Solidarity Projects

Learn about:

  • Aims and impact of Solidarity Projects
  • Activities you can take part in
  • Who can take part
  • Funding

Solidarity Projects

What is a Solidarity Project?

A Solidarity Project is one started, developed and carried out by young people themselves. Small groups come together to bring positive change to their local community. The project should have a clearly identified topic and address a key challenge. Projects can last from two to 12 months.

How Will a Solidarity Project Benefit Me?

Starting a Solidarity Project is an active and practical way to take on challenges you see around you. It will also give you great experience in working with others, and how to plan and see a project through to its end.

How Do I Get Involved?

The first step is to register on the European Solidarity Corps portal. If you already have a group who want to run a solidarity project together, you can seek support from a public or private organization to help you apply. This organisation’s support should focus on administration and finance, not the project plant itself. If you need it, the organisation can also help you to identify and document the learning outcomes from the project.

 

If you would prefer to work with a coach, you can do that too! Coaches are people with youth work experience who empower the group to successfully carry out the project. This could be a youth worker or a leader at a youth organisation. You can work with more than one coach if it’s helpful. The coach is considered an external helper, not There is no maximum number of group members, but it is important to note that the coach is not considered a member of the group, and more than one coach can be used.

 

How Is a Solidarity Project Organised?

A Solidarity Project takes place in the same country that the organising group lives in. The group themselves decide on their way of working, and how the project will be managed. One group member takes the role of ‘legal representative’ and submits the application. Remember, if you choose to work with an organsiation they can submit the application on your behalf.

The group arranges the distribution of tasks and responsibilities, makes sure there is a clear plan and timeline for carrying out the project, and that all the group members are communicating with each other. Working methods should involve all members of the group as much as possible. The project has four phases:

  • Planning
  • Preparation
  • Carrying out the activities (‘implementation’)
  • Follow-up (this includes evaluating the project and sharing the results).

 

Can I Take Part?

To take part you need to be aged between 18 and 30 years old. You must be part of a group that has at least five members, who all live in the same programme country. You must be available to carry out the full project, which can last from two up to 12 months. Finally, you have to register on the on the European Solidarity Corps Portal.

Where do I Register My Interest?

Register on the European Solidarity Corps Portal. The Portal is a place for young people and organisations to find each other. When you have registered, an organisation can contact you and ask you to take part in a project.  Young people with fewer opportunities may receive support from organisations to complete registration. And remember, some of the terms we use can seem overwhelming at first, so check out our Jargonbuster page for a handy glossary!

Application Deadline!

Click here to access our deadline page.

Deadlines – Leargas

What Funding is Available?

  • Project Management – Costs linked to managing and carrying out the project.
  • Coaching costs – Costs linked to the involvement of a coach in the project.
  • Exceptional costs – costs for providing a financial guarantee, if you are asked for it.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

To be considered for funding, your proposal has to score at least 60 points when it is evaluated. It also has to score at least half of the maximum available points for each of these categories:

  • Relevance, rationale and impact of the project
  • Quality of the project design
  • Quality of project management.

Read our section on Applying for a Solidarity Project for more detail.

Next Steps

Be the Spark!

Support with Starting a Solidarity Project

Our Be the Spark! training helps you create the change that you want to see in your community and beyond.

If you are between 18 and 30 and want to address issues in your local community, this training course will help you:

  • Identify the Solidarity Project you want to start
  • Understand how to manage a Solidarity Project
  • Develop your leadership and team building skills.

Training and Events
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Key Events

Volunteering Teams as a Tool to support Inclusion

Volunteering Teams as a Tool to support Inclusion

This Partnership building activity represents the possibility to explore the topic of volunteering teams in a broader, international environment which will provide participants with networking opportunities and offer space for creating stable, long-term partnerships.

Deadline: 01.09.2024
Europe Talks Solidarity

Europe Talks Solidarity

The conference (10-13 September 2024) will offer a space for a dialogue around the understanding of solidarity and its connection to active participation in democratic life in Europe.

Deadline: 16.06.2024
Get into Youth Exchanges for ALL – Tunisia

Get into Youth Exchanges for ALL – Tunisia

Did you know you can get funding for Youth Exchanges with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds? Discover in this beginner’s course (23-27 September 2024) how you can organise inclusive Youth Exchanges in the Erasmus+ youth programme in/with EuroMed countries.

Deadline: 01.06.2024
A Partnership Building Activity with Young People

A Partnership Building Activity with Young People

Teams of youth workers and young people (15-18 years old) are invited to come together, get to know each other and explore the possibility of making an international Erasmus+ project together.

Deadline: 19.05.2024
Dive into Youth Participation

Dive into Youth Participation

The training course (23-27 September 2024) brings together 25 youth leaders and youth workers from different European countries with an aim to improve their understanding and practices toward quality youth participation.

Deadline: 13.05.2024
The Power of Non Formal Education

The Power of Non Formal Education

The Power of Non Formal Education is an exciting training course (28 May – 2 June 2024) based on pro-active participation of the participants working together on different aspects and quality elements of non formal education.

Deadline: 14.04.2024

Latest News

Call for Expressions of Interest for Youth Advisory Group

Call for Expressions of Interest for Youth Advisory Group

Léárgas are seeking expressions of interest from young people (ages 18-25) to join our Youth Advisory Group to provide insight and feedback on the best ways for our team to communicate about the fantastic programmes and projects administered by Léargas.

Meet The Team

Suzanne Kavanagh

Senior Support & Development Officer, European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871242

Noeleen O’Callaghan

Support & Development Officer, European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871219

Emmanuelle Place

Senior Finance Officer (Acting), Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871207

Violetta Aucone

Finance Officer, Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871216

Nicola Sherry

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871212

Carlos Barceló

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871235

Seána Sweeney

Operations Officer, Erasmus+ Youth & European Solidarity Corps (01) 8871237