Are you interested in discovering how art and creativity can build more sustainable and inclusive rural communities, while living an intercultural experience in Tuscany? Bona Fides Association is looking for 2 Polish participants for 6-months ESC project with Creative Art Farm in Italy APS (CAFI).
Plce: Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
Dates: 02.03.2026 – 28.08.2026
Duration: 180 days
Deadline for applying: 8th February 2026
About hosting organisation
CAFI (ex Arts in Rome) was founded in Rome as an art school near the Colosseum, offering courses in illustration, classical and modern painting, sculpture/modelling, and other figurative techniques. Over the years, CAFI has hosted renowned international teachers, including artists from the United States such as Glenn Vilppu (known for his work with Walt Disney), and has organised exhibitions and cultural events, including “Corrispondenze” at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
After COVID-19, CAFI moved to the Tuscan countryside, in Acquaviva (Montepulciano), where the founders purchased and fully renovated a rural farmhouse that now serves as the association’s hub. Today CAFI runs weekly artistic practice meetings for local members, collaborates with the Montepulciano Library to deliver art courses, and continues to build new local partnerships.
CAFI also develops European projects (Erasmus+, Creative Europe and others) to advance its mission: to inspire and educate people, raise awareness of culture’s intrinsic value, and mobilise resources and skills through art. Alongside this, CAFI is expanding a research area that connects figurative art with digital tools and creative technologies (e.g., TouchDesigner, light installations, videomapping, After Effects).
Through ESC projects, CAFI APS aims to reach these long-term goals, put into practice through art and cultural/creative activities:
- 🔸 Strengthen social cohesion
Reduce isolation in rural/remote areas and encourage active citizenship through community-based cultural participation. - 🔸 Address environmental challenges
Tackle climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss by integrating sustainability practices and eco-cultural approaches into daily life and creative outputs. - 🔸 Promote European values among young people
Support solidarity, inclusion, intercultural dialogue and democratic participation through an international living-and-learning experience.
Activities
Logistics & space care: preparing and cleaning indoor/outdoor areas to host activities and guests, organizing shared spaces, light repairs, and creative up-cycling to improve the rural venue.
Creative & cultural support: organizing/assisting workshops, language exchange, open studios, create innovative exhibition (cutting-edge technology) to sensitize on European Value, community gatherings and small local events; helping with set-up, materials, documentation (photo/video), and welcoming participants.
Communication & digital tasks: creating simple content for CAFI’s website and social media (behind-the-scenes, storytelling, short interviews), supporting dissemination of European values through cultural communication and creative events (eg. Videomapping, Digital Art, Digital Installation, etc..)
Sustainability in practice: supporting eco-friendly routines in daily life (waste reduction, conscious use of resources, re-use of materials), and participating in nature-connected creative activities that raise awareness about climate change, pollution and biodiversity.
Because CAFI is based in a rural area, sustainability is not only a topic but a daily practice. Volunteers will take part in seasonal routines such as collecting and preparing firewood to help heat the house and studio spaces when needed. Together with the team, volunteers will also help create and care for a vegetable garden, where it will be possible to harvest fruits and seasonal vegetables for shared meals.
In addition, the project includes culinary experience moments to learn the basics of Mediterranean cooking, with a focus on vegetables and legumes and a conscious reduction of meat consumption – supporting healthier and more environmentally friendly habits.
Non-formal education: contributing to informal learning moments and group reflections about sustainability, interculturality, inclusion and social equality – using art and creative methods as the main tools.
What you will learn
- 🔸 gain hands-on experience in community-based cultural work
- 🔸 learn how to use art and creativity as tools for social engagement
- 🔸 develop practical life skills connected to rural and sustainable living
- 🔸 strengthen initiative, responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving
- 🔸 improve your ability to work with local communities and young people
- 🔸 experiment with creative formats (visual storytelling, digital art, comics, motion graphics, participatory activities)
- 🔸 understand how a small cultural organisation functions on a daily basis—from logistics to programming
- 🔸 reflect on your learning path through mentoring and Youthpass
READ FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE
Application
If you are interested in this project send your CV and a motivation letter (in English) to: mariachiara@bonafides.pl and anna@bonafides.pl with a title: ‘ESC in Tuscany, Italy’ or contact us for any further information!
Check out all the projects Bona Fides is currently recruiting for
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