Volunteering abroad is a fantastic way to explore another country and to have a positive impact on our shared European community.
Through European Union funded programmes like the European Solidarity Corps, you could gain valuable experience and skills while immersing yourself in another country and culture.
If you have any questions about Volunteering in Europe or European Solidarity Corps, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.
European Solidarity Corps
The ESC is an EU funded programme. Once you are accepted onto a ESC project, all your expenses (rent, food, transport, insurance, visa procedures, language classes) are covered by the project, and you even get a bit of pocket money to enjoy your experience fully! Your travel costs are also covered although there may be a minimal contribution towards travel required.
Who can apply?
The minimum age to participate in a Solidarity project is 18. Young people can register if they are legally resident in the EU or in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey or the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or if they hold the nationality of these countries.
Where can I go?
Anywhere in the EU as well as many countries bordering the EU e.g. Armenia, Norway, Serbia. (In fact it is possible to do ESC in many places in the world but these further-afield projects involve a more complicated application process).
How do I apply? – 7 Steps
- Register with the European Solidarity Corps
- Create a profile – take some time to fill in the personal information on your profile, and to attach an updated CV. Take good care of it, it is your way of being interesting for the receiving organizations! We can always help you with this!
- Search the ESC database – all of the ESC vacancies/ opportunities are listed there.
- Find a Sending Organisation here in Ireland – your Youth Information Centre (us!) can help you with this.
- Contact the Overseas Organisation (host) – Your sending organisation will help you with this!
- Send your CV and a motivational letter (about half a page) describing why you want to do ESC with this organisation. Remember, ESC is not about the qualifications you have or how much work experience you have. Projects are looking for volunteers who are motivated, willing and enthusiastic, who will make a good fit with their organisation.
- Plan & prepare: It can take from 2 – 6 months in total to plan an ESC project. Your sending organisation is there to explain everything to you and support you throughout the process. Your sending organisation will carry out some pre-depature training with you. The content will depend on you! ……..So Get Started Early & Get Focused!!!!
Types of project:
- Projects can range from 2 – 12months. However, it’s also worth noting that under special circumstances an EVS duration can be less than 2 months.
The ESC projects are visible on the European Youth Portal. To apply to projects anywhere, you need to create an account on the website. Please note that searching the different projects is easier once you are logged in.
The placements are widely varied in subject matter, but the majority are related to the environment, arts and culture, activities with children, young people or the elderly, heritage or sports and leisure activities. In recent years, there has been a large increase in projects that support refugees and asylum seekers. All the projects aim to benefit communities and people around Europe.
Tips searching for a project:
- Ask your sending organisation to help you find a project.
- The more flexible you are about where you’ll go and what you’ll do, the easier you’ll find a project.
- ESC projects fill up very quickly and the competition between places can be tight.
- Search the ESC database often and choose more projects to apply for until you secure a project.
- Think carefully about each project you choose.
Young people with fewer opportunities or additional needs
You know your disability and abilities best – it would be useful to consider some of the supports you might need to assist you – these might include equipment, services, or strategies you use already in daily life – so you can explain these needs to any organisation that you contacts. More information
European Solidarity Corps provides young people with fewer opportunities and easy access options to help them participate. This includes tailor-made projects to suit their specific skills and qualities, as well as additional financial and other support as required to encourage them to take part in European Solidarity Corps. For more see Europe for all – Integrating young people into the European Solidarity Corps.
Young people with Disabilities
More information can be found here EU Solidarity Corps – Inclusion Europe
Can I do a European Solidarity project within Ireland?
YES! You can also participate in a European Solidarity Corps project within Ireland. This could be helpful for you to build up your confidence and teamwork skills. Young people can also carry out their own projects as volunteers in Ireland – find out more HERE
Download our Volunteering in Europe publication.
Other volunteering opportunities
Volunteer work in return for board…
There are many opportunities to volunteer in exchange for accommodation and food that allow you to explore the country in your free time.
You can do a range of tasks, such as doing up an old cottage, helping on an organic farm, au-pairing for a family, doing maintenance work on a holiday centre, carrying out general duties in a hostel, helping in an
orphanage, being a guide for tourists, doing photography projects and much more. Examples of sites which list these opportunities are WorkAway and HelpX.
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Many hosts only require 4-6 hours work per day for 5 days, however this differs between hosts and depends on whether accommodation and food or just accommodation are offered. The sites listed may require a small fee for viewing all details of hosts.
Other Opportunities
Voluntary Service International (VSI) offers short and long-term volunteering opportunities and these are available worldwide. VSI also supports young people as a sending organisation for the European Solidarity Corps.
Comhlámh is an organisation that encourages, promotes and assists volunteering in overseas projects. It also campaigns for volunteer organisations to sign up to its Code of Good Practice, ensuring the safety and welfare of its volunteers.
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) has many different areas in which you can volunteer, from emergency relief to ICT.
Much of this information has been compiled as part of a booklet ‘Europe is Open to You!’ providing information on European opportunities for young people including studying, training, working and volunteering.
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