Conceptualization Phase
ESTEPA
Sevilla Sierra Sur
Andalucia, Spain
ESC VOLUNTEERING
22 APRIL - 19 MAY 2025
About
"Rurality Art Fest" brings together 17 european young people (18-30 years old) for one month of volunteering in the rural context of Sierra Sur de Sevilla, Spain.
During this phase, volunteers will focus on the research, conceptualization, and design of the festival, working on programming, partnerships, communication, and artistic curation to lay the foundations for its future realization.
The program is co-funded by the
European Solidarity Corps and includes 27 days of volunteering programme (+ 1 travel day)
Participant profile
Your age is from 18 to 30
You are legally resident EU countries
You are facing challenging situations in your life as described here
Interested in getting to know and cooperate with other young volunteers from different countries
You want to live for 1 month in a rural environment in Spain, discover the local area and get to know its inhabitants
You want to improve your practical and manual skills, your group work competencies and your sense of initiative
Ready to live in a historical building for 4 weeks and have fun!
Main areas of volunteering
Concept design
Event Organization
Community Engagement
Communication & Media
Creative Development
Team Collaboration
Cultural Immersion
Volunteers’ main tasks*
As a volunteer, you will be part of the creation of the Rurality Art Festival, working behind the scenes to shape the program, connect with artists and partners, and promote the event to the wider community.
Your role will include researching and reaching out to artists, stakeholders, and potential sponsors, supporting the development of the festival’s program, managing social media and communication channels, and helping to design the website and promotional materials. You will also contribute by interviewing artists, engaging with the local community, and creating content to showcase the festival’s vision.
This is a hands-on experience where you will learn about event organization, cultural management, and creative networking. The program is dynamic and flexible, so be ready to adapt, collaborate, and bring fresh ideas to the team.
Beyond the festival work, you will be part of a self-managed volunteer team, sharing daily tasks like cooking, organizing meals, and creating a welcoming community atmosphere. Living together will be an opportunity to exchange ideas, cultures, and experiences while building a strong and creative team.
DISCONNECTION WEEK
DISCONNECTION WEEK
For seven days, volunteers will step away from their digital devices and immerse themselves in a journey of self-discovery and meaningful human connections. Guided by experienced supervisors, this immersive experience encourages participants to engage fully with their surroundings, fostering creativity, empathy, and teamwork through real, face-to-face interactions.
Instead of being online, we will focus on dynamic activities designed to inspire new ideas and strengthen personal and collective creativity. This practice is a core part of our projects, and we ensure a supportive environment where volunteers can feel confident that disconnecting from technology will lead to positive and enriching experiences.
The goal of this phase is to completely step away from the digital world and embrace the present moment, surrounded by the tranquility of nature. Through a carefully designed program, we will stimulate creative thinking, encourage collaboration, and provide the space to develop fresh ideas. This week is all about unlocking imagination, deepening connections, and rediscovering the power of being fully present.
What can you get by participating
Experience
Gain hands-on experience in event planning, cultural management, creative communication, and community engagement while bringing an Art Festival to life.
Discover
Step out of your routine and uncover new passions and talents in the breathtaking Sierra Sur, the heart of Andalusia.
Rural Area
Have time to slow down in a peaceful rural environment and recharge.
Team Work
Improve your group work skills in international contexts useful for your personal development, profession and study.
Creativity
Develop problem-solving, creativity and more positive and proactive attitudes.
Youthpass
Get the Youthpass certificate to enrich your CV.
Estepa
Nestled in the southeastern province of Seville, Estepa is a historic town known as the "Balcón de Andalucía" for its breathtaking panoramic views. Rich in cultural heritage, it boasts a blend of Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish influences, with landmarks that reflect its artistic and historical significance. Declared a historic-artistic site in 1965, the town is home to impressive architecture, scenic viewpoints, and vibrant local traditions, including its renowned Semana Santa celebrations.
