ESC – European Solidarity Corps – 2021-2027

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) replaces the European Voluntary Service, the EU volunteering programme, with an increased focus on social issues. The programme is required to be consistent and complementary with other EU policies, in particular with the EU youth strategy and with Erasmus+. The European Solidarity Corps offers young people between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity to take part in a wide range of solidarity activities across the EU.

Objectives

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.

Structure

The Programme sets up the following two strands of actions:

• The ‘participation of young people in solidarity activities’ strand
• The ‘participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities’ strand (the ‘European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps’)

Priority

To provide young people, including young people with fewer opportunities, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities that induce positive societal changes in the Union and beyond, while improving and properly validating their competences, as well as facilitating their continuous engagement as active citizens.

Financed actions

• Volunteering
• Solidarity projects
• Networking activities
• Quality and support measures

The Programme shall support solidarity activities which present a clear European added value, for example through their:

• Transnational character, particularly with regard to learning mobility and cooperation
• Ability to complement other programmes and policies at local, regional, national, Union and international level
• European dimension regarding their themes and aims, approaches, expected outcomes and other aspects of those solidarity activities
• Approach to involving young people from different backgrounds
• Contribution to the effective use of Union transparency and recognition tools