What’s the first thing you think of when you hear ‘Erasmus’? For most, it's that life-changing study abroad experience, the kind you either never forget or are dreaming of doing soon. It’s all about the good vibes, lifelong friends, and new horizons that stay with you forever. But here is a secret many young people don't know: the study exchange is just one piece of a much larger puzzle called Erasmus+.
Erasmus+ is a European Union programme dedicated to supporting education, training and informal learning. It aims to empower young people through diverse international experiences that go far beyond the traditional classroom.
Expanding on this puzzle, today we are exploring the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). This branch of the Erasmus+ family focuses on volunteering and solidarity projects, offering young people a unique chance to give back to communities across Europe.
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS: WHAT IS IT?
As the official European Youth Portal page declares, ‘These activities are a great opportunity for you to help where needed, make a positive impact on the community, develop new skills, spend time abroad, maybe learn a new language–and definitely come back with unforgettable memories’.
But let’s make it a bit clearer:
Who can participate? 18-30-year-olds with residency in an EU country or in other countries who joined the programme.
Team or Solo? As a volunteer, you have the chance to join either individual projects or team projects (usually abroad, but they can be in your home country as well).
- Individual Volunteering is a full-time occupation (30-38 hours a week) for 2 weeks to 12 months. Even though it is solo volunteering, you will likely be joined by other volunteers, and two organisations must be involved: a support and a host organisation.
- Team Volunteering is a full-time occupation (30-38 hours a week) for 2 weeks to 2 months. You will be volunteering with people from different countries - at least 5 volunteers from 2 or more countries - dealing with common European challenges in high policy areas defined each year at EU level. For team volunteering, only one organisation is needed.
Who’s your main support?
- Support organisation: home country organisation that helps prepare for your experience abroad.
- Host organisation: host country organisation that welcomes and helps you on site.
Remember: If you have trouble finding a supporting organisation, you can find potential candidates in a dedicated database!
What comprises the support services for volunteers?
- Insurance: Volunteers are insured from the moment they leave their own country until two months after the activity comes to an end, both for in-country activities and cross-border activities, thanks to the European Health Insurance Card and the European Commission coverage provided.
- Language Services: OLS (Online Language Support) - service available for all official EU languages - has the goal of helping and supporting participants improve their skills and knowledge of the language of the host country. Remember: the service is available for projects lasting 2 months or longer.
- Financial Support: accommodation and food expenses are covered, as well as travel costs. The travel costs are based on a scale depending on the distance and the type of transport (green travelling is highly suggested if possible!)
- Pocket money: every volunteer is entitled to pocket money for their personal expenses. The amount depends on the country.
- VISA/Residence Permit: It’s advised to make requests in advance, considering a weeks-long process and get informed, both for short- and long-term volunteering
LET’S GET PRACTICAL!
What are the steps you need to take to start this new adventure?
- Join the Official Portal
If you don’t have it already, you will need to create an EU Login Account, the user authenticator service used by the European Union. Then, you will be able to complete your profile, explaining your experiences, knowledge and skills. Your profile will be visible to the associations registered in the portal. You will have access to general online training, certificates, and more.
Remember: Applications can be done through a support organisation’s website which promotes ESC projects or directly on the European Youth Portal. In the second case, you will be required to find a support organisation to help you during the process!
- The research starts! Interviews and acceptance
Once your profile is created, it’s time to start researching! You will have access to your personal dashboard, where you can apply for opportunities. Once you apply, if the association is interested in your profile, you will be contacted for an interview in English or in the language required for the project. If the interview outcome is positive, you will be required to officially accept on the ESC Portal and sign a participant agreement before starting your activity that includes tasks and learning outcomes, as well as rights and responsibilities from both parties regarding issues such as insurance and financial contribution.
And here the real adventure starts!
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Training and Mentorship
If you are a participant in a long-term activity, you will receive constant support and guidance throughout your experience, from pre-departure. The training offered will help you dive into cultural differences, practical issues, rights and obligations, team building and more. You will take part in:
- pre-departure training (if the activity is cross-border);
- on-arrival training;
- mid-term evaluation (if the volunteering experience is longer than 6 months);
- annual Solidarity Corps event.
On site, you should also be provided a mentor, a person who will support you and guide you through your experience, helping you settle in, adapt to the new life in a new country and learn and adapt to the host organisation’s workflow.
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Don’t forget your Youthpass!
As a Corps Participant, at the end of your experience, you will receive a Youthpass, a document that collects the learning outcomes you developed on the project. It allows you to gather everything you have learned and done and the skills you gained throughout these months.
