European Solidarity Corps – Instructions for use
I am young and would like to do an ESC. What steps to take?
If you are between 18 and 30 years old, want to get involved and wish to have an exceptional experience in Europe, the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is perfect for you!
What is ESC?
European Solidarity Corps is a unique opportunity for all young Europeans between 18 and 30 of age, who would like to commit themselves to a cause of general interest and volunteer in a foreign country. The goal is to allow young people to discover another culture and to gain new, useful competences for their academic and professional life. No language level, diploma or training is required. ESC enables volunteering in another country, within an association, an NGO or a community. It is an action of the Erasmus+ programme. Unlike honorary service, voluntary service is a full-time commitment under contract (generally between 30 and 38 hours per week) for a limited duration, with a mission of helping others. At the end of your ESC project, you will receive a certificate – the Youthpass – which proves your participation and describes your contribution. You will benefit from ongoing support in form of a training cycle, tutoring and language training.
What are the project themes?
You will join a non-profit structure (association, territorial community, NGO…) in a foreign country and will accomplish a project of general interest in different areas. The proposed missions concern various fields: culture and art, social issues, environment, heritage protection, media and youth information, fight against exclusion and racism, health, solidarity economy, sports…
What is the project duration?
The proposed missions usually last from 6 to 12 months, but shorter durations are also possible.
What are the criteria?
– To be between 18 and 30 years old
– No training or diploma required
– No experience required
– No knowledge of language required (a basic level of English is often recommended)
What is provided?
– Outward and return journey
– Insurance
– Accommodation
– Pocket money (from 5 to 12 € per day according to the country)
– Food
– Online language support and a possible language course
The volunteering is subsidised by the European Commission. The project does not cost the volunteer anything, aside from their personal expenses.
In which countries?
As French volunteer, it is not possible do an ESC in France, but in the other countries of the ERASMUS+ programme:
– Countries of the European Union
– Countries of the European Economic Area, except Switzerland: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway
– Candidate countries for the European Union: Turkije, Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Georgia
– Countries of South-East Europe: Kosovo
– Countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia
– Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Syria, Tunisia
Attention!
The ESC is NOT an internship, a training, a youth employment, a linguistic or touristic stay, an exploitation of cheap labour or a study or professional training period abroad.
How to participate?
An ESC project is a partnership between several promoters (organisations), which are responsible for the recruitment of volunteers for their projects. The volunteers participate in an ESC through a sending organisation established in their country of residence and a hosting organisation which receives them during their service. The sending structure organises your information and preparation before the departure, the follow-up of your mission and your arrival.
- Contact a sending organisation (at least 6 months before submitting your application)
You will have an individual appointment or you will participate in an information meeting where all the necessary steps will be explained.
- Search for your hosting project and apply (at least 4 months before handing in your application)
This is an individual step. You will select the projects which interest you. The research is done according to different criteria (countries, themes…). Afterwards, you apply to the structures by sending a CV and a letter of motivation. If you speak the language of your chosen country, it is be advisable to write the documents in this language.
- Prepare your application (at least 1 month before submitting your application)
As soon as a hosting organisation replies to you positively, you should contact your sending organisation, which will take charge of all the administrative steps for validating your project.
- Date of handing in your application
February, April, October (specific dates are available on the website of Erasmus+ youth)
It often takes up to 2 months to receive an answer from the hosting organisation.
- Sign your contract and leave for your ESC (at least 3 months after handing in your application)
As soon as you receive a positive answer, you can start the preparation of your trip and sign the contract of activity.
ESC sending structures in the region of Centre-Val de Loire
– Maison de l’Europe Tours
Le 360, 78 rue des Halles – 37000 TOURS
Tel : +33 247 20 05 55
E-mail : maisoneuropetours@gmail.com
www.maisoneuropetours.fr
– Info Jeunes Centre-Val de Loire
3 rue de la Cholerie 45000 ORLEANS
Tel : +33 238 78 91 78
E-mail : infojeunescvdl@ijcentre.fr
– La Ligue de l’enseignement du Cher
5 rue Samson
18000 BOURGES
Mail : federation@ligue18.org
Tel : +33 248 48 01 00
For more information:
Infomation booklet (in French)
Database of projects on Facebook
French Agency of the European Erasmus+ program
