La Maison des Jeunes de Ciney (MJ Ciney), a youth center in the Belgian province of Namur, is looking for an ESC volunteer aged 18-30 to support its work with young people aged 12 to 26. Applications are open as soon as possible on a first come, first served basis, and the activity dates run until 31 August 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full call and set out every task, requirement and condition below.
What You Will Do at the Youth House in Ciney
Your main role as a volunteer will be to assist the non-profit association La Maison des Jeunes de Ciney (Youth House of Ciney). Together with the team, you will have the chance to put yourself in the shoes of a youth worker and supervise young people aged between 12 and 26.
You will be involved in the activities the Youth House organises in the region of Ciney. The young people are usually teenagers and young adults going to different local schools. You will support the team in preparing and implementing these community projects.
About La Maison des Jeunes de Ciney
La Maison des Jeunes, also known as MJ Ciney, gives young people from 12 to 26 opportunities to engage in social, cultural and artistic activities. It encourages them to become responsible citizens and to actively participate in society.
The Youth House is located in the courtyard of St Roch Castle, in the middle of the town's pretty park. For more than 30 years, MJ Ciney has been recognized as a Youth Centre by the Wallonia-Brussels' Federation. Its website and Facebook page are listed under Links below.
The Activities of the Youth House
The Youth House runs a wide range of activities:
🛋️ Welcome space: open to any youngster wishing to meet and/or organise activities (recreational, fun, culinary, sporting, etc.) with other participants
🎉 Themed evenings: lead debates, intercultural nights, musical games, concert, movie screening, karaoke
🚌 Sport, cultural and artistic excursions: city trips, paintball, beach walks, theatre, cinema
⛺ Summer camps: nature camp, survival camp, cycling camp, hiking camp, etc.
🎸 Weekly workshops: music (guitar, drums, singing, beatbox), art (creative sewing, improvisational theatre, etc.) or sport (boxing, dancing, etc.)
💡 Longer projects: youngsters carry out their own projects from ideas to implementation with the support of the Youth House staff, for example a "Twitch Radio", an intercultural trip or Halloween
🏫 Activities in schools
Summer Camps in July and August
In July and August, you mainly help organise summer camps with theatre workshops and sport activities. There can be residential and non-residential activities from Monday to Friday, 9h to 17h. Your tasks include:
🧳 Preparing the camp
👥 Facilitating group life
🤸 Supporting facilitators during creative and/or sportive activities
Your Regular Activities After Summer
After summer, you get to join and observe a wide range of regular activities. You then choose to support the ones you find most interesting:
🚪 Welcome space: manage and run the reception area for youngsters who want to hang out after school (Tuesday to Saturday 12-18:30h, Fridays until 22h)
🎨 Weekly workshops: set up a workshop that interests you, such as a music workshop, a workshop on fashion, on learning a language or on the customs of your country
🍽️ School activities: often during lunch time
🧗 Excursions: such as escape rooms, nature walks or a day at the Belgian seaside
🗃️ Office work: sorting documents, promoting the work of the Youth House on social media, creating posters, etc.
🌙 Themed evenings: suggest your ideas and implement them with the support of the team
Team Meetings and Your Own Initiatives
You participate in weekly team meetings where you communicate on activities and share concerns and ideas. The team highly encourages you to implement personal initiatives according to your skills, passions and/or culture.
Events and Fundraising
During certain events, you will be asked to manage a bar or food stall, cook and sell food in order to raise funds for the non-profit organisation. For example, the Ciney Christmas market is very popular in the region, attracting large crowds, and you will be actively involved in it.
Collective Activities With Other ESC Volunteers
The ESC project within the Youth House and other ESC projects organised in Havelange (another Belgian village) aim to increase European awareness among the local community and to enhance closer networking between the local non-profit associations. For this reason, you might get involved in activities with other ESC volunteers from other local organisations.
The team encourages you all to take those initiatives, collaborate and make your presence visible in the community. Volunteer gatherings and activities are planned to give visibility to the European Solidarity Corps programme and to encourage cooperation between local associations.
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Working Hours
Working hours are flexible. You work five days a week on average, but sometimes you work weekends and evenings, because the schedule during school holidays is different from the school period. You get days off to compensate for the extra shift hours, in order to keep an average of 35 hours a week.
Accommodation and Food
You will have a private room in a fully-equipped shared house or apartment in the municipality. The Youth House and your accommodation are both located in Ciney's town centre.
For food, you receive a budget and take care of your own meals.
