Take part in an art project and get to know the locals in rural Pennabilli, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hello! My name is Federica. I am an architect, researcher, and curator based in Pennabilli, a small village nestled in the Italian Apennines. Here, alongside a diverse group of friends and collaborators, I am experimenting with earth construction techniques and curating local initiatives, such as creative residencies and workshops. Together, we co-run a community café and art space that serves as a vibrant hub for creation, connection, and collaboration.
  
  What makes this project truly special is its community-driven nature. This is run by a collective of local inhabitants, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to the table. Among us are farmers, educators, yoga teachers, Reiki masters, writers, artists, cooks, innkeepers, foragers, fishers, activists, researchers, artisans, elderly card players, and young new residents of the valley. Together, we form an interdisciplinary and intergenerational collective united by a shared mission: to keep the spirit of the old village social club alive by fostering connections, sharing ideas, and celebrating our diverse experiences.
  
  At the heart of the project is the kitchen, a place of conviviality, dialogue, and the celebration of diversity through the practices of caring and hosting. It’s also a meeting point for local associations and the wider community—a space to gather stories, experiment with innovative forms of social engagement, and explore new ways of managing and caring for the “common good.”
  
  This self-sufficient, networked, and intergenerational space is designed to create opportunities for the development of solidarity economies, promote ecological health, and foster an intergenerational culture in the Pennabilli area. Our approach is rooted in action and interaction, aiming to create a positive impact on the territory and the local community.
  
  The focal point of this project is Pennabilli and the Alta Valmarecchia region, a breathtaking valley in the Italian Apennines surrounded by the Sasso Simone e Simoncello Natural Park. Here, we are building not just a space, but a living, breathing community that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and care.
  
  Join us in this journey of connection and discovery—there’s a place for everyone here!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Farming

  

  Sustainability

  

  Culture

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Performing arts

  

  Writing

  

  Music

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Dancing

  

  Mountain
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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

  The community cafè is managed by a collective of inhabitants, it counts 180 associated and is located in the heart of the historical hamlet of Pennabilli. During opening hours, it hosts a variety of visitors: groups of elderly people who gather to play cards, choral singing groups, painting workshops, live music nights, cooking events, and moments of broader sharing through hands-on activities (such as sewing) and artistic events like art exhibitions and film screenings. Through these activities, travellers can learn about the values of intergenerational collaboration, the importance of learning from old people to maintain local traditions alive, and the power of collective action in sustaining community spaces in marginal rural settlements. Guests/volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of rural Italian life becoming themselves hosts, the challenges and opportunities of living in a small village, and the innovative ways in which communities like Pennabilli are keeping their cultural heritage alive while creating job opportunities for young people who still live in the area.
  Moreover, the café serves as a platform for dialogue and mutual learning where visitors can share their own experiences and perspectives by supporting the creation of new initiatives, creating a two-way exchange that enriches the community and the new temporary inhabitants.

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  Help

  The support for the project involves active integration into a variety of proposed activities, offering volunteers a dynamic and enriching experience. The expected commitment is approximately 15 hours per week, distributed across the following areas:
  Art Residencies and Exhibitions: Assisting in the conceptualization, organization, and setup of exhibitions, including curating displays and engaging with artists and visitors.
  Recreational and Cultural Events: Helping to organize and run events such as concerts, creative residencies, and workshops, which may include logistical support, promotion, and coordination.
  Workshops: Supporting the planning and facilitation of hands-on workshops, such as painting, sewing, or cooking, and contributing to the creation of a collaborative learning environment.
  Local Farming and Associations: Collaborating with local farmers and associations on community-driven initiatives, which could involve hands-on work, event coordination, or sharing skills to support their activities.
  Volunteers are also encouraged to propose new activities based on their talents, skills, and interests. Whether it’s organizing a new workshop, initiating a cultural event, or introducing innovative ideas, there is flexibility to tailor contributions to the group’s needs and the volunteer’s passions.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Japanese: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are a group of friends managing the spaces with different background and coming from different places of the world...all ended up in this village :) we speak many languages and look forward to meeting people from all over.
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  Accommodation

  We have different accommodation opportunities in the area depending on the period of the year, availability, ongoing projects and the volunteer's transportation needs . We can offer accomodation in private rooms, shared rooms and private apartments (upon availability) in one of our hospitality structures in the center of the village or in the other volunteer's house depending on availability. Meals have to be prepared autonomously, an equipped kitchen will be available to the volunteers. Fresh products can be found every saturday morning or thursday morning at local markets or at the farm.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  internet in the area is not always fully accessible but in the cafè it works.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  camping space designated to hospitality is in the village of Villa Maindi. A compost toilet will be available from next summer. Water is available via a public fountain

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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