European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a European Union programme for young people aged 18–30 who want to engage in community work, gain experience in an international environment and contribute to projects supporting local communities. We have been part of the programme since 2016 and have continuously hosted volunteers from across Europe, creating a space for learning, cooperation and meaningful intercultural exchange.

We implement both short-term and long-term volunteering projects. All current calls are published exclusively on the European Youth Portal, where you can find detailed descriptions of each project, including responsibilities, accommodation arrangements and participation conditions. To apply, simply create an account, find our offer and submit your application through the portal — this is the only official recruitment channel.

Every volunteer joining our projects is provided with accommodation, pocket money according to programme rates, financial support for food and reimbursement of travel costs within the limits defined by ESC. Volunteers also receive the support of a coordinator and a mentor, and become part of a dynamic, diverse and engaged environment that we have been building in Rzeszów for years.

The scope of activities depends on the duration of the project. Long-term volunteers support us in organising youth exchanges, training courses and local events, work directly with young people, create photo and video content, manage social media and contribute to the daily functioning of our space. Short-term projects focus mainly on intercultural lessons in schools, sharing one’s culture and designing workshops for students — intensive but highly rewarding experiences that genuinely broaden young people’s horizons in the region.

From the very beginning, we have prioritised quality in our projects. Thanks to our long-standing experience, continuous presence of volunteers and cooperation with local partners, we are able to create an environment where young people learn, grow and make a real impact — while also contributing something meaningful to the local community. If you enjoy taking initiative, embracing responsibility and working in an energetic, intercultural setting, volunteering with us through ESC may be a great choice.

If you are from Poland and would like to take part in a similar project abroad, the process works in a very similar way — just the other way around. Host organisations also publish their opportunities on the European Youth Portal. You simply need to create an account, find a project that interests you and apply directly through the platform. If you have questions, need guidance or would like to understand the process better, feel free to contact us or visit our office. As a sending organisation in the programme, we can help clarify any doubts and support you in preparing for your volunteering experience abroad.

2025-09-17

For years, Open Cafe was one of those things that are difficult to describe in a single sentence.
On the surface, it was simple. Weekly meetings in Rzeszów, open to everyone, with no registration and no formal structure. In practice, it became a space where people from different countries, backgrounds, and experiences came together.
Every Wednesday at 6 PM meant one thing. We open the doors and see who shows up and what conversations will unfold.
Over more than 10 years, we organised over 500 meetings. With no major breaks, no fixed format, but each time with a different energy and a different group of people.
Open Cafe was led by our international volunteers and, in many ways, it reflected what we do as an organisation in its purest form.
On one side, it created space for young volunteers to step into the role of facilitators and educators. They could test themselves, learn how to work with a group, lead activities, and respond to what was happening in real time.
On the other side, it gave local young people and residents access to something that is often missing in formal education. Direct contact with other cultures, real-life use of English, and information about opportunities available across Europe.
For many participants, it was the first time they could simply speak English in a natural way. It was also where conversations about mobility, projects, and going abroad often began.
Open Cafe was a space for conversations. Sometimes light, sometimes more challenging. About culture, everyday life, and social issues that emerged naturally within the group. There was no fixed script, because each meeting was shaped by the people who came.
Some people joined once. Others kept coming back for months or even years. For some, it was their first international experience. For others, it became a regular part of their week.
We didn’t plan for it to last this long.
And yet, for over a decade, Open Cafe became part of the local meeting landscape.
The final sessions took place in July 2025.
What remains is something difficult to measure. Conversations, connections, and ideas that started with a simple Wednesday evening.
And that probably captures best what Open Cafe was about.

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