Servizio Civile Universale: Abodi, "New Volunteer Call for 65,964 Positions Open"

The Department for Youth Policies and the Universal Civil Service opened the annual volunteer recruitment on Monday, February 24, 2026. There are 65,964 positions to be filled, of which about 1,500 are located abroad. Minister of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi officially announced the start of recruitment. „„Aperto nuovo bando volontari per 65.964 posti”” — Andrea Abodi. The Universal Civil Service in Italy replaced earlier forms of alternative service for conscripts and civil service for women. Its transformation into a completely voluntary program, open to both genders, occurred in the second decade of the 21st century, constituting a key instrument of the state's youth policy. The Universal Civil Service program is aimed at people aged 18 to under 29. Italian citizens and foreigners legally residing in Italy can participate. The recruitment will last until April 8, 2026. The application deadline expires that day at 2:00 PM. Details regarding projects, host institutions, and qualification criteria are available in the official announcement of the department. Volunteers work an average of 25 hours per week. For their activity, they receive a monthly allowance of 519.47 euros. Most positions will be realized within Italy. International projects constitute a small part of the offer. The Universal Civil Service is an important element of the social policy of Giorgia Meloni's government. 65 964 — Number of positions in this year's recruitment. The program aims at the professional and social activation of young people. It enables gaining experience in various sectors. Activities include social assistance, environmental protection, and cultural heritage protection. The new recruitment continues Minister Abodi's policy regarding youth support. Previous editions of the program enjoyed significant interest. Andrea Abodi has emphasized the importance of this instrument since the beginning of his term. Civil service constitutes an alternative to youth unemployment. Simultaneously, it contributes to achieving the state's social goals. Detailed information is available on the websites of relevant institutions.