Costs and Pocket Money
Participation in the European Solidarity Corps is free of charge, except for an exceptional contribution to travel costs. You therefore receive free board and lodging during the whole activity. In addition, you receive pocket money for personal expenses throughout the duration of the activity, including holidays.
Language Course
The project provides EU Academy plus French lessons. An online language course is offered as part of the budget from the European Commission, and you will need to complete a level test before the activity starts.
You are encouraged to join free French lessons given in the municipality or around, if possible. Starting to practise French before arrival in Belgium and taking part in as many activities as possible are both recommended, to get better at the language.
Insurance
Throughout the activity period, you are covered by the obligatory European Solidarity Corps insurance plan (Henner) that the European Commission sets up. This coverage is only complementary to the mandatory coverage of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you must obtain prior to departure.
In certain cases, when national rules deprive participants of coverage under EHIC for the duration of the placement, Henner provides full coverage. However, you must provide proof that obtaining the EHIC in your case was not possible, and you should contact your National Agency for advice on your specific circumstances. The call asks you to read the insurance-related information carefully.
Ciney and Its Surroundings
Ciney is a small town in the Belgian province of Namur. The town is full of students from different primary and secondary schools during the week, yet rather calm at the weekend. It offers:
🏊 A cultural centre, a library, a youth centre and a swimming pool, plus a wide range of options in sports, arts and culture
🎻 An academy proposing drawing and painting initiation, and a music conservatory
🛒 Supermarkets and several shops in the town centre
🚆 A train station with direct and regular connections to Namur, Brussels and Luxembourg, while other cities such as Liège are also easily reachable
Ciney has an important natural and historical heritage, with many places to discover:
🌲 Provincial Park of Chevetogne (outdoor leisure activities park)
🕰️ The Byzantine Monastery
🕳️ The Conjoux Caves
🏰 The Saint-Roch Castle
🔔 The Capucin's Church
Those interested in hikes and "green tourism" will find a wide range of trails around.
Is Rural Life Right for You?
Ciney is located in a semi-rural area, with at least 80% of its territory covered by fields and woods. This project therefore fits volunteers who are not attracted by a lively nightlife, but mostly by quiet evenings and outdoor activities during the weekend. You must appreciate living in a rural area: it will be resourceful, quiet and will give you a break from your usual urban routine.
You can meet other ESC volunteers supported by CBB living in Ciney, Marche-en-Famenne, Liège, Rochefort and Genappe.
Belgium at a Glance
Squeezed between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium is one of Europe's tiddlers. The north is flat, with a 65 km beach along the North Sea full of resorts, except for a few patches of windswept dunes. In the south you will not find mountains, but the hilly forests of the Belgian Ardenne. There are 4 well-contrasted seasons, with a cold winter and a sunny summer, but be ready to look up to a grey sky at least half of the year.
Despite the rainy clouds, Belgian people are usually warm. A lot of cultural and free events happen during the year, which makes your journey in this little country entertaining. Key facts:
🍟 Specialities: fries, beers and festivals
📏 Area: 30,518 km²
🧮 Population: 11,420,163
🏙️ Capital: Brussels (population 1,191,604)
🗺️ Regions: Flanders (North), Wallonia (South), Brussels
🏘️ Communities: Flemish, French and German-speaking communities
💬 Languages: Dutch (±59%), French (±37%) and German (±1%)
💶 Currency: Euro
A French-Speaking Project
This project takes place in the south of the country where French is spoken. Be ready to learn and speak French, especially as the project involves kids. Basic French knowledge is a plus.
The Support Organization: CBB
The support organization is CBB, the association des Compagnons Bâtisseurs, located in Marche-en-Famenne. CBB is a non-profit, non-political youth organisation recognized and financially supported by the Wallonia-Brussels' Federation. It proposes different volunteering activities using non-formal education principles: local and international workcamps, short and long term volunteering services (including ESC), leisure time activities for and with disabled people, campleaders' trainings, etc.
CBB has been active within the different European programmes of volunteering and non-formal education since 1997 and hosts ESC volunteers each year. It coordinates 26 international volunteers around Wallonia, and its ESC team does its best to connect volunteers together through different activities, seminars, etc.
What CBB Does for You
As the support organization, CBB's roles are to:
📣 Promote the project and link the local and international networks
🧭 Support the selection and coaching of European volunteers before arrival
🏦 Manage administrative matters: budget allowances, bank account creation and enrollment at the municipality, insurance (if not done by the sending organisation) and the activity agreement
📚 Provide pedagogical support for the volunteer and the hosting organization: ensuring participation in the National Agency seminars and organising auto-evaluation meetings with the volunteer and hosting organization to reflect on learning outcomes
🩺 Handle practical arrangements: information about health insurance in Belgium, French lessons, online language tools, etc.
