European Solidarity Corps Guide

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS

GUIDE

2025 Call
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the English text will prevail.

Version 1 / 2025

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 European Solidarity Corps Guide

European Commission
Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Directorate B – Youth, Education and Erasmus+
Unit B.3 – Youth and Volunteer Solidarity

©European Union, 2025

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European Solidarity Corps Guide

EUROPEAN
SOLIDARITY
CORPS
Programme Guide 2025

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 European Solidarity Corps Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................3
PART A - GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS ...........4
What is the policy context? ............................................................................................................................... 5
What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics of the European Solidarity Corps? ............. 6
What are the Actions and the quality and support measures? ....................................................................... 11
What is the budget? ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Who implements the European Solidarity Corps? .......................................................................................... 13
What other bodies are involved in the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps? .......................... 15
Who can participate in the European Solidarity Corps? .................................................................................. 18
PART B – PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES ................20
VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS .............................................................................................21
What are Volunteering projects?..................................................................................................................... 21
Which activities can be supported under this Action? .................................................................................... 21
How to set up a volunteering project? ............................................................................................................ 22
What are the eligibility criteria for volunteering activities? ............................................................................ 25
What are the eligible costs and the applicable funding rules? ........................................................................ 27
What are the unit costs per day per participant? ............................................................................................ 31
How to access funding? ................................................................................................................................... 32
VOLUNTEERING TEAMS IN HIGH PRIORITY AREAS .......................................................34
What are Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas?..................................................................................... 34
What are the priorities of 2025 call for this Action? ....................................................................................... 34
What are the objectives?................................................................................................................................. 34
Which activities can be supported under this Action? .................................................................................... 36
How to set up a project? ................................................................................................................................. 37
What are the criteria used to assess projects? ................................................................................................ 38
What are the eligible costs and the applicable funding rules? ........................................................................ 41
QUALITY LABEL FOR VOLUNTEERING IN SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES ..............................42
What is the Quality Label?............................................................................................................................... 42
What are the different types of Quality Label? ............................................................................................... 42
How does it work? ........................................................................................................................................... 42
What are the Principles and Quality Standards? ............................................................................................. 43
What is the Quality Label for lead organisations? ........................................................................................... 45
What are the criteria used to assess the Quality Label? ................................................................................. 45
What are the monitoring, reporting and quality assurance measures? .......................................................... 47
SOLIDARITY PROJECTS ..................................................................................................50
What is a Solidarity Project? ............................................................................................................................ 50
What are the objectives?................................................................................................................................. 50
How to set up a Solidarity Project? ................................................................................................................. 51
What are the criteria used to assess projects? ................................................................................................ 52
What are the eligible costs and the applicable funding rules? ........................................................................ 54
What are the unit costs per day of work? ....................................................................................................... 55
PART C – PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HUMANITARIAN AID RELATED
SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................56
QUALITY LABEL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING ..........................................57
What is the Quality Label?............................................................................................................................... 57
What are the different types of Quality Label? ............................................................................................... 57
How does it work? ........................................................................................................................................... 57
What are the Quality Standards? .................................................................................................................... 58
What are the criteria used to assess the Quality Label? ................................................................................. 61
Monitoring, reporting and quality assurance measures ................................................................................. 64
VOLUNTEERING UNDER THE EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY HUMANITARIAN AID CORPS
(HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING) .........................................................................65

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What is volunteering in support of humanitarian aid operations? ................................................................. 65

What are the objectives?................................................................................................................................. 65
Which activities can be supported? ................................................................................................................ 65
How to set up a project? ................................................................................................................................. 66
What are the criteria used to assess projects? ................................................................................................ 69
PART D – QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES ...............................................................73
SUPPORT TO LEARNING .................................................................................................74
General Online Training ................................................................................................................................... 74
Language learning support .............................................................................................................................. 75
Training and Evaluation Cycle .......................................................................................................................... 75
Mentoring ........................................................................................................................................................ 82
Recognition of learning outcomes ................................................................................................................... 83
INSURANCE .....................................................................................................................84
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS PORTAL .......................................................................87
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS YOUTH CARD ...............................................................88
OTHER SUPPORT MEASURES ..........................................................................................88
Certificate of participation .............................................................................................................................. 88
Agreements ..................................................................................................................................................... 88
Visas and residence permits ............................................................................................................................ 89
PART E - INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS ....................................................................90
HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION? ..............................................................................90
Step 1: Register the organisation..................................................................................................................... 90
Step 2: Check the compliance with the criteria ............................................................................................... 91
Step 3: Check the financial conditions............................................................................................................. 97
Step 4: Fill in and submit the application form .............................................................................................. 101
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED? ........................................ 103
Evaluation procedure .................................................................................................................................... 103
Final decision ................................................................................................................................................. 103
Notification of Results ................................................................................................................................... 103
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE APPLICATION IS APPROVED? ........................................ 104
Grant agreement ........................................................................................................................................... 104
Grant amount ................................................................................................................................................ 104
Payment procedures...................................................................................................................................... 104
Project life-cycle deadlines and payment modalities .................................................................................... 106
Other important contractual provisions ........................................................................................................ 107
ANNEX I - GLOSSARY OF TERMS ................................................................................. 110
ANNEX II – MULTIPLE PARTICIPATIONS .................................................................... 115
ANNEX III - CONTACT DETAILS ................................................................................... 117

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 European Solidarity Corps Guide

INTRODUCTION
This Guide is a tool for anybody who would like to have a thorough knowledge of what the European Solidarity Corps (referred
also as 'Corps' or ‘Programme’) is about. This document is mainly addressed to organisations, institutions, bodies willing to
organise activities under the European Solidarity Corps and young people wishing to get involved in solidarity activities
supported by the Corps.
The rules and conditions for receiving a grant from the European Solidarity Corps are specified in this Guide and as such it has
legal value when it comes to the selection procedures and the award of the grants.

STRUCTURE OF THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS GUIDE

The Guide has five main parts:
▪ Part A offers a general overview of the European Solidarity Corps, its scope and structure. It provides information
about its objectives, priorities and main features; eligible countries; implementing structures and the overall
budget available.
▪ Part B provides information on the Actions of the European Solidarity Corps supported under the strand
“Participation of young people in solidarity activities”.
▪ Part C provides information about the Actions of the European Solidarity Corps supported under the strand
“Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities”.
▪ Part D provides information concerning quality and support measures offered to participating organisations and
participants during the preparation, implementation and follow-up of activities and projects1
▪ Part E gives information on procedures for grant application and selection of projects, as well as the financial and
administrative provisions linked to the award of a European Solidarity Corps grant2.

Furthermore, this Guide includes the following Annexes:

▪ Annex I: Glossary of terms
▪ Annex II: Multiple Participations
▪ Annex III: Contact details

The European Solidarity Corps Guide is drafted in accordance with the 2025 Annual Work Programme adopted by the European
Commission, and therefore may be revised to reflect the priorities and lines of action defined in the Work Programmes adopted
in the following years. The implementation of this Guide is also subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in
the draft budget after the adoption of the budget for the year by the Budgetary Authority or as provided for in the system of
provisional twelfths.

1 Please note that this part is only relevant for the Actions covered by this guide.
2 See previous footnote.
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Part A – General Information about the European Solidarity Corps

PART A - GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EUROPEAN

SOLIDARITY CORPS
SINGLE ENTRY POINT FOR SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES
The European Union is built on solidarity, a shared value which is strongly felt throughout European society. Solidarity
defines the European project and provides the necessary unity to cope with current and future crises by holding a strong
moral ground. Solidarity provides a clear compass to guide the European youth in their aspirations for a better Union.
Young people need easily accessible opportunities to engage in solidarity activities, which could enable them to express
their commitment to the benefit of communities while acquiring useful experience and competences for their personal,
educational, social, cultural, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employability.
The European Solidarity Corps brings together young people to build a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable
people and responding to societal and humanitarian challenges. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for
young people who want to help, learn and develop and provides a single-entry point for such solidarity activities
throughout the Union and beyond.
The Programme opens more and better opportunities covering a broad range of areas, such as integration of migrants,
environmental challenges, prevention of natural disasters, education and youth activities, preservation of cultural
heritage, humanitarian aid. It also supports national and local actors, in their efforts to cope with different societal
challenges and crises.
By extending its scope to cover volunteering activities in support of humanitarian aid operations, the European Solidarity
Corps provides needs-based emergency aid and helps to deliver assistance, relief and protection where most needed.
It thus helps addressing not only unmet societal needs in Europe but also humanitarian challenges in third countries.
The activities of the European Solidarity Corps support the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-20273 which
encourages young people to become active citizens, agents of solidarity and positive change for communities across
Europe, inspired by EU values and a European identity. The European Solidarity Corps also contribute to fulfilling the
objectives of the Horizon Europe Missions, which tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our societies: improving
the lives of people affected by cancer, adapting to climate change, restoring our ocean and waters, restoring soil health,
and living in climate-neutral and smart cities.

BUILDING ON PAST EXPERIENCE, LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

The European Solidarity Corps builds on the achievements of more than 25 years of European programmes in the field
of youth and solidarity, especially on the success of the European Voluntary Service, on the EU Aid Volunteers initiative
and on the previous European Solidarity Corps running from 2018 to 2020.

3 https://youth.europa.eu/strategy_en

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 Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

WHAT IS THE POLICY CONTEXT?

THE EU YOUTH STRATEGY

The EU Youth Strategy is the framework for EU youth policy cooperation for 2019-20274 within which it shall make the
most of youth policy's potential. EU youth cooperation aims at tackling existing and upcoming challenges young people
are facing all over Europe and provides a framework of objectives, principles, priorities, core areas and measures for
youth policy cooperation for all relevant stakeholders.

An important aspect of the EU Youth Strategy is the 11 European Youth Goals5, which were developed in the context of
the EU youth dialogue through a participatory approach that involved decision-makers, young people and researchers.
These Youth Goals present a vision for a Europe that enables young people to realise their full potential. They identify
cross-sectoral areas that affect young people’s lives and point out which challenges need to be tackled. Among others,
the Youth Goals call for inclusive societies, space and participation for all and quality employment for all young people.
The EU Youth Strategy should contribute to realising this vision of young people by mobilising EU level policy instruments
as well as actions at national, regional and local level by all stakeholders.

The EU Youth Strategy is built on three core areas of action:

▪ ENGAGE
▪ CONNECT
▪ EMPOWER
Under ENGAGE, the EU Youth Strategy aims for a meaningful civic, economic, social, cultural and political participation
of young people. The Strategy fosters youth participation in democratic life, supports social and civic engagement and
aims to ensure that all young people have the necessary resources to take part in society.
Under CONNECT, the EU Youth Strategy underpins opportunities for young people to experience exchanges,
cooperation and civic action in a European context first hand.

Under EMPOWER, the Strategy aims at supporting youth work in all its forms as catalyst for the empowerment of young
people across Europe.

THE EU POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR VOLUNTEERING

Currently, the policy framework for volunteering is mainly set by the 2022 Council Recommendation on the mobility of
young volunteers across the European Union6. This Recommendation aims to eliminate obstacles to volunteering in
Europe by raising awareness, increase the capacity to offer volunteering opportunities, reduce barriers to participation
especially for disadvantaged groups and increase the recognition of skills gained.

Humanitarian aid volunteering actions of the European Solidarity Corps will be guided by the European Consensus on
Humanitarian Aid7 and strive to contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Union humanitarian aid, in
line with the Good Humanitarian Donorship principles 8. International humanitarian law and human rights law will be
promoted.

THE LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH

One of the transversal priorities of the European Solidarity Corps is to support participation in democratic life, promote
common values and foster active citizenship. This was a key focus of the European Year of Youth 2022 which aimed to
help young people to become active and engaged citizens. Building on the achievements and contributing to the long-
lasting legacy9 of the 2022 European Year of Youth, the Programme will continue to empower young people and to
encourage their participation in democratic life in 2025.

4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0269
5 https://youth.europa.eu/strategy_en
6 EUR-Lex -– 32022H0411(01) -– EN -– EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
7 Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and
the European Commission; EUR-Lex - 42008X0130(01) - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
8 https://ec.europa.eu/echo/partnerships/relations/ghd_en
9 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Regions on the European Year of Youth 2022 (COM/2024/1 final) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:1:FIN
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 Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF

THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS?

OBJECTIVES
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The general objective of the Programme is to enhance the engagement of young people and organisations in accessible
and high-quality solidarity activities, primarily volunteering, as a means to strengthen cohesion, solidarity, democracy,
European identity and active citizenship in the Union and beyond, addressing societal and humanitarian challenges on
the ground, with a particular focus on the promotion of sustainable development, social inclusion and equal
opportunities.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
The specific objective of the Programme is to provide young people, including young people with fewer opportunities,
with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities that induce positive societal changes in the
Union and beyond, while improving, recognising and offering validation of competences, as well as facilitating their
continuous engagement as active citizens.

POLICY PRIORITIES
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The European Solidarity Corps seeks to promote social inclusion, tolerance, human rights and the value of differences
and diversity of all kinds and to provide all young people equal access to opportunities across all its actions.

The Corps provides accessible and flexible formats of activities, additional financial support as well as a range of support
measures (e.g. general and language training, insurance, support before and after solidarity activities, administrative
assistance) to encourage the participation of young people with fewer opportunities and better cater for their specific
needs. When designing their projects and activities, organisations should have an inclusive approach and make use of
the available mechanisms to involve a diverse range of participants.

The European Solidarity Corps should also support projects and activities actively addressing the issue of inclusion and
diversity more broadly in the society.

In order to implement these principles, a Framework on inclusion measures10 as well as an Inclusion and Diversity
Strategy11 have been developed to support organisations to better reach out to more participants with fewer
opportunities and help addressing the barriers different target groups may face.

Young people with fewer opportunities are young people who are at a disadvantage compared to their peers because
they face one or more exclusion factors and obstacles. The list of barriers, spelt out below, is not exhaustive and is meant
to provide a reference in taking action with a view to increasing accessibility and outreach to disadvantaged groups:
▪ Disabilities: This includes physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with
various barriers, may hinder someone’s full and effective participation in society on the same footing as
others12.
▪ Health problems: Barriers may result from health issues including severe illnesses, chronic diseases, or any
other physical or mental health-related situation that prevents someone from participating in the
programme.
▪ Barriers linked to education and training systems: Individuals struggling to perform in education and training
systems for various reasons, early school-leavers, NEETs (people not in education, employment or training)
and low-skilled adults may face barriers. Although other factors may play a role, these educational difficulties,
while possibly linked to personal circumstances, mostly result from educational systems which create
structural limitations and/or do not fully take into account the individual’s particular needs. Individuals can
also face barriers to participation when the structure of curricula makes it difficult to undertake a learning or
training mobility abroad as part of their studies.

10 Commission Implementing Decision - framework of inclusion measures of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps 2021-27: https://erasmus-
plus.ec.europa.eu/document/commission-decision-framework-inclusion-2021-27
11 Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy: https://erasmus-
plus.ec.europa.eu/document/implementation-guidelines-erasmus-and-european-solidarity-corps-inclusion-and-diversity-strategy
12
For more information on this topic, please see the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html
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 Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

▪ Cultural differences: While cultural differences may be perceived as barriers by people from any background,
they can particularly affect people with fewer opportunities. Such differences may represent significant
barriers to learning in general, all the more for people with a migrant or refugee background – including but
not limited to newly-arrived migrants, people belonging to a national or ethnic minority, sign language users,
or people with linguistic adaptation and cultural inclusion difficulties. Being exposed to foreign languages
and cultural differences when taking part in any kind of programme activities may put some individuals off
and, in a way, limit the benefits from their participation. Such cultural differences may even prevent potential
participants from applying for support through the programmes, thereby representing an entry barrier
altogether.
▪ Social barriers: Social adjustment difficulties, such as limited social competences, anti-social or high-risk
behaviours, (ex-)offenders, (ex-)drug or alcohol abusers, or social marginalisation may represent a barrier.
Other social barriers can stem from family circumstances – for instance being the first in the family to access
higher education or being a parent (especially a single parent), a caregiver, a breadwinner or an orphan, or
having lived or currently living in institutional care.
▪ Economic barriers: Economic disadvantage, for instance a low living standard, low income, learners who need
to work to support themselves, dependence on the social welfare system, long-term unemployment,
precarious situations or poverty, being homeless, in debt or with financial problems, may represent a barrier.
Other difficulties may derive from the limited transferability of services (in particular support to people with
fewer opportunities) that need to be "mobile" together with the participants when going to a far place or, all
the more, abroad.
▪ Barriers linked to discrimination: Barriers can occur as a result of discrimination linked to gender, age,
ethnicity, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or intersectional factors (a combination of two or
several of the mentioned kinds of discrimination).
▪ Geographical barriers: Living in, for example, remote or rural areas, on small islands or in
peripheral/outermost regions, in urban suburbs, in less serviced areas (limited public transport, poor
facilities) or less developed areas may constitute a barrier.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE GOALS

The European Solidarity Corps can make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s commitment to tackling climate
and environmental-related challenges. To contribute to the European Green Deal13, the Programme aims at integrating
green practices into all projects and activities as well as promoting environmentally sustainable and responsible
behaviour among participants and participating organisations. Organisations and participants should thus have an
environmental-friendly approach when designing and implementing their activities. Activities contributing to other
existing EU initiatives in the area of environmental sustainability (e.g. the New European Bauhaus) are highly
encouraged.
The Programme also supports projects and activities addressing the societal challenges related to environmental
protection, sustainability and climate goals. Such projects can tackle a variety of issues, aiming for example at protecting,
conserving and enhancing the natural capital or raising awareness about environmental sustainability and enabling
behavioural changes for individual preferences, consumption habits and lifestyles. The programme supports initiatives
aimed at preventing and mitigating or repairing the adverse effects of extreme weather events and natural disasters, as
well as activities that provide support to affected communities in the aftermath of such extreme weather events or
natural disasters.

HORIZON EUROPE MISSIONS

Relatedly, the European Solidarity Corps are also creating synergies with the Horizon Europe Missions in 2023-27,
wherever the volunteering activities of the European Solidarity Corps can contribute to the ambitions of the Missions
for climate adaptation, ocean and waters restoration, soil health restoration, the promotion of climate-neutral and
smart cities, and the improvement of the lives of people affected by cancer.
In support of these synergies, the European Solidarity Corps is implementing a financial contribution of the Horizon
Europe Programme, earmarked for Volunteering Projects supporting the Horizon Europe Missions and Green Deal goals
and key strategies, thus further increasing the solidarity opportunities available to young people in these areas.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The political guidelines of the European Commission underline the need for Europe to lead the digital transformation14.
The European Solidarity Corps can play a role by supporting Europeans, regardless of their gender, age and background
to live and thrive in the digital age through projects and activities that aim to boost digital skills, foster digital literacy
and/or develop an understanding of the risks and opportunities of digital technology.

The European Solidarity Corps also promotes the use of virtual and digital components such as information,

13 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
14 https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/shaping-europe-digital-future_en
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 Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

communication and technology tools in all projects and activities.

PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE, COMMON VALUES AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The Corps promotes participation of young people in democratic processes and civic engagement. With volunteering at
its heart, the programme engages and empowers young people to be active in society and addresses the Europe-wide
trends of youth limited participation in democratic life and the low levels of knowledge and awareness about European
matters that have an impact on the lives of all European citizens.

The activities supported by the European Solidarity Corps should also strive to strengthen European identity (notably as
regards common EU values and, the principles of unity and diversity, as well as participant countries’ social, cultural and
historical heritage) and the participation of young people in democratic processes including European, national, regional
and local elections, and thorough involvement in other EU initiatives, platforms revolving around participation and civic
engagement.

The Youth Participation Strategy15 has been designed to provide a common framework and support the use of the Corps
to foster youth participation in democratic life. The Strategy aims to improve the quality of youth participation in the
Corps and complements key EU Youth Policy documents, such as the EU Youth Strategy, the EU Youth Goals16 and the
Legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022. The Youth Participation Toolkit 17 accompanies the Strategy and aims to, in
practical terms, enhance the participation of young people in each of the actions of the Corps, by sharing know-how,
recommendations, tools and practical guidance.

PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND MENTAL HEALTH

Across all its actions, the Corps aims to support activities related to prevention, promotion and support in the field of
health, in line with the HealthyLifeStyle4All, with special focus on supporting vulnerable or disadvantaged population
groups. Volunteers may be mobilised around major health challenges, especially regarding mental health, as well as
policy priorities such as cancer prevention and care.

INNOVATION
The Corps also strives to add value by promoting and supporting new waves of innovation by mobilising young people
and organisations to contribute to awareness of and innovative solutions to a wide range of societal challenges, for
example in the context of rural innovation ecosystems (rural youth depopulation, sustainable energy systems, health
promotion and disease prevention, etc).

In addition, specific annual policy priorities in 2025 for the Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas action will be:
- Relief for persons fleeing armed conflicts and other victims of natural or man-made disasters;
- Fostering positive learning experiences and outcomes for young people with fewer opportunities;
- Promoting waste management and recycling solutions.
For more details, please see section “Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas”.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS
In line with the objectives of the European Solidarity Corps, the following features deserve special attention.

RESPECT FOR EU VALUES

The European Solidarity Corps’ implementation, and therefore, the programme beneficiaries, the participants and the
activities implemented under the programme, have to respect the EU values of respect for human dignity, freedom,
democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities,
in full compliance with the values and rights enshrined in the EU Treaties and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
In line with the grant agreements, the beneficiary’s grant may be terminated or reduced if such provisions are not
respected.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CORPS

As one of the most visible manifestations of solidarity, volunteering provides young people with the opportunity to take
part in activities that address identified needs within local communities and contribute to overcoming important societal

15 Youth Participation Strategy: https://participationpool.eu/resource-category/youth-participation/youth-participation-strategy/

16 European Youth Goals: https://youth.europa.eu/strategy/european-youth-goals_en
17 Youth Participation Toolkit: https://participationpool.eu/toolkit/
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Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

challenges on the ground.

Volunteering also enables young people to acquire useful experience, skills and competences for their personal,
educational, social, cultural, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employability and active
citizenship. Activities supported under volunteering constitute a rich experience in a non-formal and informal learning
context, which enhances young people’s competences.

NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL LEARNING

Non-formal learning refers to learning which takes place outside formal education and training through learning
activities and with some form of learning support. It has a participative and learner-centred approach; it is carried out
by learners on a voluntary basis and is therefore closely linked to young people’s needs, aspirations and interests.
Informal learning refers to the learning in daily life activities, at work, with peers, etc. It can often be characterised as
learning by doing. In the youth sector, informal learning has an important role for example in peer group discussions, in
voluntary activities and in a variety of other situations.
Non-formal and informal learning enable young people to acquire essential competences that contribute to their
personal and socio-educational development and foster their active participation in society, thereby − amongst others
− improving their employment prospects. Such learning experiences have also a strong potential to improve the
attainment in formal education and training as well as to address young NEETs (i.e. young people not in employment,
education or training) or young people with fewer opportunities and combat social exclusion.
Learning activities within the youth field are meant to have a significantly positive impact on young people as well as on
the organisations involved, the communities in which these activities take place, the youth field itself and the European
economic and societal sectors at large.

RECOGNITION AND VALIDATION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

To ensure the impact of European Solidarity Corps activities on the personal, educational, social, civic, and professional
development of the participants, the competences that are the learning outcomes of the solidarity activities should be
properly identified and documented.
To that end, the use of effective instruments at Union and national level for the recognition of non-formal and informal
learning, such as Youthpass and Europass should be encouraged, as appropriate. For further information, see part D of
this Guide.

EUROPEAN ADDED VALUE

The European Solidarity Corps must support solidarity activities which present a clear European added value, for
example by virtue of their:
▪ transnational character, particularly with regard to learning mobility and cooperation;
▪ ability to complement other programmes and policies at local, regional, national, Union and international
level;
▪ European dimension with regard to the topics, aims, approaches, expected outcomes and other aspects of
these solidarity activities;
▪ approach with regard to involving young people from different backgrounds;
▪ contribution to the effective use of Union transparency and recognition tools.

INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
The European Solidarity Corps includes a strong international dimension (i.e. cooperation with third countries not
associated to the Programme, through involvement of young people and organisations). Through its extended
geographical scope, the Corps contributes to the EU efforts to support and strengthen capacity and resilience in non-
EU countries. It can serve as a powerful tool for building bridges between diverse societies and fostering connections
between like-minded individuals across Europe and the world.
In accordance with Article 14 (2) of the European Solidarity Corps Regulation, legal entities from other third countries
non-associated to the Programme may be eligible for the actions referred to in Articles 5 and 7 of the Regulation
(networking activities, quality and support measures and volunteering under the ‘participation of young people in
solidarity activities’ strand) in duly justified cases and in the EU’s interest. Among this group of applicants, in line with
the EU Youth Strategy 2021-2027, Council conclusions of 5 June 2020 on Youth in external action and the Youth Action
Plan (YAP) in EU external action 2022 – 2027, special consideration will be given to candidate countries, Easter
Partnership countries and Western Balkan countries, as well as other countries with whom the EU has association or
cooperation agreements. The cooperation with these countries is in the EU’s strategic interest as it fosters the
connectedness of this group of applicants with the applicants of EU Member States.
The participation of these countries is fully in line with the EU Youth Strategy 2021-2027 which calls “to foster the

9
Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

connectedness between young people in the EU and candidate countries, Eastern-Partnership and Western Balkan
partners, as well as with other third countries with whom the EU has association or cooperation agreements.”
“Connections, relations and exchange of experience are a pivotal asset for solidarity and the future development of the
European Union. This connection is best fostered through different forms of mobility.”
In addition, the Council conclusions of 5 June 2020 on Youth in external action stresses the contribution of young
generations to building stronger, more legitimate, peaceful and democratic societies. The programme contributes to
promoting the meaningful participation and engagement of all young people, and hence in strengthening exchanges
and dialogue between young people from the Union and partner countries, including the Eastern Partnership, the
Western Balkans and the Southern Neighbourhood.
This is further supported by the Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action 2022 – 2027. Specifically, the Youth Action
Plan states that the EU will further promote young people-to-people contacts through the existing initiatives like the
European Solidarity Corps, encouraging the participation of young people in volunteering and solidarity projects.The
Programme also supports in delivering the Global Gateway strategy for a Stronger Europe in the World. Cooperation in
volunteering activities has gradually become an important instrument for the implementation of EU external policies,
based on European values, trust and autonomy.Under the EU Enlargement Policy, the European Solidarity Corps aims
to strengthen the informal and non-formal educational and volunteering systems of acceding countries, candidate
countries and potential candidate countries and contribute to the process of aligning their legislation to meet the EU
standards.
Activities in third countries not associated to the Programme take place where there are no ongoing international or
non-international armed conflicts, subject to a substantiated Union’s interest as spelt out under each of the programme
actions concerned.
Based on restrictive measures or guidelines adopted at EU level, some organisations and individuals of third countries
not associated to the Programme, including subsidiaries of such organisations and entities held by such third country
individuals, may not be considered eligible to take part in some or all actions of the European Solidarity Corps
programme.

MULTILINGUALISM
Multilingualism is one of the cornerstones of the European project and a powerful symbol of the EU’s aspiration to be
united in diversity. Foreign languages have a prominent role among the skills that will help equip people better for the
labour market and make the most of available opportunities. The EU has set the goal that every citizen should have the
opportunity to learn at least two foreign languages from an early age.
While the promotion and support of language learning is primarily covered under other EU initiatives, it has been
demonstrated that the lack of language competences is one of the main barriers to European cross-border activities in
general such as those supported by the European Solidarity Corps. In order to help overcoming this barrier, linguistic
support is provided in the context of the European Solidarity Corps. For further information, see part D of this Guide.

PROTECTION, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PARTICIPANTS

The protection, health and safety of participants involved in the activities supported by the European Solidarity Corps
are important principles of the programme. All European Solidarity Corps participants should have the opportunity to
take full advantage of the possibilities for personal and professional development and learning offered through the
European Solidarity Corps. This should be assured in a safe environment which respects and protects the rights of all
persons, their physical and emotional integrity, their mental health and their wellbeing.
To this end, each organisation participating in the European Solidarity Corps must have in place effective procedures
and arrangements, including repatriation in case of unexpected security crisis, to promote and guarantee the safety,
protection and non-discrimination of the participants in their activities. Such measures should be adapted based on the
needs of the participants. With this regard, all volunteers must be insured against the risks linked to their participation.
A specific insurance policy is foreseen for cross-border volunteers. For further information, see part D of this Guide.
If applicable, it is strongly recommended that participants in transnational activities taking place in EU Member States
or some third countries associated to the programme are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
This is a free card that gives access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of
the 27 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.

COMMUNICATING PROJECTS AND THEIR RESULTS TO MAXIMISE IMPACT

Communicating projects and their results is crucial to ensure impact on different levels. Applicants are required to plan
their communication activities aimed at sharing information about their project and results during and beyond the
project life cycle. Project applications will be evaluated based on relevant criteria to ensure that these aspects are
covered. The level and intensity of communication and dissemination activities should be proportional to the objectives,

10
 Part A – What are the objectives, priorities and important characteristics?

the scope and the targets of the different actions of the Corps. Beneficiaries of European Solidarity Corps funding must
follow the communication guidelines for project beneficiaries 18 prepared by the European Commission; and monitor
and evaluate the success of their communication activities, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
As indicated in the communication guidelines, beneficiaries must clearly acknowledge the European Union’s support in
all communication and dissemination activities and products, such as events, websites, visual material and publications.
In particular, they must ensure that the European Union emblem 19 is included in all communication material and that it
respects the provisions laid out in the grant agreement. The beneficiary’s grant may be reduced if such provisions are
not respected.

WHAT ARE THE ACTIONS AND THE QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES?
In order to achieve its objectives, the European Solidarity Corps implements four Actions structured into two strands:
▪ Participation of young people in solidarity activities:

− Volunteering Projects;
− Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas;
− Solidarity Projects.

▪ Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities (“Volunteering under the
European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps”):

− Humanitarian Aid Volunteering projects.

Additionally, the European Solidarity Corps supports a series of activities and measures aiming at providing high-quality
solidarity activities.
▪ Quality and Support measures

− networking activities for individuals and organisations participating in the European Solidarity Corps;
− appropriate measures to provide clearance requirements in accordance with applicable national law;
− measures taken before, during or after the solidarity activities that aim to ensure the quality and
accessibility of volunteering, including online and offline training, adapted, where appropriate, to the
solidarity activity in question and its context, language support, insurance, including accident and
sickness insurance, the further use of Youthpass, which identifies and documents the competences
acquired by participants during the solidarity activities, capacity building, and administrative support for
participating organisations;
− the development and maintenance of a Quality Label;
− the activities of European Solidarity Corps Resource Centres to support and raise the quality of the
implementation of the Programme actions and enhance the validation of their outcomes;
− the establishment, maintenance and updating of an accessible European Solidarity Corps Portal and of
other relevant online services, as well as necessary IT support systems and web-based tools.

18 How to communicate your project: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/429c34ff-7231-11ec-9136-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-

PDF/source-248841143
19
Guidance on how to use the European Commission visual identity, including the European Union emblem, can be found at:
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/organisations/reference-documents-resources_en https://ec.europa.eu/info/resources-partners/european-commission-
visual-identity_en#documents and https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2021-05/eu-emblem-rules_en.pdf

11
 Part A – What is the budget

WHAT IS THE BUDGET?

The European Solidarity Corps has an overall indicative financial envelope of EUR 1.009 billion of the EU Budget for the
period 2021-2027. The annual budget is adopted by the Budgetary Authority. The different steps for the adoption of the
EU budget can be followed at: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/how-it-works/annual-
lifecycle/figures-2014-2020_en
Since 2023, the European Solidarity Corps also receive a financial contribution20 from the Horizon Europe Programme
to increase synergies with the Horizon Europe Missions.

For information about the available budget by action, planned number of projects to be granted as well as indicative
average grants, please consult the 2025 European Solidarity Corps Annual Work Programme:
(https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/organisations/reference-documents-resources_en).

20 This contribution amounted to EUR 16.53 million in 2023 and EUR 12.71 million in 2024.

12
 Part A – Who implements the European Solidarity Corps?

WHO IMPLEMENTS THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS?

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The European Commission is ultimately responsible for the running of the European Solidarity Corps. It manages the
budget and sets priorities, targets and criteria for the programme on an on-going basis. Furthermore, it guides and
monitors the general implementation, follow-up and evaluation of the programme at European level. The European
Commission also bears the overall responsibility for the supervision and coordination of the structures in charge of
implementing the Programme at the national level.

