Have you heard about European Solidarity Corps program? Previously called „European Voluntary Service“? Not yet??? If one week on the youth exchange or training is not enough for your, we offer you also volunteering opportunities, which lasts 1-12 months and is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain new experience and knowledge, improve English, learn the language of the host country, to get to know a new country and its culture, make new friends, and besides that also make some positive changes in local community!
What? Where? For who? How much?
You can become a volunteer in one of these organizations that are accredited by the European Union as a „host“ – https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisations_en You can volunteer in all countries across Europe, but exceptionally also beyond.
Activities and the role that volunteer carries out are different – from the implementation and organization of cultural, sport and outdoor events, activities to protect the environment, take care of children, pets, or people with disabilities, teach language or a variety of activities related with the media, marketing or graphics. Each project is different and depends on the orientation, activities of the host organization and the profile of the volunteer.
European Solidarity Corps program is open to young people aged between 17-30 years and with no special requirements. Only basic knowledge of English is required and to be motivated to get new experience, improve yourself and local community as well. There is no participation fee. Besides that, EU grant cover for volunteer accommodation, food, pocket money, insurance, language courses and travel allowance depends on the distance, but usually cover the entire travel costs.
To better understand what exactly is ESC you can watch some videos and hear some real stories from various volunteers: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/gallery/video_en.htm#evs_en
Does it sound interesting for you? Would you like to go for it, but do not know how?
First of all, you need to find a host organization that would be willing to accept you… but how to find it? There are several options.
The easiest option is to find an already approved project on this website after registration – https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en Some already approved and financed projects that we cooperate on are published on our website here: http://www.adelslovakia.org/en/projects/current-projects/evs but we also created facebook group called „Dobrovoľníctvo v zahraničí – Európsky zbor solidarity“ where we regularly share various open calls from hosting organizations.
More difficult option is to contact host organizations whose description and contact information can be found in the database (https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisations_en) and you can just send some of them email with your CV and motivation letter. However, the fact that organizations are accredited as host does not mean that they are currently looking for or need volunteers, so do not be disappointed if you dont get any answer of feedback.
ESC process is a triangle where are involved: 1. potential volunteer, 2. the host organization and 3. the sending organization which is ADEL. We’ll help you go through whole process, find suitable host organization, write project, apply for grant and although the process seems to be complicated, is worth of the result 🙂
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need some advice by email evs@adelslovakia.org
Important dates
If none of the already approved and financed offers is interesting for you, but you found your own organization, we can write and submit grant application through Erasmus+ program. Deadlines to submit the grant applications are 3times per year – 5 February, 30. April, 1. October
