team

Graduated from Bologna University in business economics, Pietro has been working for 16 years in Modena (Emilia Romagna) in the field of business development and access to finance. During the “Modena period”, when he was 30, he lived a small 6 months parenthesis in London attending an English course and working at the same time. In 2012, feeling inside the deep sense of belonging to the South and understanding that the family needed him, he decided to come back to Soverato (CZ) aware that, with the competencies and experience gained, he could have been an active player at the local level. At the end of the same year, he founded JUMP Gioventù in riSalto and started to train himself in the field of Project Design and Management, applying for grants and monitoring EU funding programs, upgrading himself, and networking. He attended a 5 months high-level master’s in Rome and a specific course in Cosenza. In 2013 – 2014 JUMP was soon awarded the first EU projects and it started a period of intensive activities, training, and mobilities in Italy and abroad. Now is still JUMP President and engine, organizing events, training, and being also a private consultant for potential young entrepreneurs.

2002-2003 One year Erasmus studies in Càceres, Spain including a working experience in Barcelona. 2005. Graduated in foreign languages and international communication at Parma University, Erika started soon to work in the field of international youth mobility and European projects in Rome during the civil service by AFSAI, Associazione per la Formazione e gli Scambi Culturali (2003-2004). Through AFSAI Erika travelled around Europe (as Team Leader for young people and young adults) and also in Latin America (Costa Rica) as responsible for an important project on violence against women and gender balance in Eu society. 

One of the main important working experiences for her has been afterwards, from 2005, by the FNG Forum Nazionale Giovani (The National Youth Council), for 3 years as an international officer, project designer, and trainer. She could approach how it works as an important institution depending directly on the Government being involved in international European events, training and long term processes of cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world. Erika was uncharged to write EU projects and meetings also with Africa and Latin America. In 2008 Erika founded, with a close group of colleagues, AIM Agency for Interculture and Mobility in Rome which in 2009 was awarded a long-term contract by the Italian Representation of the European Commission in Italy and the Office of the European Parliament in Italy. In 2010 Erika started to work inside the secretary’s office of the Spazio Europa, the so-called “European Public Space” managed by the European Commission and the Parliament together. In this role, as responsible of the team of trainers, Erika cooperated in many European projects, with the same Erasmus Plus Agencies and has been trainer in many fields for different target groups: school leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, politicians and young people. 

In 2014 for love, she left the “eternal capital” and moved to Soverato (CZ) with the same aim of being an active player at the local level and bringing social innovation thanks to her experience at the European level. She coordinates with Pietro Curatola, the President and founder of JUMP, the JUMP Team and they developed together the JUMP ACADEMY Professional Training network. 

Since 2017 she’s co-founder of the C.T.E. Closer To Europe company, an ltd created with the aim at employed especially the young people of the local context to be active players and work in the field of “educational and experiental tourism”. The C.T.E, together with JUMP, are now concrete realities for years bringing internationalization, raising economy and creating employment.

Erika Gerardini is mainly a coordinator, a trainer, a project writer and project developer. For other entities she’s a consultant and a mentor for less experienced employees.

Graduated at Modena University in “Languages for Enterprise Communication and International Organizations” in 2017. She has a great passion for intercultural contexts and international exchanges. During her academic career, thanks to the Erasmus Project, she had the opportunity to spend six months in Zaragoza (Spain) developing social and intercultural skills. She started to work as a translator for a European Translation Center in Modena (2017) and then she decided to come back to Calabria to work for a Tour Operator company in Soverato, developing communication and managerial skills.

In 2018, she participated in the National Civil Service project, working as a volunteer for the Employment Office in Soverato. During this period, she worked as a teacher for a Language School in Catanzaro. She currently works with JUMP in the field of Erasmus Plus, as a Project Manager, Social Media Manager and Administrative Staff. She also collaborates as trainer for Experience Italy, Outdoor Learning and Outdoor Education courses.

She’s very open-minded person, always ready for new challenges and adventures!

She graduated from Milan University with a Bachelor’s degree in “Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication” in 2017. Also, she had the opportunity to spend 5 months in Paris thanks to the Erasmus+ program having a first approach to different learning methods and contact with a broader multicultural context.

