The ESC 2021-2027 will continue to support young people wishing to engage in solidarity activities, including humanitarian aid within and beyond the EU.
On 15 April 2021, the European Commission (EC) launched the first call for proposals of the new European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme 2021-2027 along with the Programme Guide and Work Programme for 2021. The budget for the new ESC, agreed on in EU trilogue negotiations last December, amounts to €1.009 billion in current prices. The programme will continue to support opportunities for young people from 18 to 30 years wishing to actively contribute to positive societal change through involvement in solidarity activities in the form of volunteering or through self-designed and implemented projects. Moreover, the new ESC will fund a range of quality and support measures facilitating implementation as well as networking activities. As from 2022, the programme will also support humanitarian aid volunteering projects within the EU and in third countries (with no armed conflict) for young people from 18 to 35 years. While part of the ESC 2018-2020, jobs and traineeships no longer represent a strand in the new programme.
One of the overarching priorities for the whole ESC programme period from 2021-2027 is inclusion. This dimension will support the participation of young people with fewer opportunities, for instance by offering activities of shorter duration or in-country volunteering. An inclusion and diversity strategy will support organisations to improve their outreach to disadvantaged young people and to address obstacles that participants may face. The new ESC further aims to contribute to environmental sustainability and towards reaching the EU’s climate goals through the promotion of green practices. Moreover, the programme will support the digital transition through the fostering of digital skills and literacy. Another priority of the programme is to empower youth to participate in democratic processes and to nurture civic engagement. For instance, with the possibility to take on the direct lead in solidarity projects, young people are encouraged to foster their sense for solidarity and responsibility. In addition, a topic reflecting current societal challenges may be added to the annual Work Programme every year. This year’s thematic focus lies in health prevention and support, and the recovery from COVID-19.
The call for proposals 2021 comes with an envelope of more than €138 million and covers volunteering projects, volunteering teams in high priority areas, solidarity projects and two separate quality labels for solidarity volunteering activities and for humanitarian aid volunteering. The acquisition of a quality label is mandatory for organisations that wish to be involved in volunteering activities. Organisations who want to apply for a grant and take the lead in a volunteering project need to apply for an additional ‘Quality Label for lead organisations’. While organisations and young people from EU Member States and associated third countries can fully participate in the programme, some actions are partially open to third countries explicitly listed as Partner Countries. Switzerland is currently neither Programme nor Partner Country.
The establishment of the ESC was announced in 2016, and the initiative was launched the same year. In a first phase, the ESC was implemented under several EU programmes, including the European Voluntary Service (EVS, formerly under Erasmus+ 2014-2020) and the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. In a second phase, the ESC received its own legal basis with the adoption of the ESC 2018-2020 Regulation counting a budget of €375.6 million. For the current third phase 2021-2027, the ESC has become a stand-alone programme providing a single entry point for young people and organisations in Europe wanting to engage in solidarity activities. The new ESC Regulation is expected to be adopted later this spring.
The ESC’s activities are in line with the EU Youth Strategy, the framework for youth policy cooperation in the EU for 2019-2027, and the eleven Youth Goals. The Youth Strategy is implemented through Erasmus+ and the ESC. In a next step for the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy, the EC will propose a review of the 2008 Council Recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers to address remaining obstacles in the field of cross-border youth solidarity and volunteering. The review of the Council Recommendation will be based on results from several evidence-based studies and a range of stakeholder consultations, including a current public consultation, which remains open for feedback until 21 July.