How to apply for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)

What is the European Solidarity Corps?

The European Solidarity Corps is an EU funding program that gives young people the opportunity to volunteer and carry out their own solidarity projects that benefit communities across Europe.

How do I apply for the ESC?

1.First, you go to the ESK website: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_de

In the box titled "young person", click on Register/Login.

2. Then click on "create an account".

3. After you have successfully entered your data, an e-mail will be sent to you, which you can use to complete your registration. This may take a moment.

4. Once you have received the email, click on the link provided to create your password.

5. After you have set your password, you will have to fill in your personal data and click on "Volunteer projects". In addition, you select the areas in which you would like to work and what experience you already have.

6. Next, you will need to provide information about your availability and, if applicable, previous ESK volunteer service. Keep in mind that participants who have already completed a long-term volunteering placement funded by the European Voluntary Service (more than 2 months) cannot apply for another long-term placement funded by the European Solidarity Corps. However, you can participate in other activities supported by the Corps, for example internships, work placements, solidarity projects and volunteer teams. Lastly, if you confirm the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, you are fully registered.

7. To facilitate your application for ESK projects, first click on "My profile" and complete it. There you can upload your CV, e.g. under "Information for all European Solidarity Corps projects".

8. Now you can finally start your search for ESK projects. To do so, click on "Offers" in the menu bar at the top. Good luck with your research!

9. It is also possible that organizations that are still looking for volunteers for their project write to you. However, in order to improve your chances of finding a volunteer, you should write to the organizations you are interested in yourself.

10. Once you have found a project that interests you, simply click on the "Apply" button. Afterwards you have to write a short letter of motivation, which can contain between 500 and 1000 characters.

11. As soon as you have received an acceptance for a project, you have to look for a sending organization (also called supporting organization), e.g. Visioneers e.V.. The sending organization signs the Activity Agreement, which is sent by the host organization from your European country of assignment. In addition, your sending organization has to give you a training about the rights of the ESK and about culture shock. If you are interested, they will put you in contact with former volunteers who have already completed an ESK and who can answer all practical questions about health insurance, etc. All other organizational tasks will be taken care of by your host organization.

What is the difference between individual volunteering and team volunteering?

For both types of volunteering you have to be between 18 and 30 years old. You will be paid for travel to and from your placement, as well as accommodation, meals, pocket money (between €3 and €6 per day depending on the country) and supplementary insurance, and will also work between 30 and 38 hours per week. You will also have access to support services such as language courses.

With individual volunteering, you will go abroad on your own for 2 to 12 months (in exceptional cases, from 2 weeks), where you will support the daily work of an organization that actively contributes to the well-being of the local community. You can choose from a wide variety of projects, whether it is an environmental action in a national park, recreational activities in a multigenerational house or sports actions with children, you are sure to find a project that interests you.

Team volunteering is interesting for people who can't or don't want to make a longer commitment or don't want to volunteer alone but still want to help the community. The duration is between 2 weeks and 2 months and you will work with 10-40 people from at least two different countries. Team volunteering aims to support local communities and address important societal challenges. Team volunteering can be, for example, implementing a vacation program for children and youth, preparing and implementing a neighborhood cultural festival, or assisting in the restoration of a youth club.