In 2021, she earned a Master’s Degree in “Planning and Management of Tourism Systems” at the University of Bergamo, which allowed her to deepen her studies about sustainable tourism and cultural heritage. During these years her academic research was based mainly on Calabria territory as a tourism destination and she specialized on the theme of intangible heritage as a resource for sustainable development.

Relating to her professional career, she worked as a cultural mediator in museums such as Triennale Milano in Milan and as a luxury hotel receptionist and event planner in Tuscany.

In 2023 she started traveling solo around the world, visiting European and extra-European countries, strengthening her passion for cultural exchange and her belief that with empathy and an open mind, the world is a beautiful place to live.

These experiences now inform her professional work: at Jump, she works as an Erasmus+ trainer, delivering training courses on Intercultural Communication, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Global Education, and European Cultural Heritage. In her courses, she guides participants in acquiring cultural awareness, developing intercultural competencies, and fostering inclusive, globally-minded approaches in education.

She is also highly experienced in non-formal education approaches, engaging adults and students of all ages, promoting active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative learning, while adapting methodologies to diverse cultural and educational contexts.

She was born in Soverato, Calabria.  She has several years of experience in administrative and customer management roles. In addition, she committed a lot of study time perfecting her communication skills and human relations in the workplace. She spent many years working on board cruise ships being in contact with different cultures, languages, and nationalities. After many years of experience, she decided to try a new challenge and to use the experience she had within a public-facing role ashore.She is a very positive and reliable person, who likes to throw myself headfirst into work, in order to please her own and the team’s standard of work, to have opportunities for growth, and to learn new things. She would like to contribute to developing new ideas, new perspectives, and future collaboration. She has excellent communication skills, team leader skills because this was the main purpose to work on board, and a good knowledge and practice of foreign languages. After many years around the world, she took a little break in which she reflected on what could satisfy her and she questioned herself “can you travel staying in your own land?” her answer is yes, and here she is.

In 2017 after an intensive Mentor Course, she acquired advanced skills on the fundamentals and concepts of mentoring, with a focus on building trusting relationships and developing individual potential, receiving several certifications on the subject.
She also learned and refined effective coaching techniques, active listening and constructive feedback, tools that she uses to support her students in achieving their goals and professional advancement.
She is currently enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques.

George Moore said: “a man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”

Originally from Calabria, Fabiola holds a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy and Nutraceutics.

Currently, she is further specializing in Pharmacovigilance, focusing on Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP), the management of deviations and CAPA processes, and the coding of adverse event reports (AE/ADR). This path reflects her deep interest in regulatory sciences and her commitment to the continuous improvement of quality systems and safety.

Her background has shaped her into a professional defined by precision, critical thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility. Beyond her technical expertise, she possesses solid soft skills in problem-solving and teamwork, supported by a high proficiency in digital tools and structured procedures. Furthermore, her certification in BLSD (Basic Life Support and Defibrillation) underscores her dedication to protection and safety in any environment.

Fabiola is a motivated, reliable, and curious person, always open to learning and new challenges. She deeply values teamwork and continuous improvement, cherishing the opportunity to contribute to meaningful educational experiences for young people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

She believes that merging her structured scientific training with the flexibility and human approach required in youth work creates a solid and balanced professional profile. While bringing this unique perspective to the association, she is also enthusiastically dedicated to perfecting her English language skills every day, bridging the gap between scientific rigor and international collaboration.

Sonia’s journey is rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and a deep belief in meaningful learning.
With a background in Economics and Management, she began her professional path in structured corporate environments, working as a trainer and personal development specialist in Switzerland with a leading bank and the Swiss Post. These experiences shaped her strong sense of professionalism, precision, and commitment to delivering high-quality services. Later, in Germany, she expanded her expertise as a sales executive in the real estate sector and within a multimedia content development company, refining her communication skills and international outlook.
In 2016, Sonia founded her own company, driven by a desire to create more flexible and impactful services. Since then, she has been supporting international clients with tailored translations, training, and business support solutions, always focusing on trust, quality, reliability, and genuine connection.
At the same time, Sonia’s personal life led her to explore a different dimension of learning. Through homeschooling her eldest daughter, she discovered the power of informal education, learning driven by curiosity, experience, and real-life engagement. This transformative experience inspired her to deepen her knowledge in outdoor education and communication.
In 2020, she brought this vision to life by founding a forest school project. Her mission is to reconnect children with nature in an authentic and sensory way, inviting them to explore, observe, and experience the natural world through all five senses.
Today, Sonia combines her solid professional background with her passion for education and nature. She offers high-quality, thoughtfully designed training programs in outdoor education, management, project-based learning (PBL), sustainability, communication, and eco-schooling, empowering both individuals and organizations.
For Sonia, quality is not just a standard, it is a way of building trust, inspiring growth, and creating lasting impact.

