Updated position on the European Solidarity Corps

The European Youth Forum welcomed the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and its focus on creating more opportunities for young people to engage in quality volunteering and professional experiences across Europe.

The European Solidarity Corps was a rare example of cross-sectorial youth policy-making with the potential to build on the success of previous programmes such as the European Voluntary Service (EVS) and increase the capacity of youth organisations and other organisations to provide meaningful experiences to even more young people.

The following document is an update to the position of the European Youth Forum on the European Solidarity Corps to reflect the changes that the programme has undergone since its announcement and to highlight priorities for the next European Solidarity Corps programme under the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.

The following document is the result of consultations and discussions held with Member Organisations of the European Youth Forum and outlines its main political demands towards the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for the negotiations of this programme.

The European Youth Forum’s key demands for a better European Solidarity Corps include:

• A programme with clearer objectives and more connected with the realities young people and youth organisations
• Involvement of youth organisations in the co-design and joint monitoring of the programme
• A budget focused at supporting volunteering in Europe and in the world
• Ensuring the inclusivity and accessibility of ESC placements for all young people
• The ESC as a step towards a more coordinated approach to volunteering policy in Europe
• Ensuring the compatibility of the ESC with the upcoming Erasmus Programme and the new EU Youth Strategy