Image note: A group of young people stand in a circle with hands stacked in the middle. It’s a clean visual for the European Solidarity Corps: teamwork, shared goals, and practical solidarity.
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a European Union programme that supports young people who want to volunteer and take part in projects that benefit communities. Opportunities can focus on social inclusion, education, culture, environmental protection, support for people in vulnerable situations, and many other real needs. Most placements are structured and supervised, with clear roles and a defined timeframe.
How ESC projects usually work
ESC opportunities are typically hosted by organisations such as NGOs, associations, schools, community centres, and environmental groups. You join a project with a clear mission, a set of tasks, and support from a coordinating team. The strongest experiences are the ones with transparent expectations, realistic daily routines, and a focus on learning and contribution rather than “doing everything”.
What to check before applying
Ask for a clear description of the role, expected hours, support on site, and any practical details that affect daily life (schedule, location, accommodation, and costs you may still have). A serious host will answer these points directly and will not oversell the experience.
Explore ESC opportunities on Voluntouring
Browse our current ESC posts and see what different projects look like in practice.
Related sections on our site: You can also explore our European Voluntary Service (EVS) archive and our Erasmus+ section.
