The programme is designed to empower youth and promote solidarity, aligning with broader EU strategies such as the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Democracy Action Plan. The document outlines specific policy priorities, including fostering inclusion and diversity, promoting environmental sustainability and climate goals, embracing digital transformation, and encouraging active participation in democratic life. It highlights the various grant management mechanisms, including calls for proposals, both general and specific, which are crucial for mobilizing projects and activities in line with the program’s objectives.

Our Main Highlights in Comparison With 2023

• DiscoverEU

•  Key Action 1 Mobility Projects Budget
• Sport Activities 

• Partnership for Cooperation in the field of youth

• Partnership for Cooperation: Small-Scale Partnership

• Priorities in the field of youth: budget

• Priorities in the field of sport: budget

• Key Action 2

• Youth Participation Activities

DOWNLOAD the 2024 European Solidarity Corps Annual Work Programme.

L'articolo 2024 Annual Work Programme | Highlights on the Differences With 2023 Edition proviene da Youth Networks.

The European Solidarity Corps, launched in 2016 and bolstered by a dedicated regulation in 2018, has become a cornerstone of the EU’s commitment to solidarity and youth empowerment. With a budget exceeding EUR 1 billion for 2021-2027, the Corps has expanded its focus to include volunteering in humanitarian aid, addressing global challenges.

Boasting a quarter-million registered youth by 2020, the Corps goes beyond community impact. It equips participants with vital skills for navigating a dynamic world. Aligned with the EU Youth Strategy, the Corps is more than a volunteer initiative; it’s a bridge connecting youthful aspirations with global needs, fostering socially conscious and globally engaged citizens.

DOWNLOAD the 2024 European Solidarity Corps Annual Work Programme.

Empowering Youth Globally: The European Solidarity Corps and EU Youth Strategy

The European Solidarity Corps, a linchpin of the EU’s commitment to solidarity and youth empowerment, is strategically embedded within the framework of European cooperation in the youth field. At the heart of EU youth policy, the Corps aligns with the renewed Youth Strategy, emphasising active citizenship, solidarity, and positive change inspired by EU values and a shared European identity.

A pivotal aspect of the Youth Strategy is found in the ‘Connect’ priority area, where the Commission aims to expand mobility actions under the Corps. This entails not only bolstering mobility but also supporting implementation through robust policy cooperation and community-building activities. The indicative budget for the 2024 European Solidarity Corps work programme stands at EUR 145,000,000, a crucial financing decision per the regulations governing the Union’s general budget.

Policy Priorities and Strategic Focus

In its mission to empower young people and promote solidarity, the European Solidarity Corps outlines comprehensive policy priorities for the 2024 work programme. These priorities align with broader EU strategies such as the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Democracy Action Plan, emphasizing a gender equality perspective in line with the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-25.

Inclusion and Diversity

The Corps actively addresses inclusion and diversity, promoting social inclusion, tolerance, human rights, and the value of differences. A comprehensive strategy supports organizations in reaching participants with fewer opportunities, ensuring equal access. The thematic SALTO Resource Centre for Inclusion and Diversity enhances the inclusive implementation of the programme.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Goals

The Corps contributes to climate and biodiversity goals by prioritizing the green transition and promoting eco-friendly practices in projects. In line with the European Green Deal, the Corps supports initiatives for environmental conservation, awareness, and resilience to extreme weather events. The thematic green SALTO Resource Centre enhances the green dimension of the programme.

Digital Transformation

In response to the EU’s emphasis on digital leadership, the Corps aims to support Europeans in thriving in the digital age. Projects and activities focus on improving digital skills, fostering digital literacy, and understanding the risks and opportunities of digital technology. The thematic digital SALTO Resource Centre ensures high-quality and inclusive implementation of the digital dimension.

Participation in Democratic Life

At the core of the Corps is the promotion of European common values, civic engagement, and strengthening European identity. Activities aim to engage youth in democratic processes, including European elections, and uphold EU values and human rights. The thematic SALTO Resource Centre for Participation & Information supports high-quality and inclusive implementation.

Annual Policy Priorities: Addressing Urgent Needs

The 2024 work programme emphasizes specific annual policy priorities:

• Relief for Persons Fleeing Conflicts and Disasters

The Corps plays a crucial role in providing relief and assistance to those affected by armed conflicts and disasters. Recent events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, underscore the importance of solidarity in times of crisis.

