🇵🇱 ESC Volunteering in Poland 🌱 Intergenerational Connection, Gardening & Cultural Exchange at Bridging Generations 👵

Two weeks, 13 young volunteers from across Europe, and a local elderly community waiting to share stories, recipes, and a social garden. This ESC team project in Poland is built around one of the most human things there is — genuine connection across generations.

Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu is hosting Bridging Generations — a group ESC volunteering project that brings together young people aged 18 to 30 with elderly community members through gardening, cooking, craft workshops, cultural exchange, and visits to a day care centre. The project runs from 6 to 19 July 2026 and is designed to break stereotypes, build friendships, and create a stronger sense of community where all generations are genuinely valued.

What Is This Role About?

This project is about doing something simple but rare: actually spending time with people from a completely different generation, learning from each other, and building something together. Activities are practical, social, and creative — and the impact on both volunteers and the local elderly community is real. If you want to see what a previous edition looked like, the team’s website gives you a good picture: https://koi.umk.pl/pages/Projekty/?lang=en

Activities

🌿 Working in a social garden alongside local elderly community members

🍳 Sharing traditional recipes and cooking together

🎨 Participating in craft workshops and creative sessions

🏥 Visits to a day care centre to engage directly with local seniors

💻 Exchanging digital and life skills across generations

🎉 Hosting a community event for the local neighbourhood

🌍 Cultural exchange — sharing your own background, traditions, and perspective

Who Should Apply?

The profile for this project is genuinely open — what matters is attitude, not background.

🔹 Age: 18 to 30 years old

🔹 Open-minded and motivated — excited to grow, connect, and make a difference

🔹 No specific experience required — curiosity, respect, and a willingness to learn are enough

🔹 Ready to work collaboratively within a diverse group from across Europe

🔹 Values equality, respect, tolerance, and confidentiality in community work

🔹 Willing to share your own skills and discover new ones along the way

🔹 Committed to the full two-week duration of the project

Training & Support

The preparation for this project starts before you even arrive.

💻 Online training before departure — covering the European Solidarity Corps, the project vibe, and all essentials

🎓 Interactive workshops on volunteering, social impact, and cultural differences

🤝 Special sessions to help you actively prepare and co-create the activities you will carry out with local seniors

👤 One-to-one support available throughout to help you feel confident and inspired

💬 New to ESC volunteering and not sure how group projects work or how to apply? This complete guide covers everything you need before taking the next step: https://youthworkshub.org/15101/

Accommodation, Food & Transport

The practical setup is comfortable and well-organised.

🏨 University dormitory 200 metres from the daily meeting point — single or double rooms, fully furnished

🏋️ Shared facilities: kitchens, laundry, gym, TV room, and 24/7 reception

🌳 Campus is green and relaxed, 3 km from the city centre

🚲 Access to public transport, bikes, and scooters

☕ Snacks, coffee, and tea available at the Copernican Integration Centre

💶 Pocket money provided — volunteers plan their own meals with project funds

♿ Special needs supported by the organising team

Activity Details

📅 Activity Period: 06 July 2026 – 19 July 2026

📍 Location: Gagarina 11, Poland

👤 Activity Type: Volunteering Teams

🏷️ Project Code: 2024-2-PL01-ESC51-VTJ-000287836

Deadline

⏰ 05 May 2026

Eligible Countries

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

Official Project Page

🔗 https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/51280_en

✋Important Notice

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