COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT CONCEPT NOTE - MAIN ACTIONS IMPLEMENTING THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS Accompanying the document Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the European Solidarity Corps programme and repealing [European Solidarity Corps Regulation] and Regulation (EU) No 375/2014
Date: 2018-06-11
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Subjects: EU office or agency, EU programme, education policy, humanitarian aid, vocational training, voluntary organisation, voluntary work, young person, youth employment, youth policy

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 11.6.2018 SWD(2018) 319 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT CONCEPT NOTE - MAIN ACTIONS IMPLEMENTING THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS Accompanying the document Proposal for a  REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the European Solidarity Corps programme and repealing [European Solidarity Corps Regulation] and Regulation (EU) No 375/2014    {COM(2018) 440 final} - {SWD(2018) 317 final} - {SWD(2018) 318 final}  
 
 
- CONCEPT NOTE - 

MAIN ACTIONS IMPLEMENTING THE 

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS 

This  concept  note  provides  further  information  on  the  main  actions  implementing  the 
European Solidarity Corps. It outlines: the key features of volunteering activities, traineeships 
and jobs); the format of the solidarity projects; the European Solidarity Corps Quality Label; 
the networking activities and European Solidarity Corps Resource Centres. 

VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES, TRAINEESHIPS AND JOBS 

European Solidarity Corps activities can take the shape of: 

A) volunteering activities in solidarity activities; 

B) volunteering activities in support of humanitarian aid operations; 

C) traineeship; 

D) jobs. 

Solidarity  activities  supported  under  European  Solidarity  Corps  may  be  offered  in  different 
areas,  such  as,  but  not  limited  to:  education  and  training,  employment,  gender  equality, 
entrepreneurship  (in  particular  social  entrepreneurship),  citizenship  and  democratic 
participation,  environment  and  nature  protection,  climate  action,  disaster  prevention, 
preparedness  and  recovery  (excluding  immediate  disaster  response),  agriculture  and  rural 
development,  provision  of  food  and  non-food  items,  health  and  wellbeing,  creativity  and 
culture, physical education and sport, social assistance and welfare, reception and integration 
of  third-country  nationals,  territorial  cooperation  and  cohesion  and  cooperation  across 
borders.  These  areas  of  interventions  can  also  be  considered  in  activities  in  support  of 
humanitarian aid operations. 

For  all  solidarity  activities,  a  certain  level  of  support  is  provided  to  participating 
organisations.  The different modalities  of support depending on the financing mode  and the 
type of activity are also listed below. 

The different types of activities as well as their proposed implementation and basic eligibility 
criteria are described below. 

A)  Volunteering activities in solidarity activities 

1.  Description of the activities 

A volunteering placement is a full-time1 unpaid voluntary service for a limited period (up to 
12 months, see point 2 for more details), which provides young people with the opportunity to 
contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate 
benefit of the communities within which the activities will be carried out. In addition to the 
strong solidarity component  of these  activities, the volunteering experience  will also have  a 
solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills 
and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, social and professional 
development. This will also contribute to improving their employability. 

Volunteering activities in solidarity activities under the European Solidarity Corps may be 1) 
cross-border  activities,  i.e.  activities  taking  place  in  a  country  different  from  the  country  of 

1 

As a general principle, an activity carried out continuously, five days a week for seven hours a day. 

1 

 
                                                            
origin of the participant; or 2) in-country activities, for instance to encourage and facilitate the 
participation of disadvantaged young people, to provide opportunities where national schemes 
do not exist, or to cater for priorities identified at European level within the framework of the 
European Solidarity Corps initiative. 

Volunteering activities can be carried out either individually or in group. 

As  for  group  activities,  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  supports  volunteering  teams.  These 
activities allow groups of 10 to 40 young volunteers from different participating countries to 
volunteer  together  on  community  service  projects  for  a  period  between  two  weeks  and  two 
months. In these activities, European Solidarity Corps’ volunteers carry out tasks for a project 
over  a  short  period  of  time  (usually,  but  not  exclusively,  during  holidays,  breaks  between 
study  periods,  transition  from  education  to  work,  etc.).  Despite  their  shorter  duration,  these 
activities are valuable both for the individuals and for the communities benefitting from this 
service. Examples of the valuable work that can be accomplished even over a short period of 
time include: for example restoring cultural heritage damaged by natural disaster, catering for 
species threatened by extinction, organising educational activities in refugee camps, etc. 

The  advantages  of  this  specific  type  of  group  activities  compared  to  standard  volunteering 
activities include the following: 

  volunteers carry out the activity in a group. This can be an incentive for youngsters who 

don't feel ready to embark into challenging experiences on their own; 

 

the activity is shorter in duration. This can foster the participation of those youngsters who 
cannot commit for a long period of time – because of their studies or jobs – but still want 
to be of help for the community. 

2.  Duration 

As a general rule, the duration of regular volunteering activities ranges between a minimum 
of  two  months  and  a  maximum  of  12  months.  In  duly  justified  cases,  notably  in  order  to 
encourage the participation of young people with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds, 
short-term volunteering (two weeks to two months) can be allowed. 

Volunteering teams last for a period between two weeks and two months. 

