Help us build a simple life rooted in nature, community & self-sufficiency

Details

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  Description

  🌱 Welcome to a small growing community in the hills of northern Italy!
  
  It is a young community project near Castell'Arquato, in the province of Piacenza. We are creating a place where people can slow down, reconnect with nature, learn practical skills and explore a simpler, more cooperative way of living.
  
  The project is still at an early stage. On just over one hectare of land we care for a vegetable garden, a young forest, a stream and several outdoor spaces, while gradually bringing an old country house back to life.
  
  Our long-term vision is to create an increasingly self-sufficient community, gradually reducing our dependence on the external system by growing food, caring for the land, reusing what is already available and developing the skills and resources we need ourselves. We are not self-sufficient yet, but this is an important direction for the project and influences many of the choices we make.
  
  At the moment the project is carried forward by Andrea (2000) and Enrico (1995), together with the people who come to share the experience with us. We hope that, over time, the place will grow beyond the people who are here today and develop its own identity and life as a community.
  
  Nature, personal growth and spirituality are also important parts of the project. We have our own practices, including meditation, yoga, prayer, silence and seasonal celebrations, and we are happy to share them with those who are interested. At the same time, Workawayers are very welcome to bring and share their own practices, traditions and ideas. There is space here for different beliefs and backgrounds.
  
  Life here is simple and close to nature, with limited comforts but plenty of space for creativity, rest, exploration and sharing. We are looking for people who are curious, respectful, collaborative and happy to contribute to a project that is still being built step by step.
  
  It is not a finished community with a fixed identity. It is something that is growing and changing, and we hope that the people who pass through it will not only experience what already exists, but also contribute something of their own to what it may become.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Sustainability

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Events & social

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Camping

  

  Cycling

  

  Dancing
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  It is intended to be a space of exchange: a place where people from different cultures and backgrounds can bring their experiences, skills, ideas and ways of seeing the world.
  
  By spending time here, Workawayers can learn practical aspects of rural and community life, including gardening, caring for natural areas, working with reclaimed materials, cooking, composting and taking care of shared spaces.
  
  We host Workawayers primarily because we value cultural exchange and the opportunity to learn from one another. We enjoy sharing meals, conversations, skills, experiences, languages, traditions and different ways of seeing the world. We hope to learn from our guests as much as they learn from us.
  
  Spirituality is an important part of life at the place. We may share meditation, yoga, prayer, silence, music and seasonal celebrations, always as invitations rather than obligations. At the same time, we actively encourage Workawayers to bring their own practices and traditions. If someone wants to organise a yoga session, share a meditation, teach a song, celebrate a tradition or simply introduce us to something meaningful from their culture, we are happy to make space for it and participate.
  
  Cultural exchange goes both ways. We are curious about the places, languages, traditions, food, music and experiences that people bring with them, and we hope that every person who stays at here leaves something of themselves while taking something meaningful with them.
  
  All our gatherings and seasonal celebrations are completely non-profit, and there is no business-related work involved.
  
  It is not a finished project with a fixed identity. It is growing and changing, and we hope that the people who pass through it will not only learn from what already exists, but also contribute something of their own to what it may become.

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  Help

  There is always something to do here, and the activities change according to the season, weather and needs of the project.
  
  Tasks may include:
  
  gardening and caring for the vegetable garden
  caring for the young forest and natural areas
  maintaining paths and outdoor spaces
  collecting and organising firewood
  composting and general maintenance
  cleaning, sorting and organising reclaimed materials such as wood, bricks, stones, roof tiles and metal for future reuse
  caring for animals
  cooking and helping with shared meals
  preparing and maintaining spaces for gatherings, seasonal celebrations and outdoor activities
  taking part in creative and practical projects as the place develops
  
  We work together and adapt tasks to each person's abilities, experience and energy. No particular experience is required: curiosity, willingness to learn and a spirit of collaboration are much more important.
  
  The practical activities are part of our everyday life and give us the opportunity to share skills, learn from each other and take care of the place together.
  
  We generally spend around half a day on practical activities, leaving plenty of time for rest, exploration and personal projects. The rhythm is flexible and changes according to the weather and the needs of the place.
  
  Sometimes we also have other work or commitments outside the project. During those times, Workawayers are free to enjoy the place, explore the surroundings, visit the village or spend time independently.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We mostly speak in Italian but we can speak English, Spanish and French and would be very grateful to help you connect with the other people present at our place.
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  Accommodation

  The main accommodation is directly here, where the daily activities and community life take place.
  
  The living conditions are simple and rustic. The main option is camping on the land, and we can provide one or two tents for people who do not have their own. There is also a simple indoor room in the house with a mattress. We are gradually preparing additional indoor spaces, so the accommodation options may develop over time.
  
  There is currently no electricity or hot water here. We have a compost toilet, an outdoor cold-water shower and a simple outdoor kitchen with a gas burner, pots, plates, utensils and a washing area.
  
  Mobile phone reception is also very limited, and internet access here is not reliable. For this reason, Workawayers are welcome to use a house we have in the nearby village when they need electricity, a good internet connection, hot water or a more comfortable indoor space. It is about 10 minutes away by car or around 20 minutes by bicycle, and we have two bicycles available.
  
  The house in the village is a support space for the project rather than the main accommodation. It is shared and should be used with care and respect for the people who live there.
  
  Meals are generally prepared and shared together. We cook with the outdoor kitchen, using vegetables from the garden when available and local or purchased ingredients. Our diet is mainly vegetarian, and we are happy to accommodate dietary requirements when communicated in advance.
  
  Living here means being close to nature and accepting some of the normal inconveniences of rural outdoor life: insects, weather, dirt, limited phone reception and simple facilities. We prefer to be transparent about these conditions so that everyone can decide beforehand whether this kind of experience suits them.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  please contact us in advance to check if it is possible to come with the van. this might change during the year.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Śraddha (1 year)

  Śraddha is the Queen of the hill. She just is what Nido dell'Aquila is. She is a playful, harmless and curious creature. she will bark at you the first minute you arrive but then she will make space for cuddles, and more cuddles. She is part of the family and she plays a fundamental role in our lives, helping everyone work through their most intense emotions with just her presence. She is just a gentle being but she can also be quite intrusive sometimes we ask you to tell her clearly "NO" when it's enough.

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