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. 112 is the European emergency phone number, available everywhere in the EU, free of charge. Researching the organisation, talking to previous volunteers and reading the call carefully before applying greatly reduce the risk. The page below covers safety in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and Erasmus+ youth projects. Our guide on DiscoverEU covers travel with friends under that separate action.
Last updated: November 2026.
How does the programme keep you safe?
Your protection, health and safety are important principles of both programmes:
🛡️ In the European Solidarity Corps: each organisation participating must have in place effective procedures and arrangements, including repatriation (your return home) in case of unexpected security crisis, to promote and guarantee the safety, protection and non-discrimination of the participants in their activities.
🌍 In Erasmus+: each organisation participating in the Programme must have in place effective procedures and arrangements to promote and guarantee the safety, protection and non-discrimination of the participants in their activities.
🏥 Insurance in the European Solidarity Corps: all volunteers must be insured against the risks linked to their participation, and there is a specific insurance policy for cross-border volunteers (volunteers who go abroad).
Our guide on ESC insurance explains the cover, and our guide on how we verify opportunities explains the checks on this site.
What number do you call in an emergency?
You call 112, the European emergency phone number, available everywhere in the EU, free of charge. You can call 112 from fixed and mobile phones to contact any emergency service: an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police. Operators in many countries can answer the calls not only in their national language, but also in English or French. 112 functions alongside existing national emergency numbers. 112 operators respond only to real emergencies.
In the European Solidarity Corps, you should know in advance who is the contact person in case of emergencies. If a serious incident occurs, you can expect the mentor to stay in appropriate contact with the support (sending) organisation in your own country, your family (if required or requested) and the insurance company, if necessary. Our guide on the ESC mentor explains that role.
What should you prepare before you travel?
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and copies of your documents before you travel:
📇 Contacts: a list of emergency contacts and addresses (like the embassy) and a list of numbers to block your credit cards.
📄 Copies: copies of passport, ID and documents, paper and digital.
🩺 Insurance in the European Solidarity Corps: download the Henner Pass policy from the link in the email from Henner, the ESC insurance company, and send a copy to your sending organisation.
Our guide on what to do before you go covers the preparation, and our guide on ESC packing essentials covers your bag.
How do you avoid scams and unsafe offers?
You avoid scams by knowing the warning signs of a fake or problematic call:
🚩 Money: a request for money under any name (application fee, placement fee, commission, booking fee, visa processing fee) is a warning sign of a fake or problematic call.
🚩 Pressure: pressure to decide immediately is a warning sign.
🚩 Personal account: asking for a transfer to a personal bank account is a warning sign.
Our guide on spotting fake offers gives the full list.
What if something goes wrong?
In the European Solidarity Corps, talk first to your mentor, then to your sending organisation, and if needed to the National Agency. If a problem comes up in a Youth Exchange, you should go first to your own group leader, then to the host coordinator, and last to the facilitator. You must not act in any way that could put others or yourself at risk of being injured or harmed. Our guide on when a project goes wrong covers the full order, and our guide on facing racism or discrimination on a project covers your rights.
Are you insured when you travel in your free time?
Yes, but only for emergency treatment in other countries: the European Solidarity Corps insurance plan covers you 24 hours a day, worldwide during both private and project-related activities. In your home country and your hosting country, you are covered for all medical treatment based on the plan specifications, planned or unplanned; in other countries, you are covered only for unplanned treatment, which means emergency treatment after an "Accident" or "Unexpected illness". Our guide on ESC insurance explains the cover, and our guide on travelling during your project covers trips on days off.
Frequently asked questions
Does 112 work outside the EU?
112 is also used in some countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland and South Africa, and is available worldwide on GSM mobile networks.
Who pays if I have to come home because of a crisis?
In the European Solidarity Corps, if a crisis is accepted as force majeure (something serious and outside your control), you can leave without penalty, payments are calculated for the days you actually spent in the project, and the return journey is paid. Each organisation must have in place effective procedures and arrangements, including repatriation in case of unexpected security crisis.
Is DiscoverEU covered here?
No: our guide on DiscoverEU covers that action, because this page is about volunteers and youth projects.
What should you do next?
Our guide on what to do before you go takes the preparation step by step.
Youth Works Hub has a Match page that finds projects suited to you: it asks 8 questions and shows the results as a swipeable deck of cards, and using Match requires creating an account on the site.
Related pages: ESC insurance · spotting fake offers · when a project goes wrong · the ESC mentor · what to do before you go
👉 ESC projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=esc-projects
👉 Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/?tab=erasmus-projects