3.  Who can participate 

Activities  are  offered  by  participating  organisations2  holding  a  valid  Quality  Label  to 
European Solidarity Corps participants, i.e. young people between 183 until 30 years who are 
nationals  or  legally  residing  in  some  of  the  participating  country  and  have  registered  in  the 
European Solidarity Corps portal4. 

European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  are  directly  contacted  and  selected  by  participating 
organisations through the functionalities offered by the European Solidarity Corps portal. 

2 

3 

4 

Any public or private entity established in a participating country, or an international organisation active in 
the field of solidarity. 
The registration in the European Solidarity Corps portal is possible as of 17 years of age. Young people 
must have turned 18 in order to start a placement. 
The  European  Solidarity  Corps  is  open  for  third  country  nationals  legally  residing  in  one  of  the 
participating countries, including beneficiaries of international protection in full respect of the principle of 
non-refoulement.  Applicants  for  international  protection  are  not  covered  by  the  scope  of  the  European 
Solidarity Corps. 

2 

 
                                                            
Participation  for  individuals  in  any  activities  where  the  individual  will  have  direct  contact 
with  children  in  the  context  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  will  be  subject,  where 
appropriate, to background checks with a view to ensure child safeguarding. 

4.  What support is offered to European Solidarity Corps participants in 

volunteering activities 

European Solidarity Corps carrying out a placement, individually or in teams, are entitled to 
the following: 

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES 

 

Insurance:  complementary  health  and  accident  insurance  for  insurance-related 
expenses  which  are  not  already  covered  by  the  European  Health  Insurance  Card5  or 
other insurance schemes to which participants may be enrolled in. 

  Online Linguistic Support  (for cross-border activities): European Solidarity Corps 
participants  are  given  access  to  an  online  tool  allowing  them  to  assess  and  improve 
(through  an  online  language  course)  their  competences  in  the  foreign  language  they 
will use to carry out their placement abroad. 

  General  Online  training:  open-access  training  provided  prior  to  departure  via  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps’  portal.  This  is  a  general  online  induction  with  various 
modules, such as: the mission of the European Solidarity Corps, ethics and integrity of 
the European Solidarity Corps, including child safeguarding and child protection, roles 
and  responsibilities  of  participants  and  placement  providers,  European  values  and 
democracy, inter-cultural awareness, and health and safety, etc. 

 

In  addition,  the  following  specific  training  to  those  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants  carrying  out  individually  a  cross-border  placement:  on-arrival  training, 
which  serves  as  a  welcoming  training  in  the  placement  country,  mentorship  and 
continuous training, to equip the participant with the skills needed to carry out the tasks 
envisaged by the placement; (optional) pre-departure training, for disadvantaged young 
people and mid-term evaluation sessions, for participants in activities lasting more than 
six months. 

  European  Solidarity  Corps  certificate:  participants  are  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
participation  in  a  European  Solidarity  Corps'  placement,  to  be  issued  compulsorily  at 
the  end  of  the  placement  by  the  placement  provider.  A  standardised  written 
report/assessment by the participating organisation could be an integral part of the final 
European Solidarity Corps certificate. 

  Post placement support: participants are provided with guidance and support services 
at the end of their placement, with a view to encourage their continued involvement in 
the European Solidarity Corps initiative (alumni network; training/mentoring to future 
Corps participants), as well as providing them with career guidance and/or support to 
sustainable labour market integration in their home country or other. 

5 

This is a free card that gives access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary 
stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, under the same conditions and at 
the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country. More information on the card and 
on how to obtain it is available at http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559. 

3 

 
                                                            
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE EXPERIENCE 

European Solidarity Corps participants also receive a financial contribution to cover: 

  Travel costs; 

  Subsistence costs, including a pocket money; 

  Additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

B)  Volunteering activities in support of humanitarian aid operations 

1.  Description of the activities 

A volunteering placement is a full-time unpaid voluntary service for a limited period (up to 
12 months, see point 2 for more details), which provides young people with the opportunity to 
contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate 
benefit of the communities within which the activities will be carried out. In addition to the 
strong solidarity component  of these  activities, the volunteering experience  will also have  a 
solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills 
and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, social and professional 
development. This will also contribute to improving their employability. 

Volunteering  activities  in  support  of  humanitarian  aid  operations  under  the  European 
Solidarity  Corps  are  cross-border  activities  which  take  place  in  third  countries  where 
humanitarian aid activities and operations take place, as long as there are no ongoing armed 
conflicts. 

Volunteering activities can be carried out either individually or in group. 

As  for  group  activities,  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  supports  volunteering  teams.  These 
activities allow groups of 10 to 40 young volunteers from different participating countries to 
volunteer  together  on  community  service  projects  for  a  period  between  two  weeks  and  two 
months. In these activities, European Solidarity Corps volunteers carry out tasks for a project 
over  a  short  period  of  time  (usually,  but  not  exclusively,  during  holidays,  breaks  between 
study  periods,  transition  from  education  to  work,  etc.).  Despite  their  shorter  duration,  these 
activities are valuable both for the individuals and for the communities benefitting from this 
service. Examples of the valuable work that can be accomplished even over a short period of 
time include: e.g. providing food and non-food items to refugees in a third country, support to 
reconstruction  of  public  infrastructure  in  the  non-inmediate  aftermath  of  a  natural  disaster, 
support to local communities working on migration related matters, etc. 

