Angela volunteered for 2 weeks with Offensiva Tinerilor, Arad Romania, implementing activities of non-formal education for children coming from rural area.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The work we did with the children. They were very much satisfied with the activities we implemented. Spending time in a different country was very beneficial for me. I loved the walks we had and all the places we visited."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"The children from the rural area do not have much activities where they can join. I was very happy that I was part of it."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"It offers new opportunities and you learn new skills."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Eva volunteered in Spain in 2023 with Asociación Brújula Intercultural Inicio assisting in a primary school using alternative teaching methods (MAGEA).

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most memorable moments from my volunteering experience were the days when I prepared and delivered workshops together with the children. Working with a group of 12-year-olds at MAGEA Primary School, using alternative educational methods, was deeply rewarding. Despite the language barrier, we always managed to understand each other through creativity, teamwork, and mutual respect. Seeing their curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine joy during activities reminded me why working with children is so meaningful. These moments showed me that connection does not depend only on language, but on presence, patience, and empathy. 

I will never forget how naturally the children accepted me and how quickly we built trust, which made every shared activity special and unforgettable."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"My engagement contributed mainly to the school community by supporting alternative learning practices and offering the children new perspectives through interactive workshops and daily activities. By actively participating in classroom life and extracurricular activities, I helped create a more dynamic and inclusive learning environment. Even though my role as a volunteer came with challenges, I remained focused on being present and supportive for the children. The activities we carried out together encouraged creativity, cooperation, and open communication. 

I believe that even small contributions, such as offering attention, care, and new ideas, can have a positive impact on a local community—especially in educational settings where children benefit greatly from diverse approaches and international experiences."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering significantly contributed to my personal growth and independence. Living alone in another country, without speaking the local language and without support from people from my own background, taught me resilience and self-reliance. I learned how to cope with daily challenges, manage frustration, and continue working professionally even in difficult circumstances. 

This experience also helped me grow emotionally, appreciate my own culture, language, and home more deeply, and gain confidence in my ability to work with children regardless of language barriers. Despite the challenges, I choose to remember the positive experiences, and today I even feel nostalgic. The project helped me grow as a person and clarified my strengths, values, and dedication to working with children."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"I strongly believe that volunteering is important and it is most effective when it begins at a young age. Early involvement in volunteering helps shape character, values, and social responsibility in a way few other experiences can. It is essential to volunteer not only through international programs, but also within one’s own local community, for example through organizations such as the Red Cross and similar initiatives. Such engagement fosters empathy, solidarity, and a sense of belonging, while encouraging active citizenship. 

Over time, the impact of volunteering becomes clearly visible—there is often a distinct difference between individuals who volunteered in their youth and those who did not, particularly in terms of responsibility, awareness, and interpersonal sensitivity. Volunteering contributes to the development of well-rounded, socially conscious individuals and leaves a lasting positive influence on both personal growth and society as a whole."

Eva during her volunteering

Children playing

Children sitting in front of a computer

Young boy playing in a tree

Eva with young children

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Anna volunteered in Belgium in 2003 for 12 months at the 'Opvangcentrum voor wielde dieren een vogels' in Oostende. The project focused on building a sustainable society by fostering inclusion for individuals often overlooked by society, through rescuing small mammals and birds.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most memorable things from my volunteering experience were the people and the culture. I discovered that despite different cultures, origins and backgrounds we were all basically the same. So different yet the same. This has been a mantra throughout my adult life and has shaped how I meet other people. It has given me lots of friends all over the world. This year my host family from my European Voluntary Service year is coming to spend Christmas with my family, we are still in touch after all these years!"

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"It has contributed quite lot. My year of volunteering, however cheesy it sounds, changed my direction in life and helped open my eyes to a different way of living. The friendships I got through my year in Belgium has stuck with me since then, and I’ve travelled around the world with my friends and the people. My volunteer year deeply inspired me and has also affected what I do for work now. It all started back then, the inspiration."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering is important because it is the single most effective way to break down stigma and help people realise that we all want to live a good life, with friends and family around. Especially now in the geopolitical chaos that is hitting Europe, and especially the north where I live, we need more warmth, more understanding and less cultural barriers. To get this, we have to have informal platforms like volunteering, to break down all our prejudice and meet people where they are at."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Vilja volunteered in Romania in 2023 with Voluntariat pentru viata for 11 months. She helped planning and giving informal education in schools, youth clubs, and kindergartens.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most memorable moment from my volunteering experience was being part of a big family that wasn't my biological family. From the first day I arrived in Romania I was taken care of and it felt like a second home from the very beginning. 

My mentor opened her house and welcomed us into her family. Every Friday all the volunteers gathered to cook a traditional meal together from one of the participating countries so that we could all learn from each other and taste food from another culture. We also had the chance to taste Romanian dishes, dance and listen to music from different parts of the world. It was a great experience of cultural exchange."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"I believe and truly hope that my volunteering work made a positive impact on the children I spent time with in Romania. We noticed that the activities we organised in the schools and after school clubs helped the kids learn more about collaboration and other cultures. 

We also made a volunteering festival where we aimed to inspire the children to try something similar to what we were doing. The volunteers were an important part of the small local community where we lived, and we could really feel that we were appreciated. Children would stop us at the street, wave and give us hugs. That feeling of gratitude and connection was incredibly special."

 🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life? 

"My volunteering experience has contributed enormously to my personal growth. I learnt so much about myself, how I handle new situations, how I work with others and how I adapt to challenges. It made me more self-confident in many ways, by improving and believing in my English skills, talking in front of people and trusting my ability to navigate in unfamiliar environments. 

Going to Romania alone is also something I’m really proud of because it’s not the first place people usually think of traveling to. That makes the experience even more unique and meaningful to me. Looking back, I can see how much it shaped me and helped me grow both personally and professionally."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Dariusz, from Poland, volunteered in Kenya and in Ecuador between 2024 and 2025. 

In Kenya he planted trees in schools with kids and promoted this activity as a way to build up resilience against floods and droughts with CIVS Kenya and IBO Italia and Asociación Amigos de Europa.

In Ecuador, Dariusz helped to organise summer camp for kids from indigenous communities and teaching them English and fundamentals of global citizenship with Vase and Cazalla Incercultural and Infinite Opportunities Associacion.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"One of my fondest memories is receiving a bracelet from a student in my class. There were 20 students in total—all hyperactive, loud, and courageous 12-year-olds — so the work was rarely easy. However, they were wonderful kids. 

On one of our more difficult days, a girl presented me and the other tutors with handmade bracelets to thank us for our work. It was such a small gesture, but it showed me that despite all the challenges, my efforts really mattered and that they appreciated our work. I still wear that bracelet to this day."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"The impact we made in Ecuador was simple but significant. Thanks to the summer camp we organised, children didn't have to go to work or stay home alone while their parents earned a living. Instead, they could meet peers, make new friends, play games, and learn about the world. It may not seem like much, but I believe giving children happy summer memories and the carefree childhood they deserve is a beautiful thing."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"It showed me the value of shared moments, whether it's a lunch break, a morning chat, or doing chores together. It taught me that life is ultimately about facing problems, both big and small, together. The biggest lesson I took from this experience is that kindness is the most beautiful gift you can give another person."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering teaches us to be sensitive to the world around us. It strengthens our empathy, enhances our communication skills, and allows us to view the world from entirely different perspectives. Most importantly, it shows us that helping is not difficult and that anyone can do it. You just need a little bit of willingness, and with that, anything is possible. 

It starts with a small gesture, which I believe, with enough people, can change the world."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"My wish is to see even more young people dedicating their time to help others selflessly. I hope that, despite any challenges, they continue to support communities in need. I dream of a future where volunteering is a natural instinct for all youth in the EU - a standard step in contributing to the greater good."

Dariusz in Kenya

Dariusz and a pupil planting a tree

Dariusz during his project in Ecuador

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Marta volunteered in France in 2001 with Residence Sociale Charles Guide where she worked on development and integration of local community through socio-educational, entrepreneurial and intercultural activities with the young residents.

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"At the beginning, I had a vision of organising an international youth exchange or another bigger project. While getting to know the situation of young people living in our social residence better - especially the diversity of cultural backgrounds, as well as their professional and personal life challenges - I decided to focus more on smaller, co-created local initiatives. I believe these little common projects brought more intercultural awareness and more human connections, that could be helpful to make at least a small shift from the separative acculturation strategies to more integrative processes of young people with migrant and refugee background. 

Boosting employability was particularly important for the mission and the aims of this social residence, and by organising and participating in these activities, we were all developing our entrepreneurial competences in a self-directed way."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"My volunteering resulted in everlasting friendships, clarification of my values and life-changing choices. After graduating from European Studies and Sociology and Politics, I enthusiastically went to the Polish National Agency, asking for a job, and I got it! I was writing publications promoting participation and inclusion in EU youth educational projects. This involvement, together with the experience gained during my volunteering, soon led me to my dream work as a trainer in the Polish European Voluntary Service trainers’ pool. 

For 20 years now I have been supporting the learning process of both volunteers and organisations, as well as youth workers and teachers from various sectors and cultures. Locally, I have worked with voluntary clubs in schools and libraries. Designing and facilitating trainings and other events in an intercultural environment keeps giving me a lot of fulfillment and opportunities for personal growth."

 🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I wish for greater awareness that the volunteering experience is special, as it creates spaces where solidarity, transformative learning, and impact come together. I hope for even more moments when the community needs meet what a young person coming from another culture is ready to give. I wish that the role of EU-supported volunteering projects was more broadly recognised by governments, public institutions, the business sector, and civil society. 

I also hope that all those who contribute to the coordination of these volunteering mobility projects receive stronger support from other sectors, allowing the quality of their work to grow even more. My biggest wish is to keep this experience open to everyone and to offer more inclusive activities for young people facing various challenges. There is so much best practice from these 30 years to learn from!"

Marta during her volunteering in France

Marta during her volunteering

Marta during her volunteering in France

Marta during her volunteering in France, 2001

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Jorge participated in the European Voluntary Service with Caritas ambrosiana supporting their international office.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"When I was sent as a volunteer to the Umbria’s earthquake that happened in Italy (1997). I will never forget the support (talk, listen, teach kids, etc.) we were giving to entire small villages that were severely destroyed."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"It depends on the task I was doing at that time: - At the earthquake people were even not believing that someone from Portugal was helping them. It was impactful to highlight that solidarity has no borders. - At Caritas ambrosiana, I was translating cooperation projects coming from Portuguese speaking countries in Africa and by so, giving these projects a better chance to be financed by Italian donators. - In Milan and across Europe our project became quite famous, and it was an opportunity to promote volunteering and solidarity among other youngsters, especially because this was an European Voluntary Service pilot action (so a kind of test for what would come after with EVS programme).

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"The slogan “Changing Lives, Opening Minds” completely describes the impact and growth that this EVS pilot action had in my life. I’ve discovered my true passion at work (Youth volunteering), I’ve learned so much new things about global issues (such as Fair Trade) and had a unique life-time opportunity to be myself. Today, I am a Fair Trade activist and a manager of a Youth Centre/Hostel all because I’ve done an EVS pilot action back in 1997. Simple as that!"

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Well, because it allows people to reconnect with what’s most valuable in life: the way we care about others and our planet! After so many years managing volunteering projects, it’s clear to me that each youngster turns back home after an volunteering experience with a whole new approach to life: more able to understand the world we live in, more tolerant towards diversity, more competent to deal with challenges in his personal, social and even professional life. And again, it brings hope to the local community by showing that young people can play an important role in the development of social, cultural and other needed answers."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I truly hope that we all find a way to recover the initial spirit of EVS and put volunteering and solidarity as the center of the experience. This way we can have 30 more years of youngsters changing their lives because they will be able to experience the best version of themselves."

Jorge during his volunteering

Jorge during his volunteering in Italy

Jorge in a classroom with children

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Ana Beatriz volunteered in France with 'Maison de l’Europe 47' where she helped to promote EU values, citizenship and mobility.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering was the experience I chose to find professional and personal guidance for my future. I chose a field I enjoy working in, with the perspective of understanding if it was something I would like to pursue professionally, which ultimately happened."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering is very important not only because of its impact on our community or in other countries, but also because of the impact it has on us as individuals. It is an experience in which we can face diverse realities, allowing us to gain knowledge about how other countries and cultures, different from those we encounter daily, function."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I hope that this programme, with such a significant impact on the European community, can be maintained and continue to thrive for much more than the next 30 years, as well as keep growing, integrating new countries and areas of action. In an ideal scenario, I would like it to be possible to participate in it more than once for a long duration activity, and for it to become intergenerational. 

Since it is relatively recent, it would be very interesting to allow previous generations to take part as well, for example during retirement."

Ana Beatriz presenting during her volunteering

A group of volunteers

Ana Beatriz and fellow volunteers

Ana Beatriz during her volunteering

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Andreea-Mihaela volunteered in Poland in 2022 with Regionalne Centrum Wolontariatu w Kielcach, organising workshops and activities for children and young people.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most memorable moment of my volunteering experience happened on my birthday, when my colleagues from the host organisation prepared a surprise I will never forget. I walked into the room without suspecting anything, and there they were, waiting for me with a cake, gifts, and heartfelt appreciation for the involvement and energy I had brought to the project. 

