Silvia is exploring Thessaloniki: Navigating Culture and Community Through a Meaningful Mission

Silvia Decina, ESAI EN ROI Volunteer; Candidate Youth Worker   || Italian

SC volunteering in teams  be SUSTAINABLE SPORTIVE & CULTURAL project  2/12 to 21/12 2025

2024-1-EL02-ESC51-VTJ-000200188

How did you experience the city and the group with which you worked for the current mission?

I experienced Thessaloniki as a vibrant, welcoming, and culturally rich city. It was inspiring to see how modern city life and traditions coexist, and how the issue of stray animals is a visible and important part of urban life. Working in this environment helped me better understand the local context and the challenges faced by both citizens and animals.The group I worked with was very diverse and international, which made the experience even more enriching. We supported each other, shared ideas, and collaborated respectfully despite our different backgrounds. This helped create a strong sense of teamwork and solidarity.

What were your main achievements, and what personal changes or learning outcomes did you gain through this experience (with reference to the Youthpass key competences)?

One of my main achievements was actively contributing to activities aimed at helping stray animals and raising awareness among local people. I improved my communication skills, especially in an intercultural context, by working with people from different countries and interacting with the local community.I also developed my social and civic competences, becoming more aware of social responsibility and animal welfare issues. Through teamwork and problem-solving, I strengthened my learning to learn competence, adapting to new situations and reflecting on my actions.This experience increased my self-confidence, sense of initiative, and empathy, and helped me grow both personally and socially.

What are your expectations or hopes for the next day and the future development of this campaign?

I expect to deepen my understanding of how small actions can create meaningful change.For the future development of the campaign, I hope it will reach more people, raise long-term awareness about stray animals, and inspire others to take responsibility and act with compassion. I also hope that this project will continue to encourage young people to engage in solidarity actions and active citizenship across Europe.

Final poze of the School Performance