European Solidarity Corps
Volunteering Program

Volunteering is when an individual contributes their labour for the benefit of society without any financial expectations. This concept, which is a natural continuation of the culture of solidarity that has persisted for generations, helps people contribute to their communities while also helping them discover themselves, gain a sense of responsibility, and evaluate life from a broader perspective.

Volunteering activities carried out under the ESC umbrella may not provide the volunteer with direct income; however, working with others towards a common goal offers a powerful learning process in personal, social, cultural and professional terms. Young people's communication skills improve, their foreign language skills strengthen, their self-confidence increases, and they have the opportunity to interact with different cultures. The experiences gained during this process also make a tangible contribution to future education and career steps.

Any young person aged 18–30 can participate in ESC volunteering projects by contributing to the daily activities of an organisation working for the benefit of society. There are three main ways to participate in the programme:

1. Short-Term Individual Volunteering
• Duration: 14–59 days (excluding travel days)
• Generally suitable for young people seeking their first experience.
• Learning outcomes are intensive and short-term.

2. Long-Term Individual Volunteering
• Duration: 60–366 days (excluding travel days)
• Enables volunteers to establish deeper connections with the community and the organisation.
• Weekly activity time should be between 30–38 hours, according to the ESC guide.

3. Volunteering Teams
• Covers international short-term team projects lasting 2–8 weeks.
• Offers a dynamic structure where young people from different countries come together for a common purpose.

These three options give young people the opportunity to share their own cultures and contribute to the strong tradition of solidarity in Europe.

An ESC volunteering project consists of four main stages. Each of these processes ensures that the long-standing tradition of volunteering in Europe continues in an orderly, safe and learning-focused manner. Throughout all stages, an organisation holding the Quality Label guides you, provides support, and is responsible for ensuring the process runs smoothly.

Stage 1: Planning
This stage lays the foundation for the process.
Planning aims to clarify what the volunteer will learn, which tasks they will participate in, and how daily responsibilities will be handled.

In this stage:
• The task description is prepared in detail (an ambiguous task description is unacceptable).
• The organisation clearly defines which skills the volunteer will acquire.
• The weekly working hours are planned to be between 30 and 38 hours.
• The organisation clearly communicates the volunteer's rights, days off, and safety procedures.
• An Activity Agreement is drawn up between the volunteer and the organisation.

Important: Volunteers cannot take on the duties of employees; volunteering activities must be of a supportive nature.

2. Preparation Phase
The preparation period includes the necessary steps to ensure the smooth start of the project. This phase is detailed in the ESC guide.

During this phase, the volunteer:
• Receives support in preparing travel documents (visa, insurance, residence permit).
• Learns details about accommodation, transport and living conditions.
• Is informed about safety, job description and internal rules.
• Is assigned a mentor. • Is directed to the OLS language platform if language support is needed.

The organisation's responsibilities at this stage:
• Arrange safe accommodation for the volunteer
• Plan the first day orientation
• Assign a mentor
• Prepare the volunteer on local culture, risks and daily life

Important: Participation in On-arrival Training (provided by the National Agency of the host country) is mandatory, if applicable.

3. Implementation Phase
This phase is the core of the volunteering experience. While carrying out their duties, volunteers are also an active part of the learning process.

During this phase:
• The volunteer carries out their planned tasks for 30–38 hours per week.
• They are entitled to 2 days off per week and 2 days of annual leave per month.
• The mentor provides regular support to the volunteer.
• The organisation is responsible for ensuring the volunteer's safety and physical/psychological well-being.
• The volunteer actively participates in cultural interaction, social participation and social learning processes.
• Long-term volunteers attend the Mid-term Evaluation meeting organised as part of the programme.

Important: Volunteers cannot be asked to cover for internal staff shortages or to take on professional responsibilities.

4. Follow-up (Evaluation) Stage
This stage is necessary to ensure the volunteering process is completed successfully and that the experience gained is documented.

In this phase:
• The volunteer evaluates their project experience.
• The organisation and volunteer hold a closing meeting together.
• Lessons learned and skills developed are recorded.
• A Youthpass certificate is prepared and delivered to the volunteer. • The organisation submits a final report to the National Agency.

Important: Failure to issue a Youthpass constitutes a breach of the guidelines.