THE EDUCATION AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA)

At the European level, the European Commission’s Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA or the Executive
Agency) is responsible for the implementation of a number of actions of the Corps in direct management. In addition
to the information contained in this Guide, the relevant Call documents and application forms for the actions covered
by this Guide and managed by the Executive Agency are published in EU Funding & Tenders Portal21.
The Executive Agency oversees the complete life-cycle management of the projects under the Programme, from the
promotion, the evaluation of the grant applications, the monitoring of projects to the dissemination of the projects and
Programme’s results. It is also responsible for launching specific calls for proposals relating to some actions of the
Programme that are not covered by this guide.
The European Commission, notably through the Executive Agency is responsible for:
▪ carrying out studies in the fields supported by the Programme;
▪ carrying out research and evidence-based activities through the Eurydice network;
▪ improving the visibility and the systemic impact of the European Solidarity Corps through dissemination and
exploitation activities of the Programme’s results;
▪ ensuring the contractual management and financing of bodies and networks supported by the European
Solidarity Corps;
▪ managing calls for tenders to provide services within the framework of the Corps.

NATIONAL AGENCIES
The European Solidarity Corps is mainly implemented through indirect management 22, meaning that the European
Commission entrusts budget implementation tasks to National Agencies. The rationale of this approach is to bring the
European Solidarity Corps as close as possible to its beneficiaries and to adapt to the diversity of each country. For this
purpose, one or more National Agencies is appointed in each EU Member State and third country associated to the
Programme. These National Agencies promote and implement the European Solidarity Corps at the national level and
are the link between the European Commission and participating organisations at local, regional and national levels.
Their tasks are to:
▪ provide with appropriate information on the European Solidarity Corps;
▪ administer a fair and transparent selection process for project applications to be funded in their country;
▪ monitor and evaluate the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps projects in their country;
▪ provide support to project applicants and participating organisations throughout the project life-cycle;
▪ collaborate effectively with the network of all National Agencies and the European Commission;
▪ ensure the visibility of the Corps;
▪ promote the dissemination and exploitation of the results at local and national level.
In addition, National Agencies play an important role as intermediate structures for the policy development and
qualitative implementation of the European Solidarity Corps by:
▪ carrying out the Training and Evaluation Cycle in EU Member States and third countries associated to the
Programme;
▪ carrying out projects and activities outside the tasks of project life-cycle management that support the
qualitative implementation of the European Solidarity Corps and/or trigger policy developments such as
Networking Activities;
▪ contributing to the links and synergies between the European Solidarity Corps and the Union youth policy;
▪ promoting and communicating to stakeholders on the opportunities to further engage youth in Horizon
Europe Missions activities;

21 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
22 Article 62.1(c) Financial Regulation No 2018/1046 (hereinafter FR).

13
Part A – Who implements the European Solidarity Corps?

▪ providing a supportive approach to newcomers and less advantaged target groups in order to remove the
obstacles to full participation;
▪ seeking cooperation with external bodies and National Authorities to increase the impact of the European
Solidarity Corps in their country and in the European Union.
The supportive approach of the National Agencies aims to guide the potential applicants and beneficiaries through all
phases, from the first contact with the European Solidarity Corps and through the application process to the
implementation of the project and the final evaluation. This principle is based on the idea that, to guarantee equal
opportunities to everybody, it is necessary to support target groups through advising, counselling, monitoring and
coaching systems tailored to their needs.

14
 Part A – Who implements the European Solidarity Corps?

WHAT OTHER BODIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS?
Apart from the European Commission, the Executive Agency and the National Agencies, the following bodies provide
complementary expertise to the implementation of the Corps.

RESOURCE CENTRES
The Resource Centres are part of the quality and support measures mentioned in the Regulation establishing the
European Solidarity Corps. They constitute additional entrusted tasks to be performed by designated National Agencies
to support the development, implementation and quality of actions under the European Solidarity Corps. The European
Solidarity Corps benefits from the already well-established network of Resources Centres under the Erasmus+
programme and a dedicated European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre.

SALTO RESOURCE CENTRES

SALTO23 Resource Centres are structures mainly supported through the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps
Programmes aiming to improve the quality of projects in the field of youth and education. Through their thematic
(participation & information, inclusion & diversity, training & cooperation, digital transformation and green
transition) or geographical (Eastern Europe and Caucasus, Southern Mediterranean, Western Balkans) focus, they
provide resources, information and training in specific areas for National Agencies and other actors and foster the
recognition of non-formal and informal learning. The SALTO resource centres also offer support and develop
trainings, tools and resources for the European Solidarity Corps. Their experience and knowledge thus also benefit
the stakeholders of the European Solidarity Corps.
Their work, directly linked to the Corps, involves:
▪ Coordinating the implementation of Youthpass for recognition of non-formal and informal learning in the
programme;
▪ Carrying out the award and monitoring of the Quality Label in the countries not associated to the
programme;
▪ Carrying out the Training and Evaluation Cycle in the third countries not associated to the programme;
▪ Supporting the inclusion dimension of the Corps and the implementation of the “Inclusion and Diversity
Strategy”.
More information available at: www.salto-youth.net.

SALTO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

The mission of this SALTO Resource Centre is to improve the quality and impact of European Solidarity
Corps projects with a view to making the programme more inclusive and diverse.
More specifically, this SALTO also acts as evidence-based knowledge hub and impartial broker based on
its expertise and experience with programme management in the field of inclusion and diversity. This
means continuously building and channelling the knowledge and lessons learned from programme
implementation in this thematic area into the contexts of programme development in cooperation with
the NA network and the Commission through appropriate platforms. Moreover, this SALTO supports the
National Agencies to implement the programme in a way that puts into practice the relevant policy
decisions (e.g. Council conclusions/resolutions), results of mutual learning activities, and decisions on the
inclusion and diversity priority.
Key responsibilities of SALTO for Inclusion and Diversity are:
• Raising the quality and impact of projects and activities of European Solidarity Corps, focusing on
the inclusion and diversity priority;
• Helping to optimise the implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the inclusion and diversity
priority in education, training and youth as defined in the European Solidarity Corps programme;
• Playing a key role in guiding the National Agencies on analysis and impact evaluation of projects
focusing on the inclusion and diversity priority in education, training and youth.

23 SALTO stands for 'Support for Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities'.

15
Part A – Who implements the European Solidarity Corps?

SALTO ON GREEN TRANSITION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This SALTO is supporting the implementation of the priority on environmental protection, sustainability,
and fight against climate change in line with the European Green Deal and the Climate Pact, and
contributing directly to the achievement of one of the 11 European Youth Goals (Sustainable Green
Europe) included in the EU Youth Strategy. Key responsibilities of SALTO on green transition and
sustainable development are:
• Raising the quality and impact of projects and activities of European Solidarity Corps, focusing on
sustainability and fight against climate change;
• Helping to optimise the implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the priority on environmental
protection, sustainability and fight against climate change, as defined in the European Solidarity
Corps programme;
• Playing a key role in guiding the National Agencies on analysis and impact evaluation of projects
focusing on the environmental protection, sustainability, and fight against climate change priority of
the programme.

SALTO DIGITAL
The SALTO Digital Resource Centre covers key policy documents for youth, supports the implementation
of the digital horizontal priority in the European Solidarity Corps Programme, with the goal to continuously
raise the quality and inclusion of digital aspects in the field of youth. SALTO Digital Resource Centre acts
as an evidence-based knowledge hub in the field of digital education, training and youth, and channels
knowledge related to its mandate into programme as well as policy development. Key responsibilities on
SALTO Digital are:
• Raising the quality and impact of projects and activities of the programme, focusing on the digital
priorities;
• Helping to optimise the implementation, monitoring and follow-up of youth priorities as defined in
the European Solidarity Corps programme;
• Playing a key role in guiding the National Agencies in successful implementation of the digital
priorities as well as analysis and impact evaluation of projects focusing on the digital priorities of the
programme, which feeds into policy development and stakeholder fora and in particular the
European Digital Education Hub.

SALTO PARTICIPATION AND INFORMATION

The SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre sets up strategic and innovative actions to
encourage active participation in democratic life, including through:
• Developing guidance for applicants and beneficiaries, notably to foster the involvement of young
people in democratic decision-making, the youth participation in civic and social life through
volunteering or taking up a role in youth organisations;
• Providing guidance to and support for all National Agencies on state-of-the art strategies for reaching
out to a higher number of young people, increasing quality and impact of information activities as
well as their inclusiveness and the sustainability and transferability of project results.

SALTO TRAINING AND COOPERATION

The SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre focuses on developing strategic and innovative
actions to ensure the overall quality approach to training strategies and activities, and the recognition of
non-formal and informal learning throughout Europe, including through:
• Developing and implementing processes, activities, and tools within the Youthpass Strategy to
support and promote the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning activities;
• Enhancing the quality of youth projects through training courses, tools and practical publications
and guidance;
• Providing support to National Agencies staff through the Knowledge Management and Staff Training.

16
 Part A – Who implements the European Solidarity Corps?

REGIONAL SALTO RESOURCE CENTRES

The three regional SALTOs: SALTO SOUTH EAST EUROPE, SALTO EASTERN EUROPE and CAUCASUS and
SALTO EUROMED foster strategic and innovative cooperation between stakeholders from EU Member
States, third countries associated to the Programme and third countries not associated to the Programme
both in Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, aiming to:
• Further raise the quantity, quality and impact of projects and partnerships;
• Support youth work and youth policy development in third countries not associated to the
Programme in the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership and Russia and in the South-Mediterranean,
respectively.

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS RESOURCE CENTRE

The European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre aims to assist the National Agencies, the participating organisations
and the young people taking part in the European Solidarity Corps in raising the quality of implementation of
solidarity activities and actions. Its work involves:
▪ Organising training courses, study visits, forums, cooperation and partnership-building activities;
▪ Developing and documenting training methods and tools related to the activities supported by the
European Solidarity Corps;
▪ Issuing practical publications and guidance on how solidarity, as a European value, can impact local and
larger communities and serve as a tool to encounter current and future societal crisis;
▪ Gathering evidence and carrying out monitoring and analysis of good practice and obstacles during
implementation;
▪ Contributing to the links and synergies between the European Solidarity Corps and the Union youth
policy; supporting the National Agencies in the development and implementation of networking
activities;
▪ Acting as central point of support to bring together National Agencies and SALTOs to reflect on and
improve certain aspects related to the Corps implementation;
▪ Contributing to building a network of communities within the European Solidarity Corps programme,
which includes organisations, mentors, TEC trainers etc.

More information available at: https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/solidarity/

EURODESK NETWORK
The Eurodesk network is supported through the Erasmus+ Programme and offers information services to young people and
those who work with them on European opportunities in the education, training and youth fields, and the involvement of
young people in European activities.
Present in all countries participating in the European Solidarity Corps and coordinated at European level by the Eurodesk
Brussels-link Office, the Eurodesk network offers enquiry answering services, funding information, events and publications. It
also contributes to the animation of the European Youth Portal.
For more information on Eurodesk, please go to: http://www.eurodesk.eu.

THE EUROPEAN YOUTH PORTAL

The European Youth Portal offers European and national information and opportunities that are of interest to young people
who are living, learning and working in Europe. It provides information in 28 languages.
To access the European Youth Portal, please go to: https://youth.europa.eu.
The European Solidarity Corps Portal is integrated into the European Youth Portal and accessible via the EU Initiatives menu.

17
 Part A – Who can participate in the European Solidarity Corps?

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS?

Young people constitute the target population of the European Solidarity Corps. Except for Solidarity Projects where young
people can apply directly, the Corps involves young people through organisations, institutions, public or private bodies that
organise solidarity activities. The conditions of access to the Corps therefore relate to these two actors: the "participants"
(young people participating in the Corps) and the "organisations". For both participants and participating organisations, the
conditions for participation depend on the country in which they are legally based, and on the Action concerned. These
conditions are specified in Part B and C of this Guide, under each specific Action.

PARTICIPANTS
Young people express their willingness to participate in the European Solidarity Corps by registering on the European Solidarity
Corps Portal. The registration on the European Solidarity Corps Portal is possible as of 17 years of age but participants must
have reached 18 and must not be older than 30 at the start date of the activity. For participants in humanitarian aid related
solidarity activities, the upper age limit at the start of the activity is 35 years old.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
European Solidarity Corps projects are mainly submitted and implemented by participating organisations. Organisations
participating in European Solidarity Corps projects must be established in an EU Member State or third country associated to
the Programme, or a third country not associated to the Programme .

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES24
Member States of the European Union and third countries associated to the Programme can participate fully in all the Actions
of the European Solidarity Corps. In addition, some Actions are open for participation of third countries not associated to the
Programme. Please refer to the Actions in Part B and Part C of this Guide for the specific conditions.

24 Entities from EU Member States and people legally residing in them can fully take part in all the Actions of the European Solidarity Corps. In addition, in
accordance with article 13 of the Regulation, the following third countries can be associated to the programme subject to agreements between the European
Union and those countries: members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA); acceding
countries, candidate countries and potential candidates. In addition, in accordance with article 14 of the Regulation, entities from other third countries and
people residing in them can be eligible in some Actions in duly justified cases and in the Union interest.

18
 Part A – Who can participate in the European Solidarity Corps?

EU MEMBER STATES AND THIRD COUNTRIES ASSOCIATED TO THE PROGRAMME

Member States of the European Union (EU)25

Belgium Greece Lithuania Portugal
Bulgaria Spain Luxembourg Romania
Czechia France Hungary Slovenia
Denmark Croatia Malta Slovakia
Germany Italy Netherlands Finland
Estonia Cyprus Austria Sweden
Ireland Latvia Poland

Third countries associated to the Programme26

North Macedonia Liechtenstein
Türkiye
Iceland

THIRD COUNTRIES NOT ASSOCIATED TO THE PROGRAMME

EFTA countries

Norway

Third countries neighbouring the EU

Western Balkans Neighbourhood East South-Mediterranean countries Russian Federation

(Region 1) (Region 2) (Region 3) (Region 4)

Albania Armenia Algeria Libya Territory of Russia31 as

Bosnia and Herzegovina Azerbaijan Egypt Morocco recognised by international law
Kosovo27 Belarus28 Israel29 Palestine30
Montenegro Georgia Jordan Syria
Serbia Moldova Lebanon Tunisia
Territory of Ukraine as
recognised by
international law

Host countries for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering

Third countries not associated to the Programme where humanitarian aid activities and operations take place and where
there are no ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts: host role for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering

25 According to Article 33.3 of the Council Decision 2013/755/EU on the Association of the OCTs with the European Union, the Union shall ensure that individuals
and organisations from or to Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) shall be eligible to participate in the European Solidarity Corps on an “EU Member States
or third countries associated to the Programme status”, subject to the rules of the Programme and the arrangements applicable to the Member State with
which these OCTs are connected. The list of OCTs can be found at: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/regions/overseas-countries-and-territories-octs/oct-eu-
association_en.
26 Subject to the signature of the Association Agreements between the European Union and those countries.
27 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
28 In line with the Council Conclusions of 12 October 2020 and in light of Belarus’s involvement in the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, recognised in

the European Council Conclusions of February 2022, the EU has stopped engaging with representatives of Belarus public bodies and state-owned enterprises.
Should there be a change of the context this may be reconsidered. In the meantime, the EU continues to engage with and, where possible, has stepped up
support to non-state, local and regional actors, including within the framework of this programme as appropriate.
29 The eligibility criteria formulated in commission notice Nr.2013/C-205/05 (OJEU C-205 of 19/07/2013, pp. 9-11) shall apply for all actions implemented through

this Programme Guide, including with respect to third parties receiving financial support in the cases where the respective action involves financial support to
third parties by grant beneficiaries in accordance with article 204 of the EU's Financial Regulation.
30 This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this

issue.
31 Article 5 l of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014 provides that :

It shall be prohibited to provide direct or indirect support, including financing and financial assistance or any other benef it under a Union, Euratom or Member
State national programme and contracts within the meaning of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council, to:
a) a legal person, entity or body established in Russia; b) a legal person, entity or body whose proprietary rights are directly or indirectly owned for more than
50 % by an entity referred to in point (a) of this paragraph.
The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to (...) mobility exchanges for individuals and people-to-people contacts.
For security reasons, while mobilities of Russian young people can be allowed, no mobilities to the Russian Federation are allowed.

19
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

PART B – PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOLIDARITY

ACTIVITIES
In this part, readers will find, for all of the Actions and activities under this strand and covered by the European Solidarity
Corps Guide, the following information:
▪ a description of their objectives and expected impact;
▪ a description of the supported activities;
▪ tables presenting the criteria which are used to assess proposals;
▪ additional information on quality features of activities;
▪ a description of the funding rules.
Before submitting an application, applicants are advised to read carefully the entire section concerning the Action under which
they wish to apply.

WHICH ACTIONS ARE SUPPORTED?

The following Actions may be supported and covered in this section:
▪ Volunteering Projects;
▪ Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas;
▪ Solidarity Projects;
▪ Humanitarian Aid Volunteering.

This section also covers all relevant information and criteria for the Quality Label, which is a pre-requisite to participate in
Volunteering Projects and Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas.
In line with the general and specific objectives of the European Solidarity Corps, the above actions supported by the
Programme are expected to bring positive and long-lasting effects on the participants and participating organisations involved,
as well as on the communities in which these actions take place.
As regards participants, the solidarity activities, as well as any other supported activities related to them (e.g. quality and
support measures), are meant to produce the following main outcomes:
▪ improved skills and competences for personal, educational, social, civic, cultural and professional development;
▪ more active participation in democratic life and in society in general;
▪ enhanced employability and transition into the labour market;
▪ increased sense of initiative and entrepreneurship;
▪ increased self-empowerment and self-esteem;
▪ improved foreign language competences;
▪ enhanced intercultural awareness;
▪ better awareness of the European project and the EU common values;
▪ increased motivation for further engagement in solidarity activities.
Supported solidarity activities are also expected to produce the following outcomes on participating organisations:
▪ increased capacity to operate at EU/international level;
▪ innovative and improved way of operating towards their target groups;
▪ greater understanding and responsiveness to diversity (social, linguistic, cultural, gender and ethnic diversity,
disabilities etc.);
▪ more modern, dynamic, committed and professional environment inside the organisations.
As regards communities where the activities related to supported solidarity activities are implemented, the following
outcomes are expected:
▪ increased ability to address societal challenges;
▪ greater understanding and responsiveness to diversity (social, linguistic, cultural, gender and ethnic diversity,
disabilities etc.);
In the long run, the combined effect of supported solidarity activities is expected to have a positive impact on a large number
of stakeholders in EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme or third countries not associated to
the Programme.

20
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS
WHAT ARE VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS?
Volunteering projects offer opportunities for young people to take part in solidarity activities contributing to the daily work
of participating organisations, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out.

Volunteering is a full-time32 unpaid activity that has a duration of up to 12 months. This type of solidarity activity is undertaken
through participating organisations that offer young people the opportunity to carry out a wide variety of activities, in a
structured way.

Participation in volunteering activities must be free of charge for the volunteer.

The scope of volunteering projects is broad, covering a wide range of areas, such as environmental protection, climate change
mitigation or greater social inclusion.

Volunteering may take place in a country other than the country of residence of the participant (cross-border) or in the country
of residence of the participant (in-country).

WHICH ACTIVITIES CAN BE SUPPORTED UNDER THIS ACTION?

The following activities are supported:

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERING
Individual Volunteering is a solidarity activity of a duration of 2 weeks to 12 months. This type of solidarity activity provides
young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of organisations in solidarity activities to the ultimate
benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out.
Individual volunteering activities can take place:
▪ Cross-border i.e. activities taking place in a country different from the country of residence of the participant(s);
or
▪ In-country, i.e. activities taking place in the same country as the country of residence of the participant. These
activities aim to encourage and facilitate the participation of young people with fewer opportunities, however they
are open to all participants.

In-country activities should present a clear European added value including complementarity
to existing national schemes. Projects with in-country activities presenting a weak or a lack of
European added value will not be considered as relevant in the context of the Corps.

In terms of activity duration, individual volunteering can be short term (participation lasting between 14 and 59 days,
excluding travel days) or long term (participation lasting between 60 and 366 days, excluding travel days).

VOLUNTEERING TEAMS
Volunteering teams are solidarity activities that allow teams of participants coming from at least two different countries to
volunteer together for a period between 2 weeks and 2 months.

The composition of the volunteering teams must be international; at least a quarter of the volunteers must come from a
country other than the one where the activity takes place. Examples:
- A grant application is submitted by an organisation legally established in country B for a volunteering activity with 20
participants that takes place in country B. In this case at least 5 participants must come from countries different from
country B (country A, C, D etc).

32 At least 30 and not more than 38 hours per week

21
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

- A grant application is submitted by an organisation legally established in country A for a volunteering activity with 20
participants that takes place in country B. In this case, at least 5 participants must come from country A, because the link
with the National Agency of the applicant must be preserved (see eligibility criteria on page 25). Volunteers from other
countries may also participate (country B, C, D etc).

In volunteering teams, European Solidarity Corps’ volunteers will 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 will be valuable both for the individuals and for the communities in which the
volunteering takes place.
Examples of the valuable work that can be accomplished even over a short period of time include: restoring cultural heritage
damaged by natural or man-made disaster, catering for species threatened by extinction; organising educational activities in
refugee camps, etc.
Volunteering teams activities can bring a significant contribution to the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in
the European Solidarity Corps.
The advantages of this specific type of group activities compared to standard individual volunteering activities include the
following:
▪ Volunteers will carry out the activity in a group. This can be an incentive for youngsters who do not feel ready to
embark into challenging experiences on their own. The activity will also be shorter in its 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;
▪ The above makes volunteering teams particularly suitable for a first experience in volunteering. They can thus serve
as an entry way for long-term activities or provide an incentive to start their own solidarity project.
Furthermore, the following additional type of activity can also be funded:
▪ Preparatory visits to the venue of the volunteering activities before the start of the activities. The purpose of the
preparatory visits is to ensure high quality activities by facilitating and preparing administrative arrangements,
building trust and understanding and setting-up a solid partnership between the organisations and the young
people involved. The visits will be organised for activities involving young people with fewer opportunities or when
the visit is necessary for the implementation of an activity with a strong inclusion dimension. Participants with
fewer opportunities that will take part in the planned volunteering activities can be involved in the visit, in order
to help with their preparation and involve them in activity design so that their needs are taken into account from
the start. The preparatory visits can also take place online. However, only the physical preparatory visits will receive
funding.

HOW TO SET UP A VOLUNTEERING PROJECT?

A volunteering project consists of four stages: planning, preparation, implementation and follow-up. Participating
organisations and young people involved in the activities should take an active role in all those stages enhancing thus their
learning experience.
▪ Planning (including defining the learning outcomes, activity formats, development of work programme, schedule
of activities);
▪ Preparation phase, including practical arrangements, selection of participants, set up of agreements with partners
and participants, tailor-made linguistic/intercultural/task-related preparation based on the needs of participants
before departure;
▪ Implementation of activities;
▪ Follow-up phase, including the evaluation of the activities, issue of the certificate of participation, support to
participants upon return as well as the evaluation, dissemination and use of the activities’ outcomes.
Most European Solidarity Corps activities are implemented by one or several participating organisations. All participating
organisations involved in a volunteering activity must hold a valid Quality Label. The organisations involved assume the role
of “supporting” the implementation of the activities and the volunteers and/or “hosting” the volunteers:
▪ The host role covers the full range of activities related to hosting a Solidarity Corps participant, including the
development of a programme of the young person's activities and providing guidance and support to the
participant during all the phases as appropriate (some of these activities can be carried out by a support
organisation involved in the same project).
▪ The support role entails supporting, preparing and/or training participants before departure, a mediation between
them and their host organisations and/or providing support to participants upon return from their activity as well
as project management and coordination.

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 Part B – Volunteering Projects

Where only one organisation is involved (in-country activities or volunteering teams), the organisation has to ensure that all
phases are carried out and the above tasks and responsibilities are fulfilled. In all cases, the involvement of a support
organisation in activities involving young people with fewer opportunities is highly recommended.
In addition, organisations applying for grant must hold a valid Quality Label for lead organisations. For more information on
the Quality Label, please refer to the section “Quality Label for volunteering in solidarity activities”.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
Young people who want to participate in the European Solidarity Corps must register on the European Solidarity Corps Portal
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity. Young people with fewer opportunities may receive support from organisations to
complete the registration phase. The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers a meeting place for young people and
organisations holding a Quality Label and willing to implement solidarity activities. Organisations have to select the
participants from the database of registered young people.
QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES
A set of measures and services, such as training, language learning support, identification and documentation of the
competences acquired, insurance are foreseen to ensure the quality of the volunteering activities and a strong learning
dimension for the participants. Some of these measures are optional and could be used depending on the interest and needs
of the participants and some of them are compulsory. Organisations should aim to promote the use of the General Online
Training as part of the volunteers’ learning experience. Detailed information on those measures is available in Part D of this
Guide.

PRIORITIES
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The European Solidarity Corps seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion and fairness. Organisations should
design accessible and inclusive activities, taking into account the views and needs of participants with fewer opportunities.
Volunteering projects should also aim to support projects and activities actively addressing the issue of inclusion and diversity
more broadly in the society.

To support inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, additional support measures and
funding that allow participating organisations to better accommodate and cater for the needs of young people
with fewer opportunities are available.
In order to benefit from additional funding applicants will be required to describe how they will involve
in activities young people who are at comparative disadvantage i.e. they have comparatively fewer
opportunities than their peers in the same country/area/age group/situation. In this sense, “involving”
does not refer to a target group that the applicant organisation may work with. It means to facilitate
the participation of young people with fewer opportunities by designing the project activities in an
inclusive and accessible way. This requires specific measures of outreach and support to ensure that
young people with fewer opportunities can participate in activities on equal terms as others.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION

Volunteering activities should promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants, raising
the awareness about the importance of acting to reduce or compensate for the environmental footprint of activities.
Volunteering activities should be designed and implemented with environmental consciousness by e.g. integrating sustainable
practices such as opting for reusable or eco-friendly materials, reducing waste and recycling, using sustainable means of
transportation.
Projects and activities addressing the societal challenges related to environmental protection, sustainability and climate goals
should also be supported, notably where they contribute to fulfilling the objectives of relevant Horizon Europe Missions. Such
projects can tackle a variety of issues, aiming for example at protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural capital or raising
awareness about environmental sustainability and enabling behavioural changes for individual preferences, consumption

23
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

habits and lifestyles. Volunteering initiatives should also aim at preventing and mitigating or repairing the adverse effects of
extreme weather events and natural disasters, as well as activities that provide support to affected communities in the
aftermath of such extreme weather events or natural disasters.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The European Solidarity Corps can play a role by supporting Europeans, regardless of their gender, age and background to live
and thrive in the digital age. Those projects and activities that aim to boost digital skills, foster digital literacy and/or develop
an understanding of the risks and opportunities of digital technology, should also be supported. Depending on the design and
objectives of the activities, the development of competences and awareness on digital issues, and the use of new technologies
can be introduced in volunteering activities within the ESC programme.
Participating organisations are encouraged to make use of digital tools and learning methods to complement and add value
to their activities, to improve the cooperation between partner organisations, support further dissemination of the outcomes
or support for community building. The General Online Training on the EU Academy platform should also be used (see part D
for more information about these tools).
Organisations could also envisage adding virtual cooperation between volunteers, and between volunteers and participating
organisations, before, during and after the activities. Online activities may contribute to lowering the threshold of
participation for young people with fewer opportunities or to strengthening the overall impact of the projects. Blending
volunteering activities with other virtual components may also add to the quality of the project.

PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE

Volunteering projects should promote participation of young people in democratic processes and civic engagement. With
volunteering at its heart, the ESC programme engages and empowers young people to be active in society and addresses the
Europe-wide trends of youth limited participation in democratic life and the low levels of knowledge and awareness about
European matters that have an impact on the lives of all European citizens.
The European Solidarity Corps supports all participating organisations in improving the quality of their projects by integrating
a participatory dimension, offering young people relevant opportunities to actively engage and participate in the conception
and implementation of project activities as a pathway to discovering the benefits of active citizenship and participation in
democratic life.
Resources for enhancing the participatory dimension of supported projects can be accessed i.e. via the website
participationpool.eu. Links with and involvement in existing national, international or (other) EU initiatives and platforms
revolving around participation and civic engagement are also encouraged.

24
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES?

The eligibility criteria for the volunteering activities implemented under volunteering projects are listed below:
Any public or private entity, whether non-profit or profit making, local, regional, national or
international, legally established in an EU Member State, a third country associated to the Programme
Eligible
or a third country not associated to the Programme or any international organisation.
participating
organisations Participating organisations must hold a valid volunteering Quality Label at the latest at the start of the
activities and during the entire period of implementation of the activities 33.

For cross-border activities at least two organisations must participate:

one host organisation and one support organisation from the country
Individual Volunteering in which the participant is legally residing.

Number of For in-country activities, at least one host organisation is required.

participating
organisations
Volunteering Teams At least one organisation – either host or support - is required.

Individual Volunteering From 2 weeks to 12 months, excluding travel time.

Duration
Volunteering Teams From 2 weeks to 2 months34, excluding travel time.

Activities have to take place in a host organisation or one of its

locations. A volunteer from an EU Member State or third country
associated to the Programme must carry out the activity in an EU
Member State or third country associate to the Programme, or in a
Individual Volunteering
third country not associated to the Programme. A volunteer from a
third country not associated to the Programme must carry out the
Venue of activity in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the
activities35 Programme.

The activities must take place in an EU Member State or third country

Volunteering Teams associated to the Programme or a third country not associated to the
Programme.

Preparatory Visits Preparatory Visits must take place at the venue of the volunteering
activity.

33
Organisations holding a Quality Label that expires during the activities should apply for a new Quality Label in due time to ensure eligibility of the activities.
34
Up to 59 days, excluding travel days.
35 Activities cannot take place in Belarus or on the territory of Russia as recognised by international law.

25
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

Young people between 18 and 30 years36 who are legally residing in

an EU Member State, a third country associated to the Programme or
in a third country not associated to the Programme and have
registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
A volunteer can take part in:
- a single individual cross-border volunteering activity longer than
2 months. A second individual cross-border volunteering activity
longer than 2 months is allowed only for young people with fewer
Individual Volunteering opportunities or in duly justified cases determined by the
and National Agency.
- multiple individual cross-border volunteering activities lasting up
Eligible Volunteering Teams
to 2 months37;
participants
- multiple volunteering teams activities;
- multiple in-country volunteering activities.
The total amount of time spent by a young person in European
Solidarity Corps volunteering activities must not exceed 12 months
and the activities carried out must not overlap. Activities carried out
under Erasmus+ volunteering/European Voluntary Service will count
towards the total of 12 months allowed.

Representatives of the participating organisations and young people

Preparatory Visits with fewer opportunities who take part in the volunteering activity,
including accompanying person(s) if applicable.

At least 5 participants per volunteering team activity, coming from at

Number of least 2 different countries out of which one is an EU Member State or
participants Volunteering Teams a third country associated to the Programme. At least a quarter of the
volunteers should be legally residing in a country other than the one
where the activity takes place.

In order to maintain a clear link with the country where the National Agency is based, either
▪ the venue of the activity (individual or team volunteering) must be the country of the
National Agency to which the application is submitted;
Other criteria or
▪ the participant in an individual volunteering activity must be from the country of the
National Agency to which the application is submitted. For volunteering teams,
participant(s) from the country of the National Agency to which the application is
submitted must be involved.

36
Participants must have reached 18 and must not be older than 30 at the start date of the activity.
37
Up to 59 days, excluding travel days.

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 Part B – Volunteering Projects

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE COSTS AND THE APPLICABLE FUNDING RULES?

Financing In case of “green”

Eligible costs Amount Rule of allocation
mechanism travel
For travel distances between
10 and 99KM: EUR 28 per 56 EUR
participant
For travel distances between
100 and 499 KM: EUR 211 per 285 EUR
participant
For travel distances between
500 and 1 999 KM: EUR 309 417 EUR
per participant
Based on the travel distance per participant, including
For travel distances between accompanying persons. Travel distances must be
Contribution to the travel costs of 2 000 and 2 999 KM: EUR 395 535 EUR calculated using the distance calculator supported by the
Contribution
participants from their place of European Commission38.
Travel based on unit per participant
origin to the venue of the activity
costs For travel distances between
and return. The applicant must indicate the distance of a one-way
3 000 and 3 999 KM: EUR 580 785 EUR
travel to calculate the amount of the EU grant that will
per participant
support the round trip39.
For travel distances between
4 000 and 7 999 KM: EUR 1 1 188 EUR
188 per participant

For travel distances of 8 000

KM or more: EUR 1 735 per 1 735 EUR
participant

38 https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/organisations/reference-documents-resources_en
39 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/distance-calculator For example, if a person from Madrid (Spain) is taking part in an activity taking place in Rome (Italy), the applicant will a) calculate the distance from Madrid to Rome
(1365,28 KM); b) select the applicable travel distance band (i.e. Between 500 and 1999 KM) and c) calculate the EU grant that will provide a contribution to the costs of travel of the participant from Madrid to Rome and return (275 EUR).

