Volunteering in Florence
Summary: A great way to meet others in Florence is by volunteering. Here are several organizations where you may be interested in helping out.
Volunteering is an excellent way for expats living in Florence, to integrate into the local community, improve their language skills, and make new friends. It provides a unique opportunity to experience the culture firsthand while contributing to worthwhile causes. The city offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, from arts and culture to social services and environmental conservation. Here is a guide to some organizations where expats might be interested in volunteering.
Angeli del Bello
Angeli del Bello is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping Florence clean and beautiful. Volunteers participate in various activities such as removing graffiti, maintaining green spaces, and organizing cultural events. It's a great way to explore the city while making a visible impact. To get involved, you can fill out a form on their website. The time commitment varies depending on the project, but most activities take place on weekends.
Website: angelidelbello.it
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: Varies by project, mainly weekends
Associazione Culturale Il Palmerino
Il Palmerino is a cultural association that promotes art, music, and cultural events in a historic villa just outside Florence. Volunteers can help with events, gardening, or leading guided tours. It's an excellent opportunity to interact with locals and fellow expats in a beautiful setting. You can contact them through their website to express your interest.
Website: ilpalmerino.it
Location(s): Villa Il Palmerino, Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours per week
Caritas Diocesana di Firenze
Caritas is a Catholic charity that provides a range of services to people in need, including food assistance, shelter, and job training. Volunteers can help with food distribution, tutoring, or administrative tasks. To get involved, you can contact the volunteer coordinator through their website. The time commitment varies but is typically a few hours per week.
Website: caritasfirenze.it
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: A few hours per week
Fondazione Il Cuore si scioglie Onlus
This foundation supports various projects aimed at helping children and young people in need. Volunteers can assist with educational activities, sports, or cultural events. To become a volunteer, you can fill out a form on their website. The time commitment depends on the specific project but usually involves a few hours per week.
Website: ilcuoresiscioglie.it
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: A few hours per week
Museo Marino Marini
The Marino Marini Museum is dedicated to the work of the famous Italian sculptor Marino Marini. Volunteers can help with events, exhibitions, and educational activities. It's a fantastic opportunity for art lovers to immerse themselves in Florence's cultural scene. You can contact them through their website to inquire about volunteering opportunities.
Website: museomarinomarini.it
Location(s): Museo Marino Marini, Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours per week
Oxfam Italia
Oxfam Italia is part of the global Oxfam confederation working to end poverty and injustice. Volunteers can help with fundraising events, campaigns, or in one of their charity shops. To get involved, you can contact the local group in Florence through their website. The time commitment varies but typically involves a few hours per week.
Website: oxfamitalia.org
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: A few hours per week
The Florentine
The Florentine is an English-language newspaper based in Florence. Volunteers can contribute articles, help with events, or assist with administrative tasks. It's an excellent opportunity to gain experience in journalism and connect with the expat community. You can contact them through their website to express your interest.
Website: theflorentine.net
Location(s): The Florentine office, Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours per week
Unicoop Firenze
Unicoop Firenze is a cooperative that operates supermarkets throughout Tuscany. They offer various volunteering opportunities, including environmental projects, cultural events, and community services. To get involved, you can contact them through their website. The time commitment varies depending on the project.
Website: coopfirenze.it
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: Varies by project
Associazione Amici dei Musei Fiorentini
This association promotes and supports the museums of Florence. Volunteers can help with events, guided tours, or educational activities. It's a wonderful opportunity for art and history enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge and share it with others. You can contact them through their website to inquire about volunteering opportunities.
Website: amicideimuseiforentini.it
Location(s): Various museums throughout Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours per week
Associazione Culturale La Meridiana
La Meridiana is a cultural association that organizes events, workshops, and courses related to art, literature, and music. Volunteers can help with events, promote activities, or assist with administrative tasks. To get involved, you can contact them through their website. The time commitment is flexible and depends on the specific activities.
Website: lameridiana.fi.it
Location(s): Various locations throughout Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, depending on activities
Associazione Mus.e
Mus.e is an association that promotes artistic and cultural heritage in Florence. Volunteers can help with guided tours, educational workshops, or cultural events. It's an excellent way to learn more about Florence's rich history and share it with others. You can contact them through their website to express your interest.
Website: muse.comune.fi.it
Location(s): Various museums and cultural sites throughout Florence
Time Commitment: Flexible, usually a few hours per week
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Florence
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Florence
- Best Neighborhoods for Single People in Florence
- Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Florence
- 7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Florence
- Public Transportation in Florence
- Best Markets in Florence
- Retire in Florence Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in Florence
- Pros & Cons of Living in Florence
- Tips for Expats Driving in Florence
- Cost of Living in Florence
- Health Care in Florence
- The Insider's Guide to Florence
- 5 Tips for Living in Florence, Italy
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Italy
- Best Places to Live in Italy
- Real Estate in Italy
- Christmas in Italy
- What It's Like Living in Florence
- Pros and Cons of Living in Italy 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Italy
- More Advice about Retiring in Italy