🇧🇬 ESC Volunteering in Bulgaria 🌻 ZEMLYA: Building Inclusive Communities and Supporting Ukrainian Youth 🤝

Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria need more than temporary shelter — they need pathways to employment, social connection, and genuine inclusion. ZEMLYA is an ESC Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas project that brings together young people from across Europe — at least half with Ukrainian background — to co-create practical solutionsfor exactly this challenge. If you’re motivated, open-minded, and ready to contribute to something that actually matters, this is the project for you.

🏢 About the Project

ZEMLYA is organised by Foundation Situation Center Open Doors (FSCOD) in Bulgaria. The project works in an international team of 16 participants, exploring topics such as employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion— developing ideas that respond to real community needs of displaced Ukrainian youth. A key output of the project is contributing to a Library of Sustainable Inclusion — a growing collection of good practices shared with organisations across Europe.

🎯 The Role

Volunteers will engage in workshops, community activities, and collaborative projects alongside peers with and without Ukrainian background. The work combines hands-on learning with storytelling, documentation, and peer exchange — building both practical skills and lasting community impact.

📋 What You’ll Do

🤝 Engage in workshops and community activities focused on social inclusion and refugee integration

💡 Develop practical ideas and solutions responding to real needs of displaced Ukrainian youth

📖 Contribute to documenting good practices and storytelling for the Library of Sustainable Inclusion

📸 Develop skills in photo, video, and social media to share the project’s impact

🌍 Work in a multicultural international team with at least half participants from Ukraine

🗣️ Participate in team-building, facilitation, and reflection sessions

🎁 What the Project Provides

🏠 Shared accommodation near FSCOD headquarters — shared rooms, kitchen, and bathroom facilities

🍽️ Food provided through a weekly group budget for shopping and cooking together, complemented by meals from a partner restaurant

💶 €7 per day pocket money

🚌 Local transport covered throughout the project

✈️ Travel costs reimbursed according to ESC distance bands

📜 Youthpass certificate provided

👤 Who Should Apply

ZEMLYA is looking for motivated young people aged 18–30 (not older than 31 at the start of the activity) who:

🌍 Are legally residing in ESC countries and can stay in Bulgaria without a visa for up to 30 days

❤️ Have a genuine interest in social inclusion, community work, and teamwork

🎭 Have experience in facilitating activities, organising workshops, or skills in media, storytelling, or communication — an asset but not required

⏱️ Have not exceeded 11 months of previous ESC volunteering

No specific background is required — curiosity, openness, and motivation are what matter most.

🔎 New to ESC volunteering? Everything you need to know about how the programme works is right here: https://youthworkshub.org/15101/

🌍 Eligible Countries

🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇾 Cyprus 🇨🇿 Czechia 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇪🇪 Estonia 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇷 Greece 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇲🇩 Moldova 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇷🇴 Romania 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇮 Slovenia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇦 Ukraine

📅 Activity Dates

🗓️ 4 May 2026 — 2 June 2026

📍 Sofia, Bulgaria

⏰ Deadline

26 April 2026

🔗 Link

https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/51132_en

✋Important Notice

Youth Works Hub does not represent or act on behalf of any organization listed on this platform. All project details are sourced directly from official ESC and Erasmus+ databases. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official project page or contact the hosting organization directly. Youth Works Hub is not responsible for any changes made to project details after publication.