The  advantages  of  this  specific  type  of  group  activities  compared  to  standard  volunteering 
activities include the following: 

 

 

volunteers  carry  out  the  activity  in  a  group.  This  can  be  an  incentive  for  youngsters 
who don't feel ready to embark into challenging experiences on their own; 

the activity is shorter in duration. This can foster the participation of those youngsters 
who cannot commit for a long period of time  – because of their studies or jobs – but 
still want to be of help for the community. 

2.  Duration 

As a general rule, the duration of regular volunteering activities ranges between a minimum 
of  two  months  and  a  maximum  of  12  months.  In  duly  justified  cases,  notably  in  order  to 
encourage the participation of young people with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds, 
short-term volunteering (two weeks to two months) can be allowed. 

4 

 
Volunteering teams last for a period between two weeks and two months. 

3.  Who can participate 

Activities are offered by participating organisations holding a valid Quality Label to European 
Solidarity Corps participants, i.e. young people between 18 until 30 years who are nationals or 
legally  residing  in  a  participating  country  and  have  registered  in  the  European  Solidarity 
Corps portal. 

European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  are  directly  contacted  and  selected  by  participating 
organisations through the functionalities offered by the European Solidarity Corps portal. 

Participation  for  individuals  in  any  activities  where  the  individual  will  have  direct  contact 
with  children  in  the  context  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  will  be  subject,  where 
appropriate, to background checks with a view to ensure child safeguarding. 

4.  What support is offered to European Solidarity Corps participants in 

volunteering activities 

European Solidarity Corps carrying out a placement, individually or in teams, are entitled to 
the following: 

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES 

 

Insurance: full coverage health and accident insurance for insurance-related expenses 
which  are not  already covered by other insurance  schemes  to  which participants  may 
be enrolled in; 

  Online  Linguistic  Support  (limited  to  deployments  to  some  countries):  European 
Solidarity Corps participants are given access to an online tool allowing them to assess 
and  improve  (through  an  online  language  course)  their  competences  in  the  foreign 
language they will use to carry out their placement abroad; 

  General  Online  training:  open-access  training  provided  prior  to  departure  via  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps’  portal.  This  is  a  general  online  induction  with  various 
modules, such as: the mission of the European Solidarity Corps, ethics and integrity of 
the European Solidarity Corps, including child safeguarding and child protection, roles 
and  responsibilities  of  participants  and  placement  providers,  European  values  and 
democracy,  inter-cultural  awareness,  and  health  and  safety,  etc.  Given  the  special 
circumstances under which volunteers supporting humanitarian aid operations carry out 
their activities, the completion of the safety and security in the field training module is 
mandatory; 

 

In addition, the following specific training: pre-departure training, with a special focus 
on safety and security; on-arrival training, which serves as a welcoming training in the 
placement  country;  mentorship  and  continuous  training,  to  equip  the  participant  with 
the  skills  needed  to  carry  out  the  tasks  envisaged  by  the  placement;  and  mid-term 
evaluation sessions, for participants in activities lasting more than six months; 

  European  Solidarity  Corps  certificate:  participants  are  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
participation  in  a  European  Solidarity  Corps'  placement,  to  be  issued  compulsorily  at 
the  end  of  the  placement  by  the  placement  provider.  A  standardised  written 
report/assessment by the participating organisation could be an integral part of the final 
European Solidarity Corps certificate; 

  Post placement support: participants are provided with guidance and support services 
at the end of their placement, with a view to encourage their continued involvement in 

5 

 
the European Solidarity Corps initiative (alumni network; training/mentoring to future 
Corps participants), as well as providing them with career guidance and/or support to 
sustainable labour market integration in their home country or other. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE EXPERIENCE 

European Solidarity Corps participants also receive a financial contribution to cover: 

  Travel costs; 

  Subsistence costs, including a pocket money; 

  Additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

C)  Traineeship 

1.  Description of the activities 

For the purposes of the European Solidarity Corps Regulation, a traineeship is understood as a 
period  of  work  practice  of  between  two  and  six  months,  renewable  once  for  a  maximum 
duration  of  12  months,  remunerated  by  the  organisation  hosting  the  Corps  participant.  It  is 
based on a written traineeship agreement, which includes a learning and training component, 
and  is  undertaken  in  order  to  gain  practical  and  professional  experience  with  a  view  to 
improving employability and facilitating transition to regular employment. 

A  traineeship  may  be  undertaken  either  in  a  country  other  than  the  country  of  residence 
(cross-border) or in the country of residence of the participant (in-country). 

Traineeships  that  are  part  of  curricula  of  formal  education  or  vocational  education  and 
training,  as  well  as  traineeships  whose  completion  is  a  mandatory  requirement  to  access  a 
specific  profession  (for  example  medicine,  architecture,  etc.)  are  not  supported  under  the 
European Solidarity Corps. 

2.  Duration 

As a general rule, the duration of traineeships range from two to six months, in line with the 
Quality Framework for Traineeships. A longer duration of up to 12 months can be justified6, 
taking into account the nature of the task and national practices. 