There are clear and unchanging rules established for every young person wishing to participate in the European Solidarity Programme. These rules form the basis of the programme's long-standing, regular, safe and fair structure. To participate in ESC, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Age Requirement
• You must be at least 18 years old on the day the activity begins,
• and no older than 30 years old.

Important: You can register on the ESC Portal from the age of 17, but you must be at least 18 years old to start the activity.

2. Legal Residence Requirement
You can participate in the programme if you are in one of the following situations:
• You are legally resident in one of the ESC programme countries,
• Or you are resident in a third country covered by the European Solidarity Programme and you are applying through an organisation supported by the National Agency in that country.

Important: Tourist visas, short-term visits or temporary travel status do not constitute valid residence for ESC volunteering activities.

3. ESC Portal Registration
• Registration on the ESC Portal is mandatory to participate in the programme. • Your profile information must be up-to-date, accurate and preferably in English.

Important: Volunteers who are not registered on the portal cannot start any activities.

4. Working with an Eligible Organisation

Each volunteer:
• Must work with a host organisation holding the Quality Label – Host Role,
• And, if necessary, with a sending organisation holding the Quality Label – Support Role.

Important: Organisations without a Quality Label cannot run projects.

1. Preparing your Europass CV
The first step when applying for ESC projects is to prepare a well-organised and clear CV. The Europass format is preferred as it is widely used across Europe and presents the volunteer's educational background, experience and skills in a standardised format.
You can easily create your CV via the link below:
https://europa.eu/europass/en

2. Writing a Motivation Letter
In volunteering projects, the motivation letter is crucial for expressing yourself accurately. Your CV shows your experience; the motivation letter introduces you. The letter should explain who you are, your education, your current life, your interests, and your motivation for volunteering. It should also include your previous volunteering experiences, your social contributions, and your expectations from this programme.

In the last section, you are expected to give clear answers to two questions:
• Why do I want to participate in this programme?
• What can I contribute to this programme?

Points to note:
• Do not send the same letter to all projects.
• Prepare the letter in the project language (usually English), not in Turkish.
• Do not make the text unnecessarily long; one page is sufficient.
• Be sure to check both your CV and your letter before sending them.

3. Finding a Sending Organisation
The role of the sending organisation in ESC volunteering projects is very important both during the preparation process and throughout the activity. The sending organisation guides you through documentation, insurance processes, training, and personal support. Mozaik Association can be your sending organisation; however, if there are other organisations in your city that hold the Quality Label – Support Role, you may also work with them.
You can access the list of suitable organisations here: https://youth.europa.eu/volunteering/organisations_en

4. Finding a Project
There are two ways to find a project.

First way: Apply for opportunities opened through our existing collaborations or partner organisations. There is no requirement for a green passport in these projects. However, the process may be short due to activity dates or country conditions; therefore, preparation must be well planned.

Second way: Apply directly to projects in the ESC section by creating a profile on the European Youth Portal. The portal is an official database containing hundreds of projects. When your profile is found suitable, organisations may also contact you.
Portal link: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en

Important: Whichever method you choose, you must register on the Portal.

5. Preparation and Training Process for Going Abroad
Once you are accepted for a project, you will participate in a pre-departure training process provided by your national agency before starting the activity. This training may be online or face-to-face and covers the basic responsibilities, safety issues and cultural preparation you need to be aware of during your volunteering process. After this stage, your volunteering journey officially begins with the orientation planned by your host organisation.

The procedure for applying to the European Solidarity Programme is clear and has been applied in the same way for many years. The process consists of four basic steps:

1. Register on the ESC Portal
The first and mandatory step of the application is to register on the ESC Portal via the European Youth Portal:
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en

This platform is the official system that brings volunteers and organisations together. Once you have created your profile, you can view projects that match your interests, skills and goals, apply for them, or allow organisations to contact you.

Important: No volunteering activity can be initiated without registering on the portal.

2. Strengthen your profile
• A profile written in English or the project language
• An up-to-date Europass CV
• A short but effective motivation letter

These steps play a decisive role in the project evaluation process.

3. Contact Suitable Organisations
Quality Label-holding organisations reach out to volunteers when they launch projects, or volunteers can apply directly to these organisations.
Young people with fewer opportunities can seek guidance from organisations that play a support role in the application process.

