In the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ youth projects, there is a lot of competition but few good applications. Most applications are rejected at the first screening because the applicant did not read the details of the call. Competition is real; a single volunteer place in a popular country such as Spain, Italy or Portugal can receive dozens or even hundreds of applications, so not every rejection is about you. Hundreds of young people may apply to the same project, so a rejection or no reply should not discourage you; people who keep applying do get into a project. Our guide on what the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is explains the programme, and our guide on what Erasmus+ is explains Erasmus+.
Last updated: November 2026.
Why can you send dozens of applications and still not be selected?
Sending hundreds of applications is usually the problem itself: mass applying does not work and can even hurt. If a hundred applications bring no reply at all, the method needs fixing. Two hundred copy-paste emails bring worse results than twenty carefully written ones, because the reply rate is low and some organisations notice mass emails and delete them. Some young people are selected with their first application; what matters is not the number of applications but their quality. Many applications are sent with an empty profile and no detail; filling in the profile completely and choosing projects that match your own interests makes the difference. Our guide on the top 10 ESC application mistakes lists each mistake with its fix.
What does applying again and again look like for real volunteers?
A candidate from Türkiye applied to about 40 youth centers across Europe from March to September for ESC. Many of the e-mails were not answered, or the e-mails received stated that they had selected the appropriate candidate. The candidate says: "The Estonian youth center that rejected me contacted my coordinator institution in Tallin and said that I could be a suitable candidate for them."
Another ESC volunteer applied for many different offers and never got a reply from about half of them; others sent a courteous email about not being accepted. In the end, the same volunteer got accepted in 3 or 4 ESC projects. The volunteer says: "So even though you will never hear back from some of them, you will end up being accepted."
A volunteer who got selected to one particular project in Fundació Catalunya Voluntària sent many applications before that. From that personal experience: "Applying for ESC you need to be patient and accept what life is bringing you." Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where to look for the next offer.
What if you reach the interview and are still not chosen?
A volunteer from Italy applied to be a volunteer in a public library in a small Polish town, was called in for an interview after a few days, and was not selected. In the end, the volunteer did ESC on Strynø. The volunteer says: "Just be patient, the right one will come along."
One Erasmus+ exchange opportunity ended in rejection after the interview: "Right off the bat, when I started the interview I knew it was HORRIBLE." One month later, Erasmus came knocking again with another opportunity, this time in Morocco, and it was a yes. Our guide on common Erasmus+ and ESC interview questions helps you prepare for the interview.
What do host organisations look at when they choose?
Host organisations select volunteers mainly by the volunteer profile the project needs and by the CV and motivation letter; the motivation letter should clearly state your personal qualities, what volunteering means to you, why you want to join that project and what it will give you. In a cross-border ESC volunteering project, the support organisation does not choose or send you; the host organisation selects you. On the ESC projects page of EUSA in Ljubljana, round 1 is reviewing only the complete entries, those following all the steps. Our guide on how to write a motivation letter shows how to build each part, and our guide on the supporting organisation explains its role.
What changed for applicants who were finally selected?
An Erasmus Mundus Journalism application from Pakistan was rejected. The rejected applicant feels the application didn't make the cut due to a number of factors: the reflections were generic and inauthentic, the CV did not amplify the journalism experience, and the academic reference was not on a letterhead. After the applicant made revisions and applied again, this time the application got accepted, sans scholarship. Our guide on what Erasmus Mundus is explains the programme, and our guide on what to do when you are rejected covers the steps after a rejection.
What happens when nobody replies?
After you apply to an Erasmus+ youth project, you may or may not receive an email confirming that your application arrived. Selected applicants are always contacted, but rejected applicants are often not contacted at all, because some projects receive so many applications that coordinators do not reply to each one. Our guide on what to do when you applied and heard nothing covers the waiting, and our guide on what to do when you are rejected covers the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into ESC or Erasmus+?
None of these programmes is hard to get into if you apply properly and show your motivation clearly. Our guide on ESC application tips and nuances shows how to apply properly.
How many applications should you send?
There is no limit on the number of applications: you can apply to every project that suits you. Twenty good applications work better than a hundred copies. Aim for five applications a week and spend half an hour on each; after a month you have twenty strong applications with a better chance of a reply.
Does the sending organisation decide whether you are selected?
No: in a cross-border ESC volunteering project, the support organisation (often called the sending organisation) does not choose or send you; the host organisation selects you. The support organisation helps you prepare before you go, handle the practical steps when you leave, and evaluate your experience when you return.
Should a rejection stop you from applying again?
No: hundreds of young people may apply to the same project, so a rejection or no reply should not discourage you; people who keep applying do get into a project. Our guide on tips for a strong Erasmus+ and ESC application helps you prepare the next one.
Next: make the next application count
Youth Works Hub has a Match page that finds projects suited to you: it asks 8 questions and shows the results as a swipeable deck of cards, and saved projects stay on your profile page. Using Match requires creating an account on the site; signing up with Google is available but not required.
Related pages: the most common ESC application mistakes · what to do when you are rejected · what to do when you applied and heard nothing · how to write a motivation letter · ESC application tips and nuances · tips for a strong Erasmus+ and ESC application
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
👉 Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=erasmus-projects
