In 2025, E4Impact Foundation launched for the first time the Servizio Civile Universale program. This choice stemmed from the desire to open the organisation to young people interested in international cooperation, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with projects, teams, and diverse contexts. Not as a purely academic experience, but as a chance to contribute, observe, and learn through practice.
This first year, although still in its initial phase, has already been rich in concrete experiences, allowing participants to engage with the Foundation’s core activities: from project design to communication, up to direct fieldwork.
But what exactly is the Servizio Civile Universale? It is a voluntary experience that allows young people to dedicate several months to activities of social, cultural, and international cooperation value, both in Italy and abroad. It represents an opportunity for personal and professional growth, offering practical skills and a first entry into the world of work through direct involvement in community-based projects.
Over the course of this first year, three young professionals carried out their journey with E4Impact: two based in the Milan office and one in Kenya. Three different paths, reflecting the diversity of the Foundation’s activities.
Their words describe better than any explanation what this experience has meant.
Agnese – E4Impact Kenya Office
“My name is Agnese Monegaglia, I am 28 years old, and I chose to undertake my Servizio Civile at E4Impact Foundation in Kenya due to my strong interest in development and international cooperation.
Previously, I worked at the British Embassy in Vienna, contributing to development projects from a donor perspective. It was a very valuable experience, but I felt the need to better understand the concrete impact of these initiatives. For this reason, I decided to move to Kenya and undertake this experience.
At the E4Impact Entrepreneurship Center in Nairobi, I joined the local team, working mainly on the FAO AFR100 project and the AUDA-NEPAD Home Grown Solution Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A). In this role, I strengthened my skills in project management, coordination, and teamwork, while further developing my professional capabilities through hands-on experience.
Working with my colleagues in Kenya has been extremely enriching: it is a dynamic and passionate team, and I immediately felt like an integral part of the organisation.
This experience has brought me closer to my goal of working in international cooperation and development, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this field, especially to those who wish to build meaningful connections in Kenya.”
Ester – Project Office
“My name is Ester Cavaioni, I am 25 years old, and I hold a double degree in Policies and Governance in Europe, with a specialisation in international cooperation during my undergraduate studies. Over the past year, I had the opportunity to work with E4Impact Foundation as part of my Servizio Civile, where I served as a Project Officer.
During my experience, I followed different phases of the project management cycle, working from proposal drafting to the development of logical frameworks and the structuring of activities. This allowed me to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the different stages, from design to evaluation.
At the same time, I supported administrative tasks related to project co-financing documentation, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the materials required by donors. I also took part in research activities for a project in Togo, contributing to data collection and analysis to support impact assessment.
Over the course of the year, I strengthened my technical and organisational skills, while gaining a more concrete understanding of the operational aspects of development cooperation projects, a field I find particularly interesting.
If this experience aligns with your interests, do not hesitate to apply for the open positions!”
Polina – Communication Office
“My name is Polina Tikhonova, I am 24 years old, and I attended the Master in International Cooperation and Development at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. In 2025, I started my Servizio Civile, joining the Communication Office at E4Impact.
My role focused on the production and management of content for the Foundation’s website and social media channels, contributing to the visibility of ongoing projects and initiatives. In this context, I worked on writing articles and communication materials, monitoring digital performance, and updating visibility reports.
I also had the opportunity to support the New Business Development area, contributing both to the coordination of activities in Milan for the entrepreneurs involved in the UltraFashion project during their training program, and to the management of the Gian Marco Moratti Award, supporting the team in organising the selection process and coordinating its different phases, from application collection to evaluation.
I chose to undertake my Servizio Civile here to continue my path towards a career in international cooperation and development, with the aim of contributing to social impact and to the growth of the contexts in which we operate. This experience allowed me to acquire new skills, broaden my perspectives, and build meaningful relationships that I will carry with me in the future.”
The experiences of this first group of volunteers highlight the concrete value of this program: an opportunity to engage in the daily work of international cooperation, contribute to ongoing activities, and develop skills across different contexts. They show how the Servizio Civile can act as a bridge between education and professional development, in line with E4Impact’s mission to support entrepreneurs and communities across African countries.
We would like to thank Agnese, Ester, and Polina for their commitment, passion, and dedication throughout this program.
Would you like to join?
E4Impact is ready to welcome a new generation of volunteers. For those who wish to approach international cooperation and challenge themselves in a practical context, the Servizio Civile can represent a first step.
👉 Discover the opportunities and apply here: