At Youth Works Hub, we love sharing the real journeys of our community. Irena, from Slovenia, moved to Koper as a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer at PINA, an association for culture and education. The European Solidarity Corps 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. Volunteering is a full-time unpaid activity that has a duration of up to 12 months. Here is her story, in her own words.
Last updated: November 2026.
Irena, Slovenia
My vision became clearer and my truth louder.
I have longed for a life change for a long time, and the choice to apply as an ESC volunteer at PINA - Associacion for Culture and Education and move to Koper was really one of the best decisions I took.
I am proud that I managed to survive and re-start my life. I can say that last year I had a personal and professional reconstruction phase. I went outside the comfort zone of my familiar environment and my pre-established life paths and social circles in which I had been moving practically my whole life. I've been tested in a lot of new roles and found myself in situations where my only chance was to become a "leveled-up" version of myself. During my time as an ESC volunteer I have gained a greater level of self-accountability and tracking of my inner state and internal truth. I can say that I have internalized the awareness of my achievements, my abilities, and what I can offer to the world. My vision became clearer and my truth louder.
The first month of the volunteering experience I have participated in the preparation of the application for a small open call for the organization of an event in the local environment. The project was approved, and I was given the opportunity to implement my ideas. Later on, I tested myself several times in creating content and leading workshops, taking over the logistical part of international youth trainings, conducting daily reflections with participants, helping to coordinate volunteers, and organizing workshops where I worked closely with other volunteers and provided information on opportunities for young people in the local environment. According to my educational goals which I wrote down at the beginning of the project, PiNA also gave me the opportunity to have access to additional education in the field of youth work.
When the project ended, I felt like I started to walk my own path with the highest amount of confidence I've ever had. Fully anchored in trust that everything will be okay and that I'm going to get employed in the youth sector, I applied for a job and guess what? I got the job in the youth sector and I love it.
I truly am forever grateful.
A youth worker is a professional or volunteer who supports the personal, social and educational development of young people. During the activity, all volunteers are matched with a mentor, and our guides on whether Erasmus+ or ESC helps your career and how to put Youthpass on your CV cover what comes after a project.
Thank you, Irena, for sharing your story 💙 Have your own Erasmus+ or ESC story? Send it to Youth Works Hub and we will feature it here, so other young people can see what is possible.
More stories from our community: Elena's ESC year in Burgos · Mariam's ESC story in Tallinn · what 1266 ESC volunteers taught a coordinator
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