3.  Who can participate 

Activities  are  offered  -  by  supporting  organisations7  holding  a  valid  Quality  Label  for  the 
occupational strand - to European Solidarity Corps participants, i.e. young people between 18 
until  30  years  who  are  nationals  or  legally  residing  in  a  participating  country  and  have 
registered  in  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  portal.  These  traineeships  may  take  place  in 
providing  organisations  not  holding  a  Quality  Label,  provided  they  are  supported  by  a 
supporting organisations  holding a valid Quality Label for the occupational strand. 

European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  are  directly  contacted  and  selected  by  participating 
organisations,  once  they  have  obtained  a  valid  European  Solidarity  Corps  Quality  Label, 
through the functionalities offered by the European Solidarity Corps portal. 

6 

7 

See Recommendation 10 of Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships (2014/C 
88/01; further referred to as the QFT). 
Any public or private entity established in a participating country, or an international organisation active in 
the field of solidarity. 

6 

 
                                                            
Participation  for  individuals  in  any  activities  where  the  individual  will  have  direct  contact 
with  children  in  the  context  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  will  be  subject,  where 
appropriate, to background checks with a view to ensure child safeguarding. 

4.  What support is offered to European Solidarity Corps participants in 

traineeships 

European Solidarity Corps participants carrying out a traineeship placement are be entitled to 
the following: 

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES 

 

Insurance:  complementary  health  and  accident  insurance  for  insurance-related 
expenses  which  are  not  already  covered  by  the  European  Health  Insurance  Card  or 
other insurance schemes to which participants may be enrolled in. 

  Online  Linguistic  Support  (for  cross-border activities):  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants  are  given  access  to  an  online  tool  allowing  them  to  assess  and  improve 
(through  an  online  language  course)  their  competences  in  the  foreign  language  they 
will use to carry out their placement abroad. 

  General Online training: an open-access training provided prior to departure via the 
European  Solidarity  Corps’  portal.  This  is  a  general  online  induction  with  various 
modules, such as: the mission of the European Solidarity Corps, ethics and integrity of 
the European Solidarity Corps, including child safeguarding and child protection, roles 
and  responsibilities  of  participants  and  placement  providers,  European  values  and 
democracy, inter-cultural awareness  and health and safety, etc. 

 

In  addition,  the  following  specific  training  to  those  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants  carrying  out  individually  a  cross-border  placement:  on-arrival  training, 
which  will  serve  as  a  welcoming  training  in  the  placement  country,  mentorship  and 
continuous training in the job, to equip the participant with the skills needed to carry 
out  the  tasks  envisaged  by  the  placement;  (optional)  pre-departure  training,  for 
disadvantaged  young  people  and  mid-term  evaluation  sessions,  for  participants  in 
activities lasting more than six months. 

  European  Solidarity  Corps  Certificate:  participants  are  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
participation  in  a  European  Solidarity  Corps'  placement,  to  be  issued  compulsorily  at 
the  end  of  the  placement  by  the  placement  provider.  A  standardised  written 
report/assessment by the participating organisation could be an integral part of the final 
European Solidarity Corps certificate. 

  Post placement support: participants are provided with guidance and support services 
at the end of their placement, with a view to encourage their continued involvement in 
the European Solidarity Corps initiative (alumni network; training/mentoring to future 
Corps participants), as well as providing them with career guidance and/or support to 
sustainable labour market integration in their home country or other. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE EXPERIENCE 

Besides  the  remuneration  covered  by  the  participating  organisation,  European  Solidarity 
Corps participants receive a financial contribution to cover: 

  Travel  costs  (for  both  in-country  and  cross-border  activities),  including  travel  and 
accommodation to do an interview, relocation allowance and return travel allowance; 

  Additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

7 

 
D)  Jobs 

1.  Description of the activities 

For the purposes of the European Solidarity Corps Regulation, a job is understood as a period 
of work of 2 to 12 months, remunerated by the participating organisation employing the Corps 
participant,  carried  out  in  a  participating  country  and  based  on  an  employment  contract  in 
accordance with the national regulatory framework of that participating country. 

A European Solidarity Corps job may be undertaken either in a country other than the country 
of residence (cross-border) or in the country of residence of the participant (in-country). 

Jobs  must  be  based  on  an  employment  contract  established  in  accordance  with  the  national 
regulatory  framework  of  the  hosting  country.  The  job  must  be  of  good  quality  (in  terms  of 
skills and training opportunities, working conditions, promotion of gender equality). 

The  aim  is  to  provide  Corps  participants  with  a  job  within  organisations  (NGOs,  public 
authorities or private companies) operating in solidarity-related sectors, which provides them 
with  the  skills  and  experience  that  will  strengthen  their  employability  and  support  their 
transition  into  the  labour  market.  At  societal  level,  the  aim  is  to  address  unmet  demand  for 
labour in solidarity-related sectors and promote solidarity across Member States. 

2.  Duration 

The duration of the support offered to jobs under European Solidarity Corps, range between a 
minimum of two months and a maximum of 12 months, in compliance with relevant national 
legislation in terms of jobs duration. 

