From July 21st to August 8th, 2025, Alessandro took part in an exciting ESC (European Solidarity Corps) Volunteering project in Rautavaara, Finland. Together with a group of 12 volunteers from all over Europe (Spain, Germany, Greece, Ukraine, France, and Finland), he had the opportunity to work on the conservation and creation of new outdoor spaces in the forest, used for the educational programs of the local youth center.
The group of volunteers played a key role in maintaining and enhancing Finnish nature, creating new areas that encourage outdoor education. 🌳🛠️
Alessandro shares:
“Feel the Forest 2025 was, for me, much more than just a volunteering project. The other 11 participants, from Finland and across Europe, and I immediately built a strong bond of friendship and respect. A group in harmony with itself and with the nature surrounding us. The forest and the lake were always the backdrop to our activities at Metsäkartano.
Together we cleaned the beach, painted wooden cabins and repaired fences, helped in the kitchen, trimmed trees. Together we explored the taiga and rowed from one side of the lake to the other.
It wasn’t only a group endeavor. Each of us learned something new, and I can testify myself. Swimming under the light of the northern twilight, climbing 10 meters high on a vertical wall, finding my way through the endless cover of pines and birches, traveling for entire days with overnight layovers and temperature shifts. The whole journey was a continuous adventure, one of the most formative and joyful experiences of my life. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience true camaraderie and teamwork, contact with nature, and a rediscovery of personal determination: take part in this beautiful project.” 🌿
The main activities of the volunteers were focused on building and maintaining outdoor spaces to be used in the educational programs of the center. Creating environments where local youth and young refugees can learn and grow in nature was a commitment that brought a great sense of pride and fulfillment. 🏡💪
Alessandro learned how powerful contact with nature can be in education, and how important it is to preserve and enhance green spaces for the growth of the community. 💚🌍
And you — are you ready to challenge yourself for nature and the community? An adventure like this is waiting for you! 🌱✨