27
Part B – Volunteering Projects

Financing Amount
Eligible costs Rule of allocation
mechanism

Management costs (e.g. planning, Contribution 238 EUR per participant in individual volunteering
finances, coordination and based on unit Based on the number of participants, excluding
Management costs 125 EUR per participant in volunteering teams
communication between partners, costs accompanying persons.
administrative costs).

Costs directly linked to the

implementation of volunteering Based on the host country and the duration of the activity
activities (e.g. preparation, per participant, including accompanying persons; (if
Organisational monitoring and support of Contribution necessary), including also one travel day before the
Support participants, documentation and based on unit A1 per day per participant
activity and one travel day following the activity, and up to
identification of learning outcomes) costs four additional days for participants receiving a green
and costs linked to the subsistence travel grant.
of participants (e.g. boarding,
lodging and local travel).

Contribution to costs related to the

organisation of volunteering Based on the host country and the duration of the activity
activities involving participants with per participant with fewer opportunities, excluding
fewer opportunities and costs Contribution accompanying persons; (if necessary), including also one
incurred by organisations related to based on unit travel day before the activity and one travel day following
Inclusion Support A2 per day per participant with fewer opportunities the activity, and up to four additional days for participants
reinforced mentorship, i.e. the costs
preparation, implementation and receiving a green travel grant.
follow-up of tailor-made activities to Conditional: only for activities involving young people with
support participation of young fewer opportunities.
people with fewer opportunities.

Based on the host country and the duration of the activity

Contribution per participant, excluding accompanying persons; (if
Contribution to additional personal necessary), including also one travel day before the
Pocket Money based on unit A3 per day per participant
expenses for participants. activity and one travel day following the activity, and up to
costs
four additional days for participants receiving a green
travel grant.

28
Part B – Volunteering Projects

Costs linked to the support offered

to participants - prior to departure Conditional:
Contribution
Language learning or during the activity – in order to Only for activities lasting 60 days or more.
based on unit 150 EUR per participant
support improve the knowledge of the
costs For cross-border activities - Only for languages and/or
language they will use to carry out
levels not offered by the Online Language Support.
their volunteering tasks.

Based on the number of participants, including

accompanying persons. A maximum of 2 participants per
Costs linked to the implementation Contribution
Preparatory Visit participating organisation can be funded per volunteering
of the physical preparatory visit based on unit 609 EUR per participant per preparatory visit
costs activity, provided that one of them is a young person with
including travel and subsistence.
fewer opportunities who will take part in the volunteering
activity.

Costs for providing a financial Costs for financial guarantee: 80 % of eligible costs
Conditional:
guarantee, if the National Agency
Real costs Expensive travel costs: 80 % of eligible costs
asks for it. The request for financial support for exceptional costs
Other costs: 100 % of eligible costs must be motivated and approved by the National Agency.
Visa and visa-related costs,
residence permits, vaccinations, For exceptional costs related to insurance, only for in-
medical certifications, clearance country participants in need of private personal insurance
requirements costs. to reach the same coverage as the insurance coverage for
Costs connected to personal cross-border activities.
insurance for in-country activities. For exceptional costs for expensive travel, applicants
Expensive travel costs for must justify that the standard funding rules (based on
participants (e.g. from and to unit costs per travel distance band) do not cover at least
outermost regions), including for 70 % of the travel costs of participants. If awarded, the
the use of cleaner, lower carbon exceptional costs for expensive travel replace the
Exceptional costs emission means of transport which standard travel grant.
result in expensive travel costs.
For exceptional costs for reinforced mentorship in order
Costs incurred by organisations to to support the participation of young people with fewer
support the participation of young opportunities, applicants must justify that the standard
people with fewer opportunities on funding rules ("Inclusion support" unit cost per day per
equal terms as others related to participant) do not cover at least 80 % of the costs
reinforced mentorship, i.e. the incurred.
preparation, implementation and
follow-up of tailor-made activities. If awarded, the exceptional costs to support the
participation of young people with fewer opportunities
Costs incurred by organisations to

29
Part B – Volunteering Projects

support the participation of young will replace the inclusion support grant.
people with fewer opportunities on
equal terms as others related to
reasonable adjustments or
investment in physical assets. Costs
related to accompanying persons
can also be eligible.

30
 Part B – Volunteering Projects

WHAT ARE THE UNIT COSTS PER DAY PER PARTICIPANT?

Organisational Support
Inclusion Support Pocket Money
– Activity Costs
(EUR per day) (EUR per day)
(EUR per day)

A1 A2 A3
Austria 35 12 7
Belgium 36 12 6
Bulgaria 30 10 7
Croatia 40 13 10
Cyprus 30 9 7
Czechia 24 8 7
Denmark 55 19 12
Estonia 25 8 5
Finland 36 12 7
France 28 9 8
Germany 33 12 7
Greece 30 9 7
Hungary 24 8 7
Ireland 52 18 11
Italy 28 9 6
Latvia 25 8 5
Lithuania 26 8 6
Luxembourg 37 13 7
Malta 29 11 6
Netherlands 36 13 7
Poland 25 8 6
Portugal 27 9 6
Romania 23 8 4
Slovakia 24 8 6
Slovenia 26 8 5
Spain 25 8 6
Sweden 35 12 7
Republic of North
20 6 4
Macedonia
Iceland 36 12 8
Liechtenstein 34 11 8
Türkiye 24 8 6
Norway 36 12 8
Third country
29 9 6
neighbouring the EU

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 Part B – Volunteering Projects

HOW TO ACCESS FUNDING?

Only organisations that are holders of a Quality Label for lead organisation40 can apply for funding under Volunteering Projects.
The grant applications are based on the activities approved beforehand, during the evaluation procedure for obtaining the
Quality Label for lead organisations. Please read the relevant section for more details on how to obtain the Quality Label.
Thus, a detailed description of the planned activities is not required for this simplified grant application procedure. Instead,
the applications focus on estimating the number, type and duration of activities to be implemented, the number of
participants and proportion of young people with fewer opportunities involved and the policy priorities and thematic areas
addressed.
The activities to be implemented must follow the rules and principles laid down for each activity type in the respective sections
of this Guide.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

Eligible
Organisations holding a valid Quality Label for lead organisation at the grant application deadline.
applicants

▪ Individual Volunteering Activities

▪ Volunteering Teams Activities
Additionally, the following support activities can be implemented:
Eligible activities ▪ Preparatory visits
Description and eligibility criteria for each of these activities are defined above, in the subsections:
“Which activities can be supported under this Action?”, “What are the eligibility criteria for
volunteering activities?”.
Duration of
Up to 24 months
projects

Where to apply? To the National Agency of the country in which the applicant organisation is established 41.

Applicants have to submit their grant applications by the following dates:

▪ 20 February at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1 June and 31
December of the same year;
When to apply? ▪ (Optional round) 1 October at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1
January and 31 May of the following year.

National Agencies may organise two selection rounds by setting both deadlines as above or only the
first one. This information will be published on the site of the National Agency.

An organisation may apply only once per round.

Number of In the event of a second selection round, the National Agency may decide that the organisations that
applications have been awarded grants for volunteering projects in the first round of grant applications are not
eligible for the second round of the same call for proposals. Applicants are invited to check the
website of the National Agency for more precise information.

How to apply? Please see part E of this Guide for details on how to apply.
A declaration of honour of the legal representative must be annexed to the application form by using
Exclusion criteria
the available template.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Please refer to part E in the guide, steps 2 and 3.

40 Please refer to the relevant Quality Label section on page 37 for further information.
41 Exceptionally, international organisations must apply to the National Agency which awarded their Quality Label for lead organisation.
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 Part B – Volunteering Projects

BUDGET ALLOCATION
In this simplified application procedure, the applications do not undergo a qualitative assessment and therefore no award
criteria are applied. The awarded grant amount will depend on a number of elements:
▪ the total budget available for allocation ;
▪ the requested activities;
▪ the minimum and maximum grant;
▪ the score of the Quality Label application for lead organisation;
▪ applicant’s performance (progress report score, budget absorption and final report score of the last completed
volunteering project, if available);
▪ policy priorities and thematic areas addressed by the activities applied for;
▪ proportion of young people with fewer opportunities involved.
Detailed rules on basic and maximum grant, scoring of the allocation criteria, weighting of each criterion, the allocation
method, and the budget available for volunteering projects will be published by the National Agency ahead of the call
deadline.

33
 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

VOLUNTEERING TEAMS IN HIGH PRIORITY AREAS

WHAT ARE VOLUNTEERING TEAMS IN HIGH PRIORITY AREAS?
Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas are large scale, high impact projects supporting voluntary activities carried out by
young people from at least two different countries coming together to express solidarity by implementing short-term
interventions that address common European challenges in policy areas defined each year at EU level.

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES OF 2025 CALL FOR THIS ACTION?

RELIEF FOR PERSONS FLEEING ARMED CONFLICTS AND OTHER VICTIMS OF NATURAL
OR MAN-MADE DISASTERS

The Corps can add significant value by contributing to the provision of relief and assistance to those whose lives, livelihoods
and communities have been disrupted by the natural or man-made disasters, including armed conflicts. The importance of
solidarity among individuals and communities, within or across borders, has become even more apparent with the Russian
invasion of Ukraine and the resulting big inflow of displaced people into the EU, frequent occurrences of extreme weather
events (e.g. floods and forest fires) as well as large-scale seismic events in certain countries. It is crucial to use the Corps’
potential to implement community-based activities that foster sustained empathy and solidarity among young people and
also facilitate exchange and cooperation between people from different backgrounds.

FOSTERING POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

WITH FEWER OPPORTUNITIES

The Corps can provide significant value by assisting children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or otherwise
vulnerable groups with the attainment of adequate learning achievements. The European Year of Youth and the European
Year of Skills have fostered the efforts in reaching out to all young people, including those with fewer opportunities.

PROMOTING WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING SOLUTIONS

The Corps can provide significant value by promoting activities intended to raise awareness about environmental issues and
stress the importance of waste segregation and recycling techniques. Involving local communities should be a priority in order
to build positive and sustainable habits and ensure their longevity, which in turn would result in stronger community bonds,
the sense of togetherness and shared responsibility. This priority is particularly relevant in the context of the municipal and
packaging waste targets for 2025 introduced by the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

Activities by Volunteering Teams in High-Priority Areas will aim to:

• address clearly defined unmet societal challenges in the area of “relief for persons fleeing armed conflicts and other
victims of natural or man-made disasters” and/ or “fostering positive learning experiences and outcomes for young
people with fewer opportunities”; promote solidarity across the participating countries; enable the young people
to gain skills and competences which are useful for their personal, educational, social and professional
development;
• provide tangible benefits to the communities within which the activities are carried out;
• ensure a direct contact between the participant and the beneficiaries of the solidarity-related activities, to enable
the participant to gain skills that are useful for their educational and social development;
• reach out to young people with fewer opportunities, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants;
• promote diversity, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue - and the EU values of human dignity, freedom, equality
and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities - as well as projects enhancing
media literacy, critical thinking and a sense of initiative among young people;
• reinforce the capacities and international scope of the participating organisations;

34
Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

• raise young volunteers’ awareness and understanding of other cultures and countries, offering them the
opportunity to build networks of international contacts, to actively participate in society and to develop a sense of
European citizenship and identity.

35
 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

WHICH ACTIVITIES CAN BE SUPPORTED UNDER THIS ACTION?

The following activities are supported:

Volunteering Teams
Volunteering Teams are full-time42 non-remunerated solidarity activities that should bring together groups of minimum 5
participants to volunteer together for a period between 2 weeks and 2 months (up to 59 days, excluding travel days). The
composition of the team should be international (including participants from at least two different countries). At least quarter
of team members should come from eligible countries that are different from the country where the activity takes place.
Young people can only be involved in one activity at a time. In volunteering teams, 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.). One project should in principle aim to organise volunteering teams for at least 40
participants or more. Volunteering activities should aim to cover one or more high priority areas.
Examples of the valuable work that can be accomplished by volunteering teams under this Action include:
Volunteers are involved in volunteering activities organising recreational and educational activities for children, integration
and promotion of cultural exchange with refugees in local communities, engaging refugees in providing services to the
community and to most vulnerable populations, e.g. regeneration of green spaces, recovery and redistribution of unused
food, recycling of materials.

In Volunteering Teams, volunteers will carry out the activity in a group. This can be an incentive for
young people who do not feel ready to embark upon challenging experiences on their own. The activity will
be shorter in its duration. This can foster the participation of those young people 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.

The above makes also Volunteering Teams an inclusive format, particularly suitable for a first experience in
volunteering and the participation of young people with fewer opportunities. They can thus serve as
an entry-way for long-term activities or even provide an incentive to start an own solidarity project.

Complementary activities
Complementary activities are relevant side activities designed to add value and augment the results of the project as well as
to strengthen its impact on the local, regional, and/or European level. These complementary activities aim at raising
awareness of the value of volunteering for young people and for communities as well as at strengthening the recognition of
the skills and competences gained by the volunteers. These activities could also enhance the capacity of the solidarity sector
organisations to tackle common European challenges and their abilities to develop volunteering projects.
Complementary activities could include workshops, conferences, seminars, training courses, job shadowing, coaching,
exchange of good practices etc. The complementary activities that require the physical presence of (a) volunteer(s) should
take place within the timeframe of the volunteering activity.

Preparatory Visits
Preparatory visits are visits to the venue of the volunteering activities before they start. They should ensure high quality of
activities involving young people with fewer opportunities or when the visit is necessary for the implementation of an activity
with a strong inclusion dimension. The visit can focus on facilitating and preparing administrative arrangements, building trust
and understanding and setting-up a solid partnership between the organisations and the people involved. Young people with
fewer opportunities that will take part in the planned activities can be involved in the visit, in order to help with their
preparation and involve them in activity design so that their needs are taken into account from the start.

42 At least 30 and not more than 38 hours per week

36
 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

HOW TO SET UP A PROJECT?

A project is implemented by at least three eligible organisations from at least two different EU Member States or third
countries associated to the Programme and will typically consist of the following stages:
▪ Planning (defining the needs, objectives, development of work programme, schedule of activities etc.);
▪ Preparation (practical arrangements, selection of participants, set up of agreements with partners and participants,
linguistic/intercultural/task-related preparation of participants before departure);
▪ Implementation of activities (including support and guidance to participants during the activities);
▪ Follow-up (the evaluation of the activities, follow-up of participants, issue of the certificate of participation as well
as the dissemination and use of the project's outcomes).
Implementation of cross-border solidarity activities for groups of volunteers are the core of a project. A project must thus
include at least one volunteering team activity and should in principle offer volunteering for at least 40 young people.
A project could also include complementary activities. Furthermore, organisations are encouraged to organise preparatory
visits to ensure high quality of activities involving young people with fewer opportunities.
Eligibility criteria laid down below must be respected.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
Young people who want to participate in the European Solidarity Corps must register on
https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en. Young people with fewer opportunities may receive support from organisations to
complete the registration phase. The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers a meeting place for those young people and
organisations holding a Quality Label and willing to implement solidarity activities. Organisations must select the participants
from the database of registered young people within the portal.

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES

A set of measures and services, such as training, language learning support, identification and documentation of the
competences acquired, insurance are foreseen to ensure the quality of the volunteering activities and a strong learning
dimension for the participants. Some of these measures are optional and could be used depending on the interest and needs
of the participants, and some of them are compulsory. Organisations should aim to promote the use of the General Online
Training and the Online Language Support as part of the volunteers’ learning experience. Detailed information on those
measures is available in Part D of this Guide.

POLICY PRIORITIES
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The European Solidarity Corps seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion and fairness. Organisations should
design accessible and inclusive activities, taking into account the views and needs of young people with fewer opportunities.

To support inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, additional support measures and
funding that allow participating organisations to better accommodate and cater for the needs of young people
with fewer opportunities are available.
In order to benefit from additional funding applicants will be required to describe how they will involve
in activities young people who are at comparative disadvantage i.e. they have comparatively fewer
opportunities than their peers in the same country/area/age group/situation. In this sense, “involving”
does not refer to a target group that the applicant organisation may work with. It means to facilitate
the participation of young people with fewer opportunities by designing the project activities in an
inclusive and accessible way. This requires specific measures of outreach and support to ensure that
young people with fewer opportunities can participate in activities on equal terms as others.

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 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION

Volunteering activities should promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants, raising
the awareness about the importance of acting to reduce or compensate for the environmental footprint of activities.
Volunteering activities should be designed and implemented with environmental consciousness by e.g. integrating sustainable
practices such as reducing waste and recycling, using sustainable means of transportation.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Participating organisations are encouraged to make use of digital tools and learning methods to complement and add value
to their activities, to improve the cooperation between partner organisations, support further dissemination of the outcomes
or support for community building. The General Online Training and the Online Language Support should also be used (see
part D for more information about these tools).

Organisations could also envisage adding virtual cooperation between volunteers, and between volunteers and participating
organisations, before, during and after the activities. Online activities may contribute to lowering the threshold of
participation for young people with fewer opportunities or to strengthening the overall impact of the projects. Blending
volunteering activities with other virtual components may also add to the quality of the project.

PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE

The European Solidarity Corps supports all participating organisations in improving the quality of their projects by integrating
a participatory dimension, offering young people relevant opportunities to actively engage and participate in the conception
and implementation of project activities as a pathway to discovering the benefits of active citizenship and participation in
democratic life. Resources for enhancing the participatory dimension of supported projects can be accessed i.e. via the
website participationpool.eu. Links with and involvement in existing national, international or (other) EU initiatives and
platforms revolving around participation and civic engagement are also encouraged.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS PROJECTS?

The projects are selected and managed by the Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
Projects will be assessed against the following criteria: admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, selection and award (see part E for
the admissibility, selection and exclusion criteria).

38
 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

Any public or private entity, whether non-profit or profit making, local, regional, national or
Eligible international, legally established in an EU Member State, a third country associated to the
participating Programme or a third country not associated to the Programme or any international organisation.
organisations
Participating organisations (support or host role) must hold a valid volunteering Quality Label 43 at
the application deadline and during the entire duration of the project44.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least three eligible participating organisations
with a valid volunteering Quality Label from at least two different EU Member States or third
countries associated to the Programme.
Who can apply?
Only an eligible participating organisation, holding a lead Quality Label, established in one of the
EU Member States or third country associated to the Programme may submit an application for
funding on behalf of the consortium.
Young people between 18 and 30 years45 who are legally residing in an EU Member State, a third
Eligible participants country associated to the Programme or a third country not associated to the Programme and have
registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
Projects must comply with the EU high priority areas (relief for persons fleeing armed conflicts and
other victims of natural or man-made disasters and/or fostering positive learning experiences and
Priority areas outcomes for young people with fewer opportunities and/or promoting waste management and
recycling solutions). Volunteering activities must address at least one of the high priority areas.

Activities must take place in the country of one of the applicant organisations except in duly
Venue of activities justified cases, related to the objectives of the call.

Number of At least one volunteering team activity must be implemented.

activities

12, 24 or 36 months (extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment).
Duration of project The duration has to be chosen at application stage, based on the objectives of the project and on
the type of activities planned over time.

To the Education and Culture Executive Agency via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic
Where to apply? Submission System (see part E).

Proposals must be submitted by 11 February 2025 at 17.00 (Brussels time) via the Funding &
When to apply?
Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System (see part E).

Exclusion criteria A Declaration of Honour signed by the legal representative must be provided with the application.

43 A valid volunteering Quality Label is not under Observation or Suspension

44 Organisations holding a Quality Label that expires during the activities should apply for a new Quality Label in due time to ensure eligibility of the activities.
45 Participants must have reached 18 and must not be older than 30 at the start date of the volunteering activity.

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 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

AWARD CRITERIA
To be considered for funding, proposals must score:
a) at least 60 points;
b) at least half of the maximum points in each of the categories of the award criteria mentioned below.
In ex aequo cases, priority will be given to highest scores for "Relevance, rationale and impact" and then “Quality of project
management” and then “Quality of project design”.

▪ The relevance of the project to the objectives of the European Solidarity Corps and the high
priority area set for this Action;
▪ The extent to which the proposal relates and integrates the relevant activities in the project
set-up;
▪ The extent to which the proposal will address well defined and important societal needs;
Relevance, ▪ The relevance of the project to the needs and objectives of individual participants and
rationale and participating organisations;
impact ▪ The extent to which the project involves young people with fewer opportunities as
(maximum 30 participants;
points) ▪ The extent to which the project will provide benefits to the communities within which the
activities are carried out;
▪ The potential impact of the project at local, regional, national and/or European levels;
▪ The extent to which the project provides European added value;
▪ The extent to which the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared EU
values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law
and respect for human rights, as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.

▪ The consistency between project objectives and activities proposed;

▪ The clarity, completeness and quality of all the phases of the project (preparation of
participants, implementation of activities, follow-up and support provided on participants'
return);
▪ The quality of proposed measures to reach out and involve young people with fewer
Quality of opportunities;
project design ▪ The quality of arrangements for the recognition and validation of participants' learning
(maximum 40 outcomes, as well as the consistent use of European transparency and recognition tools;
points) ▪ The appropriateness of measures for selecting and/or involving volunteers in activities;
▪ The quality of the non-formal learning methods and measures proposed to enable the
participants to gain skills and competences that are valuable for their personal,
educational, social, civic and cultural development;
▪ The added value of the complementary activities to the project objectives and the impact
of the project.

Quality of
project ▪ The quality of the practical arrangements, management and support modalities;
management ▪ The quality of cooperation and communication between the participating organisations,
(maximum 30 as well as with other relevant stakeholders;
points) ▪ The quality of measures for evaluating and disseminating the outcomes of the project.

40
 Part B – Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE COSTS AND THE APPLICABLE FUNDING RULES?
The maximum EU grant per project is 400.000 EUR

Eligible costs Financing mechanism Amount Rule of allocation

Contribution to travel costs and exceptional Based on the duration of the volunteering
costs such as visa and vaccinations costs, team activity (if necessary, including also
Volunteer support personal insurance for in-country activities, Contribution based on 26 EUR per day per volunteer one travel day before the activity and one
residence permits, medical certifications and unit costs travel day following the activity) per
contribution to additional personal expenses volunteer, including accompanying persons.
for volunteers (pocket money).

Contribution to management costs (e.g.

planning, finances, coordination and
communication between partners,
administrative costs) and to costs directly
linked to the implementation of volunteering
Based on the duration of the volunteering
activities (e.g. preparation, monitoring and team activity (if necessary, including also
Organisational Support support of participants, validation of learning Contribution based on one travel day before the activity and one
43 EUR per day per volunteer
outcomes) and costs linked to the subsistence unit costs
travel day following the activity) per
of participants (e.g. boarding, lodging and
volunteer, including accompanying persons.
local travel).
Contribution to complementary activity costs.
Contribution to other costs such as financial
guarantee.

Based on the duration of the volunteering

Contribution to costs incurred by
team activity (if necessary, including also
organisations to support the participation of
Contribution based on one travel day before the activity and one
Inclusion support young people with fewer opportunities on 25 EUR per day per volunteer with fewer opportunities
unit costs travel day following the activity) per
equal terms as others such as investment in
volunteer with fewer opportunities,
physical assets, reinforced mentorship,
excluding accompanying persons.
preparatory visits.

41
 Part B – Quality Label

QUALITY LABEL FOR VOLUNTEERING IN SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES

WHAT IS THE QUALITY LABEL?
The Quality Label is a process that certifies that an organisation is able and willing to carry out high quality solidarity activities
in compliance with the principles, objectives and quality standards of the European Solidarity Corps. Obtaining a Quality Label
is a precondition for participation in volunteering activities.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF QUALITY LABEL?

There are three types of Quality Label, depending on the role(s) that the organisation wishes to play in the process:
▪ Host role - covers the full range of activities related to hosting a participant, including the development of a
programme of the young person's activities and providing guidance and support to the participant during all the
phases as appropriate;
▪ Support role - entails supporting, preparing and/or training participants before departure, a mediation between
them and their host organisations and/or providing support to participants upon return from their activity;
▪ Lead role - for organisations who apply for grants, manage and coordinate volunteering projects. This role cannot
be awarded independently, organisations must hold a Quality Label for host/support in order to be able to act in a
lead capacity. Further information on the lead organisations is available in the section 'What is the Quality Label
for lead organisations?' below.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The requirements to obtain the Quality Label vary depending on the type of Quality Label requested.
The Quality Label is awarded following a fair and transparent selection process carried out by the National Agencies, involving
three main stages: submission of Quality Label application, assessment and award.
The applications for the Quality Label can be submitted on a continuous basis (i.e. at any time). The organisations will submit
application forms by filling in parts which are relevant for the Quality Label roles they wish to play.
Applications are assessed by the National Agency against eligibility criteria, selection exclusion and award criteria (for more
information on this last criterion, see Part E of this Guide).
The National Agency may organise monitoring visits, formal checks or other activities to assess the ability of the candidate
organisation to respect the required quality standards and provide support. Formal checks may take the form of desk checks
or visits to the organisation. The National Agency may request assistance of other National Agencies or external experts in
other countries to check and monitor applications.
The Quality Label is awarded for the entire duration of the programming period, subject to continued compliance with
requirements. The Quality Label remains valid until the end of the last activity in which the organisation is involved as partner,
implemented through a grant of the current programming period. The National Agencies will monitor compliance and may
carry out periodical reassessments.
Organisations who do not hold a Quality Label for lead organisation may act as partners in projects, they cannot apply for
funding.
In order to facilitate partner-finding, profiles of all organisations holding a Quality Label are published in a database 46 of
Quality Label organisations.
Once awarded a Quality Label, organisations have access to the European Solidarity Corps Portal where they are invited to
publish volunteering activities for which they are looking for participants. Organisations must make use of the European
Solidarity Corps Portal's database to search for potential participants. Information in the database is published as it is
formulated in the Quality Label application form.

PRE-DEFINED ACTIVITIES AND LOCATIONS

An organisation applying for the Quality Label with a host role must declare pre-defined activities, i.e. standard activities in
which volunteers are involved, with a set of tasks that they will carry out in the organisation.
Organisations applying for a host role may also declare locations during the application for a Quality Label. A location is a
place in which the activities are organised for a specific number of volunteers. A location must not have distinct legal
personality from the applicant host organisation. By default, the main address of the host organisation is considered as a first

46 https://youth.europa.eu/volunteering/organisations_en

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 Part B – Quality Label

location, but organisations can declare and host volunteers in more than one location. Organisations can organise an activity
for volunteers that are hosted in different locations, provided that the hosting capacity in terms of number of volunteers is
not exceeded. The locations’ appropriateness to accommodate volunteering activities should be demonstrated in the Quality
Label application. The National Agencies will assess all declared locations against the award criteria. All locations must be in
the same country where the host organisation is based.
The pre-defined activities that the volunteers will be involved in, in terms of tasks to be performed, must also be defined for
each location.

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES AND QUALITY STANDARDS?

The European Solidarity Corps guarantees high-quality volunteering activities, through the Quality Label process. The activities
are based on a common understanding of key principles and standards, including:
▪ Highest ethical standards. Volunteering activities must be organised by taking into account EU values and ethical
principles highlighted in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union and Article 21 of the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights and other applicable EU, international and national law (including the General Data Protection
Regulation 2016/679).
▪ Equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Volunteers are to be selected in a fair, transparent and objective way,
regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political opinion or disability. No previous
qualifications, educational level, specific experience or language knowledge must be required. A more specific
profile of the volunteer might be drawn up if justified by the nature of the tasks of the activity or by the project
context. Participation in volunteering activities must be free of charge for the volunteer. The activities should
respect the principles set out in Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
▪ Avoidance of job substitution. Volunteering activities must not substitute traineeships or jobs, so that any adverse
effect on potential or existing paid employment is avoided. The involvement of volunteers should complement the
work of paid staff. They should not replace paid staff or undercut their pay and conditions of service.
▪ Avoidance of harmful activities. Security and safety of the participants, participating organisations and target
groups must be ensured. Such security and safety should include appropriate clearance requirements for
participants working with vulnerable groups in accordance with applicable national law. Volunteering activities
should be implemented with due consideration for the impact of unforeseen circumstances such as environmental
crises, conflicts or pandemics. The activities should respect the principles set out in the EU Guidelines for the
Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child47.
▪ Provision of high quality, easily accessible and inclusive activities. The volunteering tasks should enable
participants to develop skills and competencies for personal, social and civic development. Organisations should
embed the activities of volunteers within the local context and to facilitate volunteers’ interaction with the local
community and civil society. The value and benefits of European Solidarity Corps volunteering should be recognised
for volunteers, through identification and documentation of learning outcomes, preferably through Youthpass.
▪ Adequate training and volunteering arrangements. Safe and decent living and volunteering conditions must be
ensured for participants. The young people and the organisations must sign a volunteering agreement that will
outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties and will include a well-defined set of volunteering tasks.
▪ No profit. In accordance with the Financial Regulation, beneficiaries must not derive any profit from the activities
funded by the grants awarded (see part E of this Programme Guide for further details). Furthermore, organisations
should cover the participants’ expenditure arising from participation in such solidarity activities but should not
provide them with salaries or an economic benefit.
In addition to complying with the above-mentioned principles, organisations implementing volunteering activities must carry
out the following set of tasks and responsibilities.

When applying for a Quality Label, organisations must be able to demonstrate their capacity to perform the tasks and
responsibilities relevant to the role they are applying for.

47 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/together-against-trafficking-human-beings_en

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 Part B – Quality Label

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANISATIONS HOLDING A QUALITY LABEL

▪ Ensure effective coordination of the project in cooperation with all other participating
organisations;
▪ Ensure that the volunteering principles and quality standards are respected by all
Management organisations taking part in the project;
(Lead ▪ Submit the grant requests and bear the financial and administrative responsibility for the
organisation) entire project towards the National Agency;
▪ Carry out all or some of the administrative tasks of the other organisation(s) involved;
▪ Distribute the grant between all organisations;
▪ Carry out monitoring, reporting and evaluation in compliance with programme procedures;
▪ Carry out dissemination and information activities.

Select and match registered candidates in the European Solidarity Corps Portal or support the
registered candidates to find suitable opportunities (this task may also be undertaken by the
host organisation);
▪ Ensure that the volunteer signs a volunteering agreement which includes a learning and
training component;
▪ Encourage the volunteer to enrol and take part in the General Online Training offered on the
EU Academy platform and accessed through the European Solidarity Corps portal;
Before the Ensure that the volunteer receives support in carrying out language preparation (if applicable, support
Activity to carry out the Online Language Support and assessment provided by the Commission);
(Support role) Provide adequate preparation for the volunteer before departure, according to the individual needs
and in line with the Training and Evaluation Cycle (in specific cases this task may also be undertaken by
the host organisation);
Ensure the participation of the volunteer in the pre-departure training session, if organised by the
National Agency or SALTO;
Ensure that the volunteer is in possession of the European Health Insurance Card and is covered by the
obligatory insurance plan foreseen by the European Solidarity Corps (if applicable);oEnsure that the
volunteer receives the European Solidarity Corps Info Kit;
▪ Stay in touch with the volunteer and the host organisation throughout the activity.

Learning, mentoring and support

Ensure that the volunteer attends the full Training and Evaluation Cycle (if applicable);
Ensure that the volunteer makes proper use of the European Health Insurance Card, and only uses the
insurance scheme when required by the circumstances (if applicable);
▪ Offer to the volunteer the opportunity to carry out a well-defined set of tasks, allowing some
of the volunteer’s ideas, creativity and experience to be integrated;
▪ Identify clear learning opportunities for and with the volunteer;
Provide task related support, supervision and guidance to the volunteer;
Provide support to the volunteers to reflect on the learning process and to identify and document their
learning outcomes, through EU validation tools, in particular Youthpass or Europass or national tools
During the
(this task may also be undertaken by the support organisation);rSupport the volunteers undertaking
activity
language courses, if necessary;
(Host role)
▪ Identify a mentor who is responsible for providing to the volunteers:
− support to carry out self-reflection on the learning
− personal support
▪ Encourage contact with other European Solidarity Corps participants whenever possible;
▪ Provide opportunities to integrate in the local community, meet other people, etc.
Living and working conditions
▪ Provide suitable accommodation and healthy meals (or a food allowance) to the volunteer,
including during the holiday period;
▪ Ensure that means of local transport are available for the volunteer;
▪ Provide the due allowance to the volunteer on a weekly or monthly basis.

▪ Provide support for the reintegration of the volunteer into the home community;
▪ Provide the volunteer with the opportunity to exchange and share experiences and learning
After the activity outcomes;
(Support role) ▪ Encourage the involvement of the volunteer in dissemination and exploitation of results;
▪ Provide guidance regarding further education, training or employment opportunities;
▪ Ensure the participation of the volunteer in the annual European Solidarity Corps event.

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 Part B – Quality Label

WHAT IS THE QUALITY LABEL FOR LEAD ORGANISATIONS?