3.  Who can participate 

Activities  are  offered  -  by  supporting  organisations  holding  a  valid  Quality  Label  for  the 
occupational strand - to European Solidarity Corps participants, i.e. young people between 18 
until  30  years  who  are  nationals  or  legally  residing  in  a  participating  country  and  have 
registered  in  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  portal.  These  jobs  may  take  place  in  providing 
organisations  not  holding  a  Quality  Label,  provided  they  are  supported  by  a  supporting 
organisations  holding a valid Quality Label for the occupational strand. 

European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  are  directly  contacted  and  selected  by  participating 
organisations,  once  they  have  obtained  a  valid  European  Solidarity  Corps  Quality  Label, 
through the functionalities offered by the European Solidarity Corps portal. 

Participation  for  individuals  in  any  activities  where  the  individual  will  have  direct  contact 
with  children  in  the  context  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  will  be  subject,  where 
appropriate, to background checks with a view to ensure child safeguarding. 

4.  What support is offered to European Solidarity Corps participants in jobs 

In  addition  to  the  various  social  protection  and  labour  rights  associated  to  having  a  regular 
employment contract, European Solidarity Corps participants carrying out a job placement are 
be entitled to the following: 

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES 

 

Insurance:  complementary  health  and  accident  insurance  for  insurance-related 
expenses  which  are  not  already  covered  by  the  European  Health  Insurance  Card  or 
other insurance schemes to which participants may be enrolled in; 

8 

 
  Online  Linguistic  Support  (for  cross-border activities):  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants  are  given  access  to  an  online  tool  allowing  them  to  assess  and  improve 
(through  an  online  language  course)  their  competences  in  the  foreign  language  they 
will use to carry out their placement abroad; 

  General  Online  training:  open-access  training  provided  prior  to  departure  via  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps’  portal.  This  is  a  general  online  induction  with  various 
modules, such as: the mission of the European Solidarity Corps, ethics and integrity of 
the European Solidarity Corps, including child safeguarding and child protection, roles 
and  responsibilities  of  participants  and  placement  providers,  European  values  and 
democracy, inter-cultural awareness  and health and safety, etc; 

 

In  addition,  the  following  specific  training  to  those  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants  carrying  out  individually  a  cross-border  placement:  on-arrival  training, 
which  serves  as  a  welcoming  training  in  the  placement  country,  mentorship  and 
continuous training in the job, to equip the participant with the skills needed to carry 
out  the  tasks  envisaged  by  the  placement;  (optional)  pre-departure  training,  for 
disadvantaged  young  people  and  mid-term  evaluation  sessions,  for  participants  in 
activities lasting more than six months; 

  European  Solidarity  Corps  certificate:  participants  are  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
participation  in  a  European  Solidarity  Corps'  placement,  to  be  issued  compulsorily  at 
the  end  of  the  placement  by  the  placement  provider.  A  standardised  written 
report/assessment by the participating organisation could be an integral part of the final 
European Solidarity Corps certificate; 

  Post placement support: participants are provided with guidance and support services 
at the end of their placement, with a view to encourage their continued involvement in 
the European Solidarity Corps initiative (alumni network; training/mentoring to future 
Corps participants), as well as providing them with career guidance and/or support to 
sustainable labour market integration in their home country or other. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE EXPERIENCE 

Besides the salary covered by the participating organisation, (the wage conditions will be set 
in accordance with national laws, regulations and collective agreements), European Solidarity 
Corps participants receives a financial contribution to cover: 

  Travel  costs  (for  both  in-country  and  cross-border  activities),  including  travel  and 
accommodation to do an interview, relocation allowance and return travel allowance; 

  Additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

SUPPORT PROVIDED TO ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPATING IN ALL TYPES 
OF SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES 

A  participating  organisation  willing  to  offer  a  placement  must  guarantee  that  the  European 
Solidarity Corps participants receive all the support described above, in relation to the type of 
placement offered. To do so they may: 

1.  Apply for and receive a co-financing provided through funds of the European Solidarity 

Corps; 

2.  Cover  the  costs  of  the  placement  through  own  funds  or  other  sources  of  financing  at 

national, regional or local level. 

9 

 
1.  Co-financing from the European Solidarity Corps funding scheme 

A participating organisation, holding a valid Quality Label, may apply for a grant under the 
European  Solidarity  Corps  funding  scheme.  As  a  general  rule,  the  grant  request  will  be 
submitted8  to  the  national  agency  of  the  country  where  the  organisation  is  based.  Grant 
requests for 1) activities organised by Europe-wide or international organisations, 2) activities 
of volunteering teams in priority fields identified at European level and 3) activities in support 
of  humanitarian  aid  operations  in  third  countries  will  be  submitted  to  the  Education, 
Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. 

In  virtue  of  a  thorough  certification  process  (see  separate  fiche  on  the  European  Solidarity 
Corps Quality Label), the template for the submission of a grant request will be simple and 
easy to fill in. 

Successful applicants will receive: 

 

free services for participants in their activities: 

 

 

for all activities: general online training, provided by the Executive Agency of the 
European  Commission,  as  well  as  support  for  the  certificate  and  recognition  of 
experience, provided by European Solidarity Corps Resource Centres; 

for  cross  border  activities:  insurance  and  linguistic  support  provided  by  the 
Executive  Agency  of  the  European  Commission,  as  well  as  specific  training 
provided by a national agency. 

