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.

 

Solidarity Projects: What is involved?

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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!

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Solidarity Projects Deadline

February

23rd

European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Projects Deadline Spring 2023

Apply by 11:00am Irish time

May

4th

European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Projects Deadline Summer 2023

Apply by 11:00am Irish time

October

4th

European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Projects Deadline Autumn 2023

Apply by 11:00am Irish time

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

Erasmus+ KA1 Youth Application Clinic

This online event is for those planning an Erasmus+ KA1 Youth Exchange or Youth Worker mobility project under 4 May 2023 deadline.

Deadline:

Application Clinic Youth Participation Activities and Solidarity Projects

This face to face application clinic in Dublin will prepare those making your application under Under Youth Patricipation and Solidarity Projects under the 04 May 2023 deadline.

Deadline:

EPALE Disinformation Event for Adult Learning Professionals

Participants will learn about the many challenges imposed by the information age, especially in relation to the analysis and evaluation of information, and discuss how the disinformation problem can affect the work of educators. They will work in groups and critically discuss and evaluate different sources of information in the digital world, examining their features, contradictions, and nuances. Through the analysis of digital media pieces, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on some of the best practices to identify and combat disinformation.

Deadline:

Léargas Gathering 2023 – Skills for Life

The annual Léargas Gathering is back! In line with previous participants’ feedback, our flagship event will take place earlier in the year, on 27 April 2023.

Deadline:

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for European Solidarity Corps

Join this online course and learn at your own pace about how you can take part in the European Solidarity Corps as a young person or organisation. Course runs until 06 November 2022!

Deadline:

Latest News

Impact of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria on the implementation of the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

Due to the continuing technicalThe earthquakes that hit the vast territories of Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 will have a major impact on the implementation of numerous projects financed by Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. The European Commission has confirmed that Léargas have the possibility to apply the force majeure as defined in the grant agreement for projects and mobilities facing difficulties due to this disaster. performance issues affecting the application forms for the ERASMUS+ KA2 Submissions, and after analysis of the options, the European Commission is extending the Call 2023 round 1 deadline from 22 March 2023 at 12h00 Brussels time to 24 March 2023 at 11h00 Irish time for the following applications:

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