The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is the European Union programme that brings young people together to build a more inclusive society, support vulnerable people and respond to societal and humanitarian challenges. These 5 young people share how ESC volunteering and a Solidarity Project changed their lives, from planting trees in Poland to starting a project at home.
Last updated: November 2026.
✨ 1. Sofia from Spain: Volunteering in Poland
“I never thought I’d find myself planting trees with strangers in a snowy forest, but ESC made it happen!” 🌲❄️
Sofia joined an environmental project in rural Poland focused on sustainable living and reforestation. What started as a simple idea to "do something useful" turned into a 6-month adventure of team bonding, language learning, and personal growth.
“It taught me patience, resilience, and how much nature gives back when you care for it.”
✨ 2. Ahmet from Türkiye: Youth Work in Italy
Ahmet always felt passionate about supporting young people but lacked the opportunity. ESC changed that.
He volunteered in a youth center in Naples, helping run workshops on digital skills, mental health, and civic engagement for local teens. 💬💻
“The connections I made were powerful. It wasn’t just me helping them, they helped me discover my voice and purpose.”
✨ 3. Klara from Czechia: Disability Support in Portugal
Klara joined a social inclusion project that supported people with disabilities through creative arts and daily care. 🎨🧩
“At first, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to communicate well or do the right thing. But kindness speaks louder than words. I learned more from them than I could ever teach.”
Klara now works full-time in inclusive education, all thanks to the spark ESC lit in her heart.
✨ 4. Luka from Georgia: Volunteering in Romania
After finishing university, Luka wasn’t sure what to do next, until he found an ESC volunteering opportunity. He supported Ukrainian refugees in Romania with logistics, language support, and cultural activities. 🕊️
“The work was intense. But every smile, every thank you, it reminded me why solidarity matters.”
Luka calls his ESC year “the hardest and best year of my life.”
✨ 5. Emma from Ireland: Starting Her Own Solidarity Project at Home
Not all ESC stories happen abroad. Emma created a local solidarity project in her town, promoting climate education in schools. She received funding and mentoring through ESC to make her dream a reality. 🌱📚
“We ran eco-workshops, planted a school garden, and started a youth-led green committee. It was empowering to lead something meaningful in my own community.”
Emma now mentors others on how to launch youth-led initiatives. 💪
💙 Final Thoughts
ESC is not just about volunteering: it's about connection, growth, and building a better future.
Each story is proof that one experience can change everything, and it’s waiting for you.
A Solidarity Project is a non-profit solidarity activity initiated, developed and implemented by young people themselves for a period from 2 to 12 months, and it gives a group of minimum five young persons the chance to bring positive change in their local community. Volunteering is a full-time unpaid activity that has a duration of up to 12 months. Our guides on whether ESC volunteering is worth it and how to find Erasmus+ and ESC projects cover the next steps.
More stories from the Youth Works Hub community: Mariam's ESC story in Tallinn · what 1266 ESC volunteers taught a coordinator · Zofia's marine conservation project in Greece
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
