Many volunteers do not read the agreement before signing it, and in particular do not fully understand the withdrawal clauses and their own rights. Many volunteers do not research the country, the city and the organisation before they go, and then they are not happy in the city; for example, someone used to a big city who goes blindly to a very small town. Many volunteers do not clarify everything with the organisation, especially the details of their tasks; the right questions bring the right answers. Many applicants look only at the country of the project and apply because the location appeals to them, without looking at the topic and the other details. Youth Works Hub has a Match page that finds projects suited to you; using Match requires an account on the site, and signing up with Google is available but not required. Our guide on what the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is explains the programme itself, and how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where the offers are published.
Last updated: October 2026.
What is the volunteering agreement and who signs it?
The volunteering agreement (formerly called the activity agreement) is signed by the volunteer, the host organisation, the support organisation and, if there is one, the lead organisation; every signatory keeps a copy. Our guide on the volunteering agreement explains what it is, who signs it and why the visa needs it.
Why should you read the agreement before you sign it?
Many volunteers do not read the agreement before signing it, and in particular do not fully understand the withdrawal clauses and their own rights. If a clause does not feel right, discuss it with the host and support organisations; it can be changed if you agree on a middle way, and if it still does not suit you, you can keep looking for another project without signing. The volunteer sees the text before signing and signs first; we recommend asking about anything unclear and clarifying everything with the organisation, and the volunteer can request changes, which the organisation may accept. What happens if the volunteer withdraws after signing (the consequences) should be written in the agreement. Our guide on the agreement you sign before starting goes through the clauses, and leaving a project early explains what happens when a volunteer leaves.
If you leave early without force majeure, pocket money and food money are paid only for the days you stayed, the return journey is not guaranteed, especially if you leave before the middle of the project, and visa or permit costs are usually not reimbursed. Our guide on leaving a project early explains the process.
Have you researched the country, the city and the organisation?
Many volunteers do not research the country, the city and the organisation before they go, and then they are not happy in the city; for example, someone used to a big city who goes blindly to a very small town. Researching the organisation, talking to previous volunteers and reading the call carefully before applying greatly reduce the risk. After selection, some organisations connect new volunteers with previous or current volunteers by video call so they can ask questions and feel ready. Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where the calls are published, how to choose the right project helps you compare them, and culture shock and homesickness prepares you for the first weeks.
Have you clarified every detail with the organisation?
Many volunteers do not clarify everything with the organisation, especially the details of their tasks; the right questions bring the right answers. Selected volunteers should be told every detail honestly, for example that they may live in a small rural area, that transport may be only a bicycle, or that housing may be mixed-gender; these points are often repeated in an online call. Our guide on your first steps as an ESC volunteer covers what comes after selection, and the supporting organisation explains who helps you prepare.
Are you choosing a project only because of the country?
Many applicants look only at the country of the project and apply because the location appeals to them, without looking at the topic and the other details. Our guide on how to choose the right project shows what to compare, and ESC application mistakes lists more mistakes that cost applicants the place.
What if the project turns out different from what you expected?
The programme itself is safe, but project quality varies: some host organisations are very good, others average; accommodation may not be as expected, the task description may be unclear, or there may be adaptation problems. Problems like these are differences in experience, not fraud, and they can be solved: talk first to your mentor, then to your sending organisation, and if needed to the National Agency; if the situation does not improve, you also have the right to end the project early. Our guide on what to do when a project goes wrong goes through real problems, and how to spot fake Erasmus+ offers helps you tell a weak project from a fake one.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to sign the agreement as it is?
If a clause does not feel right, discuss it with the host and support organisations; it can be changed if you agree on a middle way, and if it still does not suit you, you can keep looking for another project without signing. Our guide on the agreement you sign before starting goes through the clauses.
When is the agreement signed?
In practice it is signed at least two weeks before the activity starts. Our guide on visa and residence for ESC and Erasmus+ covers the paperwork that follows.
Can you leave a project early?
Yes: if the situation does not improve after you talk first to your mentor, then to your sending organisation, and if needed to the National Agency, you also have the right to end the project early. Our guide on leaving a project early explains what happens.
Is a weak host organisation fraud?
No: these are differences in experience, not fraud, and they can be solved. Our guide on how to spot fake Erasmus+ offers lists the warning signs of fraud.
Read, ask, then sign
A good start to an ESC project is a read agreement, a researched place and clear answers from the organisation. Our guide on how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects shows where to look first, and Youth Works Hub pages below cover the next steps.