 

financial support for other expenses: 

  participants'  costs:  travel  (for  both 

in-country  and  cross-border  activities), 
subsistence  (only  for  volunteering  activities);  additional  expenses  arising  when 
engaging disadvantaged young people, insurance (for in-country activities); 

  organisational  support 

financial  
(for  volunteering  activities): 
contribution  to  cover  costs  such  as  administrative  tasks,  specific  training9  and 
mentorship, coordination tasks (in case of consortia of participating organisations), a 
contribution for costs related to staff carrying out these tasks; 

including  a 

 

integration programme (for traineeships and jobs): including a financial contribution 
to  cover  costs  such  as  administrative  tasks,  on-the-job  and  continuous  training, 
mentorship, coordination tasks (in case of consortia of participating organisations), a 
contribution for costs  related to  staff carrying out  these tasks (full  coverage  of the 
remuneration/salary of the European Solidarity Corps participant in traineeships and 
jobs is excluded). 

2.  Financing from sources other than EU Funds 

Participating  organisations,  holding  a  valid  Quality  Label,  may  decide  to  offer  activities 
which  are  financed  through  their  own  resources  and/or  through  contributions  from 
public/private,  local/regional/national  donors  that  wish  to  adhere  to  the  European  Solidarity 
Corps initiative. 

In such cases, the European Solidarity Corps funding scheme will provide: 

 

general  online  training,  provided  by  the  Executive  Agency  of  the  European 
Commission; 

8  With multiple submission deadlines per year. 
9 

Continuous training and, if relevant, pre-departure training. 

10 

 
                                                            
 

 

insurance  and  linguistic  support  provided  by  the  Executive  Agency  of  the  European 
Commission; 

support  for  the  certificate  and  recognition  of  experience,  provided  by  European 
Solidarity Corps Resource Centres. 

Through  own  funds  or  other  sources,  participating  organisations  must  ensure  that  the 
European Solidarity Corps participants will receive the support for all costs directly related to 
their participation: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

travel; 

insurance (for cross-border activities); 

subsistence (only for volunteering activities); 

specific training and mentorship; 

post-placement support; 

additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

11 

 
 
 
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS QUALITY LABEL 

1.  Description of the activities 

All organisations willing to implement activities and projects under the European Solidarity 
Corps must show they are able to do so in full respect of the rules of the European Solidarity 
Corps and with the principles and requirements of the European Solidarity Corps' Charter. 

The  European  Solidarity  Corps  Quality  Label  is  attributed  by  a  national  agency  or  by  the 
Education,  Audiovisual  and  Culture  Executive  Agency  following  a  procedure  that  foresees, 
where  appropriate  1)  the  assessment  of  information  provided  by  the  organisation  through  a 
form,  and  2)  an  on-site  visit  to  the  organisation  offering  activities  -  to  the  intermediary 
organisation applying for a Quality Label on behalf of its dependent entities - to further assess 
whether appropriate qualitative standards are in place. In the case of organisations applying to 
obtain  the  Quality  Label  required  for  activities  in  support  of  humanitarian  aid  operations, 
special requirements regarding safety and security will apply. 

The  modalities  for  attributing  a  Quality  Label  may  differ  according  to  the  profile  of 
organisations wishing to be involved in the European Solidarity Corps. 

The  attribution  of  a  Quality  Label  is  a  procedure  that  ensures  high  standards  in  the 
implementation of their activities and activities organised in the framework of the European 
Solidarity Corps. 

For  an  organisation,  being  holder  of  a  Quality  Label  is  a  prerequisite  for  participation,  but 
does not automatically lead to funding. 

2.  Duration 

As a general rule, once granted, the Quality Label will be valid for the entire duration of the 
European  Solidarity  Corps.  However,  to  make  sure  that  the  qualitative  standards  for 
organising a placement a constantly met, the award of the label: 

  will be re-assessed periodically; 

  will be re-assessed in case of complaints by participants or third parties; 

  may be revoked, following the re-assessment. 

3.  Implementation modalities: who can apply? How? Where? 

Who can apply? 

Any  public  or  private  -  profit  or  no-profit  -  body  willing  to  participate  in  the  European 
Solidarity  Corps  and  established  in  a  participating  country  may  apply  to  obtain  a  European 
Solidarity Corps Quality Label. 

How to apply? 

As  a  general  rule,  organisations  willing  to  participate in  the European  Solidarity  Corps  will 
first need to submit an application form to request the Quality Label. This application would 
be submitted to and assessed by: 

1.  the national agency of the country where the organisation is based, in case of: 

  National/local  organisations  running  European  Solidarity  Corps  activities  with  the 
financial support of the European Solidarity Corps or from other funding sources which 
do not depend from the EU budget. 

12 

 
2.  the relevant SALTO, in case of: 

  Organisations based in third countries not associated to the programme; and 

  Organisations  wishing  to  carry  out  activities  supporting  humanitarian  aid  operations 

(with support from the Education, Audio visual and Culture Executive Agency). 

3.  the Education, Audio visual and Culture Executive Agency based in Brussels, in case of: 

  Europe-wide networks or platforms of organisations; 

  Organisations in charge of implementing national schemes or EU shared management 

funds (e.g. National Civic Services, managing authorities, etc.); and 

  Organisations  wishing  to  carry  out  activities  supporting  humanitarian  aid  operations 

(with support from the relevant SALTO). 