Balcón de Andalucía
Estepa is also famous for its artisanal production of mantecados and polvorones, traditional Christmas sweets, as well as its high-quality olive oil, protected by a Denomination of Origin. Strategically located between Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga, it serves as a cultural and economic hub in the Sierra Sur region. With its rich history, artistic legacy, and warm Andalusian spirit, Estepa provides an inspiring setting for creativity and cultural exchange.
Convento de San Francisco
Volunteers will stay at the historic Convento de San Francisco, a 17th-century landmark atop Cerro de San Cristóbal. With its Baroque façade, Sevillian ceramic tiles, and stunning panoramic views, the convent offers a peaceful and inspiring setting. Rich in history and art, it provides a unique cultural experience while serving as a home during the volunteering program.
Project timeline
Preparation
Selection of the volunteers, preparation for the travel. At this stage volunteers will receive support from local sending organisation.
February 2025
Rurality Art Fest
Volunteers and coordinators meet in Estepa and implement the program as described above. They also have the chance to discover the local area in their free time and to enjoy local events. They make a plan on how to use what they learned once back home.
Arrival: 22 April
Departure: 19 May
Follow-Up
Volunteers are back in their countries, they meet with their sending organization which supports them in implementing the plan they decided previously. They also share on their socials outcomes produced in the project, and complete other follow up tasks.
June - July 2025
Conditions
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You will receive 6€/day for your living money. That is not a payment for the support given, but a flat rate refund for small expenses.
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There is a budget to reimburse the travel of the volunteers depending on the distantance of their place of residence, calculated with the Distance Calculator
0 - 99 km = 28€
100 - 499 km = 211€
500 - 1999 km = 309€
2000 - 2999 km = 395€
3000 - 3999 km = 580€ -
The usual workload is 35 volunteering hours/week, 5 days per week.
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Volunteers will be provided with a place for cooking and will receive a weekly budget for the group in order to cook all together.
They will live together in a Convent.
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Besides the European Health insurance card, you are going to be offered private insurance.
Guiding and mentoring
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Volunteers will be supported by an accredited volunteering organization based in their country. They will meet before, during and after the exchange according to the needs of each volunteer
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Long term volunteers involved in Associazione Vagamondo through this program will be coordinating daily reflections and sharings. They are part of the project since few months and they can give you tips and recommendations. They are fluent in several european languages, maybe also your mother tongue!
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This person is the daily presence in the implementation of your tasks, responsible to guide you in performing them and coordinating the group of the volunteers.
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Volunteers will be supported and guided also by other members of Vagamondo Team and by some professionals in specific manual tasks.
Rurality Art Fest is a project by Vitality
Vitality is a dynamic project funded by the European Solidarity Corps Programme, coordinated by Associazione Vagamondo (LEAD organisation). It aims to promote active citizenship, personal growth, and community development through volunteering activities. The project focuses on fostering solidarity, enhancing rural development, and promoting sustainability and well-being among young people, especially those with fewer opportunities.
Key objectives of Vitality include:
Mobility for Everybody
Rural Development
Sustainability and Well-being
Being Vitality volunteer means gaining expertise in wide range of activities, from workshops, cultural festivals, and environmental projects to direct community support on local and international levels. The project equips young volunteers with critical life skills, fostering a spirit of European solidarity and intercultural understanding.
Discover more about Vitality here.
About Vagamondo
FIND MORE
Vagamondo is an NGO focused on European mobility, non-formal education and rural development based in Italy. It provides learning and growing opportunities to young people and youth workers.
The name Vagamondo comes from the concept of travel as a powerful tool of self-discovery and personal development: it is through direct contact with cultural and personal differences that identity becomes more visible to every individual; it is coming out of the comfort zone, getting involved in new activities, different than the usual ones, that people can identify room to grow and work on themselves.
Our vision is to contribute to the development of society, to promote, disseminate and apply through education the values of equality, freedom and care for the environment.
Vagamondo is active in the European Solidarity Corps as supporting and hosting organization since 2017.