Opportunities within European Solidarity Corps

1. What is the European Solidarity Corps?

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 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.

2. Types of activities within European Solidarity Corps

The following activities are open for organisations and young people from Western Balkans:

• Individual volunteering (including short-term and long-term volunteering)
• Volunteering teams
• Volunteering teams in high priority areas (centralised action, managed by EACEA).

Organizations from Western Balkans can also take part in Humanitarian Aid related Solidarity Activities - “Volunteering under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (Humanitarian aid Volunteering)”. They are able to host humanitarian aid volunteers, provided that they hold Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid (centralised action, managed by EACEA).

3. Which deadlines in 2024?

• for volunteering projects:

Organizations from Western Balkans are able to get to hosting and sending volunteering projects by being partners in projects, applied by their lead project partner (from an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme).

Applicants have to submit their grant applications by the following dates:

• § 20 February 2024 at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for volunteering projects; projects starting between 1 June and 31 December of the same year;
• § 8 February 2024 at 17.00 (Brussels time) (for Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas)
• § (Optional round*) 1 October 2024 at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for volunteering projects; for projects starting between 1 January and 31 May of the following year.

*National Agencies may organise two selection rounds by setting both deadlines as above or only the first one. This information will be published on the site of each National Agency.

• for Humanitarian Aid related Solidarity Activities:

Proposals must be submitted by 16 April 2024 at 17.00 (Brussels time) via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Eligible applicants are organisations from “EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme”, holding a valid Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid volunteering at the application deadline and for the entire duration of the project. Organisations from Western Balkans holding a Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering can be project partners.

For further details, please read the Programme guide on the European Solidarity Corps web page.