ABOUT ESC
What is ESC (European Solidarity Corps)?
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is open to young people between 18 and 30 years old residing in a country of the European Union or in a partner country, such as Iceland. The programme, funded by the European Union, allows young people to get involved in projects abroad that benefit communities.
What can you do as a volunteer?
There is a broad array of areas in which it is possible to volunteer: creativity and culture, education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, environment and natural protection, health and wellbeing, physical education and sport, working with refugees and migrants, and many more! The ESC can either be short-term (two months) or long-term (from two months to one year).
Where can you volunteer?
The volunteering activities can be carried out in one of the programme countries or in a partner country.
The programme countries are:
+ The EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
As well as:
+ Iceland, North Macedonia, Turkey, Liechtenstein.
The partner countries are:
+ Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Norway, Palestine, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine.
What are the benefits?
When you take part in a European Solidarity Corps project, your basic costs (transportation to and from the project, accommodation and food) are covered.
In addition, а complementary insurance and language courses are provided. You also receive an allowance for personal expenses (the amount depends on the country in which you are volunteering. If you have specific needs (e.g. a disability), these costs may also be covered. And of course, as you will get involved full-time in a project, you will gain knowledge and skills- this valuable experience will be an asset for your professional life!
What are the prerequisites?
To participate in the European Solidarity Corps: + You have to be between 18 and 30 years old and reside in one of the programme or partner countries.
+ You can only take part in one long-term (2 to 12 months) volunteering project, but if you have already participated in a short-term project (up to 2 months), you are still eligible to participate in a long-term project.
+ You have to have a sending organization as well as a hosting organization.
+ You have to commit to upholding the European Solidarity Corps principles.
How can you find ESC opportunities?
If you are looking for a European Solidarity Corps project, you should register in the EU Solidarity Corps portal. Firstly, you will have to create an account as well as your profile. Then, you will be able to access the database where you can find the projects available. It is possible to filter your search by country or area. Here the link: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en
For each project, you will find a description, the dates of the activities, and other useful information such as what is expected from the volunteer or the deadline to send your application.
You also have the possibility to indicate that you are available, which allows organizations to contact you if they are interested in your profile.
How to apply for an ESC project?
The application procedure depends on the project and hosting organization. Most of the time, you will be asked to send a CV and a motivation letter. You could be asked to fill in a form or send other materials. We would be delighted to help you if needed and we can also send your application to the hosting organization in order to support you.
Tips for the application:
There is no diploma or experience requirements to take part in a project. Only your motivation can make the difference! Therefore, we recommend you to concentrate on projects that have a special meaning for you - for instance, in an area in which you want to gain work or life experience or to retrain. In your motivation letter, try to put the emphasis about something that has a link with the project (it could be your studies, your experiences or your hobbies), as well as what you could bring to your hosting organization and what it would bring to you.
What is the role of the sending organization?
As a sending organization, AUS Iceland will support you from the start of your search to your comeback to Iceland. We will assist you with all the necessary steps related to the European Solidarity Corps, answer your questions about logistics or anything else related to a departure abroad, and of course you can contact us anytime if you encounter difficulties during your project. Remember that you are not alone during your volunteering journey - your hosting organization and AUS are there to support you!