She is a trainer and youth work professional with a strong background in international communication, language education, and European mobility programmes. She holds a Master’s Degree in Languages for International Communication and combines linguistic expertise with a passion for intercultural dialogue, non-formal education, and lifelong learning.

During her university studies, she participated in two mobility experiences that significantly shaped her personal and professional development: a six-month study period at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, followed by a three-month internship in Leipzig at ITKAM-Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany. These experiences strengthened her intercultural competences, adaptability, and commitment to European cooperation, inspiring her continued involvement in international education and mobility programmes. 

Throughout her professional journey, Vania has developed extensive experience in the field of educational initiatives for adults and children, supporting learners and participants in acquiring language, communication, and intercultural competences. She is also specialised in teaching students with special educational needs, making her work particularly oriented towards fostering inclusion, active citizenship, and personal development through participatory learning methods.

As a trainer at Associazione Jump – Gioventù in riSalto, she contributes as Erasmus+ trainer in the areas of English language teaching, CLIL and Special Needs. She supports participants in developing key competences related to communication, active citizenship, inclusion, and intercultural awareness. She is particularly interested in creating learning spaces that encourage participation, collaboration, and personal growth. Her training approach combines experiential learning methodologies with a learner-centred perspective, fostering meaningful intercultural dialogue and peer-to-peer learning.

Her main areas of expertise include intercultural communication, multilingual learning, formal and non-formal education, facilitation of international learning groups, language and communication skills development, experiential learning methodologies, SEN teaching and international mobility. Driven by curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to continuous learning, Vania believes in the transformative power of education and international cooperation to create opportunities for individuals and communities across Europe.

Roberta was born in Marsala, Sicily. She holds a degree in Foreign Languages and Cultures from the University of Pisa, where her academic research focused on genderlect and
communication styles, exploring how language influences relationships and social interaction.
Passionate about intercultural learning and international experiences, she travelled extensively, including memorable journeys across the United States and Myanmar, and lived
and worked in Switzerland and London. During her five years in London, she worked as a manager and trainer in a multicultural environment, where she discovered her passion for education.
After obtaining the Cert TESOL Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TEFL), she returned to Italy and started her career as an English language educator. She has since worked with children, teenagers, and adults, promoting a communicative and learner-centred approach. Roberta has also collaborated in Erasmus+ projects and international training initiatives,
gaining valuable experience in non-formal education, intercultural dialogue, and innovative teaching methodologies. Following the birth of her second daughter, she created EnglishMyWay, a personal project
offering creative English workshops for children aged 3 to 6 through storytelling, games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities.
Today, she combines her experience as an educator, trainer, and mother to create engaging learning environments where communication, curiosity, and participation become powerful
tools for growth.

“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand” –  Benjamin Franklin

Graduated from Catanzaro’s UMG School of Veterinary Medicine. Specialized in Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare at the University of Naples Federico II. Nominated Expert in Behavioural Medicine by FNOVI (Italian Federation of Orders of Veterinary Medicine). Earned a Master’s in Life Coaching and a certification in Positive Psychology from the Transformation Academy. Graduated as an Expert in Mindfulness Meditation Protocols for Families, Schools, Companies, and Therapy from IEPP (European Institute of Positive Psychology). Practitioner of Art Therapy. Trainer in cross training and functional training. Doctor in Clinical Psychology with a strategic approach. Co-author on scientific publications about mindfulness and animal behaviour. He published one book for children “Smite il più piccolo dei giganti”, a collection of short stories “Unseeliest ed altri racconti liminali” and “Delia Amore-Distruzione-Eros” a collection of poetry, narrative and personal growth with a humoristic style. His poem “Ancora una” was among the Finalists of the Il Federiciano XV ed. poetry contest and included within the corresponding anthology of authors “Il Federiciano Blu XV edizione – 2024.” He speaks fluent English as a result of living for two years in the United States, meanwhile attending public middle school. Has a great passion for life and curiosity. Eager to share his personal knowledge as well as knowing more about others. His contributions to the Jump team focus on Emotional Awareness, Stress Management, Outdoor Education, Eco-Schooling, Storytelling, Critical Thinking, Cultural Heritage, STEM/STEAM/STREAM, Mindfulness, Special Needs Education, Inclusion for the classroom, Team building and a bubbly sense of humor (which he won’t teach but will gladly share).

