Opportunities for non-formal learning within the European solidarity corps program!
WHAT IS THE ESC PROGRAM?
It is international voluntary work in:
- EU member states (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden)
- Third countries associated with the program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Turkey)
- Third countries that are not part of the program (Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, territory of Ukraine as recognised under international law, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Russia as recognised under international law).
WHO IS IT FOR? Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 inclusive.
DURATION:
Short-term ESC volunteering: 2 weeks to 2 months
Long-term ESC volunteering: 2-12 months
WHAT DOES IT OFFER?
The ESC program provides non-formal education in the context of an international volunteering project, practical work and life experience in non-governmental organizations and public institutions (schools, kindergartens, retirement homes, museums, etc.).
By participating, you get the opportunity to meet young people from all over Europe, gain invaluable work and volunteer experience, learn with a new team, and/or improve your foreign (local) language skills. Volunteering allows you to discover other cultures and engage in the process of global learning, which undoubtedly helps reduce prejudices and contributes to your personal growth. The experiences you gain through volunteering abroad also enhance your employment prospects, which is one of the main goals of the program. At the end of the project, you receive an official Youthpass certificate, which, similar to the Europass CV, records your acquired skills, personal achievements, and work accomplishments. Youthpass can serve as a strong reference for your next job application!
In addition to all these benefits, you gain the chance to experience independent living (abroad), with covered costs for accommodation, travel to and from the project location, work-related transport, mentoring and language support, health insurance, meals, and even a monthly allowance.
Feeling inspired and ready to try a volunteering project for yourself? Then you’re in the right place!
HOW TO ACCESS AN ESC PROJECT?
An ESE volunteering project consists of at least three partners:
- a sending or supporting organisation in your local area to support you when you leave (this could be Voluntariat),
- a host organisation that will receive you abroad, and
- a volunteer (if by any chance this is not clear by now, this role belongs to you 😀 ).
Your first task is to find a suitable host organization and an ESC project that matches your interests!
One option to find a volunteering project is the European Youth Portal, where you:
- create an account (EU Login, the authentication service of the European Commission)
- create your profile (upload your CV, choose your fields of interest, etc.)
- subscribe to notifications about opportunities.
Alternatively, you can follow our social networks (IG, FB) where we publish calls for proposals from our partners or you can contact us at programi@zavod-voluntariat.si and/or info.voluntariat@gmail.com, let us know what exactly you are interested in and we will find an opportunity for you together.
I HAVE A HOST ORGANIZATION AND A PROJECT! WHAT NOW?
Congratulations! You’ve come a long way! You have agreed with the host organization—aligned with your work profile and the activities they carry out—on when you will start your volunteering work and how long the volunteering will last.
Send an email to programi@zavod-voluntariat.si and/or koordinacija@zavod-voluntariat.si with the contact details of the host organization and a description of your agreement. We will get in touch with the host organization, finalize the project details, and sign the agreement together with you.
GREAT! AND THEN?
If we have reached this point, we’ll put you through a preparation and training system, where we will give you all the details about the ESC volunteering project itself, volunteer insurance, your rights and obligations, Youthpass and other details of the program.
You can read more about the European Solidarity Corps program on the website of the Slovenian National Agency (NA) MOVIT. For additional questions, feel free to contact us at programi@zavod-voluntariat.si and/or koordinacija@zavod-voluntariat.si.
Wishing you lots of success in finding a volunteering opportunity! If you have any questions, we’re here.
