🇫🇷 ESC Volunteering in France 🎒 Youth Activities and European Awareness at a Rural School 🌍

Description

MFR de Salins-les-Bains is a small non-profit vocational school in rural eastern France (Jura). Around 100 students aged 14 to 20 learn by alternating school terms with work placements, and half of them board on site from Monday to Friday.

As our European volunteer you will spend 30 hours a week bringing Europe into their daily life: co-running afternoon and evening activities in small groups (cooking, games, sport, a weekly "European cafe"), supporting teachers during language, geography and citizenship sessions, and sharing your own country, language and culture. You always work alongside a member of staff, never replacing a paid post and never supervising students on your own.

One slot each week is yours: French lessons, work on your own project with your tutor, and training of your choice.

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

Accommodation: a single bedroom on site, with a bathroom shared on the same floor and a private lounge. Meals are provided by the school from Monday to Friday lunchtime; at weekends and during school holidays you cover your own meals and have free access to the boarding kitchen. Travel: your international travel is reimbursed in full on arrival and your tutor meets you at the station or the airport. A bicycle is available, local buses serve the town, and Mouchard station (10 km) connects to the main French cities.

Training during the activity

An induction period with an info pack and a gradual start, guided by your tutor and by a mentor from outside the teaching team. French lessons throughout the stay, with the option of a language certification. Youthpass is introduced at the kick-off meeting, worked on at weekly meetings with your tutor and awarded at a closing ceremony. You may join classes that interest you (digital skills, sustainable development, project management) and take certifications such as PIX and workplace first aid. Support with CV writing, interviews and career guidance.

Participant profile

We look for motivation rather than qualifications: you enjoy being around teenagers and young adults, you like working as part of a team, and you want to learn and grow alongside our staff and our students. No diploma or previous experience is required.

The team speaks English; a basic level of French, or a clear wish to learn it, will help you settle in. Life in a small rural town should appeal to you.

We warmly welcome young people with fewer opportunities: social barriers, cultural differences or a difficult school background are no obstacle here. Support needs are discussed before departure and an individual plan is built with each volunteer.

Activity details

Activity type

Individual volunteering

Activity dates

From 02/11/2026 to 30/06/2027

Location

15 hameau de Blégny, Salins-les-Bains, France

Deadline

09/10/2026

Project code

2026-1-FR02-ESC51-VTJ-000470044

Topics

Looking for participants from

22 countries can apply. The activity takes place in 🇫🇷 France.