CRECER is an individual European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering project based in Quito, Ecuador, running for 26 weeks between 15 September 2026 and 28 February 2027. Coordinated by United Societies of Balkans (Greece) and hosted by Fundación VASE, it places volunteers at the Tránsito Amaguaña School in the Mercado Mayorista area of Quito to support children, young people and the wider community through education and non formal activities.
The CRECER Project
CRECER supports the Tránsito Amaguaña School and the communities around Mercado Mayorista in Quito. The project works on social challenges, education and training, and working against discrimination, including gender discrimination, using non formal methods that boost creativity, expression and learning. As a volunteer, you become part of daily school life and of a broader effort to activate and empower a marginalised local community.
Your Role as a Volunteer
Your work spans classroom support and community engagement, with several strands:
📚 Educational and classroom support: daily tutoring and learning reinforcement for children at the school, supporting teachers during lessons, assisting children with reading, writing and basic maths, preparing simple educational materials and helping with small group or one on one activities.
🧠 SkillBoost workshops: every three months you help facilitate a workshop on topics such as peace, digital literacy, innovation or higher education.
💬 Youth circles: you assist in organising and facilitating peer group sessions focused on emotional well being, identity and shared challenges, preparing discussion topics, guiding group dynamics, encouraging participation and creating a safe, respectful space for open dialogue.
🤝 Community outreach: you take part in and support the organisation of activities involving parents, educators and local community members.
🌍 Thinking about this kind of solidarity work more broadly? Here's how the humanitarian side of ESC volunteering works: ESC Humanitarian Aid Volunteering: A Complete Guide → https://youthworkshub.org/esc-humanitarian-aid-volunteering
Where You'll Live in Quito
You will live in one of two volunteer apartments located in La Mena, in the southern part of Quito. Each apartment has three spacious, well equipped rooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom, plus a small living room with seating and a shared rooftop terrace with a nice view over the south of Quito (shared with the homeowners). Getting around is easy: the Mercado Mayorista is reachable in 20 to 30 minutes by bus, and the Solanda metro station is within 30 minutes on foot. The metro connects the south side of the city with the north perfectly, for 0.45 cents.
Training and Language Support
The project invests in preparing you before and during your service:
🗺️ During the welcoming days, sessions cover the CRECER project information (goals and expectations), security in Ecuador, interculturality and other details about your experience, along with general support for practical matters and preparation.
🗣️ 30 hours of Spanish classes with a private teacher, fully covered by the project and Fundación VASE, a great chance to build or strengthen your language skills before and during deployment.
🛠️ Task related training tailored to your activities.
🎒 Pre departure preparation, implemented by United Societies of Balkans as coordinating organisation, together with sending partners Scambieuropei and AIPC Pandora.
💰 Curious what an ESC placement actually pays for? This guide explains exactly what's covered: Is ESC Volunteering Fully Funded? What Is Covered → https://youthworkshub.org/is-esc-fully-funded
Who Can Apply
Volunteers need to be between 18 and 35 years old, genuinely interested and motivated to contribute to the project activities. Applicants should have successfully completed the Humanitarian Aid preparatory training organised by EACEA and be eligible to participate per programme rules. They should also be aware of the 12 month ESC participation limit that applies to all ESC projects.
Specific interests or skills that are a plus include:
🧒 An interest in, or previous experience of, working in activities with children and youth, since non formal methods are mostly used to boost creativity, expression and learning.
🌱 An interest in operating within marginalised communities and supporting actions that enhance local activation.
A decent level of English is necessary as the first means of communication. Some level of Spanish is welcome but not a prerequisite, as language courses are provided before and during the experience; applicants should be motivated to reach at least a basic level through the courses to ease their daily tasks and communication with the children and locals.
💛 Love working with younger age groups? Here's a warm ESC placement supporting kids in Italy: ESC Volunteering in 🇮🇹 Italy: Supporting Children and Teens in a Sicilian Family Home → https://youthworkshub.org/21518
The Organisations Behind CRECER
The project is coordinated by United Societies of Balkans (Greece), with Fundación VASE as the hosting organisation in Quito. Pre departure preparation and recruitment are handled together with the sending partners Scambieuropei and AIPC Pandora, who are also active in selecting volunteers.
🎨 Prefer a creative role with children closer to home? Take a look at this ESC Volunteering in 🇵🇱 Poland: Creative Activities with Children → https://youthworkshub.org/21544
Deadline
⏳ 15 September 2026
Links
🔗 Official project page: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/53971_en
📌 Project code: 2025-1-EACEA-VOLUN-101252025
⚠️ Important Notice
Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying.