Obtaining a Quality Label for lead organisations is a precondition for applying for funds to implement volunteering projects.
Successful applicants for such a Quality Label type will gain simplified access to funding for volunteering projects, as described
in the section “Volunteering projects”, subsection “How to access funding?” of this Guide, subject to funding availability and
performance assessments.
Those who request the lead role will be required to lay down in the application form their longer-term objectives and targets,
expected benefits as well as their approach to project management. To ensure realistic planning, the activity plan submitted
as part of the application can cover a period of minimum three years and will be updated periodically.
Applications for a Quality Label for lead organisations will be assessed against eligibility, selection, exclusion and award
criteria. The relevant section in application form will also be assessed against a supplementary set of award criteria.
To be awarded a Quality Label for lead organisations the applicant has to have appropriate and effective processes and
measures in place to coordinate and implement high quality solidarity activities as planned. Previous experience in the
European Solidarity Corps or Erasmus+ (2014-2020) is not a requirement for application.
The award of a Quality Label for lead organisations depends on being successful in the application for a Quality Label for host
and/or support role (partner organisations).
Organisations who are holders of a Quality Label for host/support will have the possibility to apply for Quality Label for lead
organisation at any time during the programming period.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS THE QUALITY LABEL?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Quality Label - any public or private entity, whether non-profit or profit making, local, regional, national
or international, legally established in an EU Member State, a third country associated to the Programme
or a third country not associated to the Programme or any international organisation.
Eligible Quality Label for lead organisations - any public or private entity, whether non-profit or profit making,
applicants local, regional, national or international that has been legally established in an EU Member State or a
third country associated to the Programme for at least one year or any international organisation.

A Quality Label application should only refer to the entirety of an organisation with its departments
and/or branches48. Groups of young people are not eligible.

All types of Quality Label are valid for the whole duration of the programming period 2021 – 2027, subject
Duration of to compliance monitoring and periodical reassessments which will be carried out by the National Agency.
Quality Label After the end of the 2021-2027 programming period, the Quality Label remains valid until the end of the
validity last activity in which the organisation is involved. The Quality Label for lead organisations remains valid
until the end of the last grant agreement signed by the beneficiary organisation.

Applications can be submitted on a continuous basis.

When to apply? Lead organisations willing to submit a grant request in the first round of a call year must submit their
Quality Label for lead application by 31 October the previous year.

48
Departments within an organisation can not apply for separate Quality Labels. Quality Labels are awarded at organisation level (one legal entity = one Quality
Label).

45
 Part B – Quality Label

To the National Agency of the country in which the applicant organisation is established 49 for
organisations established in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme.

International organisations that are not established in an EU Member State or a third country associated
to the Programme may apply at any National Agency.
Where to apply?
To the relevant SALTO for organisations established in a third country not associated to the Programme:

▪ SALTO South East Europe for organisations established in Western Balkans countries;
▪ SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus for organisations established in Eastern Partnership
countries, the territory of Russia as recognised by international law and Norway;
▪ SALTO EuroMed for organisations established in Southern Mediterranean.

A declaration of honour signed by the legal representative must be annexed to the application form by
Exclusion Criteria
using the available template.

SELECTION CRITERIA [ONLY FOR THE QUALITY LABEL FOR LEAD ORGANISATIONS]
OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
The awarding of a Quality Label is subject to a positive assessment of the capacity of the organisation to carry out the relevant
tasks and responsibilities. The lead organisation must have sufficient professional and operational capacity to carry out the
proposed activity plan.
Operational capacity will be verified based on the application (including information about the applicant’s past participation
in the Erasmus+ programme or/and European Solidarity Corps) and the documents submitted in the Organisation Registration
System. Applicants that do not complete the information requested in the application form may be disqualified. The National
Agency reserves the right to ask for additional supporting documents to verify the information included in the application.

FINANCIAL CAPACITY
Organisations applying for lead must have stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain their regular activities during
the implementation of the proposed activity plan. However, financial capacity will not be checked as part of the selection
procedure for the Quality Label. It will be checked when the Quality Label organisations apply for a grant. Please see more
information in Part E of this Guide.

AWARD CRITERIA
The awarding of a Quality Label has to comply with the principles and quality standards mentioned above. The following
award criteria will be used to assess applications. Some criteria are specific to the role applied for.

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation’s motives for participation in the European Solidarity Corps are convincing
Relevance and clearly explained;
▪ the organisation’s objectives and regular activities address issues relevant for the objectives
of the European Solidarity Corps and have a strong solidarity dimension.
▪ the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared EU values, such as respect
for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human
rights, as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.

The extent to which the organisation respects the programme quality standards by:
▪ selecting and/or involving participants in activities through a transparent and fair process;
Quality of ▪ ensuring adequate practical and logistical arrangements;
measures ▪ ensuring adequate support for participants before, during and after the activity, as
appropriate;
▪ ensuring that participants meet relevant clearance requirements, and undergo specific
preparation, particularly for participants working with vulnerable groups in accordance
with applicable national law;
▪ ensuring adequate personal support for participants;

49 Please note that organisations under the supervision of national authorities of another country apply to the NA of the supervising country.

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 Part B – Quality Label

▪ ensuring a solid learning component for participants and the recognition and validation of
learning outcomes;
▪ guaranteeing the safety and protection of participants and target groups, in line with the
avoidance of harmful activities principle;
▪ avoiding job substitution, routine tasks and tasks with low learning impact;
▪ designing and implementing high quality standard activities that respond to unmet societal
needs and benefit participants, communities and target groups;
▪ reaching out, supporting and involving young people with fewer opportunities.

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation has demonstrated the ability and commitment to allocate appropriate
Organisational resources to manage the European Solidarity Corps activities in accordance with applicable
Capacity quality standards;
▪ the organisation has proposed appropriate steps to ensure continuity of activities in case
of organisational changes;
▪ the organisation demonstrates a good approach towards identifying and working with
partners.

Additional award criteria for lead organisations only

Proposals must score at least 60 points. Furthermore, they must score at least half of the maximum points in each of the
categories of award criteria mentioned below.

The extent to which:

▪ the applicant formulates a convincing long-term framework for achieving well-defined
objectives, with clear milestones and adjustment measures;
▪ the stated objectives will address important societal needs and are relevant to the
objectives of the European Solidarity Corps;
▪ the planned activities are suitable to address the identified needs and objectives;
▪ the targets proposed are realistic and sufficiently ambitious relative to objectives and
Strategic capacity;
approach ▪ the planned activities bring clear benefits to the participants, participating organisations
and target groups and have a potential broader impact (e.g. on local, regional, national and
(maximum 50 transnational level); the planned activities and objectives demonstrate European added
points) value;
▪ the applicant aims to design accessible and inclusive activities and/or support projects and
activities actively addressing the issue of inclusion and diversity more broadly in the
society;
▪ the applicant aims to promote environmental sustainability and responsibility and is
planning to incorporate sustainable and environmental-friendly practices in the activities;
▪ the applicant is planning to make use of digital tools and methods to complement and
improve activities.

The extent to which:

Project
management ▪ the organisation ensures quality project management, including proper communication
and coordination and coordination measures with partners;
▪ the measures aimed at disseminating the outcomes of the activities within and outside the
(maximum 50 participating organisations are appropriate and of high quality;
points) ▪ the measures for monitoring and evaluating the activities are appropriate and of high
quality.

WHAT ARE THE MONITORING, REPORTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES?

MONITORING AND REPORTING
The Quality Label (lead, host and support) will be periodically reassessed and monitored at least once during the programming
period (until 31 December 2027) by the national agencies or relevant SALTO centres for organisations established in a third

47
 Part B – Quality Label

countries not associated to the Programme. The National Agency/SALTO may issue a survey, carry out desk monitoring, use
data from final reports and participant reports, organise monitoring visits, formal checks or request and assess progress
reports or conduct a structured monitoring visit etc. to track the performance of organisations, assess the respect of the
agreed quality standards, and provide support. A progress report is obligatory only for lead organisations, while for host and
support roles, the progress report is optional, and other monitoring methods and sources may be used. Structured monitoring
visit at the premises of the organisation may replace reports/report parts: Progress report for host, support and/or lead role
and/or Locations/Standard activities update. An assessment of the progress report (or a structured monitoring visit) will be
conducted by at least one expert (internal or external).
Formal checks may take the form of desk checks or visits to the organisation and any other premises where activities do take
or have taken place. The National Agency/SALTO may request assistance of National Agencies or external experts in other
countries to check and monitor activities taking place there.
The organisations holding a Quality Label must notify the National Agency/SALTO of any changes in their organisation that
should be reflected in their Quality Label. The National Agency/SALTO can reassess whether that organisation continues to
comply with the conditions that led to the attribution of the Quality Label.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS FOR THE QUALITY LABELS FOR LEAD
ORGANISATION

At least once during the validity of their Quality Label for lead organisation, organisations will be required to submit a progress
report and to:
• Report on how they are progressing towards reaching their objectives;
• Report on how they are ensuring that the quality standards are respected;
• Update their activity plan.
The National Agency may decide to request a progress report on the different elements (Progress report Lead role, Progress
report Host role, Progress report Support role, Location/Standard activities update, Activity plan update) at the same time, or
separately.
The National Agency may decide to replace the following reports/report parts with a structured monitoring visit at the
premises of the organisation: Progress report (host, support and/or lead) and/or Locations/Standard activities update.
Based on the organisation’s performance resulting from reporting, monitoring and quality assurance checks, or as result of
significant changes in the organisation, the National Agency may change the number and schedule of progress reports.
Organisations holding a Quality Label for lead organisations may request for their Quality Label and activity plan to be updated
and reassessed. This can be done at two-year intervals for the duration of their Quality Label. Requests for administrative
changes that do not affect the activity plans and do not require quality assessment can be submitted at any time.

REMEDIAL MEASURES
In case of organisations who are considered high risk or who fail to comply with National Agency’s instructions and deadlines,
have very low performance resulting from reporting, monitoring and quality assurance checks, or repeatedly violate the rules
of the Programme (including in another action), the National Agency may take the following remedial measures:

• Observation. If put under observation, the National Agency may limit the level of funding that an organisation
holding a Quality Label for lead organisations can apply for. Observation measures for organisations with host
and/or support role may include limiting number of volunteers involved in activities. Organisations who received
Quality Label for the first time may be put under observation if risk of low-quality implementation is identified
during the operational capacity check.
• Suspension. If suspended, organisations will no longer be able to participate in the programme until they have taken
measures and improved performance. Suspended organisations holding a Quality Label for lead organisation are no
longer able to apply for funding. The National Agency may also terminate some or all of their ongoing grant
agreements.

The observation or suspension period will continue until the National Agency determines that the conditions and quality
requirements set in this Call are once again fulfilled, and that the risk of low performance has been addressed by the
organisation.
Organisations under suspension or observation may not apply for a new Quality Label.

48
 Part B – Quality Label

TERMINATION
In cases of serious underperformance, failure to comply with National Agency’s instructions and deadlines or repeated
violations of the Programme rules, the Quality Label can be withdrawn. The National Agency will give due consideration to
each case of non-compliance and will prompt the organisation well in advance to allow enough time to take corrective
measures.
In addition, the National Agencies may terminate a Quality Label if the organisation ceases to exist or, in the case of lead
organisations, following a period of at least three consecutive years in which no grant requests have been made.

49
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

SOLIDARITY PROJECTS
WHAT IS A SOLIDARITY PROJECT?

A Solidarity Project is a non-profit solidarity activity initiated, developed and implemented by young people themselves
for a period from 2 to 12 months. It gives a group of minimum five young persons the chance to express solidarity by taking
responsibility and committing themselves to bring positive change in their local community. The project should have a
clearly identified topic which the group of young people wish to explore together, and which is to be translated into the
concrete daily activities of the project and involve all the members of the group. Solidarity Projects should address key
challenges within the communities, where relevant including those identified jointly in the border regions and it should
also present European added value. Participation in a solidarity project is an important non-formal learning experience
through which young people can boost their personal, educational, social and civic development.

A solidarity project will typically consist of the following stages:

▪ Planning;
▪ Preparation;
▪ Implementation of the activities;
▪ Follow-up (including the evaluation of the activities as well as the sharing of project's results).

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

A Solidarity Project should clearly refer to the European Solidarity Corps' objectives and principles in particular solidarity.
This common value provides the necessary unity to cope with current and future societal challenges, which young Europeans
are willing to help address by expressing their solidarity in practice. A Solidarity Project could address young people facing
situations that make their inclusion in society more difficult. A solidarity project should also consider sustainable and
environmental-friendly practices in the planned activities.
The young people should take the initiative to respond to the issues and challenges around them, which is why a solidarity
project should be directly linked to the local community they live in, although some of them can also tackle regional or even
national issues. Some solidarity projects could also tackle common challenges identified jointly in the border regions. A
Solidarity Project should have an impact on the local community by addressing local issues, targeting a specific group or
developing local opportunities (particularly in communities located in rural, isolated, marginalised or cross-border areas) but
also through involving different actors and developing new partnerships. Thus, by setting common goals and cooperating to
achieve them, communities can benefit from a solidarity project.
Together with addressing the local challenges, a solidarity project should also demonstrate European added value by
addressing priorities identified at European level. A solidarity project should reflect a common concern for topics within the
European society, such as for example integrating third-country nationals, climate change or active democratic participation.
The European added value can be expressed through any element of a solidarity project that is linked with European issues,
values and priorities. The European priorities will also be promoted through sharing of the results of the project. In cases of
cross-border projects it should be clear what common challenges are jointly shared by the local communities spread over the
border and living in proximity and how a solidarity project could bring benefits to those regions by addressing them 50.
Participation in a Solidarity Project will also be an important non-formal learning experience for young people. It should foster
sense of initiative, active European citizenship and entrepreneurial spirit. In particular, young people managing the project
could absorb in practice the concept of social entrepreneurship by creating new products or services that benefit local
community or society in general and address important societal challenges. By putting their own ideas into practice, meeting
unexpected situations and finding solutions for them, trying out innovative and creative measures, young people will learn
new skills and develop their capacities, express their own creativity and take responsibility for their action. They will boost
their self-esteem, autonomy and motivation to learn. Participation in managing and implementing a solidarity project could
be also a first step into self-employment or setting up organisations in the solidarity, non-profit or youth sectors.

50 A flexibility is allowed in a definition of cross-border regions which can include also regions spread by a sea, as long as the common challenges that a project
will address are clearly identified.

50
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

HOW TO SET UP A SOLIDARITY PROJECT?

Young people who want to form a group to run a solidarity project must be registered in the European Solidarity Corps portal
as a first step, in order to apply to a solidarity project. There is no maximum number of the group’s members. The activities
will take place in the country of residence of the applicant, facilitating in particular the participation of young people who may
encounter difficulties to engage in transnational activities.
The group will decide autonomously on the working methods and how the project will be managed. One of the group’s
members will assume a role of legal representative who will submit the application (unless an organisation applies on behalf
of the group). The group will arrange the distribution of tasks and responsibilities, ensure efficient coordination and
communication between its members and define the amount of time spent in carrying out the tasks in relation to the goals
of the project. Working methods should aim to involve all members of the group through various phases of the project and
of activities (preparation, implementation and sharing the results). The phases should be clearly structured with the help of
a project’s timetable.
A group of young people who plan a solidarity project can seek for support from an organisation (any public or private body).
An organisation may apply on their behalf for a grant under the European Solidarity Corps. The role of the organisation should
be administrative, to support the group in the project life-cycle administrative and financial tasks. However, it can also offer
support and guidance in identifying and documenting learning outcomes.
Young people carrying out a Solidarity Project may be supported by coaches. A coach is a resource person who could have
youth work experience to accompany groups of young people and support their participation through different phases of the
project. The coach will remain outside the Solidarity Project, so he/she will not be a member of the group and if needed, can
come from an organisation applying on behalf of the group. The coach empowers the group of young people in those areas
and topics they need support in, so that they can successfully implement the project by themselves, and (s)he can play
different roles based on the needs of the group. This could be done through regular coaching sessions throughout the project
period, punctual trainings on specific topics or a combination of both. The coach can provide advice on having quality learning
process and assist in identifying and documenting learning outcomes at the end of the project. The group of young people
can use the support of one or several coaches depending on their needs. As a principle, the coach works with the applying
group of young people, not with the target group(s) of the project.
For example, a coach could be a person to turn to with doubts, questions, conflicts in the group; a trainer to give a workshop
on project management; to teach the group certain skills needed for the project; a person supporting and monitoring the
learning process.
Through the different phases of the project, the group should reflect on the learning process, which they experience and have
experienced. During the planning phase of the project, the learning goals should be discussed together with the general aims
of the project. During the implementation, regular reflection is encouraged and towards the end of the project, the group
should consider measures that make the learning outcomes visible. For recognising and validating these learning outcomes it
is recommended to use Youthpass and the related learning process reflection.
The group should reflect together on measures aimed at the visibility of their project and the visibility of the European
Solidarity Corps in general. The group should also reflect on follow-up measures. This means that the project should be
framed within a longer-term perspective and planned with a view to have effects after it ends. In order to make the project
and its results more sustainable, the group is expected to carry out a final evaluation. This should make possible to assess
whether the objectives of the project have been achieved; the expectations of the group have been met and evaluate the
overall success. The group should consider the ways of sharing the results of the project and reflect on with who they should
be shared.

PRIORITIES
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The European Solidarity Corps seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion and fairness. Young people
implementing Solidarity Projects should design accessible and inclusive activities, taking into account the needs of participants
with fewer opportunities. Special funding for the participation of people with fewer opportunities is available both for the
members of the group and the target group.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION

Solidarity Projects should promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants, raising the
awareness about the importance of acting to reduce or compensate for the environmental footprint of activities. Solidarity
Projects should be designed and implemented with environmental consciousness by e.g. integrating sustainable practices
such as reducing waste and recycling, using sustainable means of transportation.

51
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The European Solidarity Corps supports incorporating the use of digital tools and learning methods in Solidarity Projects.
Groups of young people implementing solidarity projects are encouraged to make use of digital tools and learning methods
to complement the physical activities and add to the quality of the project.
PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE
The European Solidarity Corps supports integrating a participatory dimension in solidarity projects, offering young people
relevant opportunities to actively engage and participate in the conception and implementation of project activities as a
pathway to discovering the benefits of active citizenship and participation in democratic life.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS PROJECTS?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

A group of minimum 5 young people aged between 18 and 30 years51 who are legally residing in one and
Who implements
the same EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme and have registered in the
the project?
European Solidarity Corps Portal. There is no maximum number of members of the group.

The group that will implement the project. One of the young people in the group assumes the role of the
legal representative and takes the responsibility of submitting the application.
Who can apply?
Any public or private body, legally established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the
Programme, on behalf of the group that will implement the project.

The project should take place in the country of the applicant.

Venue of projects In cases in which the project addresses cross-border challenges, project activities can also take place in
cross-border regions of the EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme and third
countries non-associated to the Programme sharing the border with the country of the applicant52.

Duration of 2 to 12 months.
projects

Where to apply? To the National Agency of the country where the applicant is legally resident.

Applicants have to submit their grant application by the following dates:

▪ 20 February at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1 June and 31 December
of the same year;
▪ (Optional round) 7 May at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1 August and
31 December of the same year;
When to apply?
▪ 1 October at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1 January and 31 May of the
following year.
National Agencies may organise three selection rounds by setting three deadlines as above or only the
first (20 February) and the last (1 October) one.
This information will be published on the site of each National Agency.

How to apply? Please see part E of this Guide for details on how to apply.

A Declaration of Honour signed by the legal representative must be annexed to the application form by
Exclusion criteria using the available template.

51
Participants must have reached 18 and must not be older than 30 at the start date of the project.
52 Project activities cannot take place in Belarus or on the territory of Russia as recognised by international law.

52
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

SELECTION CRITERIA
Please refer to part E in the guide, steps 2 and 3.

AWARD CRITERIA
To be considered for funding, proposals must score at least 60 points. Furthermore, they must score at least half of the
maximum points in each of the categories of award criteria mentioned below.
In ex aequo cases, priority will be given to highest scores for "Relevance, rationale and impact" and then “Quality of project
management” and then “Quality of project design”.

▪ The relevance of the project to the objectives and priorities of the European Solidarity
Corps;
▪ The degree to which the project takes into account the European Solidarity Corps
principles;
Relevance, ▪ The extent to which the project provides European added value by addressing relevant
rationale and topics
impact ▪ The relevance of the project to the needs of members of the group;
▪ The relevance of the project to the needs of a target group (if any) and local communities;
(maximum 40 ▪ The potential impact of the project on members of the group, incl. their personal,
points) entrepreneurship skills and social involvement;
▪ The potential impact on the target group (if any) and on local communities.
▪ The extent to which the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared EU
values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law
and respect for human rights, as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.

▪ The consistency between project objectives and proposed activities;

▪ The extent to which the project is designed, developed and implemented by young
people;
▪ The extent to which the composition of the group permits to reach the project objectives;
Quality of project ▪ The involvement of the members of the group at the various phases of the project;
design ▪ The clarity, completeness and quality of all the phases of the project (planning,
preparation, implementation, evaluation and sharing the results);
(maximum 40 ▪ The extent to which learning process and learning outcomes in the project is thought
points) through, identified and documented, in particular through Youthpass;
▪ The extent to which the project incorporates sustainable and environmental-friendly
practices, accessible and inclusive activities, as well as makes use of digital tools and
methods to complement and improve activities.

Quality of project ▪ The practical arrangements, management, cooperation and communication between the
management members of the group;
▪ The measures for evaluating the outcomes of the project;
(maximum 20 ▪ The measures for making the project visible to others who are not involved in the project;
points) ▪ The measures for sharing the outcomes of the project.

53
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE COSTS AND THE APPLICABLE FUNDING RULES?
Financing
Eligible costs Amount Rule of allocation
mechanism
Costs linked to the management and
Project implementation of the project (e.g. Contribution
Management preparation, implementation, of activities, based on a unit 630 EUR per month Based on the duration of the Solidarity Project.
costs evaluation, dissemination and follow-up cost
activities).

Based on the country of the applicant and the

working days.
Definition of a working day depends on national
legislation of the country of applicant.
Contribution B1 per day of work.
Costs linked to the involvement of a coach
Coaching costs based on a unit Conditional:
in the project. Maximum 12 days.
cost
The request for financial support to cover coach
costs must be motivated in the application form.
The duration of coaching is not linked to the project
duration.

Conditional:
Costs to support the participation of young
The request(s) for financial support to cover
people with fewer opportunities exceptional costs must be duly justified and
(members of the group implementing the
motivated in the application form and approved by
project).
Exceptional the National Agency.
Real costs 100 % of eligible costs
costs Costs to support the participation of
The request for financial support to cover
people with fewer opportunities who are a exceptional costs for people with fewer
target group of the project. opportunities who are a target group of the project
should not exceed 7000 EUR per project.

54
 Part B – Solidarity Projects

WHAT ARE THE UNIT COSTS PER DAY OF WORK?

Coaching Costs
(EUR per day)

B1

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,

255
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden

Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain 227

Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Türkiye

137

55
Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

PART C – PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN

HUMANITARIAN AID RELATED SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES

In this part, readers will find relevant information and criteria for the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering, as well
as information and criteria for participation in the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (Humanitarian Aid
volunteering).
In particular this chapter will provide the following information:

▪ a description of the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering;

▪ a description of the objectives, expected impact and supported activities under the European Voluntary
Humanitarian Aid Corps;
▪ tables presenting the criteria which are used to assess project applications;
▪ additional information on quality features of activities;
▪ a description of the funding rules.
Before submitting an application, applicants are advised to read carefully the entire section.

WHICH ACTIONS ARE SUPPORTED?

Under this strand, the European Solidarity Corps supports volunteering in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities.
Given the significant increase in global humanitarian needs and with a view to enhancing the promotion of solidarity and the
visibility of humanitarian aid among Union citizens, there is a need to develop solidarity between Member States and with
third countries affected by man-made or natural disasters. Contributing to assistance to people and communities outside the
Union in need of humanitarian aid, based on the fundamental principles of neutrality, humanity, independence and
impartiality, is an important expression of solidarity.
Activities implemented under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps aim at contributing to providing needs-based
humanitarian aid aimed at preserving life, preventing and alleviating human suffering and maintaining human dignity and to
strengthening the capacity and resilience of vulnerable or disaster-affected communities. Humanitarian Aid Volunteering
projects funded under this strand will offer the opportunity to young people aged 18 to 35 years old to participate in
volunteering activities, aiming at supporting humanitarian aid operations. Such activities will provide young people with the
opportunity to carry out tasks needed to support the activities undertaken by their host organisation.
To ensure the safety of young people, volunteering under this strand may only take place in countries:
▪ where humanitarian aid activities and operations take place; and
▪ where there are no ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts53.

53 Art 10(2) of the REGULATION (EU) 2021/888 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps
Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1475 and (EU) No 375/2014

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

QUALITY LABEL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING

WHAT IS THE QUALITY LABEL?
The Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering certifies that an organisation is able to carry out high quality solidarity
activities in compliance with the principles, objectives and requirements of the action ‘European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid
Corps’. Obtaining this Quality Label is a precondition for participation only in volunteering activities in support of humanitarian
aid operations.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF QUALITY LABEL?

When applying for a Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering, applicant organisations can choose one of the following
roles:
▪ Support role – entails supporting, preparing and/or training participants before departure, mediation between
them and their host organisations and/or providing support to participants upon return from their activity. The
support role also entitles the organisation to submit project applications and coordinate partnerships for
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering projects;
▪ Host role – covers the full range of activities related to hosting a Solidarity Corps participant, including the
development of a programme of the young person’s activities and providing guidance and support to the
participant during all the phases as appropriate.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering is awarded following a selection process, involving three main stages:
submission of application, assessment and award.
The applications for the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering can be submitted on a continuous basis (i.e. at any
time) during the programming period, to the Executive Agency, which is the sole implementing body for this action. The
applications will be evaluated at set intervals, according to an annual timetable, which is aligned to the timetable of the
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering call for projects.
Applications will be assessed against admissibility, eligibility, selection, exclusion and award criteria (for more information on
the admissibility, selection and exclusion criteria, see Part E of this Guide). Successful organisations will be awarded the Quality
Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering. The Executive Agency will award this Quality Label and monitor compliance and may
carry out periodical reassessments. The Quality Label will be valid for the entire duration of the programming period and until
the end of the last project in which the organisation is involved.
In order to facilitate partner-finding and the setting up of project consortia, profiles of all organisations holding this Quality
Label are published in a database54 of Quality Label organisations on the European Solidarity Corps Portal. To identify potential
partners, partner searching tool on the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal 55 can be used.

APPLYING FOR A QUALITY LABEL ON BEHALF OF SUPPORTING OR HOSTING

ORGANISATIONS

An organisation that applies for a Quality Label in a support role or in a host role may also apply for host role on behalf of its
branches located in those regions of third countries where humanitarian aid activities and operations take place and where
there are no ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts, and with which it shares the same legal personality.
This procedure is designed to help larger organisations, with several branches, including when they are located in different
countries.
The applicant organisation is accountable for the quality and safety of the activities offered by host organisation(s) on behalf
of which it is applying.

54 https://youth.europa.eu/volunteering/organisations_en
55 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

WHAT ARE THE QUALITY STANDARDS?

The European Solidarity Corps guarantees high-quality volunteering activities, through the Quality Label process. Participating
organisations must respect the following principles and standards:
▪ Equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Volunteers are to be selected in a fair, transparent and objective way,
regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political opinion or disability. No previous
qualifications, educational level, specific experience or language knowledge must be required. In order to promote
inclusion, participation in volunteering activities must be free of charge for the volunteer. The activities should
respect the principles set out in Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
▪ Avoidance of job substitution. Volunteering activities must not substitute traineeships or jobs, so that any adverse
effect on potential or existing paid employment is avoided. The involvement of volunteers should complement the
work of paid staff. They should not replace paid staff or undercut their pay and conditions of service.
▪ Avoidance of harmful activities. Security and safety of the young people, participating organisations and target
groups must be ensured. Such security and safety should include appropriate clearance requirements for
volunteers working with vulnerable groups in accordance with applicable national law. Volunteering activities
should be implemented with due consideration for the impact of unforeseen circumstances such as environmental
crises, conflicts or pandemics. The activities should respect the principles set out in the EU Guidelines for the
Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child56.
▪ Provision of high quality, easily accessible and inclusive activities. The volunteering tasks should enable young
people to develop skills and competencies for personal, social and civic development. Particular attention will be
given to the capacity of hosting organisations in third countries and the need to embed the activities of volunteers
within the local context and to facilitate volunteers’ interaction with local humanitarian actors, the hosting
community and civil society. The value and benefits of European Solidarity Corps volunteering should be recognised
for volunteers, through identification and documentation of learning outcomes, preferably through Youthpass.
▪ Adequate training, working and volunteering arrangements. Safe and decent living and working conditions must
be ensured for volunteers. The young people and the organisations must sign a volunteering agreement that will
outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties and will include a well-defined set of volunteering tasks.
▪ “No profit”. In accordance with the Financial Regulation, beneficiaries must not derive any profit from the activities
funded by the grants awarded. Furthermore, volunteering should cover the participants’ expenditure arising from
participation in such solidarity activities but should not provide them with salaries or an economic benefit.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANISATIONS HOLDING A QUALITY LABEL FOR

HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING
In addition to complying with the above-mentioned principles, organisations implementing humanitarian aid volunteering
projects must carry out specific tasks and responsibilities in order to ensure high quality activities. When applying for a Quality
Label, organisations must be able to demonstrate their capacity to perform the tasks and take up responsibilities relevant to
the role they are applying for, as outlined in the requirements below. This list is not comprehensive, and in some cases, the
set of tasks and responsibilities may overlap between host and support organisations, without prejudice to the overall quality
of the activity.

56 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/together-against-trafficking-human-beings_en

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR A SUPPORT ROLE

▪ Ensure compliance with the European Solidarity Corps Regulation, in particular the articles
and the recitals which refer to the Volunteering under the European Voluntary
Humanitarian Aid Corps
Management ▪ For the coordinators: Ensure effective coordination in cooperation with all other
participating organisations;
▪ Prepare risk assessment/security procedures/evacuation plan;
▪ Carry out monitoring, reporting and evaluation in compliance with programme
procedures;
▪ Carry out dissemination and information activities.

▪ Ensure selection procedure in line with the principles for transparency and equal
treatment;
▪ Select trained young people from the European Solidarity Corps Portal;
▪ Ensure that the volunteer signs a volunteering agreement57
▪ Ensure that the volunteer receives support in carrying out language preparation (if
applicable, support to carry out the Online Language Course and assessment
▪ provided by the Commission);
▪ Identify learning needs and set learning objectives;
▪ Provide adequate preparation for the volunteers before departure, according to the
individual needs and tailored to the specificities of the project, the activity and the host
country and in line with the Training and Evaluation Cycle;
▪ Provide support to the volunteers to reflect on the learning process and to identify and
document their learning outcomes, through EU validation tools, in particular Youthpass,
Europass or national tools;
▪ Encourage the volunteer to follow the General Online Training offered on EU Academy and
accessed through the European Solidarity Corps portal;
Before the ▪ Ensure that volunteers meet relevant clearance requirements, and undergo specific
activity preparation, particularly for volunteers involved in activities with vulnerable groups in
accordance with applicable national law;
▪ Ensure the participation of the volunteers in the pre-departure training session including
security briefing;
▪ Ensure that the volunteers have pre-departure medical assessment;
▪ Ensure that the volunteer is covered by the obligatory insurance plan foreseen by the
Corps;
▪ Ensure that the volunteer understands the terms and conditions of the insurance scheme;
▪ Ensure that the volunteer has all necessary visas/residence permit or any other required
document for volunteering activities in the country of the host organisation;
▪ Make or facilitate travel arrangements to/from the country where the volunteering activity
takes place;
▪ Take necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of the volunteers;
▪ Designate support contact for the volunteers and stay in touch with the volunteers and the
host organisation throughout the activity;
▪ Support the settlement and the transition of the volunteers;
▪ Provide necessary additional support to the volunteers and the hosting organisation, in
particular when the volunteers are young people with fewer opportunities;

▪ For the coordinators: coordinate with the hosting organisations to ensure that the project
During the is progressing as planned;
activity ▪ To take part in the mid-term evaluation and final reviews;
▪ To provide mediation support in case of disagreement between the host organisation and
the volunteer.

▪ Ensure medical and psychological examination of volunteers is provided;

After the activity ▪ Provide support to help reintegration of the volunteer into the home community;
▪ Provide the volunteer with the opportunity to exchange and share experiences and
learning outcomes;

57 Please see section “other support measures – agreement with participants”

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

▪ Encourage the involvement of the volunteer in dissemination and exploitation of results;

▪ Provide guidance regarding further education, training or employment opportunities;
▪ Ensure the participation of the volunteer in possible European Solidarity Corps events.

ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR A HOST ROLE

Management ▪ Ensure compliance to the European Solidarity Corps Regulation, in particular the articles
and the recital which refer to the Volunteering under the European Voluntary
Humanitarian Aid Corps.

