Since 2011 YouNet has been active in the European Voluntary Service as a coordinating, hosting and sending organisation. Even after the launch by the European Commission in 2016 of the European Solidarity Corps, YouNet continues to support the inclusion of young people, especially with fewer opportunities, in the world of volunteering in Italy and abroad.​

What is the European Solidarity Corps?

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is an initiative of the European Union that offers the possibility to EU citizens, from 18 to 30 years old, to carry out a period of volunteering, traineeship or job abroad in an institution or organisation. The maximum duration of each project is 12 months, but it is possible to participate in a "short term" project (<60 days) and then in a "long term" project, with a maximum overall duration of 14 months.
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Rebuilding schools after an earthquake or helping prisoners find a place in society; organizing activities in youth centres or cleaning European beaches, responding to environmental challenges, working for the social inclusion of migrants... there are many missions that allow you to show solidarity!

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The main objectives are:

• Giving young people the opportunity to engage in solidarity activities, while improving their skills and employability;​
• Improving the engagement of organizations in solidarity activities;
• Responding to social needs and promoting solidarity in Europe;

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The project covers travel (with limited budget), food, accommodation, activities, and mentoring costs, plus each volunteer receives monthly a financial support that changes according to the country of destination (pocket money) and has a health insurance (CIGNA).

YouNet APS act as:

Supporting organization (SO)
for Italian volunteers: prepares, supports and trains participants before departure, act as a mediator between them and the hosting organizations, provides support to participants during their mobility and when they return from their activities.

Coordinating organization (CO):
​YouNet APS coordinates organizations
​and bodies on the Bologna area for the hospitality of European volunteers.

Hosting organization (HO)
for foreign volunteers: YouNet hosts European volunteers in its office in Bologna, developing for them a program of stimulating activities and providing guidance and support during the phases of the project.

To participate in projects with the European Solidarity Corps, you must register on the ESC platform, clicking on "Join the Corps" and entering your data. Young people from the age of 17 can register on the portal, but they need to reach 18 years old at the time of departure and start of the activities.

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Take a look at the open ESC opportunities! 

Find out more!

For information write to [email protected] and follow our FB page​