Over €370 million for youth volunteering in the next 2 years

The European Parliament today adopted a Report on the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), a new European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in another EU country, or in their home country, on projects that benefit communities and people around Europe.

The programme will allow 100,000 young Europeans support communities in need between 2018 and 2020 through volunteering, traineeships and job placements. The overall budget available for the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps is set at €376.5 million for this period. Another even larger EU programme will follow for the period after 2020.

For Michaela Šojdrová MEP, the EPP Group responsible for the file, it is important that the ESC gets adequate financing that is not taken away from existing successful programmes: "The European Parliament’s main goal was achieved thanks to excellent cooperation between the Rapporteur and Shadow Rapporteurs: the Erasmus+ budget will not be harmed as it will not be financing the jobs and traineeships in this ESC programme. Overall, the amount for volunteering has been increased, thanks to fresh money agreed by the Council. This is good news for all young volunteers and organisations."

For NGOs, churches, schools and other institutions, the European Solidarity Corps programme provides an opportunity to engage young people willing to gain work experience, skills and human experience.

Young people aged between 18-30 are the main target of the European Solidarity Corps. They will undertake volunteering activities or solidarity projects managed by organisations, institutions, bodies or groups.