Programmes

Voluntary Cooperation Service

The Voluntary Cooperation Service (VCS) allows any young person residing in Luxembourg, aged between 18 and 30, to commit for a period of 6 to 12 months in a developing country, through an accredited non-governmental development organisation (NGDO). This programme is aimed at motivated young people who are ready to invest their time and energy in projects related to development cooperation, international solidarity, and cultural exchange. Volunteers receive pocket money, a subsistence allowance, and are affiliated with social security. Residents who have lived continuously in Luxembourg for at least one year at the time of departure are also entitled to a monthly financial allowance paid by the Luxembourg State. To guide you through your first steps, the Cercle de coopération des ONGD du Luxembourg offers an orientation interview to discuss your project and discover the NGDOs that host volunteers within the VCS framework. Before this interview, it is recommended to: attend the “Voluntary Service” info session and the “Ech ?! Fräiwellëg ?!” training offered by the National Youth Service (SNJ), consult the mission offers and the list of participating NGDOs on the Cercle de coopération website (www.cercle.lu). To schedule your interview, contact the Cercle at: svc@cercle.lu Contact at the SNJ: griska.lutgen@snj.lu

European Voluntary Service

The European Voluntary Service gives young people the chance to volunteer abroad and take part in a solidarity project in Europe or in the Greater Region. This programme is open to young people aged 18 to 30 who want to get involved in a useful project, discover another country and gain new personal, social and practical skills. To participate, young people must have completed compulsory schooling, be legally resident in Luxembourg, speak at least one of the three official languages of the country : Luxembourgish, French or German. The programme offers both short-term and long-term missions. A short-term European voluntary service lasts from 14 to 59 days. A short-term mission can be followed by a long-term mission, but the total duration of voluntary service abroad must not exceed 12 months. The activities can focus on youth work, culture, social support, information for young people, cultural heritage, environmental projects or support for people in difficulty. The programme includes financial and practical support. Volunteers receive pocket money, subsistence support, and, depending on their age and residence conditions, financial support from the State. For voluntary service abroad, support can also include a housing allowance and a contribution to travel costs. Volunteers are also affiliated to social security, including health insurance, pension insurance and accident insurance. They also receive personal support, guidance from a tutor in the host organisation, access to specific SNJ training sessions and help to value the skills acquired during the mission. At the end, they can receive a certificate confirming their voluntary service and the training they followed. To participate, young people should first look at the available opportunities on Volontaires.lu. They should choose a project that matches their interests, motivation and availability. Once they have found a suitable mission, they can contact the SNJ for guidance. Young people should prepare a clear motivation, explain why they want to volunteer, what they would like to learn and how they would like to contribute to the project. Before starting, they may need to take part in information or preparation sessions. These sessions help them understand the programme, prepare for the experience and make sure they are ready for their mission. The main contact person for more information is Elena Koroglanoglou at the SNJ. Young people can contact her by email at Elena.koroglanoglou@snj.lu or by phone at +352 621 394 907.

More information and organisations active in this field

National Youth Service (SNJ)

The Service National de la Jeunesse, or SNJ, is the national youth service in Luxembourg. Its mission is to support young people and help create a positive environment for their development. The SNJ encourages young people to become responsible, active and supportive citizens. – In the field of voluntary service, the SNJ informs young people about the different programmes, explains the conditions, organises information and training sessions, and supports them before, during and after their mission. It is also the body that registers young people as volunteers and helps with the recognition of their volunteer status. Through Volontaires.lu, the SNJ presents voluntary service as a practical learning experience and a full-time commitment for a fixed period.

Cercle de coopération de ONGD du Luxemborug

The Cercle de Coopération des ONGD is the national platform of Luxembourg development NGOs. For young people interested in the Cooperation Voluntary Service, the Cercle works together with the SNJ. After the SNJ information session, young people contact both the SNJ and the Cercle to arrange an orientation meeting. During this meeting, they receive information about the administrative and financial aspects of the programme, as well as an introduction to international solidarity and the Luxembourg development NGO sector.

Interesting links

Service volontaire by the SNJ

The reference website in Luxembourg to discover the different voluntary service programmes and available missions. You can find concrete mission opportunities, conditions and contact points.

Cercle de Coopération - Volontariat

The Cercle supports young people interested in the Voluntary Cooperation Service and helps them connect with development NGOs. You can also discover the different NGOs that collaborate with the SNJ for the Voluntary Cooperation Service.

JugendInfo

Jugendinfo provides youth-friendly information on engagement, volunteering and voluntary service.