Information about Host Organization: PROVINCE OF CASERTA

The Province of Caserta is an local Authority, delegated to exercises the functions assigned by State and Region. It complies its activities with the democratic principles of participation, transparency, efficiency, efficacy, management and simplicity of procedures. It represents its community and, in accordance with its planning activities, cooperates with the municipalities to promote and coordinate the provincial economic production, trade and tourism as well as social, cultural and sportive activities. It also tries to ensure the full employment, taking care of one's interests, the development and renewal of public intervention in all its territory. European voluntaries will be involved in the activities of the Ufficio Europa/Europe Direct . This office is characterized by a multicultural context, where young professionals work for other young people to inform them about the opportunities offered by the European Union, to promote better understanding of the meaning of European citizenship, intercultural dialogue, citizens participation in the social and political field.

Information about Host Organization’

s Region
The Host Organization Province of Caserta, is situate in the south of Italy and it is not far from well known Italian city, such as Rome (far from Caserta 200 KM) and Naples ( far from Caserta 20 KM).
Province of Caserta territory is known for its history and its culture, it is rich both in natural resource and in and artistic heritage. The environment of the region is varied: there are mountains, beaches, rivers, cities, small towns in the countryside, fields and animals of different types. In the spare time, the volunteers will have the possibility to discover the local natural background and the treasures of art and architecture, such as the famous royal palace known as the Reggia di Caserta; which was the sumptuous residence of the Bourbons and a perfect example of the style and luxury of their era, the village of Caserta Vecchia originally founded by the Lombards, which has retained its medieval character; S. Leucio, where is located a royal residence and the “Silk museum”; Campanian Provincial Museum, an important archaeological museum in Campania. In Caserta there are a renowned food production, such as mozzarella di bufala and fine wines. There are also important factories and a well known Academy “SUN University,– Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli”.

In the spare time, the volunteers will also have the possibility to practice a lot of sports (they can find a lot of public sports facilities in the province) and they also can participate in sporting events. In Caserta there are also many non-governmental organization involved in various field, for example in protection of rights, in protection of nature and animals, in dialogue between cultures and religions, in
promotion of peace etc.

Accommodation
The Province of Caserta can hosts volunteers in a very nice and comfortable flat called “FORESTERIA EUROPEA". This flat is situated in the historical, cultural and commercial centre of Caserta, in front of Royal King House Park ( Parco della Reggia di Caserta), near the terminal of public transport, the seat of Europe/Europe Direct and the police station.
The accommodation consists of four bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and bathrooms, it’s equipped with TV and electrical appliances (washing machine and dishwasher), which are essential to guarantee the full autonomy of the volunteers throughout the period of permanence. According with the new regulations specialized companies release thermic plant maintenance, too. This flat where volunteers will be host is not far from the Provincia’ s Palace (3-4 minutes walking).
During a monitoring visit realized by officers of Italian EVS Agency, it has been considered one of the best Accommodation for EVS in Italy.

Details about voluntaries activity
Supporting the Ufficio Europa/Europe Direct staff in their work activities, the volunteers will be able to carry out a very interesting and dynamic work schedule in accordance with their attitude. In fact they
will be able to support the staff in communication activity about EU aims and found opportunity. In particular they will be able to support, for instance, in the European carrying out projects (EVS in particular), in the newsletters, library or digital library management, or surfing internet to research, cooperate with the staff in the users management, but they will also propose initiatives or activities. Supporting the staff in the front-office activities, the volunteers will be in constant  relation with the Ufficio Europa/Europe Direct users such as: students, teachers, professionists, and so on. The cooperation activity –in the communication training and sensitization activities about European themes-
will enrich the volunteers culture and, at the meantime, will give to the Ufficio Europa/Europe Direct an intercultural dimension.
Volunteers can receive a period of preliminary training and will have theopportunity to follow a course of Italian language to favor a more rapid integration in the local community. At the end of this course, the volunteers will be able to have the exam to certificate the level of Italian language knowledge.