• Fostering Positive Learning for Vulnerable Youth

The Corps supports learning outcomes for young people with fewer opportunities, aligning with the European Year of Skills and reinforcing the legacy of the European Year of Youth.

Broader Focus Areas: Health and Innovation

Beyond annual priorities, the Corps actively supports initiatives related to health and mental well-being, aligning with the HealthyLifeStyle4All. It also promotes innovation, mobilizing young people to contribute innovative solutions to societal challenges, such as rural depopulation and sustainable energy systems.

The European Solidarity Corps in 2024 emerges not only as a platform for youth engagement but as a dynamic force aligning with EU strategies, addressing pressing global issues, and nurturing a generation of socially conscious and innovative citizens.

Calls for Proposals: Guiding Participation

Calls for proposals, both general and specific, are issued by the Commission or the Executive Agency, aligning with Financial Regulation Article 189(1). The annual general call for proposals, accompanied by the Programme Guide, serves as a comprehensive resource outlining project objectives, requirements, and application procedures.

• Direct and Indirect Management: Diverse Implementation Channels

Actions are implemented through direct and indirect management. National Agencies handle indirect management, while direct management grants are awarded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

• Flexible Grant Awarding: Swift Responses to Needs

Grant awards, including those without a formal call for proposals as permitted by Article 195 of the Financial Regulation, showcase the Corps’ adaptability in addressing emerging challenges.

• Navigating 2024 Initiatives: Future Calls and Grants

Part II of the work programme details upcoming calls for proposals and grants, providing clarity for potential beneficiaries. The selection criteria outlined in the Programme Guide will guide the evaluation and awarding process for all grants under the European Solidarity Corps.

L'articolo European Solidarity Corps 2024 Annual Work Programme proviene da Youth Networks.

Are you a youth worker or do you work in the organisation of solidarity or volunteering projects?

Discover the impact of ESC project by joining “Exploring & Celebrating Impact in European Solidarity Corps Activities“, a training course organised by “The Youth Board of Cyprus”.

The activities will take place from 23 to 27 October in Cyprus.

The organisation

The Youth Board of Cyprus was founded in 1994 with the aim of providing opportunities to young people and to actively participate and be responsible for the social, economic and cultural development of their community and country.

The organisation also offer support to young people with youth related problems through entertainment and creative projects.

What to expect

The participants will have the opportunity to build on their knowledge of the impact ESC programmes have on volunteers.

The training course will also be useful to develop methodologies to evaluate the results of projects and improve the effectiveness of the desired results.

It will also be an experience that will allow the connection between different realities, promoting cultural exchange and non-formal education among the participants.

Requirements

You can participate in the training course if you fall into one (or more) of the following categories:

• Being an active person in the organisation of volunteer projects or have participated in an ESC volunteer project
• Being a youth worker who supports young people in participating in European Solidarity Corps activities
• Being a volunteering coordinator, manager, mentor or coach
• coming from a European Solidarity Corps Programme or Partner Country

How to apply

To participate in the project you can submit your application through the official portal of Salto-Youth.

The project is fully funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

The participants will get a full refund of the return ticket, food and accommodation throughout the project.

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L'articolo Discover the Impact of ESC projects with this Training Course proviene da Youth Networks.

The TOSCA initiative is a comprehensive program designed to provide organisation support and enhance the capacity of entities that actively participate in Volunteering Actions of the European Solidarity Corps. Its ultimate goal is to ensure high-quality and impactful outcomes for the projects undertaken by these organisations. By providing a wide range of capacity-building activities, such as training sessions, coaching, and mentoring, TOSCA empowers these organizations to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate their volunteer projects.

In this article, we will discuss the objectives and benefits of TOSCA and how it ensures quality and impact in respective projects.

Objectives and Benefits of TOSCA

TOSCA fosters a supportive community for European Solidarity Corps, building project design and implementation competencies while providing clarity and support.

TOSCA’s goals and benefits are as follows:

• Increase understanding, awareness, and dedication to the European Solidarity Corps’ fundamental quality requirements;
• Develop skills in the planning and implementation of European Solidarity Corps initiatives with a focus on quality;
• Provide formal clarity and support for the program’s opportunities, guidelines, structures, priorities, regulations, and processes;
• Enable people to voice critical issues and requirements and provide assistance when possible;
• Create a supporting community of European Solidarity Corps organisations;

For more information about the topic, you can watch this video explaining what kind of approach TOSCA has in defining quality in European Solidarity Corps Volunteering activities.