It’s probably the only chef blogger of Ionian Cost, maybe of Calabria, Jolanta is Polish but she was living in London for a long time and then moved to Italy where she lives since 6 years. Her daily activity is cooking; expert in “cake design” but also very creative in managing her home-restaurant in Satriano (CZ). 

Jolanta unites in cooking many different ingredients: creativity, international fusion, reflection, time management and she develops entrepreneurial competences aiming at the development of future plans and opportunities.

Jolanta is also a wife, a mother, a gran mother and travels in all around Europe invited to make “international cooking lessons” or demonstrations. 

For JUMP she was involved in the training “Experience Italy: language, culture and food” in September 2016 and in the “Outdoor Education Week” in October 2016. 

Her professional preparation includes creation of art, art history, theory and philosophy, the practice and theory of graphic design. She currently works as a teacher of advertising subjects in two technical schools in Kielce, Poland, and as a teacher creating and conducting original practical and theoretical programs devoted to the knowledge of art and the practice of art, in a high school in Warsaw and in a cultural center in Podkowa Leśna, Poland.

Maja graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, Poland, specializing in publishing graphic design. She also completed doctoral studies in philosophy at the University of Warsaw, in the Department of Aesthetics, during which she was focused on issues such as modern aesthetics, history of philosophy of art, phenomenology of perception, theories of imagination, philosophical hermeneutics, philosophical interpretation of film. In 2015-2016, during her partial doctoral studies at the University of Padua as part of the Erasmus+ program for doctoral students, she studied philosophy and selected subjects in the field of psychology (developmental cognitive neuroscience, psychology of environment), art history (history of animation) and museography (museography of industrial heritage). She devoted her doctoral thesis research to issues related to the perception and reception of color. In 2024, she completed a three-semester postgraduate pedagogical academic course (diploma dissertation on the history and theory of adult education). She is currently implementing a three-semester postgraduate course for teachers supporting the education of students with autism spectrum disorders. She has completed numerous trainings, primarily for educators and teachers.

In her professional life, Maja has been involved in art and graphic design, she has been teaching practical artistic skills (drawing, painting, traditional graphic techniques, design, computer graphics), history and theory of art, history of philosophy and culture, creation and production of advertising, organization of advertising campaigns.

She has participated in many group exhibitions and has created several individual ones, the most important of which was a solo exhibition at the Opus Film Gallery in Łódź (a gallery of producers of films known and awarded internationally, who created titles such as Ida and Cold War). Right after her art studies, Maja joined an organisation called Book Art Museum (Łódź, Poland), under the auspices of which she designed unique prints and co-created art books. For many years she carried out commercial design assignments. Since 2009, she has been running weekly original workshops for children and youth entitled New Forms of Art, at the Centre for Culture and Civic Initiatives in Podkowa Leśna, during which she creates experimental works inspired by art, including contemporary and the latest art, with children and youth. In connection with her work at the cultural centre, her European fascinations have developed – as an active speaker, she took part in a several-year Grundtvig programme dedicated to ecological education; lectures and workshops combined with learning about the traditions of the participating country and region took place in several European countries. In the international environment she also worked as a guide and educator at the National Museum in Warsaw (2017-23). ​​

Maja Piotrowska has experience in academic teaching (program courses, annual author seminars, tutoring), as well as in organizing academic, museum and school workshops and promotional events. She has actively participated in many international conferences, published texts on issues in the field of philosophical aesthetics and cultural history (most of them are available on academia.edu). Her students and educational projects she has participated in have won numerous awards and distinctions. In schools and privately, she often works with autistic students. With interested students, she creates books, prints and short films, from a conceptual idea to a finished production/object. She incorporates the latest technologies into her teaching process. She is fascinated by the processes of learning and teaching others.