Before the ▪ Cooperate, as necessary, with the coordinator and the support organisation in preparing
activity the activity and the volunteers for their volunteering activities.

Learning, mentoring and support

▪ Ensure that the volunteer attends on-arrival training, including security briefing;
▪ Ensure organisation of mid-term evaluation;
▪ Ensure that the volunteer attends the full Training and Evaluation Cycle (if applicable);
▪ Offer to the volunteer the opportunity to carry out a well-defined set of tasks, allowing
some of the volunteer’s ideas, creativity and experience to be integrated;
▪ Identify clear learning opportunities for and with the volunteer;
▪ Provide task related support, supervision and guidance to the volunteer through
experienced staff;
▪ Provide support to the volunteers in their learning process;
▪ Support the volunteers undertaking language courses, if necessary;
▪ Identify a mentor who is responsible for providing to the volunteers:
− support to carry out self-reflection on the learning
During the − personal support
activity
Volunteering living and working conditions
▪ Support the volunteers’ visa and/or residence permit or other legally required documents
for the volunteering activity
▪ Ensure safety and security of participants in accordance with the approved
procedures/evacuation plan;
▪ Provide adequate living and working conditions to the volunteer;
▪ Facilitate integration of volunteers in the local community and interaction with expatriate
community;
▪ Ensure conflict prevention, mediation and well-being, including psychological support
where necessary;
▪ Ensure that means of local transport are available for the volunteer;
▪ Ensure access to means of communication for contact with consortium partners, other
European Solidarity Corps volunteers and close relatives;
▪ Provide agreed financial contributions to the volunteer.
▪ Provide necessary additional support to the volunteers, in particular when the volunteers
are young people with fewer opportunities.

▪ Provide final performance review and debrief to the volunteer;

▪ Follow up and evaluation of the action with the coordinator and/or support organisation
After the activity immediately after the voluntary activity is completed;
▪ Contribute to impact and dissemination of result phases and support the final evaluation
of the project.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS THE QUALITY LABEL?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION INFORMATION
Quality Label for support role – international organisations58 and any organisation legally established in
an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme.

Quality Label for host role – any organisation operating in those regions of third countries not associated
Eligible to the Programme where humanitarian aid activities and operations take place and where there are no
applicants ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts.

A Quality Label application should only refer to the entirety of an organisation with its departments
and/or branches59. Groups of young people are not eligible.

The Quality Label is valid for the whole duration of the programming period 2021 – 2027, subject to
Duration of
compliance monitoring and periodical reassessments which will be carried out by EACEA.
Quality Label
validity After the end of the 2021-2027 programming period, the Quality Label remains valid until the end of the
last activity in which the organisation is involved. The Quality Label for lead organisations remains valid
until the end of the last grant agreement signed by the beneficiary organisation.

Applications can be submitted on a continuous basis. Organisations willing to take part in Humanitarian
Aid Volunteering projects under the 2025 call must have submitted their application for Quality Label
When to apply? electronically by 24 September 2024 at 17:00 (Brussels time). Organisations willing to participate in the
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering projects under the 2026 call must submit their applications for Quality
Label electronically, via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System (see part E) by 23
September 2025 at 17:00 (Brussels time).
To the Education and Culture Executive Agency via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission
Where to apply?
System (see part E).

Exclusion Criteria A declaration of honour signed by the legal representative must be annexed to the application form.

AWARD CRITERIA
To be considered for receiving a Quality Label, proposals must meet the award criteria below:

ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR A SUPPORT ROLE

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation’s motives for participation in the European Solidarity Corps are convincing
and clearly explained
▪ the organisation’s objectives address issues relevant for the objectives of the European
Relevance Solidarity Corps
▪ the organisation’s activities and its experience are relevant for the humanitarian aid and
development cooperation fields and have a strong solidarity dimension
▪ the organisation demonstrates commitment to the humanitarian principles of humanity,
neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as with the ‘do no harm’ principle
▪ the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared EU values, such as respect
for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human
rights, as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.
Quality of
measures The extent to which the organisation respects the programme quality standards by:

58 The obligation to be established in an EU Member State, or a third country associated to the Programme does not apply to international organisations.
59 Departments within an organisation can not apply for separate Quality Labels. Quality Labels are awarded at organisation level (one legal entity = one Quality
Label).

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

▪ carrying out activities that respond to humanitarian aid needs and provide tangible
benefits to target groups and local communities
▪ ensuring that security, health and safety of volunteers are guaranteed and any risks
concerning the proposed accommodation and work placement are properly tackled
▪ taking necessary measures to respect the avoidance of harmful activities principle
▪ ensuring adequate practical and logistical arrangements
▪ ensuring adequate mentoring support for volunteers
▪ ensuring adequate personal support for volunteers, including conflict prevention and
mitigation measures and psychological support
▪ taking adequate measures to ensure appropriate living and volunteering conditions for the
young people
▪ taking adequate measures to support the specific needs of young volunteers with fewer
opportunities
▪ avoiding job substitution, routine tasks and tasks with low learning impact
▪ promoting environmental sustainability and responsibility and incorporating sustainable
and environmental-friendly practices in activities
▪ making use of digital tools and methods to complement and improve activities

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation has demonstrated the ability, capacity and commitment to allocate
appropriate resources to manage the European Solidarity Corps activities in accordance
with applicable quality standards, in particular the safety and security standards for the
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering
▪ the organisation has proposed appropriate steps to ensure continuity of activities in case
Organisational of organisational changes
Capacity ▪ the organisation demonstrates a good approach towards working with partners
▪ the measures for assuring the sustainability of the planned activities are of appropriate
high quality
▪ the organisation ensures quality project management, including proper communication
and coordination measures with other support or host organisations
▪ the measures aimed at disseminating the outcomes of the activities within and outside the
participating organisations are appropriate and of high quality
▪ the measures for monitoring and evaluating the activities are appropriate and of high
quality.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR A HOST ROLE

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation’s motives for participation in the European Solidarity Corps are convincing
and clearly explained
▪ the organisation’s objectives address issues relevant for the objectives of the European
Relevance Solidarity Corps
▪ the organisation’s activities and its experience are relevant for the humanitarian aid and
development cooperation fields and have a strong solidarity dimension
▪ the organisation demonstrates commitment to the humanitarian principles of humanity,
neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as with the ‘do no harm’ principle
▪ the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared EU values, such as respect
for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights,
as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.

The extent to which the organisation respects the programme quality standards by:
▪ carrying out activities that respond to humanitarian aid needs and provide tangible benefits
to target groups and local communities
▪ ensuring that security, health and safety of volunteers are guaranteed and any risks concerning
the proposed accommodation and volunteering activity are properly tackled
▪ taking adequate measures to ensure appropriate conditions for the living and the volunteering
Quality of activity are in place for the volunteers
▪ taking necessary measures to respect the avoidance of harmful activities principle
measures
▪ ensuring adequate practical and logistical arrangements
▪ ensuring adequate mentoring support for volunteers during the activity
▪ ensuring adequate personal support for volunteers, including conflict prevention and
mitigation measures and psychological support
▪ taking adequate measures to support the specific needs of young volunteers with fewer
opportunities
▪ avoiding job substitution, routine tasks and tasks with low learning impact
▪ promoting environmental sustainability and responsibility and incorporating sustainable and
environmental-friendly practices in activities
▪ making use of digital tools and methods to complement and improve activities

The extent to which:

▪ the organisation has demonstrated the ability, capacity and commitment to allocate
appropriate resources to manage the European Solidarity Corps activities in accordance with
applicable quality standards, in particular the safety and security standards for the
Humanitarian Aid Volunteering
▪ the organisation has proposed appropriate steps to ensure continuity of activities in case of
Organisational organisational changes
Capacity ▪ the organisation demonstrates a good approach towards working with partners
▪ the organisation ensures quality project management, including proper communication and
coordination measures with the coordinator and/or the support organisation
▪ the measures for assuring the sustainability of the planned activities are of appropriate high
quality
▪ the measures aimed at disseminating the outcomes of the activities within and outside the
participating organisations are appropriate and of high quality
▪ the measures for monitoring and evaluating the activities are appropriate and of high quality.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

MONITORING, REPORTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES

CHANGING/UPDATING THE QUALITY LABEL
The organisations holding a Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering must notify the awarding body of any changes
in their organisation that should be reflected in their Quality Label.

MONITORING AND CHECKS

The Executive Agency may carry out regular or ad hoc monitoring visits to verify that the organisations holding a Quality Label
still meet the quality standards.

TERMINATION
In cases of serious underperformance, failure to comply with Executive Agency’s instructions and deadlines or repeated
violations of the Programme rules, the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering can be withdrawn. The Executive
Agency will give due consideration to each case of non-compliance and will prompt the organisation well in advance to allow
enough time to take corrective measures.
In addition, the Executive Agency may terminate a Quality Label if the organisation ceases to exist.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

VOLUNTEERING UNDER THE EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY HUMANITARIAN AID

CORPS (HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING)
WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING IN SUPPORT OF HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS?
Volunteering under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps 60 (Humanitarian Aid Volunteering) takes place in third
countries where there are ongoing humanitarian aid operations. This action gives the opportunity to young people aged 18
to 35 years old to contribute to society by short-term or long-term volunteering activities aimed at improving living conditions
of people in need. Volunteering is a full-time61 non-remunerated activity. Projects must be in line with the humanitarian aid
principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as with the ‘do no harm’ principle.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

The projects funded under Humanitarian Aid volunteering should:

a. where relevant, facilitate the transition from the humanitarian response to long-term sustainable and inclusive
development
b. contribute to strengthening the capacity and resilience of vulnerable or disaster-affected communities;
c. reinforce disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction;
d. link relief, rehabilitation and development;
e. ensure a high level of safety and security for volunteers.

Additionally, to increase the quality and impact of the action on local communities, projects could include complementary
activities. They should also facilitate the active involvement of local staff and volunteers from the countries and communities
in which they are implemented.

WHICH ACTIVITIES CAN BE SUPPORTED?

The following activities are supported under Humanitarian Aid Volunteering:
• Individual volunteering
• Volunteering teams
• Complementary activities

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERING
Individual volunteering is an activity in the field of humanitarian aid of a duration of 2 to 12 months, excluding travel time.
This type of volunteering provides young people with the opportunity to carry out tasks needed to support the activities
undertaken by the host organisation.

Individual volunteering activities take place cross-border, in a country different from the country of residence of the
volunteer(s), as detailed in the section on general eligibility criteria – “geographical location”.

Mentor expertise should support the individual volunteering activities.

60
Art. 2 (12) and 9 of Regulation (EU) 2021/888 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps
Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1475 and (EU) No 375/2014 (europa.eu)

61 At least 30 and not more than 38 hours per week

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

VOLUNTEERING TEAMS
Volunteering teams are activities that allow in principle teams of 5 to 40 participants coming from at least two different EU
Member States or third countries associated to the Programme to volunteer together for a period between 2 weeks and 2
months (up to 59 days , excluding travel time).

Volunteering teams activities take place cross-border, in a country different from the country of residence of the participants,
as detailed in the section on general eligibility criteria – “geographic location”.

In volunteering teams, volunteers are deployed over a short period of time to perform a clearly defined activity, which can be
realised in a short time frame. Despite their short duration, these activities will be valuable both for the volunteers and for the
communities benefitting from this service. This format may facilitate the participation of people with fewer opportunities due
to the short duration and the participation in a collective endeavour.

Specific mentor expertise could be involved in support of the activities of volunteering teams and could be reinforced where
young people with fewer opportunities are involved.
The advantages of this specific type of group activities compared to individual volunteering activities include the following:
• Volunteers will carry out the activity in a group. This can be an incentive for young people who do not feel ready to
embark into challenging experiences on their own;
• The activity will be shorter in its duration. This can foster the participation of those young people who cannot commit
for a long period of time because of their studies or jobs, but still want to be of help for the local community.

COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
Complementary activities are relevant side activities related to the projects and designed to add value, give more resonance
to their results and increase their impact on local and/or regional level. Such complementary activities aim also at raising
awareness on the value of volunteering and solidarity at local level, reaching out to the local community. The complementary
activities that require the physical presence of (a) volunteer(s) should take place within the timeframe of the volunteering
activity.

Complementary activities can contribute to capacity building of local organisations and communities, to create a feeling of
ownership by actors at local level. Specific expertise and experienced/professional profiles can be contracted in this
framework, aiming to ensure further support to volunteers (including people with fewer opportunities) and intergenerational
sharing of experience.

Complementary activities could include meetings, coaching, conferences, job shadowing, training courses, practical workshops
involving local youth, etc.

HOW TO SET UP A PROJECT?

A project supported by this strand should include one or more volunteering activities with at least 15 participants per project.
The volunteering activities can be combined in a flexible manner, depending on the objectives of the project, the identified
needs at local level and the needs of the participating organisation(s) and volunteers.

A project is implemented by at least three eligible applicants with a valid Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering, of
which at least two must be support organisations from two different countries and at least one host organisation with no
affiliation to another support organisation taking part in the project.

A project will typically consist of the following stages:

• Planning (defining the needs, objectives, development of work programme, schedule of activities, etc.);
• Preparation (practical arrangements, selection of volunteers, set up of agreements with partners and participants,
linguistic/intercultural/learning and task-related preparation of volunteers before departure, preparatory
meetings);
• Implementation of volunteering activities (including support and guidance to volunteers during the activities);
• Follow-up (including the evaluation of the activities, issue of the certificate of participation as well as the
dissemination and exploitation of the project’s outcomes).

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

All participating organisations involved in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering must hold a valid Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid
Volunteering. For more information on the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering, please refer to the relevant
section of this Guide (Part C – Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering).

Organisations taking part in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering should cover the following roles:

• A support role that entails supporting, preparing and/or training volunteers before departure (including tailor made
training for people with fewer opportunities), a mediation between them and their host organisations and/or
providing support to volunteers upon return from their activity. The support role also entitles the coordinator to
submit project applications and manage the consortium.

•
A host role that covers the full range of activities related to hosting a volunteer, including the development of a
programme of the volunteer’s activities and providing guidance and support to the volunteer during all the phases
of the project as appropriate (some of these activities can be carried out by a support organisation involved in the
same project). Specific arrangements for people with fewer opportunities must be put in place.
Associated partner organisations may contribute to a project to cater for specific needs, such as to facilitate the inclusion of
young people with fewer opportunities. Associated partner organisations do not need to hold a Quality Label for
humanitarian aid volunteering, as they are not meant to host and send volunteers.

Arrangements and procedures foreseen by the host organisation to ensure the security and safety of volunteers, including for
their safe return in case of a serious security incident, must be in place prior to the arrival of the volunteer at the place of the
volunteering activity in a third country.

No age limit applies to coaches, mentors and experts, who are part of the ‘learning and training component’ for Humanitarian
Aid Volunteering as set out in Article 10(1) and are not considered as ‘participants’ in the sense of Article 2(3) of the
Regulation.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
Young people who want to participate in the European Solidarity Corps must register on the European Solidarity Corps
Portal62. Young people with fewer opportunities may receive support from appropriate entities specialised in dealing with
young people with fewer opportunities, to complete the registration phase. The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers a
meeting place for young people and organisations holding a Quality Label and willing to implement solidarity activities.
Organisations have to select participants that are registered in the Portal and successfully completed the mandatory trainings
organised by the Commission.

Young people interested in participating in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering need to complete on the EU Academy63 Portal a
self-assessment and specific online training, followed by a test. This option is usually available throughout the year – however,
the access to the training environment can be temporarily closed in case of too high demand. Those who pass the test may
be invited for a face-to-face training of 5 days, offered in several training venues in Europe. It should be noted that the number
of places for face-to-face training is limited. Upon completion of the face-to-face training, the candidates will be able to apply
for vacancies proposed by Humanitarian Aid Volunteering projects for individual volunteering or for volunteering teams. The
project members will manage the entire selection process and inform the candidates on its outcome.

QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES

A set of measures and services, such as training, language learning support, insurance, identification and documentation of
the competences acquired are foreseen to ensure the quality of the volunteering activities and a strong learning dimension
for the young people. Some of these measures are optional and could be used depending on the interest and needs of the
young people and some of them are compulsory. Organisations should aim to promote the use of the General Online Training
and the Online Language Support and assessment offered by the Commission as part of the volunteers’ learning experience.
Detailed information on those measures is available in Part D of this Guide.

62 https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en
63 https://academy.europa.eu/

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

PRIORITIES
INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The European Solidarity Corps seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion and fairness. Organisations should
design accessible and inclusive activities, taking into account the views and needs of participants with fewer opportunities.

To support inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, additional support measures and
funding that allow participating organisations to better accommodate and cater for the needs of young people
with fewer opportunities are available.
In order to benefit from additional funding applicants will be required to describe how they will involve
in activities young people who are at comparative disadvantage i.e. they have comparatively fewer
opportunities than their peers in the same country/area/age group/situation. In this sense, “involving”
does not refer to a target group that the applicant organisation may work with. It means to facilitate
the participation of young people with fewer opportunities by designing the project activities in an
inclusive and accessible way. This requires specific measures of outreach and support to ensure that
young people with fewer opportunities can participate in activities on equal terms as others.

Wherever relevant, projects should take into account the specific needs of women and seek
to involve women and groups and networks of women.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION

A project should incorporate green practices in all facets. Organisations and volunteers involved should have an
environmental-friendly approach when designing the activities, which will encourage them to discuss and learn about
environmental issues, make them think about what can be done at their level and help them come up with alternative greener
ways of implementing their activities.
Volunteering activities should promote environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among young people, raising
the awareness about the importance of acting to reduce or compensate for the environmental footprint of activities.
Volunteering activities should be designed and implemented with environmental consciousness by e.g. integrating sustainable
practices such as reducing waste and recycling.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Participating organisations are encouraged to make use of digital tools and learning methods to complement and add value
to their activities, to improve the cooperation between partner organisations, support further dissemination of the outcomes
or support for community building. The General Online Training and the Online Language Support, available in EU Academy,
should also be used (see part D for more information about these tools).
Organisations could also envisage adding virtual cooperation between volunteers, and between volunteers and participating
organisations, before, during and after the activities. Online activities may contribute to lowering the threshold of
participation for young people with fewer opportunities or to strengthening the overall impact of the projects. Blending
volunteering activities with other virtual components may also add to the quality of the project.

PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE

The European Solidarity Corps supports all participating organisations in improving the quality of their projects by integrating
a participatory dimension, offering young people relevant opportunities to actively engage and participate in the conception
and implementation of project activities as a pathway to discovering the benefits of active citizenship and participation in
democratic life. Resources for enhancing the participatory dimension of supported projects can be accessed i.e. via the
website participationpool.eu. Links with and involvement in existing national, international or (other) EU initiatives and
platforms revolving around participation and civic engagement are also encouraged.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA USED TO ASSESS PROJECTS?

The projects are selected and managed by the Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
Projects will be assessed against the following criteria: admissibility, eligibility, award (for the admissibility, exclusion and
selection criteria please see Part E of this Guide).
The eligibility criteria that must be respected are listed here below:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Any public or private entity, whether non-profit or profit making, local, regional, national or
international, legally established in an EU Member State, a third country associated to the Programme
or a third country not associated to the Programme where humanitarian aid activities and operations
Eligible take place and where there are no ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts 64, or
applicants any international organisation65.
Participating organisations (support and host role) must hold a valid Quality Label for Humanitarian
Aid volunteering at the application deadline and for the entire duration of the project. Eligible
participating organisations are expected to form a consortium.

A consortium must consist of at least three eligible participating organisations with a valid
volunteering Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering. It must include at least two support
organisations from different EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme, and
at least one host organisation which is a separate legal entity with no affiliation to the support
Consortium organisations taking part in the project.
composition
Only an eligible participating organisation established in one of the EU Member States or third country
associated to the Programme may submit an application for funding on behalf of the consortium.
Affiliated entities do not count towards the minimum eligibility criteria for the consortium
composition.

Young people aged 18 to 3566 who are legally residing in a EU Member State or in a third country
associated to the Programme and who have registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal to
express their interest in engaging in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering. Candidates who apply for
Eligible
individual volunteering must not have yet participated in the European Solidarity Corps’ Humanitarian
participants
Aid individual volunteering.
The participant must also have successfully completed the mandatory trainings organised by the
Commission.

Activities have to take place in the country of one of the applicant organisations except in duly justified
cases related to the objectives of the call.
Venue of
activities Volunteering under this action may only take place at participating organisations in third countries not
associated to the Programme, where humanitarian aid activities and operations take place and where
there are no ongoing international or non-international armed conflicts.

Projects should last 12, 24 or 36 months (extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an
Duration of
amendment). The duration has to be chosen at application stage, based on the objectives of the
project
project and on the type of activities planned over time.

Where to
To the Education and Cultural Executive Agency via the Funding and Tenders Portal Electronic
apply ?
Submission System (see part E).

64 Art 10(2) of the Regulation (EU)2021/888 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing the European Solidarity Corps Programme
and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1475 and (EU) No 375/2014
65 The obligation to be established in a Member State or a third country associated to the Programme does not apply to international organisations.
66 Participants must have reached 18 and must not be older than 35 at the start date of the activity.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

When to apply? Proposals must be submitted by 24 April 2025 at 17.00 (Brussels time).

How to apply? Please see part E of this guide on how to apply.

Exclusion criteria A Declaration of Honour signed by the legal representative must be provided with the application.

AWARD CRITERIA
To be considered for funding, proposals must:
a) score at least 60 points; and
b) score at least half of the maximum points in each of the categories of the award criteria mentioned below.

In case of equal scores, priority will be given to proposals that received the highest scores for “relevance, rationale and impact”
and then to those that received the highest scores for “Quality of project design” and then to those that received the highest
scores for “Quality of project management”.

• The relevance of the project to the objectives of the European Solidarity Corps and
to the specific objectives of this action;
• The extent to which the proposal relates and integrates the relevant activities in the
project set-up;
• The relevance of the project to the needs and objectives of the hosting participating
organisations and target groups in third countries;
• The relevance to which the proposal will address well defined humanitarian needs
of local communities and the extent to which the project will provide benefits to
such communities within which the activities are carried out;
• The extent to which the project is consistent with and complementary to other areas
Relevance, rationale and of Union external action, in particular humanitarian aid policy, development
impact cooperation policy, enlargement policy, neighbourhood policy and the Union Civil
(maximum 40 points) Protection Mechanism;
• The extent to which the project involves young people with fewer opportunities as
participants;
• The quality of measures for evaluating the impact of the project, assuring its
sustainability and disseminating its outcomes;
• The added value of the complementary activities to the project objectives and the
extent to which they contribute to capacity building of local organisations and
communities.
• The extent to which the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion of shared
EU values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule
of law and respect for human rights, as well as fighting any sort of discrimination.

• The appropriateness and quality of all the phases of the project: Consistency
between project objectives and activities proposed; logical links between the
identified problems, needs and solutions proposed (e.g. logic of intervention);
feasibility of the project within the proposed time frame;
• The clarity, completeness and quality of the action, including appropriate phases for
preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and dissemination;
• The appropriateness of measures for selecting and/or involving volunteers in
Quality of the project design
activities;
(maximum 40 points)
• The quality of proposed measures to reach out and involve young people with fewer
opportunities;
• The quality of the non-formal learning methods and measures proposed to enable
the volunteers to gain skills and competences that are valuable for their personal,
educational, social, civic and cultural development;
• The quality of arrangements for the recognition and validation of participants’
learning outcomes, as well as the consistent use of European transparency and
recognition tools;

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

• The quality of the practical arrangements for volunteers (logistics, travel

arrangements, living conditions, etc.);
• The quality of management of the volunteers’ work and support modalities;
• The specific measures in place to guarantee security, health and safety of volunteers
and to tackle risks at the proposed accommodation and work placement, including
the evacuation procedure.
• The extent to which the project facilitates the active involvement of local staff and
volunteers from the countries and communities in which it is implemented;

• The extent to which the project involves an appropriate mix of complementary

participating organisations with the necessary profiles and experience to
successfully deliver all aspects of the project;
• The quality of cooperation and communication between the participating
Quality of project organisations, as well as with other relevant stakeholders;
management • The extent to which the management structures and decision-making mechanisms
(maximum 20 points) are organized within the consortium;
• The quality of the evaluation methods and indicators, the monitoring and
verification of the outreach and coverage of the activities and results;
• Cost effectiveness: the proposed budget is sufficient for proper implementation and
the project is designed to ensure the best value for money.

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Part C – Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related solidarity activities

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE COSTS AND THE APPLICABLE FUNDING RULES?
Maximum EU grant per project: 650,000 EUR.

Eligible costs Financing mechanism Amount Rule of allocation

Contribution to travel costs and exceptional Based on the duration of the activity (if
costs such as visa and vaccinations costs, Contribution based on necessary, including also one travel day before
Volunteer support residence permits, medical certifications unit costs 35 EUR per day per volunteer the activity and one travel day following the
and contribution to additional personal activity) per volunteer, including accompanying
expenses for volunteers (pocket money). persons.

Contribution to management costs (e.g.

planning, finances, coordination and
communication between partners,
administrative costs) and to costs directly
linked to the implementation of
volunteering activities (e.g. preparation, Based on the duration of the volunteering
monitoring and support of volunteers, Contribution based on activity (if necessary, including also one travel
Organisational Support validation of learning outcomes) and costs unit costs 63 EUR per day per volunteer day before the activity and one travel day
linked to the subsistence of volunteers (e.g. following the activity) per volunteer, including
boarding, lodging and local travel). accompanying persons.

Contribution to complementary activity

costs.
Contribution to other costs such as financial
guarantee.

Based on the duration of the activity (if

Contribution to costs incurred by
necessary, including also one travel day before
organisations to support the participation of
the activity and one travel day following the
young people with fewer opportunities on Contribution based on
Inclusion support 25 EUR per day per volunteer activity) per volunteer with fewer opportunities,
equal terms as others such as investment in unit costs
excluding accompanying persons. This
physical assets, reinforced mentorship,
contribution is allocated in addition to the
preparatory visits.
volunteer support.

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PART D – QUALITY AND SUPPORT MEASURES

In this Part, readers will find the following information:
▪ a description of the support measures;
▪ a description of their objectives and for whom they are;
▪ additional information on key elements of the participation in a European Solidarity Corps project.

The Quality and Support measures described in this section are relevant only for the Actions covered under this Guide.
Before submitting an application, applicants are advised to read carefully the entire section.

WHICH MEASURES ARE SUPPORTED?

The European Solidarity Corps provides a range of quality and support services for participants and participating organisations.
These measures vary depending on the Action and the type of activity the participants and organisations are involved in.
▪ Support to learning
− Mentoring;
− General Online Training;
− Language Learning Support;
− Compulsory training for candidate volunteers in humanitarian aid volunteering;
− Training and Evaluation cycle;
− Recognition of Learning Outcomes.
▪ Insurance
▪ European Solidarity Corps Portal
▪ European Solidarity Corps Youth Card
▪ Other support measures
− Certificate of participation;
− Agreements;
− Visas.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THESE MEASURES?

As far as quality and support measures are concerned, the specific objectives of the European Solidarity Corps shall be pursued
through actions that aim:
▪ to ensure compliance with the principles and objectives of the European Solidarity Corps on the part of all public
and private organisations seeking to participate in the activities of the European Solidarity Corps;
▪ to ensure that the solidarity activities that are offered to the European Solidarity Corps participants contribute to
addressing concrete, unmet societal needs and strengthening communities and are of high quality and properly
validated.

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SUPPORT TO LEARNING
To support, reinforce and complement the learning acquired through participation in the activities, specific quality and
support measures are foreseen: the General Online Training, language learning support, the Training and Evaluation Cycle,
mentoring and recognition of learning outcomes.

GENERAL ONLINE TRAINING

WHAT IS THE GENERAL ONLINE TRAINING?
The General Online Training is a set of training modules for the registered candidates and participants selected for an activity
provided on the EU Academy platform and accessed through the European Solidarity Corps portal. General Online Training is
a general induction with various modules that apply to participants and registrants, regardless of their status within the
European Solidarity Corps. Topics include: the mission of the European Solidarity Corps, ethics, integrity, roles and
responsibilities of the participants, European values, inter-cultural awareness, thematic training, health and safety, Youth Talks
as legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022, etc. The objective of the training is to support European Solidarity Corps
registered candidates in their engagement in quality solidarity activities and contribute to the building of the community of
the European Solidarity Corps. The training should become part of a non-formal learning process of European Solidarity Corps
participants who will be involved in specific projects and for the registered candidates in the portal not yet selected to capture
their attention and stimulate their motivation. Likewise, the General Online Training includes a Guidebook that is deemed
suitable for youth workers to both enrich the General Online Training experience and empower young people to also carry
out activities offline.

FOR WHOM?
General Online Training is available primarily to the registered candidates and participants selected for an activity. It is offered
on the EU Academy platform and accessed via the European Solidarity Corps portal.

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LANGUAGE LEARNING SUPPORT

WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE LEARNING SUPPORT?
Language learning support is available for participants carrying out a solidarity activity in the framework of the European
Solidarity Corps. Depending on the Action, Language learning support takes the form either of a grant (150 EUR linguistic
support) or of an online course via the Online Language Support67 (OLS). The OLS is hosted on the corporate learning
management platform of the European Commission called EU Academy68. Online courses are encouraged as e-learning offers
advantages for language learning in terms of access and flexibility. OLS allows participants to assess, practise and improve
their knowledge of the language chosen. The EU Academy platform will provide features such as social networking to enable
collaborative learning as well as free language learning material. The provision of the 150 EUR linguistic support shall be based
on mutual trust between organisations who should ensure appropriate linguistic support. Other forms for support may be
offered to support the language learning needs of particular target groups. For participants in Volunteering Projects, a specific
grant (150 EUR linguistic support) for language learning support may be provided if the required language or level (in the
language of mobility) is not available in OLS yet. In such cases, the language learning must be arranged by the participating
organisations. Beneficiaries of the 150 EUR linguistic support should encourage participants to start learning the language
before their activity. Furthermore, organisations involved can use the "organisational support" budget category of the grant
to address the needs of participants in terms of pedagogical, task-related, intercultural or specific linguistic preparation (see
the "funding rules" section in Part B of this Guide).

FOR WHOM?
Participants in volunteering activities including Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas and Humanitarian Aid
Volunteering and Solidarity Projects are eligible to receive language learning support through OLS. In justified cases,
participants in Volunteering Projects may be eligible for specific financial support that is 150 EUR69.

TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE

WHAT IS THE TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE (TEC)?
One of the key features of the European Solidarity Corps is the training and evaluation it provides to participating
organisations, participants and mentors; firstly, by guiding young participants through a non-formal learning process before,
during and after their period of activity and secondly, by supporting Quality Label organisations in offering a qualitative frame
for the experience to take place. The training and evaluation dimension within the European Solidarity Corps aims at:
▪ Providing young participants with continuous guidance and support throughout their activity period. Such training
and evaluation contributes to the education and development of each young person and facilitates contacts
between young participants, participating organisations and National Agencies / SALTOs (Support, Advanced
Learning and Training Opportunities centres). It also helps resolve conflicts and prevent risks, and it provides a
means of assessing the participants' experience. The training and evaluation cycle for participants complements
other ongoing support offered by the participating organisations before and during the activity period;
▪ Providing organisations involved with the necessary support and tools to develop and carry out qualitative projects
as well as the opportunity to exchange and network with other European Solidarity Corps actors.
▪ Providing mentors with guidance on how to offer support and reinforced mentorship to the participants involved
in volunteering activities.
Quality is the main objective of preparation, training and evaluation. Given the diversity of countries, National Agencies,
organisations holding a Quality Label and participants, there is a large degree of flexibility in the training format, whereas the
quality indicators should be common to all training sessions.
What follows outlines the minimum that should be covered by a training/evaluation session. Trainers and organisers are of
course free to add any country-specific or project-specific features they deem necessary or interesting for the people
attending their training/evaluation event. The minimum quality standards clarify what can be expected to be achieved at a
training/evaluation session, whether by the organisers of the event, the project supervisors, the mentors or the participants
themselves. At the same time, regarding the training of participants, the National Agencies, regional SALTOs and the

67academy.europa.eu/local/euacademy/pages/course/community-overview.php?title=learn-a-new-language
68https://academy.europa.eu/
69Only if the participant cannot receive Online Language Support due to unavailability of the required language or level.

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participating organisations should, as far as possible, try to ensure that the training/evaluation opportunities offered to each
participant are in line with their specific needs.
Training providers can link the different training/evaluation stages while avoiding any overlaps in the content, and can thus
help create a continuous learning process for the participants before, during and following their activity period.
In addition to the Training and Evaluation Cycle, participants receive continuous counselling and guidance before, during and
after the activity period, while training for project managers, mentors and trainers adds up to a complex set of measures,
accompanying participants and participating organisations throughout the European Solidarity Corps experience.

FOR WHOM IS THE TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE?

