Information for organisations
The European Solidarity Corps aims to foster solidarity in European society, engaging young people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities. It is a way for your organisation to address societal challenges and to give young people the opportunity to learn and develop their potential. On the other hand, young people can bring fresh and inspiring ideas to your organisation.
European Solidarity Corps support:
- volunteering
- jobs and traineeships
- solidarity projects.
Volunteering
Volunteering projects are the most common type of project, the format which allows the applicant organisations to apply for a European Solidarity Corps grant in order to implement either individual volunteering (2-12 months or in some cases from 2 weeks to 2 months) or volunteering teams (2 weeks to 2 months, 10-40 participants).
Organisations taking part need to hold a valid Quality Label (or Erasmus+ volunteering accreditation).
For cross-border individual volunteering activities, a minimum of two organisations need to be involved. They should cover the following roles:
- A host role that covers the full range of activities related to hosting a participant, including the development of a programme of activities and guidance
- A supporting role that entails supporting, preparing and training participants before departure and mediation between them and their host organisation
For in-country individual volunteering, one organisation holding a Quality label for a host role is enough. For volunteering teams, the minimal requirement is to have one organisation regardless of the role it is accredited for.
Organisations applying for volunteering activities can expect the following costs to be covered by the grant: contribution to travel costs of participants, project management costs (e.g. planning, finances, coordination), activity costs (e.g. preparation, monitoring and support of participants), inclusion support, contribution to additional personal expenses for participants, linguistic support, exceptional and complementary activity costs.
Traineeships and jobs
A European Solidarity Corps traineeship is a period of work practice of between 2 to 6 months renewable once. It should be remunerated by the organisation providing the traineeship.
A European Solidarity Corps job is a solidarity activity of a minimum duration of 3 months that is paid by the participating organisation employing the participant.
Traineeships and jobs can be cross-border or in-country. There is no minimum requirement regarding the number of organisations involved in a project, but the organisation should hold a valid Quality Label.
Organisations applying for jobs and traineeships can expect the following costs to be covered by the grant: contribution to travel costs of participants, project management costs (e. g. planning, finances, coordination, administrative costs), activity costs linked to implementation to activities (e. g. preparation, monitoring and support of participants), inclusion support, relocation allowance, linguistic support, exceptional and complementary activity costs.
Solidarity projects
Solidarity projects are initiated, developed and implemented by young people themselves. They can seek for support from an organisation that may apply on their behalf for a grand under the Corps. The role of the organisation should be mainly administrative, to support the group in the project life-cycle administrative and financial tasks. However, it can also offer support and guidance in identifying and documenting learning outcomes.
Quality Label
In order to participate in the European Solidarity Corps, volunteering, traineeship and job activities, organisations should obtain a Quality Label. A Quality Label ensures compliance with the principles and objectives of the European Solidarity Corps. Organisations apply for a Quality Label to the National Agency of their country or regional SALTOs in case of Partner Countries. Applications for Quality Label can be submitted on a continuous basis.
Organisations from Partner Countries outside the EU and holding a Quality Label can participate in volunteering activities as partners. For further information on eligible Participating and Partner Countries and eligibility criteria, please refer to the European Solidarity Corps Guide available on https://ec.europa.eu/youth/solidarity-corps.
Please note that organisations with a valid European Voluntary Service accreditation can participate in volunteering activities without holding a Quality Label.
8 steps to navigate your way through the European Solidarity Corps:
1. Get your Organisation ID number: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/organisation-registration/screen/home
2. Obtain your Quality Label: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/web-esc/screen/home
3. Develop your project (including finding your partners and identifying potential participants)
4. Apply for grant: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/web-esc/screen/home
5. Receive a grant decision and match participants on the Solidarity Corps portal
6. Start your project
7. Implement project activities
8. Close your project
Is my organisation eligible?
Any public or private organisation from a European Union Member State holding a Quality Label can submit applications for funding within set deadlines for volunteering, traineeships and jobs. Moreover, groups of young people registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal may apply for solidarity project funding.
Volunteering activities are also open to applicant organistation from Turkey, North Macedonia and Iceland.
Organisations from the following partner countries can participate in volunteering activities as partners:
- Liechtenstein, Norway
- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
- Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia
- Russian Federation
Jobs and traineeships are open to organisations from the EU Member States.
Calls for proposals
The 2020 European Solidarity Corps call for project proposals is published.
The call will fund Volunteering Projects, Volunteering Partnerships, Traineeships and Jobs, Solidarity Projects and Volunteering Teams in high priority areas.
-> Applications for funding for Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas should be addressed via online forms to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
-> Applications regarding the other actions should be submitted via online forms to the National Agency of the country in which the applicant organisation is established.
Eligible organisations and groups of young people should submit their applications by the following deadlines:
|
Action |
Deadline |
Where to apply |
|
Volunteering Partnerships |
7 May 2020 |
National Agency |
|
Volunteering Projects |
5 February 2020 7 May 2020 1 October 2020 |
National Agency |
|
Volunteering Teams in high priority areas |
17 September 2020 |
EACEA |
|
Traineeships and Jobs |
5 February 2020 7 May 2020 1 October 2020 |
National Agency |
|
Solidarity Projects |
5 February 2020 7 May 2020 1 October 2020 |
National Agency |
For further details, please refer to the 2020 European Solidarity Corps Guide. The application forms and the European Solidarity Corps Guide are also available on https://ec.europa.eu/youth/solidarity-corps.