The European Solidarity Corps is the EU's funding programme for volunteering and promoting solidarity.

Aims & Objectives

The European Solidarity Corps aims to:

1. Empower young people to participate positively in their world: The programme aims to provide young people, including young people with fewer opportunities, with easily accessible opportunities to take part in solidarity activities that bring about positive societal changes in the European Union and beyond.
2. ‍Build an inclusive and democratic Europe: The programme aims to support young people and organisations across Europe and to strengthen cohesion, solidarity, democracy, European identity and active citizenship in the Europe Union and beyond.
3. ‍Promote sustainable development through projects at grassroots level: European Solidarity Corps projects are about addressing societal challenges on the ground, with a particular focus on the promotion of sustainable development, social inclusion and equal opportunities.

The European Solidarity Corp’s priorities are:  

• Inclusion and Diversity
• Environmental Protection and Climate Action
• Digital Transformation
• Participation in Democratic Life
• Health Promotion and Support
• Connecting EU and Youth

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What does it support? 

The European Solidarity Corps supports young people aged 18 to 30 to address needs in their community or abroad by taking part in activities across Europe.

Young people can volunteer or develop solidarity projects that benefit their communities at local, regional or European levels.

Projects are funded under 'Volunteering Projects' and 'Solidarity Projects'.

• Volunteering Projects are projects where young people are sent by an accredited organisation to volunteer in another European country to exchange ideas, learn, connect and grow. Volunteering may take place in Ireland or abroad. Funding is available for ‘Individual Volunteering Projects’, ‘Volunteering Teams Projects’ or ‘Preparatory Visits.
• ‍Solidarity Projects are organised by groups of young people who want to make a positive difference at national or international level.

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Who can apply?

Any public or private body may apply for funding.

In order to take part in the European Solidarity Corps, organisations need to obtain a quality label, which certifies that they carry out high quality solidarity activities in compliance with the principles, objectives and requirements of the programme. Visit the European Solidarity Corps site for more information about the Quality Label.‍

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Why the EU funds European solidarity and volunteering

Read more about EU policy on the topic of Education, training, youth and sport.

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Budget

€1,1 billion over 7 years.

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Project Examples

• ‍My Experience as a European Solidarity Corps Volunteer: Laurita Maher-Bordalo
• ‍Amina Moustafa: The Evolution of the Erasmus+ Experience
• ‍Detached Youth Support - Supporting Young People in Time of Covid-19
• ‍More impact stories of the European Solidarity Corps

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National Contact Point in Ireland

Léargas is the National Agency for the European Solidarity Corps in Ireland and they hold a range of online application workshops and information sessions. Keep an eye on their Event Calendar or sign up to their newsletters for details.

Contact Suzanne Kavanagh at kavanagh@leargas.ie or Noeleen O'Callaghan at nocallaghan@leargas.ie for more information.

Website: www.leargas.ie

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Open Calls

Find open calls for European Solidarity Corps.

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Want to find out more?

The Léargas website provides a good overview of the European Solidarity Corps

European Solidarity Corps website

European Solidarity Corps Factsheet

European Solidarity Corps Leaflet