▪ Participants: The training and evaluation cycle is for volunteers, including those volunteering in Humanitarian Aid.
Participants in Solidarity Projects can take part only in annual events.
▪ Organisations holding a Quality Label, including for Humanitarian Aid volunteering.
▪ Mentors can benefit from structured knowledge transfer and best practices, allowing that new mentors can be
trained.

TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE FOR PARTICIPANTS – HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Training and Evaluation Cycle for participants consists of the following sessions:

▪ specific training for candidate volunteers in humanitarian aid volunteering – managed by EACEA and implemented
by a contractor;
▪ pre-departure training for participants in cross-border volunteering activities – ensured by support organisations
for individual volunteering or host/support organisation for volunteering teams (for those volunteers coming from
countries other than the one where the activity takes place);
▪ on-arrival training for participants in volunteering activities of at least 2 months – ensured by National Agencies (in
case of volunteering in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme), SALTOs (in case of
volunteering in third countries not associated to the Programme), host or support organisations (in case of
individual volunteering activity of less than 2 months, volunteering teams and Humanitarian Aid volunteering);
▪ mid-term evaluation (only volunteering activities of 6 months and longer) – ensured by National Agencies or
SALTOs, or support and host organisations (in case of Humanitarian Aid volunteering).
In addition to the above sessions, an annual European Solidarity Corps event is foreseen for all participants taking part in
Volunteering, including Humanitarian Aid volunteering and those implementing Solidarity Projects. Volunteers have the right
and obligation to attend the pre-departure training, the on-arrival training and the mid-term evaluation sessions and the
participating organisations must ensure that their participants take part in the TEC, which is considered an integral part of the
activity. Given the different requirements of information between participants in cross-border and in-country activities or
volunteering, the training providers can tailor the content of the trainings to each target group.

SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR CANDIDATE VOLUNTEERS IN HUMANITARIAN AID VOLUNTEERING

Young people wishing to participate in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering need to complete an additional specific training before being
eligible to participate. The main aim of the training for candidate volunteers in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering is to train and
prepare young people for volunteering in third countries, by ensuring that they have the necessary skills and competences to help
people in need in the most effective way. The training will address, for instance, EU external policies and general principles of
humanitarian and development aid, as well as specific behavioural competences required for volunteering in third countries.

The first part of the training is to be completed on the EU Academy platform and starts with a self-assessment, followed by an
online training of a duration of approximately 25 hours, which concludes with a test. Those who pass the test will be eligible for the
next phase, a 5-day face-to-face training in a dedicated training centres in Europe. The number of places for face-to-face training
is limited, which may lead in periods of too high demand to the temporary closure of the access to both the online and the
face-to-face training.

Candidates having completed the face-to-face training will be available in the European Solidarity Corps Portal for selection by
organisations involved in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering projects.
The training is mandatory for all candidates who wish to participate in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering. It is managed by EACEA
and implemented by a contractor.

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PRE-DEPARTURE TRAINING
In order for the project to be successful and the European Solidarity Corps experiences to be positive and enriching for the
participant, it is crucial that the support or host organisation adequately prepares the participant prior to departure. This
training is only mandatory to participants in cross-border volunteering activities. This preparation should take place at least
one month before departure and should be tailored to the individual needs of the participant and the specificities of the
project, the activity and the host country. The organisation in charge of the training is responsible for ensuring that the Info-
Kit is given to all participants involved in its project.
It is essential to provide information on "What to expect from the European Solidarity Corps" (part of the Info-Kit) — as well
as on the basics of conflict prevention and crisis management. It must provide participants with practical and technical
information on matters such as insurance, visa, pocket money and working hours, etc.
Whereas the main responsibility of organising the pre-departure training lies with the applicant organisation, the National
Agencies may organise a one-day pre-departure information session to establish contact with outgoing participants and make
sure they are prepared for their upcoming activities by the support organisations (it doesn’t apply to Humanitarian Aid
volunteers).

ON-ARRIVAL TRAINING
The main objective of the on-arrival training is to introduce the participants to the host country, preparing them for the activity
period and the European Solidarity Corps experience. On-arrival training helps the participants adapt to cultural and personal
challenges. It allows participants to get to know each other and to build a network. Participants should also receive guidance
on conflict prevention and crisis management. They should be informed about environmentally sustainable behaviour that
the Programme encourages.
At the same time, this training session equips the participants with communication skills, including aspects of intercultural
learning. It helps them become aware that cultural differences require different models of behaviour. The training is also a
good time for the participants to plan the coming months, to get to know the Youthpass concepts and process and to develop
their own personal goals for their activity period, in line with the non-formal learning philosophy of the European Solidarity
Corps.
On-arrival training for long-term cross-border and in-country participants is organised by the National Agencies or SALTOs. In
case of Humanitarian Aid volunteering, the on-arrival training by host organisation shall be in line with the minimum quality
standards detailed in the table below.
For volunteers in activities with a duration of less than two months, the host or support organisation has to organise a training
in line with the minimum quality standards detailed in the table below, although possibly with a shorter duration.

MID-TERM EVALUATION
The mid-term evaluation allows participants to assess their experience up to that point and to reflect on the activities, role
and support of the host organisation and on their own contribution. The evaluation provides the opportunity to learn from
everybody’s experience and enables the participants to plan developments and/or further improvements in their activity and
to think about what they will do in the longer term, once their experience is over. The evaluation should also raise awareness
of the personal learning process, linking it to the key competences of lifelong learning as used in Youthpass or to the setup of
Europass. Mid-term evaluation is also mandatory for in-country participants. For Humanitarian Aid volunteering, a host
organisation should organise an on-line mid-term evaluation in co-operation with support organisation.
It is essential that the event is designed as a meeting between participants. It takes place long enough after their arrival for
the participants to have gained enough experience to review their situation, but also sufficiently long before the end of the
activity period so that there is still time to improve the situation if necessary.

ANNUAL EVENTS
The European Solidarity Corps event is an opportunity to bring together former, current and potential participants in
volunteering, including Humanitarian Aid and Solidarity Project participants. The event is organised by the National Agencies
or SALTOs. It may serve as an evaluation meeting, alumni meeting and/or promotional event. It is particularly important as an
opportunity for those who have finished their solidarity activity during the past year to discuss and evaluate their experiences
and to pass them on to current and potential participants. One of the objectives of the event is to ensure that the National
Agency receives feedback about the projects, the participating organisations, the practical arrangements and the overall
impression of the participation in the activities. A key question will be what learning effect the activity period had for the
participant.

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OVERVIEW OF THE TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND CANDIDATES

Pre-departure On-arrival Midterm Annual

Mandatory
Mandatory for activities longer than 6 Mandatory
Long term individual cross-border Mandatory
(organised by NAs or Regional months (Organised by NAs or Regional
volunteers (organised by support organisation)
SALTOs ) (Organised by NAs or Regional SALTOs )
SALTOs )
Mandatory
Long term individual in-country Optional Mandatory for activities longer than 6 Mandatory
volunteers (organised by host organisation) (organised by NAs) months (Organised by NAs)
(Organised by NAs)
Mandatory
Short term individual cross border Mandatory Mandatory
N/A (Organised by NAs or Regional
volunteers (organised by support organisation) (organised by host organisation)
SALTOs )

Optional
Short term individual in-country Mandatory Mandatory
(organised by host or support N/A
volunteers (organised by host organisation) (Organised by NAs)
organisation)

Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

Volunteering teams cross-border
(organised by host or support (organised by host or support N/A (Organised by NAs or Regional
volunteers
organisation) organisation) SALTOs )

Optional Mandatory
Volunteering teams in-country Mandatory
(organised by host or support (organised by host or support N/A
volunteers (Organised by NAs)
organisation) organisation)

Optional
Solidarity projects N/A N/A N/A
(organised by NAs)

Volunteering Teams in High Priority Mandatory Mandatory Optional

N/A
Areas (organised by support organisation) (organised by host organisation) (Organised by NAs)

Mandatory
Mandatory Mandatory Optional
Humanitarian Aid volunteers70 (organised by host and support
(organised by support organisation) (organised by host organisation) (Organised by NAs)
organisations)

70 Young people wishing to participate in Humanitarian Aid Volunteering need to complete an additional specific training before being eligible to participate.

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EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

Specific eligibility
training for candidate The expected result is a capacity of volunteers to contribute to providing needs-based and
volunteers in principled humanitarian aid, taking into account the specific needs of vulnerable groups and
Humanitarian Aid engaging in activities that can contribute to creating a sustainable and an inclusive society.
Volunteering²

The pre-departure preparation will vary according to training practices, organisational

possibilities and participant needs. Nevertheless, pre-departure preparation should ensure
that, by the time they leave, all participants:
▪ know about the concept of the European Solidarity Corps;
▪ are familiar with the partners involved in the activity, i.e. the host and support
organisation in volunteering activities, the mentor and, where applicable, the
National/Executive Agency, Resource Centres and the European Commission;
▪ are familiar with the documents in the Info-Kit;
▪ are encouraged to profit from the learning opportunities in the General Online
Training;
▪ have shared their motivations, expectations and fears, and have reflected on their
goals, including goals for learning;
▪ have received appropriate practical and technical information on visas, residence
Pre-departure training permits, their legal status as a participant, their insurance (including guidance on
how to obtain the mandatory European Health Insurance Card before the
departure), pocket money, the relevant agreement under the European Solidarity
Corps;
▪ understand the meaning of intercultural learning and are aware of the ongoing
intercultural learning process;
▪ have received guidance or at least hints on crisis management;
▪ are aware about sustainability dimension of the Programme;
▪ understand the importance and usefulness of getting recognition for the individual
learning outcomes, in particular through EU level tools such as Youthpass and
Europass.
The training should also contain modules for language learning in the host country's language
or the language used in the context of the activity if such language training is not offered
through the Online Language Support or through grants for language learning.

On-arrival training will vary according to national conditions, realities and training practices.
Nevertheless, it should ensure that each participant:
▪ is aware of and has the chance to discuss questions about visas, residence permits,
her/his legal status as a participant, insurance, the agreement under European
Solidarity Corps, and the documents in the Info-Kit;
▪ has received information about adapting to a foreign working environment, rights
and obligations, useful contacts to help with his/her settlement, etc.;
▪ knows the insurance and claims management systems (insurance documentation
and procedures), and is fully aware that using the European Health Insurance Card
when possible is mandatory;
On-arrival training ▪ knows what support is available from the National Agency, SALTO and EACEA;
▪ has received information on the host country's history, political and social situation,
on key aspects of the host culture and on how to get involved in the local
community;
▪ is aware of how to deal with cultural differences and with conflicts;
▪ is familiar with the role of each participating organisation in the activity and knows
her/his own rights and responsibilities;
▪ is informed about the environmentally sustainable behaviour that the Programme
promotes;
▪ has the chance to meet and network with other participants;
▪ receives basic information about the European Union and its policies and
programmes in the field of youth;
▪ learns about the objectives and principles of the European Solidarity Corps;
▪ knows the meaning of being a European Solidarity Corps participant;

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▪ understands the importance and usefulness of getting recognition for the

individual learning outcomes, in particular through EU level tools such as Youthpass
and Europass;
▪ has identified clear learning goals and ideas for his/her activity.
When needed, support should be offered to participants following the Online Linguistic
Support for taking language assessments and courses.

Mid-term evaluations will vary according to national conditions, realities and training
practices. Nevertheless, by the end of the evaluation, each participant should have:
▪ personally assessed his/her activity so far and reflected on its scope of activities;
▪ shared personal experiences (learning new skills and competences, being part of
community life, living within a different culture, using the language);
▪ identified problems, difficulties, conflicts faced or about to be faced and
Mid-term evaluation consequently received satisfying support and clues on the ‘next steps’ to solve
these problems;
▪ worked on developing/improving the activities he/she is involved in;
▪ received information and guidance on opportunities he/she could be involved in
after the period of activity;
▪ understood how to use EU level recognition tools, such as Youthpass and Europass,
to identify and document individual learning outcomes;
▪ received information about the Participant Report to be filled in.

Events will vary according to national conditions, realities and practices. Nevertheless, by the
end of the event, each participant who has finished their activity during the past year should
have evaluated their experience in terms of:
▪ the cooperation between the participant and the participating organisations, and
the personal support and supervision received;
▪ their personal contribution to the activity;
▪ the overall pedagogical approach and their own learning achievements (personal,
professional, social), including being aware of their personal capacities and skills
and (if relevant) having finalised their Youthpass and Europass;
▪ their increased knowledge about Europe, changes in their attitude towards Europe
Annual event and their greater understanding of diversity;
▪ having shared their experience with peers.
Moreover, the event may be:
▪ a chance for potential participants and participating organisations to meet
experienced participants, including participants having implemented Solidarity
Projects;
▪ an opportunity to promote the European Solidarity Corps and its impact through
contacts with stakeholders, decision-makers and the media;
▪ a networking event to explore and develop new projects and other ways of using
their experiences;
▪ a showcase for successful projects;
▪ a celebration of solidarity and a step towards the reinforcement of the European
Solidarity Corps community.

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TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE FOR ORGANISATIONS – HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Training and Evaluation Cycle for organisations consists of the following:
▪ training for organisations holding the Quality Label, including for Humanitarian Aid volunteering, with emphasis on
newcomer organisations and staff;
▪ an annual event for organisations holding the Quality Label, including for Humanitarian Aid volunteering.
National Agencies are responsible for organising such trainings for all organisations holding a Quality Label in their country.
For organisations in third countries not associated to the Programme, the relevant SALTOs are the ones in charge. For
organisations involved in Humanitarian Aid volunteering, EACEA is responsible for organising such trainings. NAs/SALTOs may
decide not to organise such trainings if other instruments are in place to ensure monitoring and quality implementation.
National Agencies / SALTOs can opt to subcontract all or some of the sessions. However, the NAs/SALTOs should remain
involved in the sessions as much as possible and keep regular contact with the trainers.
Organisations holding a Quality Label are recommended to attend these sessions.

TRAINING FOR ORGANISATIONS HOLDING THE EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS QUALITY LABEL
In order for the project to be successful and the experiences to be positive and enriching for all actors involved, organisations
participating in the European Solidarity Corps which have been awarded a Quality Label need to have a thorough
understanding of the core values and features of the Corps. During the training, these organisations will focus on the elements
needed for a successful experience and reflections on how their project should be thought through and developed.
The training should:
▪ ensure understanding of each organisation's roles and responsibilities;
▪ give appropriate practical and technical information on the project management;
▪ raise awareness on the important features of the programme such as specific support for young people with fewer
opportunities, EU level recognition tools such as Youthpass and Europass, Online Language Support, role of the
mentor, etc.;
▪ provide necessary support and tools to develop and carry out qualitative mentorship;
▪ support organisations in developing qualitative projects (selection of partners and participants, development of
the tasks of the participants, crisis management, dissemination, etc.);
▪ provide networking and partner-building opportunities for organisations.

ANNUAL EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS EVENT

This yearly event should gather representatives of all European Solidarity Corps organisations holding a Quality Label with the
aim of sharing experiences, ideas and practices, showcasing success stories, and developing and reinforcing networks /
partner building. The event is also the opportunity to remind the core values and features of the programme. It will,
additionally, allow assessing the difficulties encountered by organisations and the reasons of inactivity of some Quality
Labelled organisations. This event can be combined with the Annual European Solidarity Corps event for participants.

TRAINING AND EVALUATION CYCLE FOR MENTORS – HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Training and Evaluation Cycle for mentors is optional and consists of trainings for mentors offering support and reinforced
mentoring to participants in volunteering activities.
Trainings for mentors can be physical, virtual or include blended activities.
National Agencies and regional SALTOs are responsible for organising such trainings for mentors as needed and they can opt
to subcontract all or some of the sessions. However, the NAs/SALTOs should remain involved in the sessions as much as
possible and keep regular contact with the trainers and with the mentors.
The training should:
▪ ensure understanding of mentor’s roles and responsibilities;
▪ give appropriate practical and technical information on the programme characteristics relevant for volunteers;
▪ ensure that mentors know how to guide and provide support to the volunteers in identifying the learning acquired
during their experience;

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▪ detect wellbeing issues that are commonly encountered in the volunteering activities and support the participants
in finding help;
▪ offer guidance for reinforced mentorship for young people with fewer opportunities;
▪ provide networking opportunities for mentors.

MENTORING
MENTORING IN VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES
Personal support through mentoring should be provided to all participants in volunteering activities. Mentoring consists of
regular meetings between the mentor appointed by the host or support organisation and the participant, within as well as
outside the place where the activity takes place. The meetings should focus on the personal wellbeing of the participants and
should also guide and provide support to the volunteers in identifying the learning acquired during their experience.
Mentoring is targeted towards the individual participant and thus the content and frequency of the meetings will vary
according to the individual needs. Possible topics of mentoring meetings: personal wellbeing, wellbeing in the team,
satisfaction with the tasks, practicalities, etc.

REINFORCED MENTORSHIP
'Reinforced Mentorship' is an intensified mentoring process that might be necessary to support young people with fewer
opportunities, if they are not able to implement an activity independently or with normal mentoring or tutoring support. This
type of mentoring is applicable to volunteering activities. Reinforced Mentorship involves closer contact, more frequent
meetings and more time allocated to the implementation of tasks. This guarantees a step-by-step support of the participants
during project activities as well as outside working hours. Reinforced Mentorship enables the participants to gain as much
autonomy as possible, thus contributing to the successful implementation of the project.

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RECOGNITION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

WHAT IS RECOGNITION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES?
To support the impact of European Solidarity Corps activities on the personal, educational, social, civic and professional
development of the participants, the competences (combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes) that are the non-formal
and informal learning outcomes gained in the solidarity activities shall be identified and documented, in particular through
EU level recognition tools such as Youthpass and Europass.

FOR WHOM?
The identification and documentation of non-formal and informal learning outcomes is offered to participants (on a voluntary
basis) and participating organisations (mandatory, aif the participant requests it). This means that every young person taking
part in any European Solidarity Corps activity can benefit from a process and certificate that identifies and documents
individual learning outcomes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every young person taking part in European Solidarity Corps activities is entitled to go through the Youthpass process and
receive a Youthpass certificate at the end of the process. Youthpass identifies and documents the competences developed
during the project. It is recommended to embed the educational approach of Youthpass from the start of the project and use
it during the project activities as a tool to help participants to become more aware of, reflect on and assess their learning
process and outcomes. Depending on the nature of the recognition needs and the individual solidarity activities, other tools
can also be used such as e.g. Europass.
For more information and support on Youthpass: https://www.youthpass.eu/en/.
For more information on Europass: https://europa.eu/europass/en.

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INSURANCE
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT PARTICIPANTS’ INSURANCE?
One key aspect of the activities carried out under the European Solidarity Corps is that the participant must at all time be
under a safe environment. To guarantee that the participant in volunteering activities is covered for unforeseen circumstances,
the following areas must be covered:
▪ Medical and dental care, pregnancy and childbirth, accident and hospitalisation;
▪ Life insurance (insurance against the risk of death);
▪ Permanent disability;
▪ Third party liability
(including, wherever appropriate, professional/corporate liability of participating organisations);
▪ Travel insurance.
The European Solidarity Corps supports insurance coverage, when needed:
▪ either through the insurance provided by the European Commission (for cross-border activities);
▪ reimbursement of the costs linked to insurance (for in-country activities).

FOR CROSS-BORDER ACTIVITIES

Beneficiaries must ensure that every participant in a cross-border activity is enrolled in the insurance scheme of the European
Solidarity Corps. The European Solidarity Corps insurance scheme complements the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
71 for the coverage of necessary healthcare abroad 72or, where relevant, offers primary coverage. In particular, the European

Solidarity Corps provides insurance coverage, from the moment participants leave their residence to the host country until
their return home after finishing the activity73, as following:
• Complementary coverage from the European Solidarity Corps insurance is provided to participants who are eligible
for a European Health Insurance Card.
• Primary coverage is provided to participants who are:
- not eligible for the European Health Insurance Card;
- not eligible for the European Health Insurance Card free of charge (i.e., at no cost for the participant), or those not
entitled for reason of the national regulatory framework regarding the activities they perform or their individual
situation,
- coming from or going to a country where the EU social security coordination does not apply.
Participants in cross-border activities must be in the possession of a European Health Insurance Card before arriving to the
host country. This card gives access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the
EU Member States, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in
some countries) as people insured in these respective countries.
Information about the coverage and support available through the insurance for participants, as well as instructions for
enrolment, is available on the website of the insurance company.

FOR IN-COUNTRY ACTIVITIES

If the participant is in need of private personal insurance given the national regulatory framework, the participating
organisations must provide the participant with personal insurance, which must offer the same coverage as the coverage for
cross-border activities, in particular coverage not related to the activity for its entire duration. Should this private insurance
be needed, the organisation may use exceptional costs to fund it.
For in-country activities, the European Commission does not define a unique format of third-party liability insurance, nor does
it recommend specific insurance companies. It is it up to project organisers to seek the most suitable insurance policy
according to the type of project carried out and to the insurance formats available at national level. It is not necessary to
subscribe to a project-specific insurance, if the participants are already covered by existing insurance policies of the project
organisers.

71
For more information about the EHIC: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559
73
The insurance cover finishes for volunteers who after their volunteering activity decide not to return to their country of residence.
The insurance also covers follow-up medical treatments until 2 months after finishing the activity.

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INSURANCE PROVIDED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

FOR WHOM?
Every participant in a cross-border activity must be enrolled in the insurance scheme of the European Solidarity Corps or in
the host country’s national health system. The insurance complements the coverage of the mandatory European Health
Insurance Card and/or national social security systems or covers 100% of costs incurred in specified cases.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

For activities supported under Volunteering Projects, the beneficiary organisation is responsible for the management of its
project in the IT tool provided by the European Commission for the management of projects (Beneficiary Module). The
beneficiary must encode all information about the activity the participants are involved in. The enrolment of the participants
to the insurance scheme is done automatically through the system and based on the information input there. The enrolment
to the insurance must be done before the departure of the participants; the beneficiary must therefore input the information
in the system prior to the start of the activity (usually 2 weeks in advance). The enrolment covers the duration of the activity,
including travel days. In addition, the beneficiary is responsible for keeping the information in the beneficiary module updated,
in particular the start and end dates of the activity, venue etc. as this information is linked to the insurance coverage. For
activities supported under Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas and Humanitarian Aid Volunteering related activities,
the beneficiary organisation is responsible for enrolling the participants the participants and inserting activity data (start date,
end date, location) in the IT systems provided by the European Commission or the Executive Agency. This information will be
automatically transferred to the insurance provider74.

The insurance provides complementary coverage to the European Health Insurance Card or to any other insurance
participants may have. Participants must be in possession of their European Health Insurance Card before the departure. In
certain cases, when national rules deprive volunteers from coverage under the European Health Insurance Card for the
duration of the activity or a participant comes from or to the country where the EU social security coordination does not
apply, the insurance company will provide full coverage (see above). The insurance coverage has its own exclusions and
ceilings, and it is meant to cope with urgent and necessary care which cannot wait until the end of the activity period and the
return home of the participant.
Finally, participants and organisations should bear in mind that it is a private insurance scheme. As such, it is highly
recommended to contact the insurer before incurring a medical expense, as they will be able to provide the participant with
information on whether the claim will be reimbursed, and how.
The following flow process chart explains each possible insurance coverage. It must be noted that, regardless of the activity
and type of insurance coverage, the organisation is ultimately responsible to ensure the participant is appropriately insured.

74 Further information on the procedure to follow will be provided once the project is granted.

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EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS PORTAL

The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers European and national information and opportunities that are of interest to young
people wishing to engage in the solidarity sector. It provides a one-stop shop for both interested young people and
organisations wishing to join and to be part of the Corps. The Portal also allows young people to follow online trainings, get
access to other services and, importantly, to build a community of like-minded young people. To access the European
Solidarity Corps Portal, go to: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity .

HOW DOES IT WORK?

BRINGING TOGETHER YOUNG PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS

Young people - at least 17 years old - wishing to engage in solidarity activities register in the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers a place for those young people and organisations holding a Quality Label and
willing to implement solidarity activities to find each other. In the Portal, organisations holding a Quality Label can advertise
opportunities for volunteering activities, search for registered candidates and contact them. Registered candidates can also
look for opportunities and express their interest in them. Once the organisation and the registered candidate found each
other, the organisation sends an offer to the registered candidate.

BUILDING COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING SERVICES

The European Solidarity Corps Portal offers additional services to registered candidates. In addition to the General Online
Training on EU Academy, registered candidates can benefit from community building activities, updated information through
newsletters and other useful functionalities that are gradually being developed. Young people registered can also make use
of the mobile app, enabling them to exchange and share experiences with the other young people registered in the Corps.
They can also make a meaningful contribution to society through their engagement in the European Solidarity Network (EuSN)
or the EuroPeers network, among other networks.

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EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS YOUTH CARD

The European Solidarity Corps Youth Card for participants of the Corps (or European Volunteer Card) is a joint initiative of the
European Commission, Directorate-General Education and Culture, the Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and
the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), where a special European Volunteer Card is sent out to each young person
participating in the European Solidarity Corps.
The European Volunteer Card aims to:
▪ provide volunteers in the European Solidarity Corps the opportunity to enjoy all the discounts and opportunities
available through the European Youth Card scheme in order to help them participate in local activities and integrate
them into their host communities;
▪ enable volunteers to travel and explore Europe both during and after their service. The card is valid for 18 months
independent of the length of the European Solidarity Corps experience;
▪ give young people access to the information networks of the national European Youth Cards and receive quality
youth information;
▪ support the spirit of volunteering and promote volunteering in Europe;
▪ develop a European volunteer identity and feeling part of a larger group of active young people;
▪ inform volunteers about opportunities published via the European Youth Portal;
▪ support and promote a more enriching and inclusive mobility experience for European Solidarity Corps volunteers
through youth cards;
▪ contribute to the visibility of the ESC programme and a positive image of volunteering in Europe through youth
cards.

For more information on the European Volunteer Card, visit: https://eyca.org/volunteers-card.

OTHER SUPPORT MEASURES

CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
The certificate of participation is a certificate to support the visibility of the participation in volunteering activities of the
European Solidarity Corps. At the end of their volunteering experience, participants are entitled to receive a certificate of
participation, issued in the European Solidarity Corps portal provided that the activity is finalised and that participants have
submitted their participant report.

AGREEMENTS
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PROJECT PARTNERS
All participating organisations involved in a European Solidarity Corps project are strongly recommended to sign an internal
agreement between them. Such an agreement has the purpose of clearly defining responsibilities, tasks and financial
contribution for all parties involved in the activities. It is up to the participating organisations to jointly decide on how the EU
grant will be distributed and which costs it will cover.
An internal agreement constitutes a key instrument for ensuring a solid and smooth cooperation among partners in a solidarity
activity as well as to avoid or manage potential conflicts. Indicatively, it should contain at least the following information:
▪ reference of the grant agreement between the applicant participating organisation and the granting authority;
▪ names and contacts of all the participating organisations involved in the activities;
▪ role and responsibilities of each participating organisation; division of the EU grant;
▪ modalities of payments and budget transfers among participating organisations.
Although this practice is strongly recommended to safeguard the interests of each partner, such an agreement remains an
internal document among partners; it will not be requested by the granting authority.

AGREEMENTS WITH PARTICIPANTS

Prior to their departure, each young person participating in individual or team volunteering activities supported by the
European Solidarity Corps must sign a volunteering agreement using the template provided by the European Commission that
includes at least the following provisions:

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▪ the rights and obligations of the parties to that agreement, the duration and location of deployment and a
description of the tasks involved.
▪ reference to the terms of the participants’ insurance
▪ financial contribution from the Corps;
▪ tasks to be carried out during the activity;
▪ where appropriate, reference to the relevant clearance requirements, in accordance with applicable national law.

VISAS AND RESIDENCE PERMITS

Participants in European Solidarity Corps projects may need to obtain a visa for staying abroad in the EU Member States and
third countries not associated to the Programme hosting the activity. It is a responsibility of all the participating organisations
to ensure that the authorisations required (short or long-term stay visas or residence permits) are in order before the planned
activity takes place. It is strongly recommended that the authorisations are requested from the competent authorities well in
advance, since the process may take several weeks. National Agencies and the Executive Agency may give further advice and
support concerning visas, residence permits, social security, etc. The EU Immigration Portal contains general information on
visa and residence permits, for both short-term and long-term stays:
https://immigration-portal.ec.europa.eu/index_en.

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 Part E – Information for Applicants

PART E - INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

All potential applicants (including groups of young people in the case of solidarity projects assimilated here below to
‘organisations’) that intend to submit a project proposal in order to receive financial support from the EU or a Quality Label
under the European Solidarity Corps are invited to read carefully this section which is drafted in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024
applicable to the general budget of the European Union75 (hereinafter "Financial Regulation" or “FR”).
All the contractual and financial provisions that apply to the grants awarded are presented in the model grant agreements,
which are made available for projects implemented by the Executive Agency (EACEA) in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal76
and for projects implemented by the National Agencies on the website of the relevant National Agency 77. In case of
discrepancies with the information presented in this Guide, provisions of the model grant agreements prevail on those of Part
E of this Guide. Many of the steps described and information provided in this part are also relevant for organisations wishing
to apply for Quality Label.
Individuals are not entitled to submit project proposals in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps, except for
individuals applying on behalf of a group of (at least five) young people wishing to carry out a Solidarity Project (hereafter
defined as "Groups of young people").

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION?

To submit a European Solidarity Corps project application, applicants must follow the four steps described below:
1) Registration. Each applicant must be registered as follows:

a. For actions managed by the Executive Agency, applicants, affiliated entities, and associated partners must
register in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and receive a Participant Identification Code (PIC)78.
Organisations/groups that have already obtained a PIC through their participation in other EU programmes do
not need to register again. The PIC obtained from this previous registration is valid also for applying under the
European Solidarity Corps;

b. For actions managed by National Agencies, organisations/groups of young people involved in the application
must register through the Organisation Registration system for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps 79 and
receive an Organisation ID. Organisations/groups of young people that have already obtained such an
identification code do not need to register again;

2) Check the compliance with the criteria for the relevant Action;
3) Check the financial conditions (only applicable to requests for funding, not relevant for Quality Label);
4) Fill in and submit the application form.

STEP 1: REGISTER THE ORGANISATION

Organisations/groups of young people involved in any application must be registered and provide their basic legal and financial
data in either the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps platform for projects submitted to National Agencies or in the
Participant Register Portal for projects submitted at the Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
Once the registration is completed, the organisation/group will obtain an organisation ID (if applications are submitted to the
NA) and a participant identification code (PIC) (if applications are submitted to EACEA). This code, which is an identifier and
is necessary for the submission of applications, enables the organisation/group to fill-in the online application forms in a
simpler manner (i.e. by inserting the code in the form, all the information provided by the organisation/group at registration
stage will be automatically displayed in the form).
Please note that organisations/groups of young people that have already participated in an Erasmus+ and European Solidarity

75
Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general
budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.0.2024. The EU Financial Regulation can be found at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202402509
76 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
77 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/contacts/national-agencies?facets__permanent%7Cfield_eac_topics=1964

78 PIC is a mandatory information in the application form.

79 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc

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Corps actions and holding a PIC do not need to register again to apply at decentralised level. An organisation ID was
automatically assigned and can be found by using the search on the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps platform.

WHERE TO REGISTER?
For actions managed by the National Agencies, to register in the Organisation Registration system of Erasmus+ and European
Solidarity Corps, the person representing an organisation (or a group of young people) must carry out the following steps:

▪ Create an EU Login account (unless the person representing the organisation/entities which do not have legal
personality already has an account). New EU Login accounts can be created via the following website:
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/cas/;
▪ Access the Organisation Registration system for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps at
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc and register on behalf of the organisation/group they represent.
The organisation or group of young people need to register only once. Once the registration is completed, the
organisation/group of young people will obtain an Organisation ID.
For Actions managed by the Executive Agency, to register in the Electronic Submission System of the EU Funding & Tenders
Portal, the person representing an organisation must carry out the following steps:
▪ Create a user account, the so-called EU Login account (unless the person representing the organisation already
has an account). New EU Login accounts can be created via the following website:
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/cas/;
▪ Access the EU Funding & Tenders Portal at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home and register on behalf of the organisation. Guidance and Frequently
Asked Questions are available on the portal.

The organisation needs to register only once. Once the registration is completed, the organisation will obtain a PIC 80.

PROOF OF LEGAL STATUS AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY

As part of the registration process, applicants must upload the following documents:
▪ Legal Entity form (to be downloaded from the European Commission’s website at:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/legal-entities_en);

▪ Financial Identification form (to be downloaded from the European Commission’s website at:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/financial-identification_en). Please fill in the form relating to the country
in which the bank is located, even if the applicant organisation is officially registered in another country. The
Financial Identification form should be provided only for the applicant organisation but is not required for the
partner organisations.
For grants exceeding EUR 60 000, applicants may need to upload specific documents to give proof of their financial capacity.
For more details, see the section “Selection Criteria” below.

