The European Solidarity Corps is a programme for young people that funds volunteering activities at home and abroad, as well as so-called solidarity projects, that is, independent initiatives by groups of young people addressing a problem in their community. An organisation that wants to send or host volunteers needs a quality label – an assessment verifying that it can provide support, accommodation and a meaningful activity programme. Costs are not reported through invoices but through unit amounts per participant per day, which significantly simplifies administration. The programme suits non-governmental organisations, municipalities, schools and social care facilities that are looking for additional capacity while also wanting to offer young people an experience. The key is to prepare a real task for the volunteer, not just a formal presence. Without a prepared activity programme and a mentor, the placement is rated poorly, making it harder for the organisation to obtain support in the next round.
See also: Mobility project, Erasmus+, Community project.