Conclusion

TOSCA plays a vital role in supporting and building capacities in organisations to ensure quality and impact in respective projects. The program fosters a supportive community of organizations involved in the European Solidarity Corps, building competencies in designing and implementing quality projects, and ensuring clarity and support. By achieving its objectives, TOSCA ensures that the activities of the European Solidarity Corps are based on core values of solidarity and contribute positively to society.

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L'articolo TOSCA: Building Quality and Impact in European Solidarity Corps Volunteering Actions proviene da Youth Networks.

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is a crucial component of the EU Youth Programs, particularly Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. These programs aim to develop MIL competencies among young people and empower them through youth engagement. This article will explore the significance of MIL in EU Youth Programs and its connection to youth participation.

The Importance of MIL in EU Youth Programmes

One-third of Erasmus+ Key Actions projects focus on MIL, and the top priority for these projects is developing digital youth work. There are major gaps in MIL competencies in the areas of digital safety, ICT, and media literacy, and tackling information.

To sum up some statistics about the connection between Media and Information Literacy and EU Youth Programmes:

• 50% of Youth Participation projects focus on Media and Information Literacy (MIL), and vice versa, as critical thinking is a common transversal competence. 
• MIL is crucial for effective youth participation, particularly for disadvantaged groups, and necessary for e-participation. 
• Many projects aim to promote MIL and social inclusion. 
• Creative expression through art and media can also empower socially excluded youth and address human rights issues like hate speech.

MIL & SALTO PI

To advance MIL in the long term, better guidelines and project ideas from MIL experts and niche organisations are needed. The MIL Study Visit 2022 aims to introduce media landscape thematic area projects, develop the MIL focus of ESC Volunteering and Solidarity projects, integrate digital safety, ICT, and media literacy into KA2 projects, and promote cooperation and peace building to tackle youth radicalization.

MIL & Youth Work

When defining the quality of a project, the specific needs of different age groups are considered to be the most important factor. Young people should participate in cross-border projects as much as possible to facilitate their learning and use of critical thinking. Specialist organisations should lead MIL projects within the EU Youth Programs: especially in the areas of digital safety, ICT, and media literacy.

Finally, Media and Information Literacy is an important component of EU Youth Programs and is closely linked to youth involvement. These programmes promote the creative use of new methods of expression and critical thinking in order to provide young people with the required abilities to navigate the digital world.

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L'articolo Media and Information Literacy in EU Youth Programs proviene da Youth Networks.

Are you an organisation looking to expand your reach and find more potential volunteers for your projects? Now you can do it on Youth4Europe!

We understand the importance of connecting volunteers with the right opportunities. That’s why we’ve created a platform that allows organizations like yours to post volunteering projects and opportunities for free, reaching thousands of potential candidates all over Europe. 

Now, let’s see how you can post your projects! 

Why Post Volunteering Opportunities?

Through our portal, you can easily advertise your volunteer opportunities, such as ESC projects, and search for and connect with potential participants. Moreover, by using Youth4Europe your organization can gain visibility and reach more potential volunteers. The more opportunities you post, the more likely you are to find the right fit for your projects.

Once you submit your volunteer project on Youth4Europe, it will be reviewed for approval and then shared through our various channels, including:

• our Facebook Pages (Youth4Europe with over 17.7K followers and ***European Solidarity Corps with over 28K followers); 
• Facebook Group (with over 64.5K members); 
• Instagram Page (with over 2.8K followers);
• our newsletter, sent twice a month (here to subscribe);

This gives you access to a large and diverse audience, increasing the chances of finding the perfect volunteer for your project. 

Post Your Volunteering Projects with No Limits

Last but not least, we don’t limit the number of volunteer projects you can post on Youth4Europe, and the process is totally free of charge, with the only requirement being that your organization creates a personal account. We believe in the power of volunteering to make a positive impact on individuals and communities, and we want to make it as easy as possible for organizations to connect with volunteers. To get started, the procedure is as follows:

• simply log in or create an account; 
• click on “Add Listing”;
• fill in the required information; 
• and submit for approval; 

Be sure to read the Guidelines carefully before submitting to ensure that your volunteer opportunity is as effective as possible. 

Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your organization’s reach and make a difference in the lives of volunteers and communities across Europe – post your volunteer opportunities on Youth4Europe today!

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L'articolo Publish Your Volunteering Projects For Free proviene da Youth Networks.

Download the European Solidarity Corps Guide 2023.

European Solidarity Corps Guide 2023

This call for proposals covers the following actions of the European Solidarity Corps programme:

• Volunteering Projects
• Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas
• Solidarity Projects
• Quality Label for solidarity volunteering activities
• Quality Label for humanitarian aid volunteering
• Volunteering under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps.

Who Can Participate

Any public or private entity whether non-profit or profit making, local, regional, national or international may apply for funding under the European Solidarity Corps. In addition, groups of young people registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal, may apply for funding for Solidarity Projects.

The following countries can fully take part in all European Solidarity Corps actions:

• the 27 Member States of the European Union and Overseas Countries and Territories,
• third countries associated to the Programme
• EFTA/EEA countries: Iceland and Liechtenstein,
• EU candidate countries: the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia

Deadlines

The detailed conditions of this call for proposals, including priorities, can be found in the 2023 European Solidarity Corps Guide.

L'articolo European Solidarity Corps Programme Guide 2023 proviene da Youth Networks.

The involved organisations are experienced in conducting mobility projects within the framework of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Programmes. The consortium is composed of a number of 26 organisations from 14 countries and has been focusing on the topic of inclusion, particularly addressing the inclusion of groups of young people that find themselves in highly vulnerable situations and could benefit in their life path from a potential participation in an E+ mobility or an ESC project.

Download the Position Paper.

Highly Vulnerable Groups

The consortium has gathered around a common understanding of the concept of highly vulnerable groups of young people.

Therefore, they have agreed that a highly vulnerable young person is a person that is living in a situation of vulnerability and who is facing an overlapping of potential exclusion factors, of which at least one is a long-term or permanent condition. Their involvement in mobility activities implies a need for a long term structural support system to be put in place by all partners in the project and promoted by National Agencies and European stakeholders.

Consortium

This document is the product of work done at the Annual Meeting of the Network of AssociazioneJoint, held in November 2022. This document, therefore, represents the conclusions of the work of the representatives of 26 organisations, who signed the text:

• Associazione di promozione sociale Joint(Italy);
• Asociación Madrid Outdoor Education (Spain);
• Asociatia Curba de Cultura (Romania);
• Associacao Social Recreativa Juventude VilaFonche (Portugal);
• Athens Youth Path (Greece);
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa, Delegação deBraga (Portugal);
• DOTS-Cooperativa de Inovação Social para aTransformação Social (Portugal);
• Dreaming OPEnly (Germany);
• Dypall Network: Associacao para oDesenvolvimento da Participacao Cidada (Portugal);
• En Root (France);
• Fundacja Integracji Spolecznej PROM (Poland);
• Genesis ZS (Czech Republic);
• Grenzkultur GGMBH (Germany);
• Koinoniki Synetairistiki Epicheirisi Sillogikis kai Koinonikis Ofeleias Infinity Greece (Greece);
• Neolea Gia Antalagi kai Katanoisi(Cyprus);
• NoBorders (Italy);
• Nuoriso-ja luontomatkailukeskus Oivanki (Finland);
• Obcianske Zdruzenie KERIC (Slovakia);
• P.E.CO.-Progetti Europei di Cooperazione (Italy);
• Parcours leMondeSudOuest(France);
• RegionalneCentrumWolontariatu (Poland);
• Travelnest Egyesület (Hungary);
• YeTooPonese: espacio para la gestion de ineditos viables (Spain);
• Zachodniopomorska wojewódzka komendaOHPw szczecinie (Poland);
• Zveza Drustev Mladinski Center Postojna (Slovenia)

Would you like to support the initiative?
Fill out this form and add add your organisation to the list of signatories!

L'articolo Position Paper | Improving the Inclusion of Highly Vulnerable People in International Mobility | ESC and Erasmus Plus proviene da Youth Networks.

Agenzia Nazionale Giovani (Italian National Agency) presents the research report “Effects of Active Citizenship on the Employability of Volunteers Participating in the European Solidarity Corps Programme“.

