What is ECS (European Solidarity Corps)?
The European Solidarity Corps is the European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people (18-30 years old) to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe.
After completing a simple registration process, European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterwards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.
Projects supported by the ESC can last from two weeks to twelve months. They will usually be located within the European Union Member States.
So…how does it actually work?
To go for a project of European Solidarity Corps, you need to have a supporting organisation – based in your home country, which will help you prepare for your experience abroad and a host organisation that will receive you and help you in your destination country. These organisations are usually non-governmental organisations, like foundations, associations etc. The full list of accredited organisations can be found here.
Where to search for the projects?
All the projects are posted on the official website (link here). You can filter the projects by country, activity type, topic and dates. However, it is much more practical to look for the projects on Facebook groups and social media of particular organisations.
Before you decide to go for a project, it is a very good idea to get involved in the activity of one of the organisations close to the place of your residence. For example, you can be a mentor of the volunteers that are coming to your country or get involved in a different role. In that way, you will have more knowledge on how it is on ESC projects, and also you can get familiar with the organization that can become your supporting organization in the future.
Some examples of Facebook groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EVS.vacancy/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringopportunities/
Prepare good CV and motivation letter
When you already know that you want to go for ESC project and you start applying to different projects, you need to take care of your CV and motivation letter. They are a dealbreaker! On how they look like, what you write about yourself, which experiences and personal competences you underline, depends the success of your application.
CV should be transparent and show your education & most important professional experience. However, when you are applying for voluntary service, it is important to explain all of your non formal activities. Have you been a volunteer on a festival once? Perfect! Remember to include it in your CV. Or maybe you have helped in your local community? Everything is important, and the more connected to the topic of the project – the better. Check more advices on how to prepare your CV here.
Motivation letter is the second important part of the application. It should consist of 4 parts: introduction, where you address the specific organisation and explain why you chose them; general part, where you introduce yourself, your motivation, your background, interest and hobbies. Next comes the part where you explain why you chose this particular project – what is your attitude towards it, why you are the most suitable person. In the last part you’re saying goodbye and underline that you are waiting for the contact. It is a good idea to include your contact data in this place.
Get ready for the interview
You can prepare for the interview in several ways. First of all, check the website of the hosting organisation, check their activities and profiles on social media – for sure it will be easier to refer to the particular information placed on the website. Second – read the description of the project carefully and write down all the skills and experiences that you already have and the ones that you want to develop – it will help the organisaton to understand what can be your input and what you want to learn. Think of informal, intercultural activities that you would like to do, it is a very important and precious thing on the ESC projects! Last but not least, practice a bit your spoken English few times before the interview, because it is the language you will talk during the interview!
My personal experience
Searching for a volunteering project is a bit like searching for a job. Firstly, it is important to search for the projects that are close to your area of interest, in the places that you want to go. Before I got selected to the one particular project in Fundació Catalunya Voluntària, I sent many applications and many of them were not succesful. Applying for ESC you need to be patient and accept what life is bringing you. Sometimes, you can be surprised by the offer, but it can be a great opportunity to grow and develop your life.
When I was having the interviews, I was always checking the webiste and profile of the organisations before, and I really recommend you to do it, in this way, your future hosting organisation will know that you are engaged and motivated to participate in their project.
It is also important not to pretend like someone you are not. Just be yourself, be sincere with your skills, competences and expectations. Finally, the project is for you, and you are for the project. It is a long term commitment and it’s good to choose what fits both sides!
Iwona Wierzbanowska, ESC volunteer in Fundacio Catalunya Voluntaria (2020-2021).