🌐 Create networking activities between all ESC volunteers of the hosting organisations CBB supports
Who Can Apply
The call is looking for volunteers with this profile:
🪪 Being 18-30 years old
💪 Highly motivated for volunteer work and work in the field of inclusion and youth work
😊 Open-minded and proactive
🎲 Willing to learn more about educational and playful activities
🧒 Open to work with different groups: children, teenagers, young adults from different social backgrounds and life experiences
🌟 Able to take initiatives: you will look for ideas and inspiration for playful and educational activities, and you are encouraged to share your personal interests and culture with the youngsters
🛝 Interested in hanging out with youngsters
📨 Prior to departure, able to give proof of contact with a support/sending organization in order to receive information and preparation
📜 Able to give a copy of a certificate of good conduct related to work with minors before starting the activity
🗣️ Basic French knowledge is a plus
Everyone is welcome to apply, regardless of nationality, religion, beliefs, diploma or professional experience. If you still need a support organisation in your region, the organisation finder is listed under Links below. Find more opportunities like this in the ESC volunteering projects on Youth Works Hub.
How to Apply
There is no deadline: applications are handled first come, first served. Two things are compulsory for your application to be taken into consideration:
🖥️ Create a profile on the European Youth Portal, following Youth Works Hub's guide to registering on the ESC portal (click on "register" at the bottom)
📋 Answer the questionnaire in the application form, in English or French, and attach your CV at the end of the form
The creation of a profile on the ESC portal AND filling in the form are both compulsory. Please fill out the form without the use of artificial intelligence. The team prefers personal answers to perfect ones, so do not be afraid to make mistakes. The form is titled "ESC at the Youth House in Ciney / Application form and motivation letter".
If you are feeling creative, you can also send any additional material related to your application. This is optional. Pre-selected volunteers are contacted for a Zoom interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can volunteer at the Youth House in Ciney?
Volunteers must be 18-30 years old, motivated for youth work and inclusion, and open to working with children, teenagers and young adults. Everyone is welcome regardless of nationality, religion, beliefs, diploma or professional experience. A certificate of good conduct related to work with minors is required before the activity starts.
What will an ESC volunteer do in Ciney?
The volunteer supports the team in preparing and implementing community projects for young people aged 12 to 26. In July and August the focus is on summer camps, and after summer the volunteer chooses among the welcome space, weekly workshops, school activities, excursions, office work and themed evenings.
Is there an application deadline?
No. The call says there is no deadline and applications are handled first come, first served. The activity dates run until 31 August 2027.
How do I apply?
Create a profile on the ESC portal and fill in the application form in English or French, attaching your CV. Both steps are compulsory, and the form must be filled out without artificial intelligence. Pre-selected volunteers are invited to a Zoom interview.
Do I need to speak French?
Basic French knowledge is a plus. The project takes place in the French-speaking south of Belgium and involves kids, so you should be ready to learn and speak French. An online language course with a level test is provided, and free French lessons are available in the municipality or around.
What does the volunteer receive?
Participation is free of charge, except for an exceptional contribution to travel costs. You receive free board and lodging, a private room in a shared house or apartment, a food budget, pocket money throughout the activity including holidays, and ESC insurance coverage.
Do I need a sending or support organisation?
Before departure you must be able to give proof of contact with a support or sending organisation in order to receive information and preparation.
Is this project suitable if I like a lively nightlife?
Ciney is in a semi-rural area, so the project fits volunteers who are not attracted by a lively nightlife, but mostly by quiet evenings and outdoor activities during the weekend.
Project Snapshot
📌 Type: ESC Volunteering (long-term)
📍 Location: Ciney, province of Namur, Belgium
🗓️ Activity Dates: From as soon as possible until 31 August 2027
🌍 Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Türkiye, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Norway, Palestine, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine
🎂 Age: 18-30
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
📝 Application form (REGISTER tab, CV attached): https://compagnonsbatisseurs.world/activities/long-term/esc-volunteering/maison-des-jeunes-ciney/
🔐 ESC portal profile (compulsory): https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en
🔎 Find a support or sending organisation: https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisations_en
✉️ Optional additional material (not an application email): esc@compagnonsbatisseurs.be
🏠 Host website: http://mjciney.be/
📘 Host Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/maisondesjeunesdeciney
🎬 Volunteer testimonial video (Kolos, Hungary, volunteer in 2024): https://fb.watch/xAuWEFMtKK/