Effects of the European Solidarity Corps on Youth Employability

Open mindset, networking, active participation in social and democratic life, transversal skills: these are, according to the research carried out by the Agenzia Nazionale per i Giovani “Effects of Active Citizenship in the Employability of Volunteers Participating in the ESC Programme”, the main characteristics acquired by the Volunteers participating in the European Solidarity Corps, a project based on more than 25 years of European programmes in the fields of youth and solidarity.

The EU programme, managed in Italy by ANG, since 2018 allows thousands of girls and boys to live voluntary and solidarity experiences all over Europe within projects designed to help communities or populations. In fact, the programme’s activities support the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, which encourages young people to active and responsible participation in social, economic, cultural, political and civic spheres through exchange opportunities in a European context.

The Research

The primary aim of the research was to identify the potential impact of the programme on the world of work for Italian volunteers who participated in European volunteering projects, investigating to what extent this experience has a positive impact on employability, but also on the improvement of their personal skills and abilities.

42.5% of the interviewees, out of a total sample of 244 subjects (64 men and 153 women) with an average age of 27.8 years, 60% coming from Northern Italy, followed by 20% from the South and Islands and only 13.5% from Central Italy, highlight how the experience abroad proves to be a strategic lever for the development of a more open-minded personal and professional outlook; 8.63% emphasise an increased awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion obtained by strengthening their networks of extra-national relations and learning new cultural models in the organisational sphere and in the management of relations; again, 12% highlight how participation in the programme favours the development of specific and transversal skills.

An important element to underline, in order to reinforce the message that emerges from these data, is also that at the time of the interview, the population under analysis was mostly in a condition of employability or training (55.3% employed and 30.3% student/trainee) and only 9% were seeking employment. In addition, 85% confirmed that they intended to undertake further mobility in the future, demonstrating an awareness of how investing in their training can be a driver for finding employment.

Among the main motivations behind the decision to join the European Solidarity Corps programme are in fact both the need for personal development in order to experience and deal with a context different from the domestic one, and the desire to expand one’s professional dimension, improving one’s skills and competences, and the desire to network in order to build new relationships.

“Youth volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps programme,” says Lucia Abbinante, Director General of ANG, “is an extraordinary opportunity that broadens the cognitive horizons of the young volunteers involved. The comparison with other cultures, personal growth, active participation in political, cultural, democratic and civic life in a European context contributes to forming citizens of the future who respect the values of inclusion, equality, social, economic and environmental sustainability. The photograph returned by the research overcomes and demolishes all the clichés about a generation that, when not ignored, is portrayed as disinterested and apathetic: nothing could be further from the truth. It is the duty of the institutions, on the contrary, to widen these opportunities, make them more accessible and overcome the gap that can still be bridged in this age group, before it is too late. Training even in non-formal contexts is a driving force for the future, and the research carried out by the Agenzia Nazionale Giovani shows precisely how much experiences of this kind help to enrich knowledge and skills with positive spin-offs in terms of employability. A new generation of European citizens is growing up and deserves more attention’.

In fact, the research shows how participation in the ESC programme increased participants’ awareness of social issues (72.65%) – such as democracy, immigration, sustainability, equality, exclusion, citizenship, equal opportunities – confirming how experience abroad facilitates the development of multifaceted knowledge.

Critical thinking, greater self-confidence in oneself and in one’s choices, the ability to mediate and adapt to different contexts and cultures, and language skills are the main competences learnt detected by those who, between 2018 and 2020, took part in the European Solidarity Corps projects: a crucial training background to face future challenges in the world of work, but also in life.

L'articolo Italian National Agency Research | Effects of the European Solidarity Corps on Youth Employability proviene da Youth Networks.

According to it, e-learning shows up as an effective and economical additional means, that provides training and support to volunteers.

It is an ideal tool for the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of a commonly and socially constructed understanding. For these reasons, the consortium has created ESC2LEARN, an online training platform to support remote volunteers.

ESC2LEARN Online Training Platform for Volunteers

ESC2LEARN is an online training platform to support volunteers and provide training and support through 30 e-modules on various topics related to volunteering.

On the website it is possible to:

• access the e-learning platform;
• watch a serie of tutorials;
• visit the interactive map of volunteering projects;

The partners are also asking to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate the experience of using the e-learning platform, to any organisation that deals with volunteers and volunteering projects.

Fill out the survey.

The purpose of this evaluation is to improve the existing project.

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L'articolo ESC2LEARN | Online Training Platform to Support Volunteers proviene da Youth Networks.