European Solidarity Corps (ESC)

Volunteering and Solidarity Projects

The European Solidarity Corps brings together young people to build a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable people and responding to societal and humanitarian challenges. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop and provides a single entry point for such solidarity activities throughout the Union and beyond.

The general objective of the programme is to enhance the engagement of young people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities, primarily volunteering, as a means to strengthen cohesion, solidarity, democracy, European identity and active citizenship in the Union and beyond, addressing societal and humanitarian challenges on the ground, with a particular focus on the promotion of sustainable development, social inclusion and equal opportunities.

The specific objective of the Programme is to provide young people, including young people with fewer opportunities, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities that induce positive societal changes in the Union and beyond, while improving and properly validating their competences, as well as facilitating their continuous engagement as active citizens.

The Priorities of the programme are the following:

• Inclusion and diversity;
   
• Environmental protection, sustainable development and climate action;
   
• Digital transformation;
   
• Participation in democratic life;
   
• Prevention, promotion and support in the field of health.

In order to achieve its objectives, the European Solidarity Corps implements four Actions structured into two strands:

• Participation of young people in solidarity activities;
   
• Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities.

In addition, the European Solidarity Corps supports a series of activities and measures aiming at providing high-quality solidarity activities.

The financing mechanism applied under the European Solidarity Corps provides grants based on the reimbursement on the basis of unit costs or lump sums.

The European Solidary Corps is open to organisations, including international organisations.