The European Solidarity Corps (formerly EVS), is part of the Erasmus + programme, set up in July 2018 by the European Commission. It enables young people to take part in activities in areas such as culture, sport, civil protection or the environment within an EU country. The ESC brings together young people who want to build a more inclusive society by helping the most vulnerable and addressing societal challenges. It provides a positive and inspiring experience for young people who want to help, learn and grow. The scheme is open to all with no language requirements.
Who is it for?
Any French or European citizen aged 18 to 30 and ready to dedicate themselves to community service.
What is it?
A philanthropic mission of community service lasting 6 to 12 months, with a maximum working week of 38 hours.
When is it?
Start date at any point during the year depending on the projects for the volunteer (September being the most common start date).
Where?
Throughout Europe – excluding your home country – in an organisation listed in the ESC database.
How?
You have two possibilities:
- You may have an exact idea and find a mission in the ESC database
- You may have no idea and want VISA-AD’s guidance to find a project that matches your aspirations.
In either case, you will need to fill out an application form which we will have sent to you. After these considerations and after an interview with VISA-AD, your application is presented to the host organisation, who will approve it, or not. Neither the application nor the interview is a trap, the main idea is to get to know the young person and their motivations and to help them in their choice of mission.
Finally, you will need to wait for confirmation for a European grant, which will finance the year.
What are the benefits?
- Recognised legal status
- A qualification for your experience: a diploma validating the skills you acquired (YOUTHPASS)
- Support throughout the mission (supervision, training, volunteer sessions, coordinators)
- Training provided by VISA-AD and the national agency in the host country, done in sessions throughout the volunteer journey
- A monthly allowance allotted by the European Commission depending on the country
- Accommodation, catering and travel to and from the host country
- Language training included
- Health insurance, liability, repatriation covered by the European Commission
- 2 days off per month of mission and 2 days off per week
Details specific to VISA-AD
- a pre-travel preparatory training session.
- A designated coordinator for the duration of the mission to oversee each volunteer.
- A solid international network available to offer support in the country where the mission takes place.
- Meet young people from all walks of life and experience volunteering as a community.
- Support in your choice of mission for a “tailor-made” mission.
- The opportunity to create and manage a personal project in your organisation. This allows for a degree of flexibility in the missions that the volunteer carries out.
- Complementary training abroad (cultural awareness etc.) throughout the mission
- VISA-AD acts as mediator in case of a problem between the host organisation and the volunteer.
- Exclusive partnership with the Institut de l’engagement to enhance the volunteer experience and establish plans for the post-volunteering period.
- Many missions are available with accommodation, assisting with transport and reducing the uncertainty for young people.
