around the world. I found out more about myself and achieved more than I thought I was capable of. My advice is be prepared and open to new cultural experiences.

...
PG
Paola Gomez
26 Apr 2023

I was really happy in knowing I was making a difference no matter the scale in magnitude. It was a great experience and I certainly feel grateful for the opportunity. My favorite moment was being able to come together with other volunteers and workers at the sites despite language barriers. It was quite beautiful. Through the people I met, and my experience on this trip, I was able to feel like I truly made a positive impact. I felt cared for, and at the same time, I felt like I was giving my all. It was great knowing how my presence could create change.

...
GJ
Grace Johnston
04 Apr 2023

This will be the greatest leap of faith you ever take and reward you endlessly! The guidance and preparation resources were well-prepared and easily accessible! The local team members were the most amazing supporters that any group could have had. They always made sure everyone knew important information about their placements, different language skills, tips for public transport, and local destinations to see. They also reminded us of the importance of positive change on our journey and that made me feel like I made an impact.

On my placement, the local staff showed me all of the beehives and made me feel so safe while teaching me a lot, even though we had a language barrier, it was magical.

It was so amazing to make friends from all over the world and experience Rome's diversity and beauty while working on a project where I learned so many new skills about agriculture. I was able to have a unique experience for myself, while also sharing this very important moment with others.

...
AW
Alexandra Watson
01 Jun 2022

The whole experience was amazing! The people I met, the work we did, and the places we saw. My favorite memory was our first 'sharing circle' as I got to hear about other people's placements and meet new people that feel the same as me about giving back to the community.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

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Volunteer Abroad in Rome, Italy with IVHQ

Location

Rome is and has been many things - the capital of Italy, the Eternal City and the center of the ancient Roman empire. It is both brimming with reminders of bygone eras and teeming with dynamic, modern industry and entertainment. It’s also the setting of IVHQ’s Italy - Rome program, and volunteer placements are located throughout the wider city area.

Like any major city, there is a socio-economic divide in Rome and the people who fall on the disadvantaged side of this face a host of challenges. Volunteers can help make a difference to their lives by providing essential support to local initiatives designed to address these issues and others that affect the community.

Volunteers on this program should expect commutes of up to 1:45 hours one way to your placement. These long commute times are a result of Rome’s transportation system that almost always has long delays, ongoing repairs, and unpredictable schedules. Those who wish to join the Sustainable Farming project will usually have a longer commute than those on projects such as Youth Support and Teaching English, as this project is in the countryside on the outskirts of the city.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation in Rome begins on the second and fourth Monday of each month and lasts for a full day. Volunteers need to arrive in Rome on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO). You can also arrive into Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) but should expect you may need to wait to be picked up. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Rome. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Italy prior to your volunteer program and arriving overland, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a central meeting point in Rome on the Sunday before orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our Italy team in Rome. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Rome – an introduction to Italy, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and a tour of the local area. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers with whom you can swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Your specific placement orientation will be held the following day and you will be shown how to travel to and from your placement, receive an introduction to your placement, and then complete a few hours of volunteering.

Volunteer schedule example

Weekdays

After your program orientation, you will have a morning or afternoon volunteer shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Your schedule will vary depending on the needs of your particular project. A typical schedule is as follows:

7.30 AM Breakfast begins at the volunteer accommodation and is available until 10.30 AM.
8.00 AM Travel to your volunteer placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. Please note that some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning free to use as they wish.
12.00 - 1:00 PM Lunch break. Buy your own lunch from Rome’s many excellent cafes and eateries. After lunch, volunteers will continue volunteer work (where applicable).
1.00 PM Volunteers with afternoon or evening shifts travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project.
6.30 - 10:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Weekends

On weekends, you can spend your free time discovering why Rome is one of the most popular and revered tourist destinations in the world. For a start, you can visit monuments to ancient history like the Colosseum, check out Vatican City, see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, explore the Pantheon and throw coins into the Trevi Fountain.

Once you’ve ticked off those iconic experiences you can relax and find out which of the rest of Rome’s numerous attractions you’ll see next. It might be any one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the perfect authentic carbonara or a steaming cup of espresso, touring ancient churches, checking out the nightlife of buzzy Trastevere or stumbling upon the latest in fashion on one of Rome’s best shopping streets, Via del Corso.

If you’re ready for a change of scene, you can take a quick weekend train trip to see the ancient ruins of Pompeii, or Naples - the home of pizza. Nature lovers should also factor in a visit to the beautiful Amalfi Coast to complete the precipitous and spectacular Walk of the Gods. Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Italy, including Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Milan, Pisa and much more. You can make travel arrangements once you arrive in Rome with the advice and guidance of our expert local team.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a central camping lodge in Rome. You can expect to share a room with one to two other volunteers of the same gender. Bedding and towels are provided, and there are shared western bathrooms. Staff will clean the accommodation throughout the week, however volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.

The lodge has a large pool as well as other social and game facilities for volunteers to enjoy in their free time.

WiFi is available at the camping lodge. It may not be available in your room; however, it is available in all of the common areas. WiFi is also available in many cafes and restaurants in the area.

Private single, twin or double rooms in the ​camping lodge, with the use of the communal bathrooms, can be arranged at an additional cost.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with breakfast and dinner each day as part of the program.

Breakfast is self-serve at the accommodation and available from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Breakfast generally includes tea, coffee, bread, croissants, sweets, cheese, ham, spreads, cereal, yogurt, and fruit.

Dinner is served between 6:30 PM and 10:30 PM and includes local staples such as pasta, vegetables, and salad.

Lunch is not provided and we recommend you budget about $10 per day to buy it from the excellent local shops, cafes and restaurants nearby. These are easily accessible both close to placements and the accommodation.

Tap water is fine to drink in Rome and the accommodation has a fountain of drinkable water where you can refill your reusable bottle. However, bottled water is also readily available if you prefer and you should budget approximately $10 (approximately $10) per week for this.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
2 weeks $1,635 Equivalent to $117/day
3 weeks $2,305 Equivalent to $110/day
4 weeks $2,975 Equivalent to $106/day
5 weeks $3,645 Equivalent to $104/day
6 weeks $4,315 Equivalent to $103/day
8 weeks $5,655 Equivalent to $101/day
10 weeks $6,995 Equivalent to $100/day
12 weeks $8,335 Equivalent to $99/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, lunch, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Rome generally find US$200 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunches, transport and miscellaneous spending.
  • Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.

Check what's required to visit Italy

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Rome
Population 61.7 Million
Languages Italian
Currency Euro (EUR)
Time zone UTC+01:00

Weather and climate

Italy’s climate is quite diverse due to its long peninsula and mountainous terrain. The coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany and most of the South are predominantly Mediterranean with dry summers and moderately wet winters. In the northern parts of Italy and areas of higher altitudes, the climate is cooler and the winter months can be cold, wet, and often snowy. Weather in Rome, where the IVHQ volunteer program is based, is pleasant throughout the year. Winter temperatures in Rome (December to February) vary from 4°C/39°F to 14°C/57°F while spring (March to May) is slightly warmer at around 15°C/59°F. Summer (June to September) in Rome can become very hot and humid with average temperatures ranging between 18°C/64°F and 31°C/89°F. Rainfall is heaviest in November and driest in July.

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