What happens when an organisation obtains the Quality Label? 

Once granted, the Quality Label will entitle organisations to: 

 

 

 

access to the European Solidarity Corps’ database of registered individuals in order to 
identify potential participants for their activities; 

submit an application to request a grant under the European Solidarity Corps funding 
scheme in order to cover the costs of the activities they intend to organise; 

 in  case  of  activities  from  funding  sources  which  do  not  depend  from  the  European 
Solidarity  Corps  budget,  request  additional  services  to  be  provided  in  support  of  the 
activities (e.g. online training, linguistic support, insurance). 

13 

 
 
 
SOLIDARITY PROJECTS 

1.  Description of the activities 

Solidarity  projects  are  local  initiatives,  set  up  and  carried  out  by  groups  of  minimum  five 
European  Solidarity  Corps  participants.  They  are  youth-led  volunteering  activities  where 
European Solidarity Corps participate actively in designing and implementing their own ideas 
for the benefit of their local communities. They are aimed at equipping European Solidarity 
Corps  with  the  necessary  resources  (seed  money)  and  support  to  be  themselves  drivers  of 
solidarity  actions.  In  the  medium  term,  solidarity  projects  can  also  be  a  first  step  into 
encouraging European Solidarity Corps members to engage in self-employment or setting up 
associations, NGOs or other bodies active in the solidarity, no-profit and youth sectors. 

Contrary  to  volunteering  activities,  the  activities  are  typically  project-based,  meaning  that 
European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  define  autonomously  the  amount  of  time  spent  in 
carrying out their tasks, in relation to the goals and scheduled deliveries of the project. 

Solidarity  projects  typically  happen  in  the  country  of  residence  of  the  European  Solidarity 
Corps participants. Similarly to the in-country volunteering activities, this gives an incentive 
for the participation of disadvantaged young people, who may encounter more difficulties to 
engage in cross-border activities, but still want to contribute to their society. 

Solidarity  projects  should  be  of  an  innovative  character  and  demonstrate  a  clear  European 
added  value,  i.e.  address  priorities  identified  at  European  level  within  the  framework  of  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps  initiative/  have  a  European  dimension,  clearly  motivated  by  the 
project  promoters  when  requesting  a  grant  and  support  activities  which  are  not  financed 
through existing domestic schemes. 

To  guarantee  their  quality  and  minimize  the  financial  risks  of  a  solidarity  project,  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps  participants  actively  involved  in  it  are  supported,  guided  and 
accompanied  either  by  a  European  Solidarity  Corps  participating  organisation  or  by  the 
national agency that has awarded the grant. 

2.  Duration 

Solidarity projects last between 2 and 12 months. Within this time frame, the participation of 
each individual is flexible and defined in relation to the scope and nature of the project (e.g. 
different forms of discontinuous volunteering happening on evenings, during weekends, etc.). 

3.  Who can participate 

Any  European  Solidarity  Corps  participant  may  propose  a  project  idea  to  other  participants 
through the European Solidarity Corps portal. 

If  other  participants  (at  least  four)  show  interest  in  the  initiative,  the  group  may  decide  to 
further  elaborate  the  idea  and  apply  –  directly  or  with  the  administrative  support  of  a 
participating organisation - for a grant under the European Solidarity Corps funding scheme. 

Grant applications are submitted the national agency of the country where the activity takes 
place.  They  are  assessed  against  qualitative  criteria  of  relevance,  European  dimension, 
effectiveness, impact and sustainability. 

4.  What support is offered to European Solidarity Corps participants 

If their grant application is successful, the group of European Solidarity Corps taking part in 
the solidarity project is entitled to receive: 

14 

 
QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES 

  General  Online  training:  open-access  training  provided  via  the  European  Solidarity 
Corps’  portal.  This  is  a  general  online  induction  with  various  modules,  such  as:  the 
mission  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps,  ethics  and  integrity  of  the  European 
Solidarity  Corps,  roles  and  responsibilities  of  participants,  European  values  and 
democracy, entrepreneurship and project management, health and safety, etc. 

  European  Solidarity  Corps  certificate:  participants  are  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
participation  in  a  European  Solidarity  Corps'  solidarity  project.  The  European 
Solidarity  Corps'  participants  who  so  wish  will  have  the  opportunity  to  receive  a 
certificate  identifying  and  documenting  the  main  learning  outcomes  of  their 
experience. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE PROJECT 

European Solidarity Corps participants also receive a financial contribution to cover: 

  Project costs (seed money in support of activities directly related to the implementation 

of the project); 

 

Insurance; 

  Additional expenses (for disadvantaged young people). 

5.  What is the role of participating organisations? 

Participating  organisations  may  want  to  offer  a  support  to  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants in implementing their solidarity project. 

To  do  so  they  may  apply  on  their  behalf  for  a  grant  under  the  European  Solidarity  Corps. 
Their main role will be to: 

 

 

 

support  the  group  in  administrative  and  financial  tasks  related  to  the  management  of 
the grant; 

offer support and guidance in project life-cycle management; 

offer support in the recognition of competences acquired by through the project. 

To  carry  out  these  tasks,  a  participating  organisation  will  receive  a  financial incentive  from 
the European Solidarity Corps funding scheme. 