For me, it wasn’t just a surprise party — it was a profound moment in which I felt seen, valued, and truly part of a community that meant a lot to me. The warm atmosphere, their smiles, and their genuine gestures confirmed that everything I had contributed had made a real impact. And the fact that they proposed continuing our collaboration even after the project ended was the most beautiful proof that the bonds we created there were authentic and lasting. It is a memory that will stay in my heart forever."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"My involvement in the local community had a visible impact, especially through the activities I carried out with young people, children, and local institutions. Through the workshops I facilitated, I was able to bring new ideas, energy, and non-formal methods that helped participants express themselves more freely and discover confidence in their own abilities. 

The visits to schools, high schools, and universities to promote Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes opened new horizons for many young people who had no idea such opportunities were within their reach. Collaboration with cultural centers and involvement in organising events and festivals contributed to creating vibrant and accessible spaces where community members could connect more easily with one another. In the organisation’s office, I supported daily activities, helping ensure smoother communication and the effective implementation of local projects."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"My volunteering experience had a profound impact on my personal and professional development. After returning to Romania, I was employed by the organisation that had sent me to Poland, where I worked for a year and a half, gaining valuable experience in project coordination and youth support. 

Today, we continue to collaborate, and I have the opportunity to be a mentor for ESC volunteers in my hometown, Drăgășani. I have coordinated two groups of ESC volunteers within the supporting organisation in Vâlcea, and I have also supported the volunteers who came after me to Poland, sharing my experiences with them and helping them integrate and grow. 

All these roles taught me to be responsible, empathetic, and capable of managing diverse teams, while developing my communication, organisational, and leadership skills. Moreover, the volunteering experience broadened my perspective on life, showing me how important active involvement truly is."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Yes, a thousand times yes! Volunteering teaches you that every contribution matters. I believe that volunteering is an experience everyone should live at least once in their lifetime. It is a unique opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, discover new perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of the needs and realities of those around you. 

Through volunteering, you learn to be responsible, empathetic, and to work as part of a team, but above all, you discover the joy of giving without expecting anything in return. It is a way to create real impact in the community, to contribute to projects that change lives, and to build authentic connections with people from different backgrounds. 

For me, volunteering is not just about offering time or effort, but about learning, growing, and transforming both personally and professionally. It is an experience that shapes your character, opens your mind and heart, and shows you that active involvement can make the world a better place."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"On the 30th anniversary of volunteering supported by the EU, my message is simple: continue doing good, continue inspiring, and keep offering young people the opportunity to discover themselves, to learn, and to contribute to their communities. Every project, every exchange, every workshop or activity is a real chance to change lives and leave a positive mark on the world. 

For the next 30 years, I hope that volunteering will grow even more, reach even more young people, open their horizons, and teach them that active involvement and solidarity truly matter."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Geza volunteered in Greece in 2011 with Solidarity Tracks promoting the European Voluntary Service among young people.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"I should probably write about the day when I managed to convince the first young person to go on a 12-month European Voluntary Service (EVS) in Greece, because it took almost three months of effort, and after he returned from Greece, his mindset was completely changed, in a positive way. 

But honestly, there is one afternoon and evening I remember even more clearly, when one of the volunteer colleagues from Sicily (a 28-year-old man, 75% blind) prepared baked Arancini for five hours while he was on Skype with his mother — who was guiding him through the cooking — and we all ate together (all 18 volunteers from that project), because he made three trays, enough for all of us for two days..."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"The young people from the region where I was active learned about Youth in Action and EVS. I sent 5 volunteers to EVS placements and 17 young people to Youth in Action exchanges and trainings."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Once I returned to Romania in September 2012, I began implementing projects in the Youth Association from Ardeal — the NGO I founded that September — based in Cristuru Secuiesc, Harghita. I used the experience I gained during EVS in writing and managing TiA, Erasmus+ and ESC projects. 

Through this association, we have hosted more than 200 volunteers and sent over 225 volunteers to Europe and Africa, of whom more than 100 are from the region. I have implemented over 45 mobilities involving nearly 2,000 young people, and sent almost 500 young people and youth workers to more than 100 mobilities in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. I have also created more than 30 strategic partnerships, 6 of which coordinated by us. The themes addressed by the association’s projects are entrepreneurship, sustainability, and active participation."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering in the European Voluntary Service and European Solidarity Corps context is important because it usually offers young people their first real experience of responsibility, solidarity, and interculturality. It creates deep personal transformation while at the same time generating concrete changes within communities."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I hope that the EU will continue to fund this type of project for at least another 30 years, and that new generations of young people will remain interested in taking part in them."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026