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.

Latest entries

Who Will You Be When You Return? by Antonis

Antonis about ESC

more

From “két jó barát” to “dwa bratanki” – My Year of Volunteering in Poland

Alexa's brief account of a year-long volunteering experience in Poland—first impressions, life in a new place, and the experiences gained.

more

From Armenia to Poland: How I Found My Path Through ESC Volunteering

Looking back at the full picture, from studying in Armenia, to Erasmus in Slovakia, to ESC volunteering in Poland, I can see how each experience built on the last.

more

The Power of Volunteering: Stories of Change

Volunteering is usually framed as an act of giving. What gets talked about less is how much volunteers themselves walk away with.

more

From Rouen to Rzeszów: My 11 Months as an ESC Volunteer

That dream brought me to Poland, where I spent 11 months as part of the European Solidarity Corps.

more

5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Coming to Poland

Every country has its own unwritten rules, little quirks you only discover once you're already living there. Poland is no different.

more