HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
Are you ready to spend from 2 weeks to 12 months as a volunteer to support a cause?
(photo: European Commission)
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) (which until 2018 was called the European Voluntary Service) provides an opportunity to volunteer abroad.
How it works?
The ESC projects happen in a partnership between two or more organizations. These organizations are partners from the moment of preparation, during your project abroad and when you return to your country.
The projects last from 2 weeks to 12 months, and as a volunteer you can participate in a wide range of areas, such as health and social development, work with children, youth, adults, sports, cultural heritage, art, animal welfare, environmental protection. environment, development cooperation and many others.
At the end of the project, you will receive a Youthpass certificate, confirming your participation and describing your experience. Moreover, many universities and employers already know this certificate and recognize it as a formal educational experience (even if acquired in the field of non-formal education).
As a participant in a volunteering project, the ESC program provides funds to cover your accommodation, food and pocket money. The only expense you can have is a small part of the travel costs (ie having to co-finance part of your trip).
For long-term projects (those over 2 months) you have the opportunity to learn a foreign language.
Each project is specific. It has its duration, goals, people who rely on your support …. Sometimes it can be very dynamic. Also – you can get into monotonous (repetitive) activities. It is important to know what is expected of you and how you can best contribute to the project, according to your abilities, skills and talents.
It is important to know that from every project, from every meeting you can learn something new: about yourself, about the world, about the people around you. You can find a profession that satisfies you, or meet friends / colleagues for life. Review various projects that have already taken place. Meet young people who have already volunteered. There are so many shared stories on social media. Just look for them.
How to apply?
If you are between 17 and 30 years old, you have two options:
1 /. Register on the platform of the European Solidarity Corps and find a project that seeks volunteers;
or
2 /. Contact an organization that sends volunteers to discuss starting a project of your choice and according to your interests and skills.
It doesn’t matter which option you choose, in both cases you will need a sending organization. Here you can find the organization closest to you that is accredited (ie the European Commission has already checked them). They will know what they need to do to find you a suitable project. Find them here:
