European Solidarity Corps volunteering with Smokinya Foundation in Sofia, Bulgaria
Updated November 2025. This article presents a past long-term ESC volunteering project (2019–2020) with Smokinya Foundation in Sofia. The specific “offLINE – from volunteer towards employed” call is closed, but Smokinya Foundation still runs new European Solidarity Corps projects. If you are interested in similar opportunities, use the contact details at the bottom of this page or visit Smokinya’s website and social media for current calls.
Smokinya Foundation is a youth organisation based in Sofia, Bulgaria. In the offLINE project it hosted two motivated volunteers for one year, helping them move from volunteering towards employment. The programme was designed for young people ready to learn, take initiative and grow in an international environment.
EVS / European Solidarity Corps volunteering program in Sofia, Bulgaria
The offLINE project was a long-term learning experience that required full focus and participation. Volunteers supported Smokinya’s everyday work in the office, took part in activities at a partner mountain bike shop and helped to create monthly public events such as workshops, trainings and discussions. Travel reimbursement under Erasmus+ rules was available for those who took part in all project phases, including follow up and dissemination.
What did volunteers do?
- Support everyday work in the office, including development of activities, projects and events.
- Learn, practice and gain skills in repair, sales and customer service in a partner mountain bike shop.
- Plan, prepare, promote, manage and facilitate a series of public events, practising budgeting and other key skills.
What did volunteers get?
- Introduction to the organisation and training on how Smokinya works.
- Valuable experience in living and volunteering abroad.
- Insight into different aspects of a youth organisation and its daily operations.
- Contact and cooperation with other international volunteers, local schools and universities.
- Practice in administrative work (“FUN-dministration”) and organising their own events.
Skills and competences developed
- Networking and support of local NGOs.
- Organisation of workshops, trainings, seminars, public events and discussions.
- Meeting local youth and promoting mobility opportunities in the EU, including informal language classes.
- Promotion of volunteering, non-formal education and lifelong learning.
- Media and communication: social networks, website, blog, school and youth centre visits.
- Project management, coordination, design and writing.
- Leadership, cooperation, problem solving, critical thinking and strategic planning.
Volunteers were supervised and mentored, encouraged to set personal goals and to practice important life skills such as teamwork, learning to learn, time management, communication and coaching. The idea was to train them in fields they are passionate about so they could grow personally and professionally.
Profile of participants
- Between 20 and 30 years old.
- Unemployed or in transition between educational levels or career paths.
During the project year, volunteers were full-time, with a schedule of around 35 hours per week. They had two consecutive free days per week plus two extra days of holiday per month, with extra hours compensated when needed.
More information
For historical reference you can still check the original info pack and info letter (details such as dates and reimbursements applied to the 2019–2020 edition):
Info pack.
You will also see testimonials about Smokinya’s courses and projects here:
http://smokinya.com/about/testimonials/.
Reimbursements (past project example)
This volunteering project was funded by the Erasmus+ programme for youth mobility.
Accommodation, food, materials, the programme and travel costs up to the maximum allowed amount were fully covered for participants, with a typical maximum travel reimbursement of 275 EUR per person (for distances within 500–1999 km). No participation fee was requested.
CONTACT DETAILS 📧
Status note: This listing describes a 2019–2020 ESC project that has ended. Conditions and dates may differ for current opportunities. Please contact Smokinya Foundation directly or check their website and social channels for up to date ESC calls.
Should you have a question, contact Smokinya Foundation at:
info@smokinya.com
Find Smokinya online
- https://vimeo.com/smokinya
- https://www.facebook.com/smokinyafoundation/
- https://www.instagram.com/smokinya_foundation/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/smokinya-foundation
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/synergynetworkinbulgaria/
This volunteering project was financially supported by the Erasmus+ programme for youth educational mobility.
