The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is the European Union's programme that funds young people aged 18 to 30 to volunteer on solidarity projects across Europe and beyond. It covers travel, accommodation, food, insurance and monthly pocket money, so you can focus on the experience and the impact you make instead of the cost.
This guide explains what the ESC is, who can join, what it funds, how long projects last, and exactly how to apply. 👇
What is the European Solidarity Corps? 🌍
The European Solidarity Corps is the EU's flagship programme for volunteering and solidarity. Launched in 2018, it gives young people the chance to help communities tackle real challenges, from social inclusion and the environment to culture, education and humanitarian aid.
Since then, more than 100,000 young people have taken part, making the ESC one of Europe's largest youth volunteering programmes. Its mission is simple: bring people together to build a more inclusive, caring and sustainable Europe, while giving young volunteers the skills and confidence to grow.
New to the wider EU youth world? Start with what Erasmus+ is 💙, then come back here for the volunteering side.
Who can join the ESC? 🙌
You can join the European Solidarity Corps if you meet a few simple conditions:
🔹 You are 18 to 30 years old (you can register from 17, but you start a project at 18).
🔹 You are legally resident in an EU country, an associated country, or an eligible partner country.
🔹 You have registered on the ESC Portal, the official database that hosting organisations search.
🔹 Your total ESC volunteering over your lifetime adds up to no more than 12 months.
You do not need a university degree, work experience, or to speak a foreign language perfectly. The programme is built to be open to everyone, and a large share of places are reserved for young people with fewer opportunities.
Not sure whether your country qualifies? Read which countries can apply for Erasmus+ and ESC 🗺️, or see the general Who Can Apply page. When you are ready to sign up, here is how to register on the ESC Portal step by step.
🚫 "I'm not qualified enough." "I don't speak the language." These are the most common reasons young people talk themselves out of applying. Read the 4 ESC myths and the facts that prove them wrong →
What can you do with the ESC? 🤝
The European Solidarity Corps offers three main paths.
Volunteering Projects 🌱
Volunteer abroad or in your own country on community based initiatives, either on your own or as part of a group. Projects run across many fields, such as:
🌿 Environment and sustainability
🎨 Art and culture
👶 Youth and education support
🐾 Animal welfare and nature protection
💬 Social inclusion and refugee support
Group volunteering has its own format: a team of at least 5 volunteers from at least 2 different countries works together on a shared cause. Learn more about ESC Volunteering Teams.
Solidarity Projects 💡
Instead of joining a hosting organisation abroad, you can start your own local initiative with a small team of at least 5 young people to improve your own community. The ESC helps you fund and manage the idea, from first plan to final result. See what ESC Solidarity Projects are and how to set one up.
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering 🕊️
A separate strand supports volunteering that contributes to humanitarian aid in safe regions outside the EU. This is the only ESC path with a wider age range of 18 to 35. See how ESC Humanitarian Aid Volunteering works.
How long do ESC projects last? ⏳
There is no single length, which is part of what makes the ESC flexible:
📅 Long term volunteering usually runs from 2 to 12 months, the classic "move abroad for a while" experience.
📅 Short term volunteering can last from 2 weeks to 2 months, often used for team projects or to open the door to young people with fewer opportunities.
Your exact dates are always set in the individual project you apply to, so check each listing.
Where can you volunteer? 🌍
You can volunteer across the Erasmus+ Programme countries and selected partner countries. Popular destinations include:
🇮🇹 Italy 🇪🇸 Spain 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇬🇷 Greece 🇩🇪 Germany 🇫🇷 France 🇵🇱 Poland 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇹🇷 Türkiye and many more!
Every country runs different projects, from eco farms and youth centres to art studios and NGOs working for peace and inclusion. The full list of eligible programme and partner countries is in our eligibility guide.
What does the ESC cover? 💶
The European Solidarity Corps is built so money is not a barrier. In most projects you receive:
✈️ Travel to and from the project, funded within set distance bands
🏠 Accommodation provided by the host organisation
🍽️ Food or a food allowance
💶 Monthly pocket money (the amount depends on the country)
🛡️ Insurance through the official ESC scheme, so you are covered throughout
🗣️ Online language support to help you prepare for your placement
🧑🏫 A mentor and ongoing training from start to finish
⚠️ One honest note: travel is reimbursed by distance band, not always the full ticket price, so on very long flights the band may not cover 100% of the cost. Everything else is genuinely covered.
Want the detail? See is ESC fully funded and what is covered, the breakdown of what Erasmus+ covers, how insurance for ESC volunteers works, and what Online Language Support (OLS) gives you.
Why join the ESC? ✨
Because helping others changes you too. With the European Solidarity Corps you can:
🌍 Live and volunteer abroad
💬 Learn new languages and cultures
🌱 Support causes that genuinely matter to you
💼 Build teamwork, communication and leadership skills
💙 Become part of the European solidarity community
At the end you also receive a YouthPass certificate, official recognition of what you learned that you can add to your CV. Read what YouthPass is and why it matters 📜.
ESC vs Erasmus+: what's the difference? 🔎
People mix these up all the time. In short: Erasmus+ covers a broad range of learning mobility (youth exchanges, training, studies), while the ESC is specifically about volunteering and solidarity. They are separate programmes with separate portals. For a full side by side, read ESC vs Erasmus+: the difference.
How do you apply? 🎒
Applying is simpler than most people expect:
1️⃣ Browse open ESC placements on our platform, youthworkshub.org
2️⃣ Apply directly to the project you like
3️⃣ Get selected, pack your bags and start your journey ✈️
Want to prepare first? See How to Apply, learn how to write an ESC motivation letter that actually gets read, and if you want the full picture in one place, read the complete ESC guide.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Is the ESC only for EU citizens?
No. You need to be legally resident in an EU country, an associated country, or an eligible partner country, not necessarily a citizen.
How old do you have to be for the ESC?
18 to 30 for standard volunteering. Humanitarian Aid Volunteering allows 18 to 35. You can register from 17 and start once you turn 18.
Is ESC volunteering fully funded?
Most core costs (accommodation, food, insurance and pocket money) are covered, and travel is funded within distance bands. On very long trips the travel band may not cover the full ticket.
Do you get paid to volunteer with the ESC?
It is not a salaried job. You receive monthly pocket money and a food allowance, plus covered accommodation and insurance.
How long can an ESC project last?
From 2 weeks up to 12 months, depending on the project and whether it is short or long term.
What do you get at the end?
A YouthPass certificate that records the skills and experience you gained.
Link 🔗
👉 Find and apply for open ESC placements: youthworkshub.org