Volunteering activities
These activities are a great opportunity for you to help where needed, make a positive impact on the community, develop new skills, spend time abroad, maybe learn a new language – and definitely come back with unforgettable memories. For sure you’ll find one that matches what you’re looking for.
But first, you need to choose between volunteering individually or in a team.
Individual volunteering
- can last between 2 weeks and 12 months;
- is full-time (between 30 and 38 hours a week);
- you volunteer solo, but in many cases, there will also be other volunteers;
- is usually abroad, but it can also be in your home country.
Team volunteering
- can last between 2 weeks and 2 months;
- is full-time (between 30 and 38 hours a week);
- you volunteer with people from different countries;
- is usually abroad, though it can also be in your home country;
- the group will have at least 5 volunteers from 2 or more countries;
- can support activities that address common European challenges in high policy areas defined each year at EU level.
What's the role of support and host organisations?
- support organisation – often based in your home country, it will help you prepare for your experience abroad (it used to be called ‘sending organisation’).
- host organisation – often based in the country where your activity takes place, it will welcome and help you in your destination country.
If you’re going abroad for individual volunteering, 2 organisations must be involved – 1 support and 1 host organisation.
If you’re doing team volunteering, only 1 is needed – either a support or a host organisation.
You can search for potential supporting organisations in the organisations database.
Who can volunteer?
- 18-30 year old people who reside in one of the countries covered.
What's covered for volunteers?
- insurance;
- support services (such as linguistic support and trainings);
- basic costs (your travel to and from the project, accommodation and food);
- pocket money for personal expenses;
- costs related to specific needs (e.g. additional help, reinforced mentorship, disability, visa, etc.).
How to register?
The first time you register, you’ll be asked to create a EU Login account before creating your European Solidarity Corps profile. EU Login account is the European Commission's user authentication service.
Once your profile is created, you’ll have access to your personal dashboard. There you can apply for opportunities, access the general online training offered to participants, view your certificates and much more.
Registering for the Corps does not guarantee you’ll take part in a Solidarity Project.