What is the European Solidarity Corps and how does it work? – The European Solidarity Corps is the new initiative of the European Union that offers young people aged 18 to 30 years of work or volunteering opportunities up to twelve months on the territory of the Member States of the European Union, as part of projects designed to help communities or populations in Europe.
What is ESC?
The European Solidarity Corps usually offers volunteers the opportunity to engage in the following areas:
- Inclusion
- Reception and integration of refugees and migrants
- Citizenship and democratic participation
- Disaster prevention and management
- Protection of the environment and nature
- Health and wellness
- Education and training
- Employment and entrepreneurship
- Creativity and culture
- Sport
All young people who join the European Solidarity Corps accept and share its mission and principles.
Who is it for?
Young people who are 18 to 30 years old and who are resident in Europe or other partner-countries
How long does it last?
Between 2 and 12 months.
Where can I go?
In all European Union countries.
Requirements to participate
In general, a good command of the English language (or the language of the host country) can come in handy. Some projects may require special skills.
What do I get? – BENEFITS
The following expenses are usually covered thanks to EU funding:
- food and accommodation (room and board)
- a monthly pocket money
- enrollment in the EVS collective insurance plan
- part of the return travel expenses
- pre-departure training, arrival training and intermediate evaluation in the host country
- language course (relative to the host country)
Some benefits may differ depending on the association/organization possibilities.
How to participate?
To participate or get an idea of the existing projects, you must register on the ESC portal:
www.europa.eu/solidarity-corps
After completing a simple registration procedure, as a participant in the European Solidarity Corps, you can be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, connected, for example, to:
- the prevention of natural disasters
- reconstruction following a disaster,
- assistance in centres for asylum seekers
- social problems of the local communities.
In general, we recommend that you prepare a CV and a motivation letter (both in English or any other language) that may be required at a later stage of the selection and be ready to take an interview in language, also via Skype.
Eligibility
Please note that European Solidarity Corps projects are only open to people aged between 17 – 30. In addition, only those people who live in specific countries may participate. If you are not legally resident in the EU or one of the programme / partner countries listed below, you will not be eligible for the majority of projects which may be posted in this group.
Programme Countries
28 EU Members (incl. UK until 31.12.2020), N. Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway
Partner Countries
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine,
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Russian Federation
Special Case
Switzerland (Swiss residents “may” be funded by the Swiss government)
Source: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en
EXPLORE THE CURRENT ESC (European Solidarity Corps) OPPORTUNITIES FEATURED ON OUR WEBSITE!
- See also: European Voluntary Service.
- and the Erasmus+ section