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European Solidarity Corps: volunteering in Europe from 18 to 30

From two weeks to a year on a volunteering project in Europe: the European Union pays for travel, food, accommodation, insurance and a small sum for personal expenses. It is the European counterpart of Italy's civic service.

Official page

At a glance

Who can take partYoung people aged 18 to 30 who live in an EU country or in another country taking part in the programme. You can register from the age of 17, but you must be 18 to start; for humanitarian aid projects the upper age limit is 35
How longFrom 2 weeks to 12 months for individual volunteering; from 2 weeks to 2 months for team volunteering, with at least 5 volunteers from 2 or more countries. Full time, 30-38 hours a week
What is coveredReturn travel, food and accommodation, insurance, a contribution towards small personal expenses, preparation and language support. Volunteers pay no fees
What it is notIt is not a job: volunteers do not receive a salary. At the end you get a certificate describing the skills you have gained
How to get startedYou register on the European Youth Portal and apply for projects run by accredited organisations. Registering does not guarantee a place: the organisations choose

How it works, step by step

  1. 1 · Create your account

    You need an EU Login account; then you register for the European Solidarity Corps on the European Youth Portal and fill in your profile (languages, interests, when you are available).

  2. 2 · Find a project

    In the opportunities database, filter by country, topic (environment, inclusion, culture, education…) and dates. Each project says where you will live, what you will do and who runs it.

  3. 3 · Apply

    You apply from your profile; the organisation contacts you for an interview, usually online.

  4. 4 · Go

    Before leaving you sign an agreement with the organisation, which helps you with travel, accommodation and insurance.

Questions

Do I need to speak English?

Not always: many projects only ask for a willingness to learn the local language, and the programme offers language support. Each project's page says what is needed.

Is it like Italy's universal civic service?

They are similar, but the universal civic service takes place in Italy (or abroad with Italian projects), lasts a year and pays a monthly allowance; the European Solidarity Corps covers your costs and gives a small allowance, and its projects are all over Europe.

Who can help me in Italy?

The Italian Youth Agency (Agenzia italiana per la gioventù), which runs the programme in Italy, and the Eurodesk and Informagiovani offices in your town.

Official links

More opportunities in Europe

  • DiscoverEU: A free rail pass for 18-year-olds, won with a quiz about the European Union.
  • ALMA: For 18 to 29-year-olds not in work or education: preparation in Italy and 2 to 6 months of work in another country.
  • Erasmus+ for recent school leavers: A traineeship in a European company within a year of your diploma or vocational qualification, with a grant.
  • Working in Europe with EURES: Job offers across the European Union and, when available, a contribution towards the interview and the move.
  • EU competitions: to work in the European institutions.

Sources: European Youth Portal, European Solidarity Corps volunteering, checked on 26 October 2026. Texts written by Posso partecipare?: the official pages and calls always prevail. · Legal notice (in Italian)