What is a Volunteering Project?
The European Solidarity Corps supports organisations working in the field of Solidarity and Volunteering and empowers them to respond effectively to major societal issues.
In this context, it funds them to attract young people aged 18-30 who wish to volunteer in the organisation’s work, involving them in a structured way in their daily work.
The European Solidarity Corps supports solidarity activities that present a clear European added value and promote the priorities of the Programme:
- Inclusion and diversity,
- Environmental protection, sustainable development, and climate action,
- Digital transformation
- Participation in democratic life.
Types of activities:
- Duration: 2 – 12 months (2 weeks – 2 months for young people with fewer opportunities).
- Full time: 30 – 38 hours per week.
- Where? abroad (cross-border) or in Cyprus (domestic).
The project must involve at least two organisations, a host organisation, and a support organisation.
- Duration: 2 weeks – 2 months.
- Full-time: 30-38 hours per week.
- Groups of 10-40 young people from at least two countries.
- Where? Abroad or at home.
–> Only one organisation, either the host organisation or the support organisation, may be involved in the Project.
Examples: restoration of cultural heritage damaged by a natural disaster, care for endangered species, organisation of educational activities in refugee camps, etc.
How can an organisation participate in the Programme?
Organisations bearing the European Solidarity Corps Quality Label are eligible.
The Quality Label certifies that an organisation participating in the Corps is able to provide young people with the necessary conditions to contribute to solidarity activities.
The participating organisation must comply with the principles of European Solidarity Corps and meet the high quality standards set out in the Guide.
An organisation can apply for a Quality Label to act as a Partner and/or Leader, in the support and/or host role.
It covers the full range of activities related to the hosting of a European Solidarity Corps participant, including developing the programme of activities for the young person and providing guidance and support to the participant during all phases as appropriate.
It includes supporting, preparing and/or training participants before their departure, mediating between participants and host organisations and/or providing support for participants after their return.
The leader is the only one eligible to apply for funding. Organisations that do not have a Quality Label for a Lead Organisation can act as Partners in projects.
Those applying for the Lead role should set out in their application longer-term general and specific objectives, expected benefits as well as a realistic plan of activities for three to seven years.
Through their application, they should confirm that they have appropriate, effective procedures and measures in place to coordinate and carry out high-quality solidarity activities.
The granting of a Quality Label to Lead Organisation depends on the success of the Quality Label application for a hosting and/or support role (Partner Organisations).
Organisations bearing a Quality Label as Partners have the possibility to apply for a Quality Label for a Lead Organisation at any time during the programming period.
Applications are submitted online to the National Agency of the country, where the organisation is established.
Applications for the Quality Label can be submitted at any time during the programming period. Organisations can apply for one or both roles, completing sections related to the Quality Label roles they wish to carry out.
Quality Label for a Partner – Any public or private sector entity, profit or non-profit, local, regional, national, or international, legally established in Cyprus.
Quality Label for a Lead Organisation – Any public or private sector entity, profit or non-profit, local, regional, national, or international, legally established in Cyprus for at least one year.
The obligation to establish itself in an EU Member State or in a third country associated to the Programme does not apply to international organisations.
An application for a Quality Label should only refer to the entirety of an organisation with its departments and/or branches in general terms. Informal groups of young people are not eligible.
Applications are assessed on the basis of eligibility, delegation and exclusion criteria (for more information see the Guide).
Selection Criteria [Only for Lead Organisations]
Operational Capability
Financial Capability
Award Criteria
Relevance
Quality of measures
Organisational Capability
Additional Award Criteria for Leader
Strategic approach
Project management and coordination
The Quality Label is awarded for the entire duration of the programming period and is subject to continued compliance with the requirements. National Agencies will monitor compliance and can carry out periodic reassessments and take corrective measures.
Before your organisation can apply for funding, there are several preparatory steps you need to take.
- Check out the general call for proposals and the European Solidarity Corps Guide. The Guide is essential reading for anyone wishing to apply. It spells out the rules and conditions you need to abide by to access funding and carry out projects under the European Solidarity Corps.
- Check whether your organisation is eligible.
- You must first obtain a valid EU login code. The EU Login authentication service verifies the identity of users of the Commission’s various information systems (see the user’s guide for details).
- Request an identification code for your organisation (OID). Register on the dedicated web portal for organisations to receive the number you will need to complete the application form. First, read the instructions to gather the information you will need.
What type of funding is received?
The programme can cover travel expenses, organisation costs (contribution to operating costs, activity costs, accommodation & board of volunteers, management costs), allowance to partially cover daily expenses of volunteers, language support, support for preparation and integration of young people with fewer opportunities, insurance, extraordinary expenses.
Funding Application
If you have obtained the Quality Label for Lead Organisation, then you can apply for funding to the Cyprus National Agency.
Project duration: up to 24 months.
Application deadlines:
23 February at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for Projects starting between 1 June and 31 December of the same year;
4 October at 12:00 (midday Brussels time) for Projects starting between 1 January and 31 May of the following year.
When is the final date for submitting the application?
Action |
Application Deadlines |
For projects starting out |
Solidarity Projects |
20 February of the same year |
1 June – 31 December of the same year |
1 October of the same year (optional round) |
1 January – 31 May of the following year |
Applications for a Quality Label may be submitted on an ongoing basis but before the deadline for submitting applications for funding to which the interested party intends to apply. The assessment of the application for funding will depend on whether or not the application for a Quality Label is approved.