Volunteer in the Ligurian Mountains – Help Renovate a Mountain House in Italy

A volunteer opportunity that invites you to volunteer in the Ligurian Mountains of northern Italy and be part of a cultural and renovation project.

Hosted by Simone, a 22-year-old Mathematics graduate student from Italy, this initiative is all about transforming an old mountain property in Vobbia, Genoa, into a multi-purpose space: a home, an event space, a pet hotel, and even the base for a future startup.

If you’re interested in DIY, eco-living, gardening, or cultural exchange, this might be your ideal experience off the beaten path. Volunteers will contribute to various aspects of the transformation process, from hands-on renovation to creative input and planning. Simone is seeking people who are curious, proactive, and excited to live in nature while working on a meaningful and evolving project.

Last Update November 2025:

Seeking Volunteers & Remote Workers ✨ for 🏡 Villa Renovation Project 🏡

📍 Location: Ligurian Riviera hinterland, 🇮🇹 Italy 🇮🇹 — in the 🏔️ mountains a short drive from the 🌊 sea!

🗓️ Availability: We’re in the final setup phase! The first spots will be available very soon (from late October onwards). Reach out now to be considered!

Hey everyone! I’m Simone, a 22-year-old student taking a gap year to make a dream a reality. Are you into DIY, gardening, creative projects, or just looking for a unique life experience off the beaten path? Join my project to bring a traditional Ligurian villa complex, “Villa Chiappella,” back to life!

🔨 What’s the Plan?
We’re transforming these beautiful, spacious villas into a vibrant coliving space for remote workers, volunteers, and anyone who wants to take a break from frustrating city life! All genders, backgrounds, and experience levels are welcome – your energy and curiosity matter more than your résumé.

🧑‍🔧 Who We’re Looking For:

• Enthusiasts with hands-on skills or a strong motivation to learn
• People who love gardening, DIY, or eco-living
• Individuals open to teamwork and cultural exchange
• STEM folks welcome too — there’s also a startup project in the works!

🏡 What You Get:

1. Full Volunteer: Contribute ~25–30 hours/week in exchange for a free spot in a private or shared room.
2. Hybrid Option: Contribute fewer hours and pay a reduced rent — we’ll find a flexible solution that works for you!

Both options include:

• A spot in a beautiful villa (be prepared for rustic conditions at first!)
• High-speed Internet is a top priority! (aiming for 50–100 Mbps or more)
• Pet-friendly 🐾 and camper-van-friendly 🚐
• Nature all around for hiking, climbing, biking, and peace of mind
• I speak Italian, English, and German — pick what you’re most comfortable with!

💻 Looking for a serene and budget-friendly spot to work remotely? This is it! We’re committed to providing a reliable internet connection so you can be productive surrounded by nature.

 Who is welcome? 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Everyone!

Regardless of your age, background, or experience, your motivation and energy are what count most.

Ideal participants include:

• DIY and hands-on learners
• Gardening and eco-living enthusiasts
• Team players who are open to cultural exchange

STEM students and thinkers, a startup is also in the works!

Simone currently hosts a group of friends aged 18–22, so if you’re in that age range, you’ll likely find it easy to connect, but older volunteers are also welcome.

How many hours of volunteering help will you expect per week?

• about 25-30 hours

Benefits

• A private bedroom in a cosy mountain house
• Reliable internet (50–100 Mbps planned; Starlink possible)
• A pet-friendly and van-friendly environment
• Beautiful natural surroundings for hiking, biking, and relaxing
• A multilingual host: Italian, English, and German spoken
• Flexible dates and duration, message Simone on Instagram to coordinate

📍 Location: Vobbia, Genoa, Liguria, Italy
📅 Start date: Flexible

Vobbia is a quiet village tucked away in the Ligurian mountains, not far from Genoa. Surrounded by forests and steep rocky cliffs, it’s a place where time slows down. The area is known for its hiking trails, old stone houses, and the striking Castle built into the rock above the valley.

CONTACT DETAILS 📩

ℹ️ All the details about the offer are on our website:
https://simonetestino.pages.dev/ColivingLiguria/Houses/Ville-Chiappella/Volunteers-Ville-Chiappella

📲 Get in touch directly to apply!

• Instagram project page: @colivingliguria
• Reach out to Simone via Instagram @simone.testino OR email simone DOT testino AT gmail DOT com

 

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Un post condiviso da Simone Testino (@simone.testino)

Original message:

Are you into DIY, gardening, or just looking for a unique life experience off the beaten path?

Join my mountain house renovation project, I am a 22-year-old Italian Mathematics Master’s student taking a gap year to bring an old mountain home back to life.

What’s the Plan?

We’re transforming a beautiful, spacious property in the Ligurian Mountains into a future home, potential Airbnb, event hosting space, pets hotel and maybe even a startup base.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Enthusiasts with hands-on skills or strong motivation to learn
• People who love gardening, DIY, or eco-living
• Individuals open to teamwork and cultural exchange
• STEM folks welcome too—there’s also a startup project in the works!

All genders, backgrounds, and experience levels are welcome – your energy and curiosity matter more than your résumé.

 What You Get:

• A private bedroom in a cosy mountain house
• Internet (50-100 Mbps planned; Starlink an option)
• Pet-friendly, camper-van-friendly, and remote-work friendly
• Nature all around for hiking, climbing, biking and peace of mind
• Join my group of friends 18 – 22 yo
• I speak Italian, English and German to native level, pick the one you are most comfortable with.