YES Akademia
Paris, France
⭐️ Activity Title
Youth empowerment, leadership & inter-generational EVS ESC opportunity
📋 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
During one whole year, two ESC volunteers will be together in Paris, France, hosted in the 20th or 13th arrondissement, with interesting tasks and responsibilities to carry out alongside a core team of permanent staff, volunteers and interns at YES Akademia. These include finding and implementing fun and pedagogical activities for several inter-generational centres around Paris, such as cooking classes, gardening and educational workshops which empower residents. Among the activities there is being present and co-constructing workshops for our core IMPOWER program (18 month leadership and global citizenship training program for youth aged 15 to 26 years old and for which we are currently at our 11th class). Other activities include being present and co-constructing the program and logistics around our other core program PRESS START (1 year responsible entrepreneurship program we run internally and for which we are currently at our upcoming 10th class).
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
You will live in one of either these two sites with your own studio fully taken care of by YES Akademia:
1) The Hauts de Belleville, 43 Rue du Borrégo, 75020, or
2) Maison des Volontaires, 2-16 Rue Théroigne de Méricourt, 75013, or potentially this year in a shared apartment.
Both of these sites are used to hosting ESC volunteers and other young volunteers or workers from France and abroad. They have activities to facilitate meeting new people in France and to open dialogue and discussions. You will receive from YAKA pocket money and and transportation fees to cover food and transport.
Training during the activity
During your volunteering experience, you will take part in the official European Solidarity Corps training cycle, including the On-Arrival Training and the Mid-Term Evaluation organised by the National Agency. These training sessions are designed to support your learning process, help you develop new competences and connect with other ESC volunteers. Depending on your interests, you may also have the opportunity to participate in additional training activities organised by our partners.
Participant profile
We are seeking amazing volunteers who are motivated to work in a multi-cultural and diverse setting on many topics including youth empowerment, leadership, global citizenship, community mobilising, social and environmental justice, not-for-profit management, skills development and social entrepreneurship. Do you speak French and love to meet people from different backgrounds? Do you love to facilitate discussions and workshops on important societal & environmental topics? Are you dynamic, flexible, ready to learn and to have a rich personal and professional experience, a great team-player? Join us!
✅ 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
From 01/09/2026 to 01/09/2027
Activity location
Paris, France
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain
Activity topics
Social challenges
Citizenship and democratic participation
Education and training
Employment and entrepreneurship
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 26/07/2026 00:00
Project code
2026-1-FR02-ESC51-VTJ-000402968
🔗 Official Project Page
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/52860_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.
