European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps funding is provided in the form of grants to organisations, issued through a call for proposals. Young people wishing to engage in such activities need to register in the European Solidarity Corps portal. The European Solidarity Corps portal offers a place for those young people and organisations, holding a grant, to implement activities and to find each other.

The European Solidarity Corps can support:

Volunteering strand

Volunteering activities:

• Individual
• ​In teams
• Volunteering teams in high-priority areas.

European Solidarity Corps funding for volunteering projects helps organisations broaden their impact by hosting volunteers or sending volunteers abroad. These projects give young people an opportunity to take part in organisations’ day-to-day activities – potentially a very enriching experience for volunteers and organisations alike. Volunteering projects are the most common type of project. Organisations taking part must hold an appropriate Quality Label (or Erasmus+ volunteering accreditation). They can apply for a European Solidarity Corps grant to cover:

• Individual volunteering (2-12 months, or, in some cases, 2 weeks to 2 months)
• Team volunteering (2 weeks to 2 months, 10-40 participants).

Volunteering teams in high-priority areas: This area of work is managed centrally by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It involves funding fairly large projects carried out by teams of volunteers focusing on thematic priorities defined each year at EU level.

Solidarity Projects
Solidarity Projects offer a way for young people with initiative to run their own project in their home country. The conditions are straightforward:

• At least 5 young people must be involved
• The project should last 2-12 months
• All participants must be registered in the European Solidarity Corps’ portal
• The project can be full-time or part-time.

Quality Label:

The European Solidarity Corps Quality Label certifies that an organisation taking part in the Corps is able to provide the necessary conditions for young people to take part in solidarity activities. The participating organisation must comply with the principles of the European Solidarity Corps​  and live up to the high quality standards set out in the Guide. The Quality Label gives an applicant organisation access to the European Solidarity Corps funding opportunities and a pool of motivated young people. Although you must have the label to be able to apply for funding, it doesn’t automatically guarantee funding. An organisation can apply for a Quality Label for volunteering – supporting and/or host role.

Note that a Quality Label is not needed ​for Solidarity Projects if your organisation has a valid Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service accreditation. In that case it is already eligible to apply for funding and has automatic access to the Organisation Portal.

The European Solidarity Corps Guide

The Guide will tell you everything you want to know about the Programme. It is an integral part of the call for proposals. If your organisation is applying for funding, it must abide by the conditions for participation and funding set out in the Guide.

For current Open Calls, please visit this page.

Download Programme