15 

 
 
 
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES 

1.  Description of the activities 

The European Solidarity Corps supports a series of activities aimed at: 

 

 

 

 

 

building  a  sense  of  belonging  to  the  Corps    among  European  Solidarity  Corps 
participants; 

enhancing the impact and the benefits of the placement experience on the individual; 

reinforcing  the  capacities  of  the  participating  organisations  to  offer  good  quality 
activities, to an increasing number of European Solidarity Corps participants; 

attracting  newcomers  -  both  youngsters  and  participating  organisations  –  into  the 
European Solidarity Corps initiative; 

offering participants and participating organisations the opportunity to give feedback to 
the  European  Commission  and  national  agencies  on  the  state  of  play  of  the 
implementation of European Solidarity Corps. 

Typical activities are: 

 

 

 

 

support  for  the  establishment  and  activities  of  alumni  networks    (i.e.  European 
Solidarity Corps members having taken part in activities or projects); 

organisation  of  annual  events  for  post-placement  support  (with  the  involvement  of 
Public Employment Services and stakeholders active in the labour market); 

seminars  and  other  activities  to  facilitate  contacts  and  exchanges  of  best  practices 
between  participating  organisations, 
the 
involvement of newcomer organisations; 

the  establishment  of  new  consortia, 

networking  activities  to  raise  awareness  of  the  Corps  among  public  authorities  –  at 
European national, regional and local level - and potential private donors with a view 
to attract funding and investments in the European Solidarity Corps initiative; 

 

other activities aimed at the exchange of best practices and networking. 

2.  Description of the activities 

Depending  on  the  nature  and  the  target  of  the  activities,  different  complementary 
implementation modes (both indirect and direct management) could be envisaged. 

An amount of the European Solidarity Corps budget dedicated to networking activities could 
be distributed to national agencies in each Member State and third countries associated to the 
programme in order to organise activities at national level.  The European Commission could 
manage directly  a  part of the budget  with  a view to  organising  events at European level, in 
order  to  further  disseminate  and  strengthen  the  impact  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps 
initiative. These activities could also take the shape of consultation fora aimed at assessing the 
perspective of stakeholders concerning the implementation of the initiative. 

16 

 
 
 
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS RESOURCE CENTRES 

European Solidarity Corps Resource Centres, hosted in some national agencies implementing 
the  European  Solidarity  Corps,  have  been  identified  to  assist  the  implementing  bodies 
(national  agencies  /  Education  Audiovisual  and  Culture  Executive  Agency  /  European 
Commission),  the  participating  organisations  and  the  young  people  taking  part  in  the 
European  Solidarity  Corps  in  order  to  raise  the  quality  of  the  implementation  and  of  the 
activities of the European Solidarity Corps. 

The  Resource  Centres  support  the  implementation  of  the  European  Solidarity  Corps  by 
providing learning resources to European Solidarity Corps participants, training and contact-
making activities for organisations, as well as supporting the national agencies with measures 
and  resources  aimed  at  achieving  a  harmonious  and  high  quality  roll-out  of  the  European 
Solidarity Corps throughout Europe. 

To pursue this  mission, the Resource Centres carry  out  a series of tasks such as  developing 
learning resources and pedagogic materials, feeding the European Solidarity Corps portal with 
information  useful  for  participants  and  organisations,  etc.  The  Resource  Centres  act,  at  the 
same  time,  as  central  point  of  support  to  bring  together  national  agencies  to  reflect  on  and 
improve certain aspects related to the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps (such 
as  training  of  staff  of  national  agencies,  support  national  agencies  in  reaching  new  public 
targets to be involved in the initiative, etc.). 

The  activities  of  the  Resource  Centres  may  have  a  competence-based  focus  (aimed  at 
improving certain capacities of participants, organisations and/or staff of  national agencies), 
as  well  as  focusing  on  transversal  topics  such  as  ensuring  the  inclusion  dimension  of  the 
programme, fostering diversity and tolerance in the activities and, in general, supporting the 
awareness and respect of the European Solidarity Corps principles. 

Areas where the Resource Centres typically play a role: 

  European Solidarity Corps certificate: the Resource Centres can be the central point 
for developing the certificates for European Solidarity Corps participants having taken 
part in Corps activities, as well as in developing process to help participants describe 
their learning outcomes. 

  Organisation of networking events: these activities can, for example, take the shape 
of  annual  conferences  of  European  Solidarity  Corps  Alumni,  where  alumni  could 
exchange  best  practices  at  European  level,  as  well  as  put  forward  proposals  for 
improvement.  They  can  also  organise,  in  cooperation  with  the  national  agencies, 
contact-making activities for organisations, in order to attract them into the initiative. 

  Communication activities: the Resource Centres, by not being directly involved in the 
administrative  management  of  the  funds,  can  concentrate  part  of  its  tasks  to  develop 
communication  materials,  in  cooperation  with  staff  from  the  national  agencies,  to 
promote the added value of participating in the European Solidarity Corps, as well as to 
raise the quality of the activities. 

Training  activities:  in  cooperation  with  national  agencies  if  relevant,  the  Resource  Centres 
can develop specific training materials and events for participants, organisations and staff of 
national agencies, both for communication and quality purposes. 

17