Get involved with European Solidarity Corps

A new European Union (EU) initiative is creating opportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects in their own countries or abroad.

The European Solidarity Corps is a major opportunity for organisations of all types to involve young people in projects that benefit people and communities across Europe.

Tens of thousands of young people have already registered their interest to take part in solidarity related projects and activities, and participants are now starting to be deployed across Europe.

Organisations of all types can get involved with the Corps by applying to join or seeking funding through one or more of the following EU programmes linked to the Corps:

• Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service (EVS)
• Employment and Social Innovation
• LIFE / European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
• Europe for Citizens
• Asylum and Migration Fund
• Interreg Volunteers Initiative
• Health programme
• EU Aid Volunteers

Solidarity projects can be for a period of between two and 12 months.

The European Solidarity Corps website has a section for interested organisations. You can also find out more on page 21 of the European Network for Rural Development's Spring 2017 Rural Connections magazine.

Are you a young person interested in getting involved?

European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterwards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.

You can register for the European Solidarity Corps when you are 17 years old, but you cannot start a project until you are over 18. European Solidarity Corps projects will be available to people up to the age of 30 years old.

Find out how to get involved on the European Solidarity Corps website.

Photo: copyright European Union