Initiative Solidarische Welt Ilmenau - ISWI e.V.
Ilmenau, Germany
⭐️ Activity Title
ISWI 2026-27 Volunteering Project
📋 Everything you need to know about applying for ESC volunteering — all in one place. The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is one of the most life-changing opportunities available to young people across Europe, yet many applicants walk in without a clear picture of what to expect. This complete guide covers how ESC works, who can apply, what costs are covered, what your daily life as a volunteer looks like, and how to strengthen your application from the start. Whether you're applying for the first time or exploring your options, this is the one resource you should read before anything else. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/15101/
🔷 Activity Details
Description
We are looking for a young person who is eager to help us bring people and cultures together through our intercultural projects on the TU Ilmenau campus. As a student NGO dedicated to education, culture, tolerance, and international understanding, we organize a wide variety of events. Our flagship event is the “International Student Week in Ilmenau” (abbreviated as “ISWI”), which is the largest student conference of its kind in Germany since 1993. During ISWI, young people from around the world with different cultural, educational, and personal backgrounds have a platform to exchange their experiences and views, to discuss current issues, and to develop ideas and possible solutions. Through this conference and our campus projects, we advocate for a fair and just international society, equal rights and opportunities, and sustainable development through engaging youth. As a volunteer, you will play a hands-on role in organizing these events depending on your skills and interests.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
We will provide accommodation for the volunteer in the form of a room in the student dorms, a shared flat or an apartment, depending on availability. As we only host one volunteer per term, we will provide food in the form of a food allowance every month. They are free to use the allowance to organize their own food or get food from our cafeteria at the university.
Training during the activity
The volunteer would join our organisation committee, which comprises of about 40 volunteers, mostly TU Ilmenau students. During the stay, they would be able to advance their knowledge and skills in many different fields depending on their preferences. Be it soft skills like project management, communication skills, advertisement strategies, and critical thinking, or technical skills like using certain tools (e.g., Office Suite, Photoshop, Canva, etc.), the volunteer will have the opportunity to advance all those skills during the organization of the conference and subsequent projects.
Participant profile
If you are open-minded, tolerant and love to work in an international environment, then this volunteering activity would be a good fit. You should be up for the task of organising various events and also taking some responsibility for them. As we are a very international team, we mainly communicate in English. Good English language skills are therefore necessary, but German language skills are also welcome.
✅ 10 practical tips to write a stronger Erasmus+ or ESC application and actually get selected. With growing competition for spots in Erasmus+ and ESC projects, a well-crafted application can genuinely make or break your chances. This guide shares 10 concrete, actionable tips based on what selection committees actually look for — covering everything from how to frame your motivation to the common mistakes that get applications rejected. If you're serious about getting selected, take the time to read this before you hit submit. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/8396/
🔑 Key Information
Activity dates
A total of 50 week(s) during the period 01/09/2026 to 01/09/2027
Activity location
Max-Planck-Ring 7, Ilmenau, Germany
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Georgia, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo * UN resolution, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine
Activity topics
- Reception and integration of refugees and migrants
- Creativity and culture
- Working against discrimination (including gender discrimination)
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 16/07/2026 23:59
Project code
2026-1-DE04-ESC51-VTJ-000402216
🔗 Official Project Page
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/52867_en
✍️ How to write a motivation letter for ESC volunteering that actually gets read — 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. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/6061/
🤝 What is a supporting organisation in ESC volunteering — 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 — 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. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/6051/
💡 What do organisations actually look for in an ESC volunteer? Getting selected for an ESC volunteering project isn't just about ticking boxes — 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. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/13941/
🗺️ Which countries can apply for Erasmus+ and ESC? — The complete and up-to-date country list. A lot of people assume Erasmus+ and ESC are only available to European Union member states — 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. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/15124/
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the source.
2️⃣ 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.
3️⃣ 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.
4️⃣ 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.
5️⃣ 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.
💡 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.
