Do not let AI write your motivation letter: organisations can tell when a motivation letter was written with AI, and they read around 100 letters a day. Copying a motivation letter found online or sent by a friend is a big mistake in European Solidarity Corps (ESC) applications, because host organisations (the organisations in the country where you go) recognise copied letters immediately. A motivation letter applies to both ESC and Erasmus+ youth projects, but in Erasmus+ youth projects it is rarely asked for. Our guide on how to write a motivation letter explains the letter itself, and this page covers what AI does to it.
Last updated: November 2026.
Can organisations tell that a letter was written with AI?
Yes: organisations can tell when a motivation letter was written with AI, and they read around 100 letters a day. A letter built on generic information is obvious and coordinators catch it, so you should put in effort and, if possible, use AI only for translation. Project coordinators have been doing this work for years and can understand whether the information you share is true. Do not copy examples, be original. Our guide on what an ideal ESC volunteer looks like explains what organisations look for in a person.
What is the copy-paste trap?
The copy-paste trap is copying a motivation letter found online or sent by a friend, which is a big mistake in ESC applications, because host organisations recognise copied letters immediately. The most important part of the letter is the paragraph on why this project and this organisation. Sending the same paragraph to every project is a reason for rejection. Write a new motivation letter for each project. Motivation letters are specific to projects, because the content of every project is different. The most common mistake is the same copy-paste email sent to many organisations, with no project name and nothing about what the organisation does. Some organisations notice mass emails and delete them. Our guide on common ESC application mistakes lists more errors, and our guide on mistakes in applications covers both programmes.
What should a letter in your own voice show?
Your 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. Give at least half of the letter to what you can do, concretely: work with children, social media, a musical instrument, video editing. Applying without real motivation, only for a free trip abroad, travel or language learning, is also a big mistake in ESC applications. Travel and language learning are side benefits; the core of the programme is volunteering, contributing to the community and solidarity. Our guide on why applications get rejected goes through the other reasons.
If you still use AI, how should you use it?
If you still use AI, follow these steps in this order:
✍️ Write first: you should first write your own information and sentences, and only then use AI.
🌐 Translation: if possible, you should use AI only for translation, then correct it and add something of your own.
Before you send the letter, keep the motivation letter to one page in 12-point type and a classic font. When preparing your motivation letter, do not forget to add even the smallest details. Our guide on Erasmus+ application tips has more checks for the last step.
What should your own letter say instead?
Your own letter should have three paragraphs: your volunteering experience and personal motivation, why you want to join the ESC, and why this project and this organisation. Our guide on how to write a motivation letter explains each paragraph.
Frequently asked questions
Do the official guides say anything about AI?
Yes, for project proposals, not for your letter: applicants should thoroughly review and validate AI-generated content, are fully responsible for the content of the proposal, even the parts produced by the AI tool, and must say which AI tools were used and how. Our guide on Solidarity Projects explains what a project proposal is for a group of young people.
Can I use a letter from a friend or from the internet?
No: copying a motivation letter found online or sent by a friend is a big mistake in ESC applications, because host organisations recognise copied letters immediately.
Is a motivation letter asked in Erasmus+ projects too?
Yes, but rarely: a motivation letter applies to both ESC and Erasmus+ youth projects, but in Erasmus+ youth projects it is rarely asked for, and most Erasmus+ calls use an application form instead.
How long should the letter be?
Keep the motivation letter to one page in 12-point type and a classic font.
What should you do before you apply?
Our guide on the Europass CV covers the other document you send with the letter.
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 using Match requires creating an account on the site.
Related pages: how to write a motivation letter · common ESC application mistakes · Erasmus+ application tips · the Europass CV · why applications get rejected
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
👉 Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=erasmus-projects
