Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa- Delegação de Cucujães
Vila de Cucujães, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
⭐️ Activity Title
Acting Local Changing Global - Volunteer at Portuguese Red Cross (Long Term)
🌍 What is the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)? The ESC is the EU programme that funds young people aged 18–30 (up to 35 for humanitarian aid) to volunteer on solidarity projects across Europe, with travel, accommodation, food, insurance and monthly pocket money covered. This overview explains who can join, the project types, durations and how to apply. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/esc
🔷 Activity Details
Description
Spend 4,5 months volunteering for the Red Cross in Portugal! This European Solidarity Corps project offers hands-on experience in community engagement and direct interaction with vulnerable target groups of the population. Volunteers support a range of activities, including logistics at the Food Bank, activities at the elderly nursing home and rehabilitation centre (for people recovering from addictions), activities at a local primary school and permaculture farm. Volunteers also have the chance to be involved in activities connected to pilgrim shelter, environmental initiatives and local fundraising events. Tasks are varied and practical. This is a role that better suits people who prefer staying active and working in the field rather than sitting behind a desk.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
Volunteers will live in a private apartment with shared bedrooms (2 people per room) with other international volunteers. Accommodation costs, utilities are fully covered and the apartment is fully equipped with necessary applicances, bed linen and towels. Volunteers will receive monthly pocket money and food allowance according to ESC regulations (currently approximately 340€/month). Travel costs from and to the home country of the volunteer will be covered according to the ESC programme rules.
Training during the activity
The volunteers will take part in the On Arrival Orientation (2 days) and in two Trainings organized by the Portuguese National Agency (On Arrival Training and Mid Term Training). Volunteers also receive on-the-job support and training on their tasks and they will take part in monthly group activities to develop soft skills and personal competences. An online Portuguese language course is also provided, along with opportunities to learn additional practical skills depending on volunteers interests and suggestions.
Participant profile
We are looking for motivated young people aged 18–30 who are availabile for the entire project period (January to May 2027). We are looking for people who are practical, comfortable with physical tasks. People that can work well in a team but also manage tasks independently when needed. No previous experience is required - what matters most is the willingness to learn and to adapt to a new environment.
✍️ How do you write a motivation letter for ESC and Erasmus+? Research the project first, then follow a five-part structure that shows motivation, relevant skills and learning goals. This guide includes a full annotated example, how to adapt it per activity, and the mistakes that cause rejection. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/esc-motivation-letter
💡 How do you prepare a strong Erasmus+ or ESC application? Read the call carefully, write specific motivation, show skills with examples, and state clear learning goals. This guide gives 10 practical tips plus the common mistakes that lead to rejection. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/erasmus-application-tips
🔑 Key Information
Activity dates
From 11/01/2027 to 28/05/2027
Activity location
Rua do Mosteiro 2445, Vila de Cucujães, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
Activity topics
Social challenges
Health and wellbeing
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 20/09/2026 23:59
Project code
2025-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000346249
⚖️ What's the difference between ESC and Erasmus+? The ESC is for volunteering and solidarity, while Erasmus+ is broad learning mobility (study, training, youth exchanges). This guide compares age, funding, duration and application route, and includes a "choose this if…" decision guide. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/esc-vs-erasmus
🔗 Official Project Page
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/54189_en
🔐 How do you register on the ESC Portal? You create an EU Login with two-factor authentication, then complete your profile on the official ESC Portal. This step-by-step guide also fixes common problems like "0 opportunities" and the country-list lock. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/register-esc-portal
🩺 What insurance do ESC volunteers get? Every ESC volunteer gets free group insurance (currently Henner) that complements the EHIC and covers medical, accident, hospitalisation, liability and travel. This guide explains what's insured, the coverage period (home-to-return plus two months) and how your organisation enrols you. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/esc-insurance
🌍 What is ESC Humanitarian Aid Volunteering? It's the ESC strand (EVHAC) that sends people aged 18–35 to work full-time in countries outside the EU, after mandatory two-stage training. This guide details the training, the application steps and what's covered. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/esc-humanitarian-aid-volunteering
💰 Is ESC volunteering fully funded? Yes for core costs: travel is reimbursed by distance band (€28–1,735+), and accommodation, food, local transport, insurance, language support and daily pocket money are covered. This guide gives the official 2026 figures and the honest travel-band caveat — note there is no salary. 👉 https://youthworkshub.org/is-esc-fully-funded
