Do you love animals, nature, and rural life? Join AEPGA โ Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys in Atenor, Portugal for the HumAnEn: Human-Animal-Environment Connections 4 Future project โ and help care for more than 100 donkeys in the heart of northeastern Portugal!
This is your chance to live in a quiet rural village, work closely with animals, and contribute to conservation, education, and cultural heritage in a peaceful, welcoming environment.
Curious about ESC? Read the complete guide: ESC complete guide
๐ฏ About the Project
AEPGA operates in a rural area of northeastern Portugal, caring for more than 100 donkeys and supporting donkeys owned by local communities. As a volunteer, you'll participate in the association's daily activities focused on donkey welfare and facility maintenance.
You'll also help with educational and recreational activities organised by AEPGA to promote animal welfare, environmental awareness, and the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the region โ offering chances to interact with local communities and visitors while contributing to meaningful conservation and outreach work.
๐ Your Activities
๐ซ Feeding and cleaning the donkeys
๐ฟ Environmental enrichment for the animals
๐ง Basic behavioral training
๐ฉบ Assisting with health treatments
๐ณ Maintaining green spaces and infrastructure
๐ Supporting educational and recreational activities
๐ค Interacting with local communities and visitors
๐ฑ Contributing to conservation and outreach work
๐ Accommodation, Food & Transport
๐ก A fully equipped house in the village of one of AEPGA's centres
๐ป The village has a local bar
๐ Grocery stores in nearby villages and cities, about 10โ20 minutes by car
๐ Transport guaranteed by AEPGA for work trips, essential purchases, or special needs
๐ถ Monthly pocket money provided
โ๏ธ Travel costs reimbursed per ESC distance calculator
๐ Training
๐ Theoretical introduction to tasks and environment during the first days
๐ ๏ธ Intensive initial training during the first month, then gradual autonomy
๐ก Room to deepen your knowledge in your areas of interest
๐ฃ๏ธ Encouragement and help with language skills through practice
๐ Participant Profile
โ Proactive, engaged, curious, and willing to learn
โ Comfortable working with animals
โ Likes being in direct contact with nature and living in a rural environment
โ Doesn't mind doing physical work
๐ Priority for young people with fewer opportunities (discrimination, geographical, health, economic, cultural, social, or educational barriers)
๐ Activity Topics
๐ฟ Environment and natural protection
๐บ๏ธ Eligible Countries
๐ง๐ช Belgium ยท ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark ยท ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland ยท ๐ซ๐ท France ยท ๐ฉ๐ช Germany ยท ๐ฌ๐ท Greece ยท ๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland ยท ๐ฎ๐ช Ireland ยท ๐ฎ๐น Italy ยท ๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands ยท ๐ต๐ฑ Poland ยท ๐ต๐น Portugal ยท ๐ช๐ธ Spain ยท ๐ธ๐ช Sweden ยท ๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine
๐ Activity Details
Location: Largo da Igreja 48, Atenor, Portugal
Dates: 15 July 2026 โ 15 September 2026 (16 weeks)
Activity type: Individual volunteering
Project code: 2026-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000402282
๐ Deadline
30 June 2026
๐ Apply
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/52389_en
๏ปฟโ๏ธ How to write a motivation letter for ESC volunteering that actually gets read โ and remembered.A motivation letter is often the single most important part of your ESC application, yet most people write them too generically or too formally to make an impact. This guide walks you through what to include, what to leave out, how to structure your letter, and how to express genuine motivation without sounding like everyone else. Whether you're writing your first letter or rewriting one that didn't work, this is the guide you need. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/6061/
๐ค What is a supporting organisation in ESC volunteering โ and why does it matter for you? Most people know about sending and hosting organisations in ESC projects, but the role of the supporting organisation is far less understood โ and far more important than it appears. This article clearly explains what a supporting organisation does, how it fits into the structure of an ESC project, and how its involvement directly affects the volunteer's experience and support throughout the programme. A must-read if you want to fully understand how ESC is structured. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/6051/
๐ก What do organisations actually look for in an ESC volunteer? Getting selected for an ESC volunteering project isn't just about ticking boxes โ it's about showing the right combination of values, attitude, and genuine motivation. This article digs into the skills and personal qualities that make a real difference during the selection process, and explains why some candidates stand out while others don't. If you want to understand what a strong volunteer profile looks like before you apply, this is essential reading. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/13941/
๐บ๏ธ Which countries can apply for Erasmus+ and ESC? โ The complete and up-to-date country list. A lot of people assume Erasmus+ and ESC are only available to European Union member states โ but the reality is much more inclusive. Programme countries, partner countries, and special eligibility rules mean that young people from far more places can participate than most realise. This article provides the full, up-to-date list of eligible countries for both Erasmus+ and ESC, with clear explanations of what each status means for applicants. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/15124/
โ ๏ธ Important Notice
1๏ธโฃ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the source.
2๏ธโฃ No Affiliation
YouthWorks Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the projects listed. All applications must be submitted directly to the project coordinator or hosting organisation through the original link, email, etc.
3๏ธโฃ Content May Change
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy and details of the opportunity. Deadlines, eligible countries, activity dates, and other details may change, or the announcement may be withdrawn entirely, at any time after publication. Always check the original link before applying.
4๏ธโฃ Funding
All funding, travel reimbursements, and allowances are determined and provided by the project coordinator or National Agency. YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any payments or financial matters.
5๏ธโฃ External Links
Listings may contain links to third-party websites, forms, or documents (e.g. the ESC Portal, infopacks, application forms). YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or security of these external sources.
๐ก Final Note: All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