STEP 2: CHECK THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA

When developing their project and before applying for EU support, participating organisations / groups of young people must
verify that the project respects the following criteria: admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, selection, and award.

ADMISSIBILITY CRITERIA
Applications must be sent no later than the deadline for submitting applications as indicated in the call.
The applications must be readable and accessible.
Applications must be complete containing all parts and mandatory annexes. Only clerical errors can be corrected after the
submission deadline upon request of the managing agency for duly justified cases.
For Actions managed by the National Agencies, applications must be submitted electronically via the forms available on the
website of the European Commission and the websites of the National Agencies.
For Actions managed by the Executive Agency, applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders
Portal. Applications (including annexes and supporting documents) must be submitted using the forms provided in the

80 PIC is a mandatory information in the application form.

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Submission System.
Applications are limited to 40 pages for calls for low value grants (EUR 60 000 or below); 70 pages for all other calls. Number
of pages for Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid application is limited to 40 pages. Evaluators will not consider any additional
pages.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The eligibility criteria are used to determine whether the applicant is allowed to participate in a call for proposals and to
submit a proposal for an action. They apply to the applicants and to the projects/activities for which the grant is requested:
(e.g. profile, number of participating organisations involved, type of project or/and activities, duration of the activities, profile
and/or the number of participants involved).
To be eligible, the activities and projects must meet all the eligibility criteria relating to the Action and activities under which
the proposal is submitted. If the application does not meet these criteria at application stage, it will be rejected without being
further evaluated. If it appears at implementation or final report stage that these criteria have not been fulfilled, the activities
may be considered ineligible with a consequent recovery of the EU grant initially awarded to the project.
The eligibility criteria applying to each of the Actions are described in Part B and C of the Guide.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA
In accordance with Article 137(2) of the Financial Regulation, in direct and indirect management, the early detection and
exclusion system shall apply to:
a) participants and recipients;
b) entities on whose capacity the candidate or tenderer intends to rely on or subcontractors of a contractor;
c) any person or entity receiving Union funds where the budget is implemented pursuant to Article 62(1), first
subparagraph, point (c), and to Article 157(4) on the basis of information notified in accordance with Article 158(7);
d) guarantors;
e) sponsors as referred to in Article 26;
f) beneficial owners and any affiliate of the excluded entity as referred to in Article 138(6);
g) natural persons as referred to in Article 138(5), first subparagraph, points (a) to (c).
This is without prejudice to Article 157(7) and the rules laid down in contribution agreements, in the case of persons or entities
receiving Union funds where the budget is implemented pursuant to Article 62(1), first subparagraph, point (c).
In accordance with Article 138 of the Financial Regulation, the authorising officer responsible shall exclude a person or entity
referred to above from participating in award procedures under the European Solidarity Corps or from implementing Union
funds where that person or entity is in one of the following exclusion situations:
a) the person or entity is bankrupt, subject to insolvency or winding-up procedures, its assets are being administered by a
liquidator or by a court, it is in an arrangement with creditors, its business activities are suspended, or it is in any analogous
situation arising from a similar procedure provided for under Union or national law;
b) it has been established by a final judgement or a final administrative decision that the person or entity is in breach of its
obligations relating to the payment of taxes or social security contributions in accordance with the applicable law;
c) it has been established by a final judgement or a final administrative decision that the person or entity is guilty of grave
professional misconduct by having violated applicable laws or regulations or ethical standards of the profession to which
the applicant belongs, or by having engaged in any wrongful conduct which has an impact on its professional credibility
where such conduct denotes wrongful intent or gross negligence, including, in particular, any of the following:
(i) fraudulently or negligently misrepresenting information required for the verification of the absence of grounds
for exclusion or the fulfilment of eligibility or selection criteria or in the performance of the legal commitment;
(ii) entering into agreement with other persons or entities with the aim of distorting competition;
(iii) violating intellectual property rights;
(iv) unduly influencing or attempting to unduly influence the decision-making process to obtain Union funds by
taking advantage, through misrepresentation, of a conflict of interest involving any financial actors or other
persons, referred to in Article 61(1) of the Financial Regulation;
(v) attempting to obtain confidential information that may confer upon it undue advantages in the award
procedure;
(vi) incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence against a group of persons or a member of a group or similar

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activities that are contrary to the values on which the Union is founded enshrined in Article 2 TEU, where such
misconduct has an impact on the person or entity’s integrity which negatively affects or concretely risks affecting
the performance of the legal commitment;
d) it has been established by a final judgement that the person or entity is guilty of any of the following:
(i) fraud, within the meaning of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the
Council81 and Article 1 of the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests,
drawn up by the Council Act of 26 July 199582;
(ii) corruption, as defined in Article 4(2) of Directive (EU) 2017/1371 or active corruption within the meaning of
Article 3 of the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or
officials of Member States of the European Union, drawn up by the Council Act of 26 May 199783, or conduct
referred to in Article 2(1) of Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA84, or corruption as defined in other
applicable laws;
(iii) conduct related to a criminal organisation as referred to in Article 2 of Council Framework Decision
2008/841/JHA85;
(iv) money laundering or terrorist financing within the meaning of Article 1(3), (4) and (5) of Directive (EU) 2015/849
of the European Parliament and of the Council86;
(v) terrorist offences or offences related to terrorist activities as defined in Articles 1 and 3 of Council Framework
Decision 2002/475/JHA87, respectively, or inciting, aiding, abetting or attempting to commit such offences, as
referred to in Article 4 of that Decision;
(vi) child labour or other offences concerning trafficking in human beings as referred to in Article 2 of
Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council88;
e) the person or entity has shown significant deficiencies in complying with main obligations in the implementation of a legal
commitment financed by the budget which has:
(i) led to the early termination of the legal commitment;
(ii) led to the application of liquidated damages or other contractual penalties; or;
(iii) been discovered by an authorising officer, OLAF or the Court of Auditors following checks, audits or
investigations;
f) it has been established by a final judgment or final administrative decision that the person or entity has committed an
irregularity within the meaning of Article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/9589;
g) it has been established by a final judgment or final administrative decision that the person or entity has created an entity
in a different jurisdiction with the intent to circumvent fiscal, social or any other legal obligations in the jurisdiction of its
registered office, central administration or principal place of business;
h) it has been established by a final judgment or final administrative decision that an entity has been created with the intent
referred to in point (g).
(i) the entity or person has intentionally and without proper justification resisted an investigation, check or audit carried out
by an authorising officer or its representative or auditor, OLAF, the EPPO, or the Court of Auditors. It shall be considered
that the person or entity resists an investigation, check or audit when it carries out actions with the goal or effect of
preventing, hindering or delaying the conduct of any of the activities needed to perform the investigation, check or audit.
Such actions shall include in particular, the refusal to grant the necessary access to its premises or any other areas used
for business purposes, concealing or refusing to disclose information or providing false information.
In the absence of a final judgement or, where applicable, a final administrative decision, in the cases referred to in points (c)
to (h) above, the authorising officer responsible shall exclude a person or entity on the basis of a preliminary classification in
law of a conduct as referred in those points, having regard to established facts or other findings contained in a
recommendation of the panel referred to in Article 145 FR.

81
Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of
criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29).
82
OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 48.
83
OJ C 195, 25.6.1997, p. 1.
84
Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA of 22 July 2003 on combating corruption in the private sector (OJ L 192, 31.7.2003, p. 54).
85
Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA of 24 October 2008 on the fight against organised crime (OJ L 300, 11.11.2008, p. 42).
86
Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the fina ncial system for the purposes
of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive
2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directive 2006/70/EC (OJ L 141, 5.6.2015, p. 73).
87 Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism (OJ L 164, 22.6.2002, p. 3).
88
Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting
its victims and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA (OJ L 101, 15.4.2011, p. 1).
89
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995,
p. 1).

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The facts and findings referred above shall include in particular:

(a) facts established in the context of audits or investigations carried out by EPPO, in respect of those Member
States participating in enhanced cooperation pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the Court of Auditors,
OLAF or the internal auditor, or any other check, audit or control performed under the responsibility of the
authorising officer of an EU institution, of a European office or of an EU agency or body;
(b) non-final administrative decisions which may include disciplinary measures taken by the competent supervisory
body responsible for the verification of the application of standards of professional ethics;
(c) facts referred to in decisions of persons and entities implementing Union funds pursuant to Article 62(1), first
subparagraph, point (c);
(d) decisions of the Commission relating to the infringement of Union competition law or of a national competent
authority relating to the infringement of Union or national competition law.
The authorising officer responsible shall exclude a person or entity referred to in Article 135(2) FR where:
(a) a natural or legal person who is a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the person
or entity referred to in Article 137(2) FR (see also above), or who has powers of representation, decision or
control with regard to that person or entity, is in one or more of the situations referred to in points (c) to (i)
above;
(b) a natural or legal person that assumes unlimited liability for the debts of the applicant referred to in
Article 135(2) is in one or more of the situations referred to in point (a) or (b) above;
(c) a natural person who is essential for the award or for the implementation of the legal commitment is in one or
more of the situations referred to in points (c) to (h) above.
In the cases referred to in Article 138(3), the authorising officer responsible may exclude a person or entity provisionally
without the recommendation of the panel referred to in Article 145 FR, where their participation in an award procedure or
their selection for implementing Union funds would constitute a serious and imminent threat to the financial interest of the
Union. In such cases, the authorising officer responsible shall immediately refer the case to the panel referred to in Article
145 FR and shall take a final decision no later than 14 days after having received the recommendation of the panel.
The authorising officer responsible, having regard, where applicable, to the recommendation of the panel referred to in Article
145, shall not exclude a person or entity referred to in Article 137(2) from participating in an award procedure or from being
selected for implementing Union funds where:
(a) the person or entity has taken remedial measures, as specified in Article 138(10) FR to an extent that is sufficient
to demonstrate its reliability. This point shall not apply in the case referred to in Article 138(1) point (d);
(b) it is indispensable to ensure the continuity of service, for a limited duration and pending the adoption of remedial
measures mentioned in Article 138(7) FR;
(c) such an exclusion would be disproportionate based on the criteria referred to in Article 138(3) FR.
If the action is implemented by an applicant who has affiliated entities, they need to comply as well with the same exclusion
criteria as the lead applicant.
The authorising officer responsible shall reject from an award procedure an applicant who:
(a) is in an exclusion situation established in accordance with Article 138;
(b) has misrepresented the information required as a condition for participating in the procedure or has failed to supply
that information;
(c) was previously involved in the preparation of documents used in the award procedure where this entails a breach of
the principle of equality of treatment, including distortion of competition, that cannot be remedied otherwise.

The National or Executive Agency may publish on their website the following information related to the exclusion and, where
applicable, the financial penalty in the cases referred to in points (c) to (i) of paragraph 1 above:
(a) the name of the person or entity concerned;
(b) the exclusion situation;
(c) the duration of the exclusion and/or the amount of the financial penalty.
These exclusion criteria apply to applicants under all Actions of the European Solidarity Corps Programme.
In line with Article 199(1)(b) FR, the grant application shall contain a declaration on the applicant’s honour in accordance with
Article 139(1) FR (Declaration and evidence of absence of an exclusion situation) and on compliance with the eligibility (see
above) and selection criteria (see below).In case of proposals submitted on behalf of a consortium, the exclusion criteria
described above apply to all participating members involved in the project.

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In accordance with Articles 137(4) and 140 FR, financial penalties may be imposed on a recipient of EU funds with whom a
contract or an agreement has been entered into and who is in an exclusion situation as referred to in Article 138(1), points (c)
to (i).
Furthermore, the Commission considers that for the implementation of Actions covered by this Guide, the following
organisations are or could be in a situation of conflict of interest and therefore are or could be ineligible to participate:
▪ National Authorities in charge of supervising National Agencies and the implementation of the European Solidarity
Corps Programme in their country cannot apply or participate in any Action managed by National Agencies in any
country, but may apply for participation (as applicants or partners) in Actions managed by the Executive Agency or
by DG EAC unless that is explicitly excluded for the Action concerned (as indicated in Part B of the Guide);
▪ National Agencies (sole activity of their legal entity) or National Agencies departments of legal entities dealing with
activities outside the remit of National Agencies cannot apply or participate in any Action implemented through
this Guide;
▪ Structures and networks identified or designated in the European Solidarity Corps Regulation or in any Annual
Commission Work programme adopted for the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps for specifically
receiving a financial contribution from the Commission under the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps,
which are hosted by the legal entity that also hosts the National Agency, cannot apply or participate in any Action
managed by National Agencies in any country, but may apply for participation (as applicants or partners) in Actions
managed by the Executive Agency or by DG EAC unless that is explicitly excluded for the Action concerned (as
indicated in Part B of the Guide); they should be able to demonstrate, before being awarded a grant or a contract,
that they are not in a conflict of interest either because precautionary measures are taken by them or because
their internal organisation is such that there is a clear separation of interests. Furthermore, costs and revenues of
each action or activity for which the EU funds are awarded must be identified. The decision for admitting there is
sufficient assurance they are not in an actual conflict of interest is taken by the Executive Agency or by DG EAC,
under their own responsibility and accountability, to which they apply;
▪ Legal entities hosting the National Agencies but dealing with other activities inside or outside the remit of the
European Solidarity Corps, as well as entities affiliated to these legal entities, cannot apply or participate in any
Action managed by National Agencies in any country, but may in principle apply for participation in Actions
managed by the Executive Agency or DG EAC unless that is explicitly excluded for the Action concerned (as indicated
in Part B of the Guide). However, they have to demonstrate, before being awarded a grant or a contract, they are
not in a conflict of interest either because precautionary measures are taken by them or because their internal
organisation is such that there is a clear separation of interests. (e.g. a minimum separation of accounts, separation
of reporting and decision-making lines, measures to prevent access to privileged information). Furthermore, the
costs and revenues of each action or activity for which the EU funds are awarded must be identified. The decision
for admitting there is sufficient assurance they are not in an actual conflict of interest is taken by the Institution,
under their own responsibility and accountability, to which they apply.

EU restrictive measures
Special rules apply for certain entities (e.g. entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the
European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) 90). Such entities are not eligible to
participate in any capacity, including as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, subcontractors, or recipients of
financial support to third parties (if any).

SELECTION CRITERIA
Through the selection criteria, the National or Executive Agency assess the applicant’s financial and operational capacity to
complete the proposed project. Regardless of the requested grant amount, the relevant agency may request that the applicant
submit additional documents and information in line with the provisions below.

FINANCIAL CAPACITY
Financial capacity means that the applicant has stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain its activity throughout the
period during which the grant is awarded and to participate in its funding.
The verification of the financial capacity will normally be done for all beneficiaries, except:
▪ natural persons in receipt of education support;
▪ public bodies, including Member States organisations;
▪ international organisations;
▪ persons or entities applying for interest rate rebates and guarantee fee subsidies where the objective of those
rebates and subsidies is to reinforce the financial capacity of a beneficiary or to generate an income;

90 Please note that the EU Official Journal contains the official list and, in case of conflict, its content prevails over that of the EU Sanctions Map
(https://www.sanctionsmap.eu).

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▪ public legal entities, institutions and organisations in the fields of education and training, youth and sport that have
received over 50% of their annual revenue from public sources over the last two years 91;
▪ international organisations;
▪ if the project grant requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000.
In case of EU grant requests not exceeding EUR 60 000 and submitted by other types of organisations than those mentioned
above, applicants must provide a declaration on honour certifying that they have the financial capacity to implement the
project. This declaration on honour constitutes a specific section of the application form. The relevant agency may request
that the applicant submit additional documents and information.
In case of EU grant requests exceeding EUR 60 000 and submitted by other types of organisations than those mentioned
above, the applicant must submit, in addition to the declaration on honour, the following documents through the EU Funding
& Tenders Portal (Participant Register – “Financial capacity” tab / Organisation Registration System:
▪ the applicant’s profit and loss account;
▪ the balance sheet;
▪ other documents, if requested.
Where the application concerns grants for a project for which the amount exceeds 750 000 EUR, in addition to the above, an
audit report produced by an approved external auditor may be requested where available, and always in cases where a
statutory audit is required by Union or national law, certifying the accounts for up to the last three available financial years.
In all other cases, the applicant shall provide a self-declaration signed by its authorised representative certifying the validity
of its accounts for up to the last three available financial years.
For entities which cannot provide the above documents because they are newly created, an estimated financial data/ financial
declaration or an insurance declaration stating the applicant's financial risks may replace the above documents.

For Actions managed by the Executive Agency: Please also refer to the “Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment
and Financial Capacity Assessment”92.

In case of a proposal submitted on behalf of a consortium of partners, should the Executive Agency have doubts on the
financial capacity of the consortium, it should carry out a risk assessment based on which the same documents as indicated
above may be requested from the participating organisations. This is applicable regardless the granted amount.
Organisations must upload these documents on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (Participant Register – “Financial capacity”-
tab) / Organisation Registration System either at the time of their registration (see section "Step1: Register the organisation"
above), by the deadline stipulated by the specific Action or when contacted by the EU validation services requesting the
applicant to provide the necessary supporting documents. In case of Actions managed directly by the Executive Agency, this
request will be sent via the messaging system embedded in the respective system.
If, following the analysis of the documents indicated above, the National or Executive Agency conclude that the required
financial capacity is weak, they may:
▪ ask for further information;
▪ decide to give a pre-financing covered by (one or more) a bank guarantee;
▪ decide not to give pre-financing or give a reduced pre-financing;
▪ decide to give a pre-financing paid in several instalments;
▪ require an enhanced financial responsibility regime, i.e. joint and several responsibility for all beneficiaries or joint
and several liability of affiliated entities
If the financial capacity is insufficient, the National or Executive Agency shall reject the application.

OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
Operational capacity means that the applicant has the necessary professional competencies and qualifications to carry out
the proposed project. Applicants must have the knowledge, qualifications and resources to successfully implement the
projects and contribute their share (including sufficient experience in projects of comparable size and nature).
The authorising officer responsible may, depending on a risk assessment, waive the obligation to verify the operational
capacity of public bodies, Member State organisations or international organisations.
For Actions managed by the National Agencies, applicants must provide a declaration on honour certifying that they have
the operational capacity to implement the project. In the case of the Quality Label, the operational capacity will be assessed
according to the relevant questions of the form. In addition, if required in the application form and if the grant exceeds
EUR 60 000, applicants may be asked to submit the curriculum vitae (CVs) of the key persons involved in the project to
demonstrate their relevant professional experience or other supporting documents such as:
▪ A list of relevant publications of the main team;

91 National, European or other project grants shall not be considered public funds for the purposes of the financial capacity check.
92 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/rules-lev-lear-fca_en.pdf

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▪ An exhaustive list of previous projects and activities performed and connected to the policy field or to this specific
Action.
In addition, applicants under the Strand “Participation of young people in solidarity activities” for Quality Label for lead
organisation must have at least one year of experience implementing activities making them eligible as applicants. Experience
preceding mergers or similar structural changes of public entities will be taken into account as relevant experience in the
meaning of this provision.
The above condition will be verified based on the application (including information about the applicant’s past participation
in the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ and/or European Solidarity Corps programme) and the documents submitted in the Organisation
Registration System. Applicants that do not complete the information requested in the application form or fail to provide
additional information requested by the National Agency in a timely manner may be rejected. The National Agency may ask
for additional supporting documents to verify the information included in the application.
For Actions managed by the Executive Agency, the operational capacity will be assessed in parallel with the ‘Quality’ award
criterion on the basis of the competence and experience of the applicants and their project teams, including operational
resources (human, technical and other) or, exceptionally, the measures proposed to obtain it by the time the task
implementation starts.
The applicants are considered to have sufficient operational capacity when the requirements referring to the operational
capacity set in the present call for proposals are met.
Applicants will have to show their capacity via the following information in the Application Form:
▪ general profiles (qualifications and experiences) of the staff responsible for managing and implementing the
project;
▪ description of the consortium composition;
▪ list of EU-funded projects for the last 4 years.
The National Agency or the Executive Agency may ask for additional supporting documents to verify the information included
in the application.

AWARD CRITERIA
The award criteria allow the National or Executive Agency to:
▪ evaluate the quality of the project/accreditation proposals submitted in light of the objectives and priorities set in
framework of the European Solidarity Corps and of the expected results;
▪ award grants/accreditations to projects which maximise the overall effectiveness of the Union funding;
▪ evaluate the grant/accreditation applications.
For Solidarity Projects and Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas, proposals that pass the individual quality thresholds and
the overall quality threshold will be considered for funding, within the limits of the available budget. The rest of the proposals
will be put on reserve list, if additional budget becomes available (where applicable), or rejected.
The award criteria applying to each of the Actions implemented through this Guide are described in Part B and C of this Guide.

STEP 3: CHECK THE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

FORMS OF GRANT
The grant may take the following forms93:
▪ reimbursement of a percentage of the reimbursable costs actually incurred: e.g. the exceptional costs to cover visa
related costs;
▪ reimbursement based on unit costs, which cover certain specific categories of eligible costs which are clearly
identified in advance by reference to an amount per unit: e.g. the organisational support for volunteering projects;

This type of grant helps applicants to easily calculate the requested grant amount and facilitate a realistic financial planning
of the project. To know which type of grant is applied to each funding item under each European Solidarity Corps activity
covered by this Guide, please see the column "financing mechanism" in the "eligible costs and applicable funding rules" tables.

93 Decision authorising the use of lump sums, unit costs and flat-rate financing for volunteering and solidarity projects actions under the European Solidarity
Corps: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/organisations/reference-documents-resources_en

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PRINCIPLES APPLYING TO EU GRANTS

NON-RETROACTIVITY
No EU grant may be awarded retroactively for projects already completed.
An EU grant may be awarded for a project which has already begun only where the applicant can demonstrate the need to
start the project before the grant agreement has been signed. In such cases, the costs eligible for financing must not have
been incurred prior to the date of submission of the grant application94.
If the applicant starts implementing the project before the grant agreement is signed, this is done at the risk of the applicant.

MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS
For Actions managed by the National Agencies, in case of multiple submissions of the same application by the same applicant
organisation to different Agencies, all applications will be rejected. Should almost identical or similar applications be
submitted by the same or different applicant organisations to the same or different Agencies, they will all be subject to a
specific assessment and may all be rejected.
For Actions managed by the Executive Agency, applicants may submit more than one proposal for different projects under
the same call (and be awarded a funding for them). Organisations may participate in several proposals. BUT: if there are
several proposals for very similar projects, only one proposal will be accepted and evaluated; the applicants will be asked to
withdraw the others (or it will be rejected).
Proposals may be changed and re-submitted until the deadline for submission.

ORIGINAL CONTENT AND AUTHORSHIP

All applications for projects and the Quality Label must contain original content authored by the applicant(s) or other
organisations jointly applying for a grant. No other organisations or external individuals can be paid for drafting the
application. If considering the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for the preparation of the application,
applicants should be conscious of the potential of plagiarism and should exercise careful consideration to ensure the
application’s appropriateness and accuracy, its compliance with intellectual property regulations, as well as its original
content. The National Agency may reject the applicant from the selection process or terminate an awarded project/withdraw
an awarded Quality Label at any time if it determines that these rules have not been complied with.

NON-CUMULATIVE AWARD
Each project/activity may give rise to the award of only one grant from the budget to any one beneficiary. In no circumstances
shall the same costs be financed twice by the Union budget.
To avoid the risk of double-funding, the applicant must indicate in the declaration on honour included in the application form,
whether for the same project they have received or plan to receive an EU grant, including EU operating grants.

NO-PROFIT
A grant financed from the Union budget must not have the purpose or effect of producing a profit within the framework of
the project carried out by the beneficiary. Profit is defined as surplus calculated at the payment of the balance, of receipts
over the eligible costs of the action, where receipts are limited to the Union grant and the revenue generated by that action 95.
The no-profit principle does not apply to grants provided in the form of a unit cost, a lump sum or a flat-rate financing, to
actions implemented by non-profit organisations, neither to grant requests that do not exceed EUR 60 000.
Where a profit is made, the Commission shall be entitled to recover the percentage of the profit corresponding to the Union
contribution to the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary in carrying out the action.
For the purpose of calculating the profit generated by the grant, co-financing in the form of contributions in kind will not be
taken into account.

CO-FINANCING
Grants shall involve co-financing. As a result, the resources necessary to carry out the action shall not be provided entirely by

94 Exceptionally and in accordance with the legal basis, costs may be eligible for financing if they have been incurred prior to the date of submission of the grant
application, if so, indicated in the Financing Decision.
95 To this aim, the receipts are limited to income generated by the project. The profit (or the loss) as defined above is then the difference between:

the provisionally accepted amount of the grant and the income generated by the action, and the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary.
In addition, whenever a profit is made, it will be recovered. The National Agency or Executive Agency are entitled to recover the percentage of the profit
corresponding to the Union contribution to the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary to carry out the action. Further clarifications on the calculation
of the profit will be provided for actions for which grants take the form of reimbursement of a specified proportion of eligible costs.

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the grant. Co-financing may be provided in the form of the project beneficiary’s own resources, income generated by the
action, or financial or in-kind contributions from third parties.
When the EU grant is provided in the form of a contribution to a unit cost - this is the case for most of the Actions covered by
this Guide - the principles of no-profit and co-funding are ensured by the Commission for the Action as a whole in advance
when it defines the rates or percentages of such units, lump sums and flat-rates. The respect of the no-profit and co-financing
principles is generally assumed and therefore, applicants do not have to justify the costs incurred by the project.
However, the payment of the grant based on the reimbursement on the basis of contribution to unit costs, lump sums, or flat-
rate financing is without prejudice to the right of access to the beneficiaries’ statutory records. Where a check or audit reveals
that the generating event has not occurred (e.g. project activities not realised as approved at application stage, participants
not taking part in the activities, etc.) and an undue payment has been made to the beneficiary on a grant based on the
reimbursement on the basis of contribution to unit costs, lump sums, or flat-rate financing, the National Agency or EACEA
shall be entitled to recover up to the amount of the grant. Similarly, if the activities undertaken or the outputs produced are
of insufficient quality, the grant may be reduced partly or in full even if the activities have taken place and are eligible.
In addition, for statistical and monitoring purposes the European Commission may carry out surveys on samples of
beneficiaries aimed at quantifying the actual costs incurred in projects funded based on the reimbursement on the basis of
contribution to unit costs, lump sums, or flat-rate financing.

COST ELIGIBILITY RULES

In order to be eligible, costs and contribution must meet the eligibility conditions set in the grant agreement and as indicated
below:

ELIGIBLE COSTS

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

1. For actual/real costs:

▪ they must be actually incurred by the beneficiary;
▪ they are incurred during the period of implementation set up in the grant agreement, except for costs relating to final
reports and audit certificates which may be incurred afterwards;
▪ they must be declared under one of the budget categories set out in the grant agreement;
▪ they must be incurred in connection with the action as described in the grant agreement and necessary for its
implementation;
▪ they must be identifiable and verifiable, in particular being recorded in the account records of the beneficiary and
determined according to the applicable accounting standards of the country where the beneficiary is established and
according to the usual cost accounting practices of the beneficiary;
▪ they must comply with the requirements of applicable taxes, labour and social security;
▪ they are reasonable, justified, and comply with the principle of sound financial management, in particular regarding
economy and efficiency.

2. For contributions to unit costs:

▪ they must be declared under one of the budget categories set out in the grant agreement;
(i) the units must:
- be actually used or produced by the beneficiary in the period of implementation;
- be necessary for the implementation of the action and
(ii) the number of units must be identifiable and verifiable, preferably supported by records and documentation;

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SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

DIRECT COSTS
The eligible direct costs for the action are those costs which with due regard to the conditions of eligibility set out above, are
identifiable as specific costs directly linked to the performance of the action, and which can therefore be booked to it directly.
In addition to the direct eligible costs that will be indicated in the call for proposals the following categories of costs are also
considered eligible:

▪ costs relating to a pre-financing guarantee lodged by the beneficiary of the grant, where that guarantee is required
by the National or Executive Agency;
▪ costs relating to certificates on the financial statements and operational verification reports where such certificates
or reports are required in support of the requests for payments by the National Agency;
▪ depreciation costs, provided they are actually incurred by the beneficiary.
The beneficiary's internal accounting and auditing procedures must permit direct reconciliation of the costs and revenue
declared in respect of the project with the corresponding accounting statements and supporting documents.

VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)

Non-deductible and non-refundable value added tax (VAT) under the applicable national VAT legislation96 is eligible. The only
exception relates to activities or transactions in which states, regional and local government authorities and other public
bodies engage as public authorities97.
The VAT Directive does not apply to non-EU countries. Organisations from the countries that are not associated to the
programme can be exempted from taxes (including VAT), duties and charges, if an agreement has been signed between the
European Commission and the country not associated to the programme where the organisation is established.

INELIGIBLE COSTS
The following costs shall not be considered eligible:
▪ costs or contributions that do not comply with the conditions set in Part B of this Guide;
▪ costs related to return on capital and dividends paid by a beneficiary;
▪ debt and debt service charges;
▪ provisions for losses or debts;
▪ interest owed;
▪ currency exchange losses;
▪ bank costs charged by the beneficiary’s bank for transfers from the granting authority;
▪ excessive or reckless expenditure;
▪ deductible or refundable VAT, including VAT paid by public bodies acting as public authority (see above paragraph
on Value Added Tax);
▪ costs incurred or contributions for activities implemented during grant agreement suspension;
▪ in-kind contributions by third parties;
▪ costs declared by the beneficiary and covered by another project or work programme receiving an EU grant;
▪ costs or contributions declared by the beneficiary under other EU grants (or grants awarded by an EU Member
State, non-EU country or other body implementing the EU budget), except the following case:
if the action grant is combined with an operating grant running during the same period and the beneficiary can
demonstrate that the operating grant does not cover any (direct or indirect) costs of the action grant;
▪ costs or contributions for staff of a national (or regional/local) administration, for activities that are part of the
administration’s normal activities (i.e. not undertaken only because of the grant);
▪ costs or contributions (especially travel and subsistence) for staff or representatives of EU institutions, bodies or
agencies;
▪ in the case of renting or leasing of equipment, the cost of any buy-out option at the end of the lease or rental
period;
▪ costs of opening and operating bank accounts (including costs of transfers from/to the National Agency charged by
the bank of the beneficiary).

96
In the Member States the VAT national legislation translates the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC.
97
See article 13(1) of the Directive.

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SOURCES OF FINANCING
The applicant must indicate in the application form the contribution from sources other than the EU grant. Co-financing may
take the form, for example, of the beneficiary's own resources or financial contributions from third parties. If, at the time of
the final report and request of payment of the balance, there is evidence that there is a surplus, please refer to sections above
on No-profit and Co-financing.
Contributions in kind from third parties are not considered as a possible source of co-financing.

STEP 4: FILL IN AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FORM

To request an EU grant under the European Solidarity Corps, applicants must use the specific forms for each Action that are
available on the websites of the European Commission, of the National Agencies or of the Executive Agency (please consult
the following link: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/contacts_en).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
APPLICATION FORMS

Applicants are required to submit their application online to the appropriate National or Executive Agency using the correct
electronic form and including all requested annexes. Applications sent by post, courier service, fax or email will not be
accepted.
For actions managed by the National Agencies, applications (including annexes and supporting documents) must be
submitted electronically via the application forms available in the Opportunities section of the Erasmus+ and European
Solidarity Corps website98. For more information about the submission process, consult the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity
Corps guides available at https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/display/NAITDOC.
For actions managed by the Executive Agency, applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders
Portal to the relevant Call for proposals99. Applications (including annexes and supporting documents) must be submitted
using the forms provided in the Submission System. For more information about the submission process (including IT aspects),
consult the Online Manual available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-
2027/common/guidance/om_en.pdf
In case of projects submitted by a consortium, the coordinator submits a single application for the project on behalf of all
members.
The application must be submitted to the appropriate National or Executive Agency. In cases where the applicant has
submitted an application to another National Agency than the one in charge for the corresponding call for proposals, the
National Agency shall re-direct the application to the correct National Agency.
Applications sent by post, courier service, fax or email will not be accepted.

RESPECT THE DEADLINE

The application must be submitted by the deadline set for each Action. The deadlines for the submission of projects are
specified for each Action in Parts B and C "Eligibility Criteria" of this Guide.

Nota Bene:
For actions managed by National Agencies, irrespective of the day of the deadline, the deadline for submission of electronic
forms is always set at 12:00:00 (midday Brussels time).

For actions managed by the Executive Agency and covered in this Guide, in line with the requirements of the Commission’s
EU Funding & Tenders Portal, irrespective of the day of the deadline, the deadline for submission of proposals to the EACEA
is 17:00:00 (Brussels time).

Applicants established in countries that have a different time zone should carefully consider the time differences to avoid
rejections.

