EU programmes

In Italy, EU cross-border youth mobility programmes are managed by the Italian Youth Agency (Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù). 

As of 1 January 2014, the Italian Youth Agency is the implementing body of the Youth chapter of the ERASMUS+ Programme, which allows young people aged between 13 and 30 to experience mobility in another European country or outside Europe. They can participate in projects based on non-formal and informal education methods, acquiring knowledge and skills essential for their personal, socio-educational and professional growth. 

Since December 2018, the Italian Youth Agency also manages the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme. The ESC program offers young people, aged 18-30, work, internship and volunteering opportunities, in their own country or abroad. The Italian Youth Agency monitors the number of incoming participants and their country of origin, as well as the number of outgoing participants and the topic of their activities through the European platforms and software. Italy is also a part of RAY Network which monitors and reports ESC programme.

Other programmes

The Universal Civic Service offers volunteering opportunities abroad to young people who are legally resident in Italy. In 2023, 932 volunteers were placed abroad: 34% of them carried out activities in America, 32% in Africa, 26% in Europe and 8% in Asia (Cfr. 2.4). Moreover, a youth cross border volunteering programme with France is currently under definition.

Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

There is no specific legal framework for young people participating in volunteering activities. However, for the ESC programmes, the Italian Youth Agency made an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation aimed at facilitating the access in Italy of incoming volunteers from non-Schengen countries. The Italian Youth Agency communicates the names of the incoming volunteers to the Italian consulate and requests the visa to enter Italy. In addition, all foreign volunteers are covered by a health insurance provided by the ESC programme.