Volunteering
National Civil Service
The national civil service is a volunteering program designed for young Italian citizens, male or female, who are aged between 18 and 28. They are given the opportunity to work for a period of twelve months in the non-profit sector. Initially, national civil service was meant to be an alternative for military duty, but since the abolition of obligatory military service the program is simply an option open to all. The city of Florence gives its young residents the opportunity to work as a volunteer in various areas: tutoring minors, cultural promotion, libraries, museums, assisting elderly or disabled people, etc. It is a great opportunity for young people to get informal training, to develop social skills and to become familiar with the importance of social service and volunteering.
Contact information
Ufficio Servizio Civile
Via Palazzuolo, 12
50123 Firenze
servizio.civile@comune.fi.it
European Voluntary Service (EVS)
Since May 2008, the city of Florence participates in the European Voluntary Service program (EVS) as a sending, hosting and coordinating organisation. EVS is a program created by the European Commission that aims to develop solidarity and to promote tolerance between young people all over Europe.
The program is open to all young people aged 18 to 30 that legally reside in one of the 27 member states of the European Union. These youngsters get the opportunity to work as volunteers in another country of the EU, in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey, or in one of the other partner countries. The duration of a project can vary from two to twelve months.
EVS is fully reimbursed by the European Commission and its partner organisations and thus completely free of costs for the volunteer. He or she receives money for the travel costs, insurance, room and board and monthly pocket money. In addition, a language course is provided so that the volunteer gets the opportunity to learn the local language and integrate in society.
The city of Florence hosts foreign volunteers who wish to have a working and learning experience in several areas. Projects are organized in the city’s libraries, museums, youth centre, the social promotion department, the environmental awareness office and the communication department. On arrival the volunteers will have two weeks of intensive language course. After that, they will continue learning with four hours of Italian per week.
The city of Florence considers the program beneficiary for all parties involved: the sending organisation, the hosting organisation and the volunteer. The goal is to create an intercultural learning experience for everyone. That is why the city of Florence also encourages the interaction between its Italian and foreign volunteers. In doing so, the city of Florence aims to promote active citizenship, to improve the mutual understanding between young people and to reinforce the social cohesion in the EU.
Contact information
Ufficio Servizio Civile
Via Palazzuolo, 12
50123 Firenze
servizio.civile@comune.fi.it
Useful Links
www.serviziovolontarioeuropeo.it 
www.associazionejoint.org
Website Youth in Action (EU)
YouTube video EVS in Florence
Other Information
CartaGiò discount card
CartaGiò is a free discount card for young people between 14 and 35 years old that live in or nearby Florence. It provides all sorts of discounts on purchases, events, accomodation, travels, etc.
Website
Study spaces
Study spaces are available at Exfila and the Stazione di Confine, where university students can study in the evenings, with free wifi access and snack bar. Both the Stazione di Confine (via Attavante) and Exfila (via Leto Casini) are open from 6 pm till 11 pm. Many students also use the study areas and free wifi access at the Biblioteca delle Oblate, open until midnight.
Exfila
Stazione di Confine
Biblioteca delle Oblate
University bicycle rental
Free bike rentals at the Casa dello Studente in viale Morgagni (on mondays, wednesday and fridays)