98 Please access the application forms through the Opportunities section of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps page at
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/index/.
99 Please access the application forms through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal section on Calls for proposals at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals

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GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI TOOLS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE PROPOSAL
When considering the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for the preparation of the proposal, it is imperative to
exercise caution and careful consideration. The AI-generated content should be thoroughly reviewed and validated by the
applicants to ensure its appropriateness and accuracy, as well as its compliance with intellectual property regulations.
Applicants are fully responsible for the content of the proposal (even those parts produced by the AI tool) and must be
transparent in disclosing which AI tools were used and how they were utilised.

Specifically, applicants are required to:

• Verify the accuracy, validity, and appropriateness of the content and any citations generated by the AI tool and correct any
errors or inconsistencies.
• Provide a list of sources used to generate content and citations, including those generated by the AI tool. Double-check
citations to ensure they are accurate and properly referenced.
• Be conscious of the potential for plagiarism where the AI tool may have reproduced substantial text from other sources.
Check the original sources to be sure you are not plagiarising someone else’s work.
• Acknowledge the limitations of the AI tool in the proposal preparation, including the potential for bias, errors, and gaps in
knowledge.

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WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED?

All applications received by the National Agencies or by the Executive Agency undergo an evaluation procedure.

EVALUATION PROCEDURE
Project proposals are assessed exclusively on the basis of the criteria described in this Guide.
The National or the Executive Agency will:
▪ perform a check to verify that the admissibility, eligibility, exclusion and selection criteria are respected;
▪ evaluate the extent to which the participating organisations meet the award criteria (except in the case of grant
request under Volunteering Projects). Such quality assessment is in most cases carried out with the support of
independent experts. In their assessment, experts could be supported by guidelines developed by the European
Commission; where available, these guidelines will be made available on the websites of the European Commission
and of the Agencies responsible for the management of projects;
▪ verify that the proposal does not present risks of double funding. If necessary, such verification is carried out in
cooperation with other Agencies or other stakeholders.
The National or Executive Agency will appoint an evaluation committee to manage the whole selection process. Based on the
assessment carried out by the evaluation committee – if needed with the support of experts - will select and establish a list
of projects proposed for the grant award.
For all actions covered by this Guide, during the evaluation process, applicants may be asked to provide additional information
or to clarify the supporting documents submitted in connection with the application, provided that such information or
clarification does not substantially change the proposal. Additional information and clarifications are particularly justified in
case of obvious clerical errors made by the applicant, or in those cases where – for projects funded through multi-beneficiary
agreements – one or more mandates of the partners are missing (for multi-beneficiary agreements, see section “grant
agreement below”).

FINAL DECISION
At the end of the evaluation procedure, the National or Executive Agency decides on the projects to be granted on the basis
of:
▪ the ranking list proposed by the evaluation committee (for Solidarity Projects and Volunteering Teams in High
Priority Areas);
▪ the budget available for any given Action.
After the completion of the selection procedure, the application files and accompanying material are not sent back to the
applicant, irrespective of the outcome of the procedure.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
The indicative calendar for the notification of selection results under each Action is indicated in the section "Project life-cycle
deadlines and payment modalities" below. All applicants will be informed about the evaluation result in the notification letter
on the outcome of the evaluation.
Successful applications will be invited for grant preparation; other ones will be put on the reserve list or rejected. Invitation
to grant preparation does not constitute a formal commitment for funding. The National Agency or Executive Agency will still
need to perform various legal checks before grant award: legal entity validation, financial capacity, exclusion check, etc. For
actions managed by the Executive Agency applicants will be requested to submit their organisation’s financial data and
appoint a LEAR.
If an applicant believes that the evaluation procedure was flawed, he/she can submit a complaint (following the deadlines
and procedures set out in the notification letter on the outcome of the evaluation). Complaints submitted electronically may
be subject to character limitations. For actions managed by the Executive Agency, please note that notifications which have
not been opened within 10 days after sending are considered to have been accessed and that deadlines will be counted from
opening/access (see also Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions).

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 Part E – Information for Applicants

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE APPLICATION IS APPROVED?

GRANT AGREEMENT
If a project is selected for an EU grant under the European Solidarity Corps, a grant agreement is signed between the National
or Executive Agency and the applicant. The applicant will receive the grant agreement to be signed and returned to the
National or Executive Agency; the National or Executive Agency is the last party to sign. When the grant is signed by both
parties, the applicant becomes beneficiary of an EU grant and can start the project 100. Depending on the type of Action, grant
agreements may take the form of mono-beneficiary agreements, with the applicant being the single beneficiary, or multi-
beneficiary agreements, where all partner organisations become beneficiaries of the agreement. The multi-beneficiary
agreement is signed by the coordinator which is the only contact point for the National or Executive Agency. However, all
other organisations participating in a project (co-beneficiaries) sign an accession form to confer to the coordinator the
responsibility of acting as coordinator. The accession forms of each partner to the coordinator should be provided at
application stage. If these accession forms are provided at a later stage, they must be made available at the latest by the time
of the grant agreement signature.
The indicative calendar for the receipt of grant agreements under each Action is indicated in the section "Project life-cycle
deadlines and payment modalities" below.

GRANT AMOUNT
The acceptance of an application does not constitute a commitment to award funding equal to the amount requested by the
applicant. The funding requested may be reduced based on the specific financial rules applying to a given Action.
The award of a grant in a given round of selection does not establish an entitlement for subsequent rounds.
It should be noted that the grant amount foreseen by the agreement is a maximum which cannot be increased, even if the
beneficiary requests a higher amount. For volunteering projects, if the National Agency is the granting authority, for actions
using a unit cost-based model, the grant amount foreseen by the agreement could be increased with exceptional costs.
Funds transferred by the National Agency or the Executive Agency must be identified within the account or sub-account
indicated by the beneficiary for the payment of the grant.
For Actions managed by the Executive Agency - Reporting and Payments arrangements presented in the Model Grant
Agreement published in the Funding and Tender Opportunity Portal apply.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Depending on the type of Action, duration of the grant agreement and the assessment of financial risk, projects/grant requests
supported under the European Solidarity Corps are subject to different payment procedures.
Except for the first pre-financing payment, other payments or recoveries will be made on the basis of the analysis of reports
or payment requests submitted by the beneficiary (the templates of these documents will be made available in the course of
the year on the websites of National Agencies or the Executive Agency).
The payment procedures applied under the European Solidarity Corps are described below.

PRE-FINANCING PAYMENT
A pre-financing payment will be transferred to the beneficiary within 30 days of the date when the last of the two parties
signs the grant agreement, and where relevant, when any appropriate financial guarantees are received (see section "financial
guarantee" below). Pre-financing is intended to provide the beneficiary with a float. National Agencies or the Executive Agency
may decide to split the first pre-financing payment into more instalments. They may also decide to reduce the pre-financing
or not pay any pre-financing at all if the financial capacity of the beneficiary is weak.

FURTHER PRE-FINANCING PAYMENTS

Under some Actions, a second – and in some cases a third - pre-financing payment will be transferred to the beneficiary within
30 calendar days of the receipt, by the National Agency or the Executive Agency, of the further pre-financing payment requests
advanced by the beneficiary or within 60 calendar days if the further pre-financing payment request is accompanied by a
progress report. These further pre-financing payments may be requested when at least 70 % of the previous pre-financing

100 For exceptions to this rule, see section “non-retroactivity” in this part of the Guide.

104
 Part E – Information for Applicants

payment has been used up. Where the statement on the use of the previous pre-financing payment(s) shows that less than
70 % of the previous pre-financing payment(s) has been used to cover costs of the action, the amount of the new pre-financing
to be paid shall be reduced by the unused amounts of the previous pre-financing.

INTERIM (OR PROGRESS/TECHNICAL) REPORT

Under some Actions, beneficiaries may be asked to submit an interim as well as a progress/technical report informing on the
state of implementation of the activities and - in some cases - accompanying the request for a further pre-financing payment.
The interim and the progress/technical reports must be submitted by the deadline indicated in the grant agreement.

PAYMENT OR RECOVERY OF THE BALANCE

The amount of the final payment to be made to the beneficiary will be established on the basis of a final report to be submitted
by the deadline indicated in the grant agreement. If a) the events generating the grant are not implemented or are
implemented in a different way than planned; or b) the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary are lower than those
planned at application stage, or c) the quality of the realised activities/outputs is of insufficient quality, the funding may be
reduced proportionally or, where applicable, the beneficiary will be required to repay any excess amounts already received
as pre-financing payment.
Under some Actions, in justified cases the National Agency or the Executive Agency may transfer 100 % of the grant awarded
through the pre-financing instalments. In such cases a payment of the balance is not due. However, if - on the basis of a final
report to be submitted by the beneficiary by the deadline indicated in the grant agreement - a) the events generating the
grant are not implemented or are implemented in a different way than planned; or b) the eligible costs actually incurred by
the beneficiary are lower than those planned at application stage, or c) the quality of the realised activities/outputs is of
insufficient quality, the beneficiary will be required to repay any excess amounts already received as pre-financing payment.
The final payment will be issued within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the final report.
For more information, the detailed modalities of payment applying to each Action can be found in the section "Project life-
cycle deadlines and payment modalities" below.

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 Part E – Information for Applicants

PROJECT LIFE-CYCLE DEADLINES AND PAYMENT MODALITIES

Please note that the indicative dates provided in the table below are given for general information only and do not constitute a legal obligation for the National Agencies or the Executive Agency.
Similarly, as regards the payment modalities presented below, it should be noted that they will be applied in general, but depending on the individual situation of the applicant organisation (e.g.
depending on the financial capacity), different arrangements may be provided for in the grant agreement. In case of a shortage of EU appropriations for a given budget year, the first pre-financing
payment levels may be further reduced.

Project life-cycle deadlines Payment modalities

Indicative date of Indicative date for Normal rate of grant
Date of final payment / request General N. of pre- Interim (technical)
notification of award signing grant provided at different
for reimbursement of the balance financings report
decision agreement stages

Participation of young people in solidarity activities

2 months from the

Quality Label Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
submission deadline

Volunteering grant 3 months from the 6 months from the Within 60 calendar days from the Prefin.: 80 %
1 Optional
request submission deadline submission deadline receipt of the final report by NA
Balance: 20 %
Within 60 calendar days from the Prefin.: 80 %
Volunteering Teams in 6 months from the 9 months from the
receipt of the final report by 1 No
High Priority Areas submission deadline submission deadline Balance: 20 %
EACEA

3 months from the 4 months from the Within 60 calendar days from the Prefin.: 80 %
Solidarity projects 1 No
submission deadline submission deadline receipt of the final report by NA
Balance: 20 %

Participation of young people in humanitarian aid related activities

6 months from the

Quality Label Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not Applicable
submission deadline

Within 60 calendar days from the Prefin.: 80 %

Humanitarian Aid 6 months from the 9 months from the
receipt of the final report by 1 No
Volunteering submission deadline submission deadline Balance: 20 %
EACEA
 Part E – Information for Applicants

OTHER IMPORTANT CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS

FINANCIAL GUARANTEE
If the financial capacity is considered weak, the National Agency or the Executive Agency may require any beneficiary which
has been awarded a grant exceeding EUR 60 000 to lodge a guarantee in advance, in order to limit the financial risks connected
with the pre-financing payment. This guarantee can be requested for up to the same amount of the pre-financing payment(s).
The purpose of such guarantee is to make a bank or financial institution stand as irrevocable collateral security or first-call
guarantor of the beneficiary’s obligations deriving from the grant agreement.
This financial guarantee, in euro, shall be provided by an approved bank or financial institution established in an EU Member
State. When the beneficiary is established in a non-EU country, the National or Executive Agency may agree that a bank or
financial institution established in such country provides the guarantee, if it considers that the bank or financial institution
offers equivalent financial security and characteristics as those offered in an EU Member State.
The guarantee may be replaced by a joint third-party guarantee, or from several third-party guarantees from the participating
organisations who are parties to the same grant agreement.
The guarantee will be released after the pre-financing is gradually cleared against an interim payment or payment of the
balance to the beneficiary, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the grant agreement. In case the payment of the
balance takes the form of a recovery, either the guarantee will be released after the beneficiary is notified or will remain
explicitly in force until the final payment and, if the final payment takes the form of a recovery, until three months after the
debit note is notified to a beneficiary.

SUB-CONTRACTING AND AWARD OF A PROCUREMENT CONTRACT

The beneficiary may resort to subcontracting for specific technical services, which are part of the action tasks, requiring
specialised skills (relating to the legal, accounting, tax, human resources fields, IT, etc.) or implementation contracts. The costs
incurred by the beneficiary for this type of services may therefore be considered as eligible costs, provided they meet all the
other criteria described in the grant agreement.
Where implementation of the project requires the procurement of goods, works or services (implementation contract),
beneficiaries must award the contract to the economically most advantageous offer, i.e. the bid offering the best value for
money, or, as appropriate to the tender offering the lowest price, ensuring that there is no conflict of interests and that
documentation is retained in case of audit.
In the event of implementation contract exceeding a value of EUR 60 000, the National or Executive Agency may impose
special rules on the beneficiary, in addition to those referred to in the previous paragraph. Those special rules would be
published on the websites of the National Agencies or the Executive Agency.

INFORMATION ON THE GRANTS AWARDED

In line with the principle of transparency and the requirement for ex-post publicity, information on the recipients of the Union
funds must be published on the website of the Commission, the Executive Agency and/or the National Agencies during the
first half of the year following the closure of the financial year for which they were awarded.
The information may also be published in any other appropriate medium, including the Official Journal of the European Union.
The National Agencies and the Executive Agency will publish the following information:
▪ name and locality of the beneficiary;
▪ amount of grant awarded;
▪ nature and purpose of the award.
Upon a reasoned and duly substantiated request by the beneficiary, the publication shall be waived if such disclosure risks
threatening the rights and freedoms of individuals concerned as protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union or harm the commercial interests of the beneficiaries.
As far as personal data referring to natural persons are concerned, the information published shall be removed two years after
the end of the financial year in which the funds were awarded. The same shall apply to personal data indicated in the official
titles of legal persons (e.g. an association or company having as title the names of their founders).
Beneficiary organisations are not authorised to publish this type of information in relation to young people participating in
European Solidarity Corps activities.
 Part E – Information for Applicants

PUBLICITY
Apart from the requirements regarding the visibility of the project/activities and for the dissemination and exploitation of its
results (which are award criteria), there is an obligation of minimal publicity for each granted project.
Beneficiaries must clearly acknowledge the European Union’s support in all communications or publications, in whatever form
or whatever medium, including the Internet, or when activities for which the grant is used are implemented101.
This must be done according to the provisions included in the grant agreement. If these provisions are not fully complied with,
the beneficiary’s grant may be reduced.

CHECKS AND AUDITS

The National or Executive Agency and/or the European Commission may carry out technical and financial checks and audits
in relation to the use of the grant. They may also check the statutory records of the beneficiary for the purpose of periodic
assessments of lump sum, unit cost or flat-rate financing. The beneficiary will undertake, with the signature of its legal
representative, to provide proof that the grant has been used correctly. The European Commission, the Executive Agency, the
National Agencies and/or the European Court of Auditors, or a body mandated by them, may check the use made of the grant
at any time up to five years, or for up to three years for grants not exceeding EUR 60 000. Therefore, beneficiaries shall keep
records, original supporting documents, statistical records and other documents connected with the grant during this period.
The detailed provisions concerning checks and audits are described in the grant agreement.

DATA PROTECTION
Any personal data included in the application form or in the grant agreement/decision shall be processed by the National or
Executive Agency, or by the European Commission in accordance with:
▪ Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with
regard to the processing of personal data by the European Union institutions and bodies and on the free movement
of such data.
▪ In secondary order and only as far as Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 does not apply – the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR or EU Regulation 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council) or the national data
protection legislation in case the GDPR does not apply (non-EU countries).
Unless marked as optional, the applicant's replies to the questions in the application form are necessary to evaluate and
further process the grant application in accordance with the European Solidarity Corps Guide. Personal data will be processed
solely for that purpose by the department or Unit responsible for the Union grant programme concerned (entity acting as
data controller). Personal data may be transferred on a need-to-know basis to third parties involved in the evaluation of
applications or in the grant management procedure, without prejudice of transfer to the bodies in charge of monitoring and
inspection tasks in accordance with European Union law or to bodies mandated to undertake evaluations of the Programme
or any of its Actions. In particular, for the purposes of safeguarding the financial interests of the Union, personal data may be
transferred to internal audit services, to the European Court of Auditors, to the Financial Irregularities Panel or to the
European Anti-Fraud Office and between authorising officers of the Commission and the executive agencies. The applicant
shall have the right of access to his/her personal data and the right to rectify any such data. Should the applicant have any
queries concerning the processing of his/her personal data, he/she shall address them to the Agency that has selected the
project. In case of conflicts; the applicant also has the right of recourse at any time to the European Data Protection Supervisor.
More information regarding the processing of personal data is included in the grant agreement.
Concerning the processing of personal data under the European Solidarity Corps, a detailed privacy statement, including
contact information, is available on the website of the Commission.
For actions managed by the National Agencies:
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-and-data-protection
For actions managed by EACEA:
https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/support/legal_notice/h2020-ssps-grants-sedia_en.pdf

Within the framework of European Solidarity Corps actions managed by the National Agencies or the Executive Agency,
applicants − and, if they are legal entities, persons who are members of the administrative, management or supervisory body

101 The visual identity guidelines of the European Solidarity Corps are available at Communication | European Youth Portal (europa.eu)
 Part E – Information for Applicants

of that applicant or who have powers of representation, decision or control with regard to that applicant, or natural or legal
persons that assume unlimited liability for the debts of that applicant - are informed that, their personal data (name, given
name if natural person, address, legal form and name and given name of the persons with powers of representation, decision-
making or control, if legal person) may be registered in the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) by the Authorising
Officer of the Agency, should they be in one of the situations mentioned in the Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046.

OPEN LICENCE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

An open licence is a way by which the owner of a work grants permission to everyone to use the resource. There are different
open licences according to the extent of the permissions granted or the limitations imposed, and the beneficiaries are free to
choose the specific license to apply to their work. An open licence must be associated to each resource produced.
An open licence is not a transfer of copyrights or Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Beneficiaries will remain the copyright
holders of the materials they produce and are allowed to use them as they wish. The only requirement for grant beneficiaries
is to make educational resources (or other documents and media produced by the project) freely accessible through open
licences. To fulfil this requirement, licenses need at least to grant use and, ideally, sharing and, adaptation rights. Beneficiaries
can also commercialise their project outcomes, and experience shows that open access brings visibility and may encourage
interested users to buy the printed version or physical material, document or media.
Annex I – Glossary

ANNEX I - GLOSSARY OF TERMS

An adult of at least 18 years old who accompanies participants with fewer
opportunities (particularly participants with disabilities) in an activity, in order to
Accompanying person
ensure their safety, provide support and extra assistance, as well as assist with the
participant’s effective learning during the experience.

Activity Set of tasks carried out as part of a project. An activity is defined by the same
location, the same time frame and the same scope.
The following can be considered Affiliated Entities (in accordance with Article 190
of the Financial Regulation):
- entities forming the sole beneficiary;
- entities that satisfy the eligibility criteria and that do not fall within one of the
situations referred to in Articles 138(1) and 143(1) and that have a link with the
beneficiary, in particular a legal or capital link, which is neither limited to the action
nor established for the sole purpose of its implementation.
Where several entities satisfy the criteria for being awarded a grant and together
form one entity, that entity may be treated as the sole beneficiary, including where
the entity is specifically established for the purpose of implementing the action to
Affiliated entity be financed by the grant.
Unless otherwise provided in the call for proposals, entities affiliated to a
beneficiary may participate in the implementation of the action, provided that both
of the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) the entities concerned are identified in the grant agreement;
(b) the entities concerned abide by the rules applicable to the beneficiary under the
grant agreement with regard to:
(i) eligibility of costs or conditions triggering the payment;
(ii) rights of checks and audits by the Commission, OLAF and the Court of Auditors.
Costs incurred by such entities may be accepted as eligible costs actually incurred
or may be covered by lump sums, unit costs and flat-rate financing.
Any participating organisation or group of young people that submits a grant
Applicant
application.

Application deadline Final date for submission of the application to the National or Executive Agency to
be considered admissible.
A participating organisation that contributes to the implementation of specific
project tasks/activities or support the promotion and sustainability of the project,
but that for contractual management aspects are not considered to be
Associated partner beneficiaries, and do not receive any funding from the Programme as part of the
project (they do not have the right to charge costs or claim contributions). They are
not taken into consideration for eligibility purposes, and they do not need to
validate their PIC.

Beneficiary The signatories of the grant agreement (either directly or through an accession
form/mandate).
Invitation published by or on behalf of the Commission to present, within a given
deadline, a proposal for Action that corresponds to the objectives pursued and
Call for proposals fulfils the required conditions. Calls for proposals are published in the Official
Journal of the European Union (C series) and/or at relevant websites/portals of the
Commission, National or Executive Agency.
In the context of the European Solidarity Corps, a document issued to any person
Certificate of participation who has completed a European Solidarity Corps volunteering activity. It certifies the
attendance and, where applicable, the learning outcomes of the participant in the
activity.
A minor mistake or inadvertence unintentionally made in a document that changes
Clerical Error its meaning, such as a typographical error or the unintentional addition or omission
of a word, phrase, or figure.
Annex I – Glossary

Coach A resource person who is not a member of the group and who supports young
people in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of a Solidarity Project.
The principle under which part of the costs of a project supported by the EU must
Co-financing be borne by the beneficiary or covered through external contributions other than
the EU grant.

Two or more participating organisations teaming up to prepare and submit a

proposal as well as to implement and follow up a project. The contract is signed by
Consortium
all participating organisations, or by one of them which has been duly authorised
by the others.

A participating organisation applying for a grant on behalf of a consortium of

Coordinator partner organisations. The coordinator has special obligations foreseen in the grant
agreement.

Activity taking place in another country than the country where the participant is
Cross-border activity
legally resident.

Relates to an organisation or body fulfilling certain national conditions (registration,

statement, publication, etc.) that allow such an organisation or body to be formally
Established recognised by its national authority. In case of a group of young people, the legal
residence of its legal representative is considered as having the equivalent effects
for the purposes of eligibility to a European Solidarity Corps grant.
It is an EU-owned online hub containing first-hand knowledge, high quality
educational resources and valuable insights, directly produced by the EU
institutions, for individuals whose work is related to its sphere of action. The aim is
EU Academy to facilitate their easy and smooth understanding and successful implementation of
EU policies in a wide array of fields. The mission of the EU Academy is to provide a
modern and engaging learning environment that can foster and improve the quality
of the application of knowledge on EU-matters in a simple, smart and inspirational
way.
The Europass online platform, an action of the European Skills Agenda, provides
individuals and organisations with web-based tools and information on learning
opportunities, qualifications frameworks and qualifications, guidance, skills
intelligence, self-assessment tools and documentation of skills and qualifications,
Europass and connectivity with learning and employment opportunities.
The Europass platform also offers tools and software to support digitally signed
credentials, as announced in the Digital Education Action Plan. The platform
interconnects with national data sources for learning opportunities and national
qualifications databases or registers.
This is a free card that gives access to medically necessary, state-provided
healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland,
European Health Insurance Card Liechtenstein and Norway, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in
(EHIC) 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
The European Solidarity Network (EuSN) is a young community dating back to spring
European Solidarity Network 2019. They are united through a shared interest and vision to create a European
(EuSN) network in which everybody works together to improve the experience of young
Corps participants.
EuroPeers are young people who have gained European experience under the EU's
youth programmes and want to share them with their peers. They are ambassadors
EuroPeers for the Erasmus+ Youth programme, the European Solidarity Corps and other
national schemes that help young people move around Europe to work and learn.
EuroPeers either organise their own events or are invited to speak by schools, youth
welfare offices or cultural centres. All on a voluntary basis.
Annex I – Glossary

Any situation or event that prevents organisations and individuals from fulfilling
their obligations in the implementation of the project activities. This situation or
event must be an unforeseeable, exceptional situation and beyond the parties’
Force majeure control. The force majeure cannot be due to error or negligence of the organisations
or other participants involved in the action, and must prove to be inevitable in spite
of the exercise of all required due diligence. For the exact definition and conditions,
grant beneficiaries should refer to their grant agreement.
A set of training modules for the registered candidates and participants selected for
General Online Training an activity provided on the EU Academy platform and accessed via the European
Solidarity Corps portal

Green travel Sustainable means of transports that use low-emissions means of transport for the
main part of the travel, such us as bus, train or car-sharing.
Group of at least five young people who do not have their own legal personality
Group of young people under the applicable national law; however, one of their representatives has the
legal capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf.
The organisation that covers the full range of activities related to hosting a Solidarity
Host organisation Corps participant, including the development of a programme of the young person's
activities and providing guidance and support to the participant during all the
phases as appropriate.
Activity that supports post-crisis and long-term humanitarian aid operations in third
countries, that is intended to provide needs-based assistance aimed at preserving
life, preventing and alleviating human suffering, and maintaining human dignity in
the face of man-made crises or natural disasters, and that includes assistance, relief
Humanitarian aid activity and protection operations in ongoing humanitarian crises or their aftermath,
supporting measures to ensure access to people in need and to facilitate the free
flow of assistance, and actions that aim to reinforce disaster preparedness and
disaster risk reduction, link relief, rehabilitation and development and contribute
towards strengthening the resilience and capacity of vulnerable or disaster-affected
communities to cope with and recover from crises.

In-country activity Activity taking place in the same country as the one where the participant is legally
resident.
Learning resulting from daily activities related to work, family or leisure which is not
Informal learning organised or structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support; it may be
unintentional from the learner's perspective.
Organisations set up by international agreements and agencies set up by such
organisations as specified in article 156 of Financial Regulation. The following
International organisation organisations are assimilated to international organisations: the International
Committee of the Red Cross; the International Federation of National Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies.
The basic set of knowledge, skills and attitudes which all individuals need for
personal fulfilment and development, employability, social inclusion, sustainable
Key competences lifestyle, successful life in peaceful societies, health-conscious life management and
active citizenship, as described in Council Recommendation 2018/C 189/01 of 22
May 2018 on key competences for lifelong learning.
Statements of what a participant knows, understands and is able to do as on
Learning outcomes completion of a learning process, which are defined in terms of knowledge, skills
and competence.
A natural person or a legal person created and recognised as such under national
law, Union law or international law which has legal personality and which may,
Legal entity acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity
which does not have legal personality as referred to in point (c) of Article 200(2) of
the Financial Regulation.
Annex I – Glossary

For action managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency,
parallel to the validation of an organisation in the Participant Register, its legal
representative(s) must nominate a Legal Entity Appointed Representative (LEAR).
The LEAR role, is key: once validated by the Commission, the LEAR will be authorised
to:
Legal Entity Appointed ▪ manage the legal and financial information about the organisation;
Representative (LEAR) ▪ manage access rights of persons in the organisation (but not at the
project level);
▪ appoint representatives of the organisation to electronically sign grant
agreements (‘Legal Signatories’ - LSIGN) or financial statements
(‘Financial Signatories’ - FSIGN) via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
All the steps for the LEAR validation are clarified in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

A place in which volunteering activities are organised for a specific number of

volunteers. A location must not have a legal personality distinct from the host
Location organisation. By default, the main address of the host organisation is considered as
a first location but organisations could declare and host volunteers in more than
one location.

Long term volunteering Participation in volunteering activities lasting 60 days or longer, excluding travel
days.
Member of the informal group Under Solidarity Projects, young people implementing the project are called
implementing a project members of the group.
A body in charge of managing the implementation of the Programme at national
National Agency level in a Member State or in a third country associated to the Programme. One or
more National Agencies may exist in each country.
An authority in charge, at national level, of monitoring and supervising the
National Authority management of the Programme in a Member State or in a third country associated
to the Programme. One or more National Authorities may exist in each country.

Newcomer organisation Any participating organisation that has not previously received support in any type
of action supported by the Corps.
Learning which takes place through planned learning activities where some form of
Non-formal learning learning support is present, but which is not part of the formal education and
training system.
Young person registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal, who is fully
Participant involved in a project and who may receive European Union funding intended to
cover their costs of participation (notably travel and subsistence).
Individuals who for economic, social, cultural, geographical or health reasons, a
Participant with fewer migrant background, or for reasons such as disability and educational difficulties or
opportunities for any other reasons, including those that can give rise to discrimination under
article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental rights of the European Union, face various
obstacles compared to their peers. .
Any organisation or group of young people involved in the implementation of a
Participating organisation European Solidarity Corps project. Depending on their role in the project,
participating organisations can be applicants, partners or associated partners.

Partner organisation In actions managed by National Agencies, an organisation formally involved in the
project (co-beneficiary) but not taking the role of applicant.
Planning visit to the host country prior to the start of a volunteering activity. The
Preparatory Visit purpose of the visit is to prepare and ensure high quality of those activities, build
trust, understanding and a solid partnership between organisations and
participants involved.

Project A coherent set of activities which are designed and organised to achieve defined
objectives and results.
A formal outcome of an assessment and validation process which is obtained when
Qualification a competent body determines that an individual achieved learning outcomes to
given standards.
Annex I – Glossary

Procedure that ensures that the organisations wishing to receive funding under an
Action of the European Solidarity Corps respect a set of qualitative standards or pre-
Quality Label requisites defined by the European Commission for that given Action. Depending
on the type of organisation and/or the country where the requesting organisation
is located, the Quality Label is carried out by the Executive Agency, a National
Agency or a SALTO Resource Centre.

An individual aged between 17 and 35 years who has registered in the European
Registered Candidate Solidarity Corps Portal for the purposes of expressing interest in engaging in a
solidarity activity but who is not yet participating in a solidarity activity.
Short term volunteering Participation in volunteering activities lasting up to 59 days, excluding travel days.
A high-quality, inclusive activity that addresses important societal that takes the
Solidarity activity form of volunteering, a solidarity project or a networking activity in various fields,
including in the field of humanitarian aid, carried out in the frame of the European
Solidarity Corps.

Union transparency and Instruments that help stakeholders to understand, appreciate and, as appropriate,
recognition tools recognise learning outcomes and qualifications throughout the Union.

Procedure of confirmation by an authorised body that an individual has acquired

learning outcomes measured against a relevant standard and consists of the
following four distinct phases:
▪ Identification through dialogue of particular experiences of an
Validation of non-formal and individual;
informal learning ▪ Documentation to make visible the individual's experiences;
▪ Formal assessment of these experiences;
▪ Certification of the results of the assessment which may lead to a
partial or full qualification.

Venue The physical location where an activity is taking place.

The European Youth Goals were developed in the frame of the EU Youth Strategy.
Youth Goals These goals identify cross-sectoral areas that affect young people’s lives and point
out challenges.
Https://ec.europa.eu/youth/policy/youth-strategy_en
The European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 sets out a Framework for European
cooperation in the youth field, based on the Commission’s Communication of 22
May 2018 on ‘Engaging, Connecting and Empowering young people’. Under the core
Youth Strategy area ‘Engage’, the EU Youth Strategy aims for a meaningful civic, economic, social,
cultural and political participation of young people. The Strategy fosters youth
participation in democratic life, supports social and civic engagement and aims to
ensure that all young people have the necessary resources to take part in society.
https://europa.eu/youth/strategy_en
The European tool to improve the recognition of the learning outcomes of
participants of projects supported by the European Solidarity Corps. Youthpass
consists of: a) certificates that can be obtained by participants and b) a defined
Youthpass process which supports young people and organisations to reflect about the
learning outcomes from a project. Youthpass is also part of a broader European
Commission strategy which aims to enhance the recognition of non-formal and
informal learning and of youth work in Europe and beyond.
 Annex II –Participations

ANNEX II – MULTIPLE PARTICIPATIONS

The table below provides an overview of the possible combinations of activities available for participants. Please refer to
column 1 (in grey) as first activity carried out by a participant and the other columns as subsequent activities. The eligibility
rules for each activity type are described in the relevant section of this guide.
The total amount of time spent by a young person in European Solidarity Corps volunteering activities must not exceed 12
months and the activities carried out must not overlap. Activities carried out under Erasmus+ volunteering/European
Voluntary Service will count towards the total of 12 months allowed.
Long term Long term
Short term - individual Humanitarian Humanitarian
Activity carried Volunteering individual individual in- Solidarity
volunteering (cross- aid individual aid teams
out teams cross-border country Project
border or in-country) volunteering volunteering
volunteering volunteering
X
(exception: a
second
Long term activity for
individual young people
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
cross-border with fewer
volunteering opportunities
or duly
justified
cases)
Short term -
individual
volunteering ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
(cross-border
or in-country)

Volunteering
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
teams

Long term
individual in-
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
country
volunteering

Solidarity
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Project

X
(exception: a
second
activity for
Humanitarian young people
X
aid individual ✓ ✓ with fewer ✓ ✓ ✓
volunteering opportunities
or duly
justified
cases)

Humanitarian
aid team ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
volunteering
 ANNEX III - CONTACT DETAILS

European Commission - Directorate General Education & Culture (DG EAC)

https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en

European Commission - Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)

https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/grants/2021-2027/european-solidarity-corps_en

National Agencies
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/organisations/contact-national-agencies_en