20.03.2022

The European Solidarity Corps is a European Union initiative and is being administered by the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport, and Culture. It creates opportunities for young people (aged 18-30) to volunteer or work in projects that benefit communities and people around Europe. With a dedicated budget of over €1 billion or 2021-2027, the second generation of the European Solidarity Corps programme will offer opportunities to at least 270,000 young people to help address societal and humanitarian challenges through volunteering or by setting up their own solidarity projects.

The European Solidarity Corps supports the political priorities of the European Union and engages organisations and young people in projects to address them. The programme promotes inclusion and diversity and aims to incorporate green practices in projects and encourages environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants and participating organisations. It supports the digital transition through projects and activities that boost digital skills and foster digital literacy. The programme also promotes the participation of young people in democratic processes and civic engagement.

Types of activities within European Solidarity Corps open to neighbour countries

Individual volunteering is a full-time unpaid activity for a duration from 2 to 12 months. In some cases, volunteering activities of 2 weeks to 2 months can be put in place for young people with fewer opportunities. This type of activity will give young people the chance to take part in the daily work of organisations and perform tasks that can have a real impact.

Volunteering teams are solidarity activities allowing teams of 10 to 40 young people from at least two different countries to volunteer together for a period between 2 weeks and 2 months. Such activities can especially contribute to the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in the European Solidarity Corps.