My name is Camilla and I come from Italy.
My academic and professional background is rooted in the fields of social inclusion, international cooperation, active citizenship and non-formal education. Since 2019, I have been co-founder of LOTO, a cultural association that promotes learning journeys, international volunteering and educational experiences in Italy and abroad. Through this work, I have had the opportunity to design and implement initiatives involving young people, volunteers, local communities and organisations operating in a wide range of social and cultural contexts. Within the association, I also serve as Child Safeguarding Focal Point, contributing to the creation of safe and inclusive environments for children and people in vulnerable situations.
I consider myself a curious person who enjoys discovering new cultures, engaging with different perspectives and challenging myself in stimulating environments. It is precisely this curiosity that, in recent years, led me through a process of personal and professional redefinition, bringing me closer to the world of sport and aquatic education.
Recently, I became a certified swimming instructor and discovered in the aquatic environment a powerful educational tool capable of promoting wellbeing, self-confidence, autonomy and inclusion. This experience allowed me to develop a new perspective on water, seeing it not only as a sporting environment but also as a space for learning, personal growth and social participation.
I was looking for an opportunity that could bring together these two dimensions of my professional journey and allow me to explore the potential of water as a tool for inclusion, wellbeing and community development.
When I discovered the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, I immediately recognised this opportunity. In addition to offering the possibility of combining my experience in the social sector with my growing interest in aquatic education, the programme provided the chance to learn directly from an experienced organisation, develop an entrepreneurial project in an international context and challenge myself in a completely new environment. The opportunity to live and work abroad while building meaningful professional relationships was another strong motivation for joining the programme.
The collaboration with Yoga and Sport with Refugees in Lesvos has proven particularly valuable. Through this experience I am developing Acqua Without Fear, a project inspired by the Italian concept of “cultura dell’acqua”, which promotes confidence, awareness and autonomy through inclusive aquatic education. Working in a context where water can simultaneously represent both opportunity and vulnerability has encouraged me to reflect even more deeply on the educational, social and emotional dimensions of aquatic activities.
This experience is strengthening my belief that sport and aquatic education can be extremely effective tools for promoting confidence, wellbeing, participation and inclusion.
I believe that the programme is contributing significantly to both my professional and personal growth. Professionally, it is helping me strengthen my skills in project design and implementation, learn new methodologies, better understand the operational challenges of sport-based social programmes and expand my international professional network. On a personal level, living and working in a multicultural environment is helping me develop greater adaptability, open-mindedness and awareness of the diverse realities that shape our world.
I am convinced that the knowledge, relationships and skills acquired through EYE will continue to positively influence my future path and contribute to the development of initiatives capable of generating a meaningful social impact within local communities and beyond.