Important: If the sending or host organisation does not have a Quality Label, the process will not proceed.

4. Apply for the Project and Follow the Process
After your application is evaluated, the organisation will contact you. If you are deemed suitable, an activity agreement will be prepared and the preparation phase will begin.

This issue is explained with clear limits in the ESC 2025 guide. The rules are as follows:

1. Clear Limit for Individual Volunteering:
A young person can do a total of 12 months of individual volunteering in ESC. This period is for life and cannot be changed.

Situations:
• If you have previously done a short term (14–59 days) →
Remaining period: Calculated by subtracting the short term period from 12 months.

Example:
You completed a 40-day short-term placement → 12 months = 365 days
365 - 40 = You can volunteer for 325 more days.
• If you have previously completed a long-term placement → you cannot do another long-term placement (maximum limit is 12 months).

Important: The 12-month limit cannot be exceeded. There are no exceptions. (Source: ESC Guide 2025)

2. No Limit on Volunteering Teams:
A young person can participate in volunteering team projects more than once.
These activities are not deducted from the 12-month individual volunteering quota.

Important: It is not possible to participate in the same team project twice, but unlimited participation in different team projects is possible.

3. You cannot participate in more than one project at the same time
A volunteer cannot participate in two ESC projects during the same period.

1. Travel Support
ESC supports the volunteer's return journey from their place of residence to the city where the activity takes place. This support is not based on actual invoices but on fixed unit costs determined by calculating the distance between the two points. The distance bands defined in the guide are applied; therefore, a fair and standard financial structure is provided for everyone. The travel plan is communicated to the volunteer in advance, and in the event of a budget overrun, only the excess amount may be covered by the volunteer.

2. Pocket Money
Each volunteer receives a daily pocket money allowance during the activity period. This amount is based on the official daily unit costs determined for the country of activity and supports the volunteer's personal expenses. Pocket money is the volunteer's right; it cannot be deducted or replaced by another budget item.

3. Meal Support
The programme provides daily meal support to meet the volunteer's food needs. This support, determined by unit costs that vary from country to country, may be paid directly to volunteers or provided as a meal service by the host organisation. If the organisation undertakes to provide meals, the budget is transferred to the organisation rather than the volunteer.

4. Language Learning Support
Language learning support is provided to help volunteers adapt to the language of the activity. This support is mostly provided through the ESC's free Online Language Support (OLS) system; additional materials or supplementary training may also be funded from the budget when necessary. The aim of language support is to help the volunteer adapt more easily to the cultural and social environment.

There are some key points you should be aware of before joining an ESC volunteering project. These points form the framework that ensures the volunteering culture established in Europe over many years operates safely, smoothly and equally for everyone.

Improving your basic language skills before you start volunteering will help you express yourself more comfortably in both daily life and your tasks. To this end, ESC offers you free online language support through the Online Language Support (OLS) system; if necessary, the host or sending organisation can also provide additional guidance. Upon completion of the volunteering activity, a Youthpass certificate documenting the competences you have acquired throughout the process will be issued and delivered to you. No fees may be charged to participants under any circumstances within the scope of the programme. No fees may be charged for registration, application, counselling, or similar procedures; such a request constitutes a breach of the guidelines and will be subject to complaint. However, fees for items such as visas, travel, or accommodation are not covered. No fees are payable for registration, application, counselling or similar procedures; any such request constitutes a breach of the guidelines and will be subject to complaint. However, if expenses such as visa, travel or accommodation exceed the unit costs specified by the programme, only the excess amount may be covered by the participant, as per the guidelines. Organisations are obliged to clearly state these budget limits from the outset.

For cross-border volunteering, all participants are automatically registered for the European Solidarity Corps insurance provided through Henner. This insurance covers health, accident, emergency, liability and supplementary cover areas that may be required during the activity. The insurance is valid for the duration of the activity and for a specified additional period after return. Organisations are also obliged to provide safe accommodation, mentoring, a working environment, crisis management information and all necessary administrative support.

ESC volunteering is not a professional job or internship; it is a solidarity activity carried out for the benefit of society, with a strong educational and learning dimension. Therefore, the placement of volunteers to fill labour shortages or to replace professional staff is explicitly prohibited in the guidelines.