Volunteering activities will get a major boost in 2024 thanks to a new funding opportunity that the Commission launched. A new call for proposals under the European Solidarity Corps, covering 2024, will support young people across the EU and beyond who wish to engage in solidarity activities. Areas covered range from social inclusion actions to helping people with fewer opportunities, contributing to the green and digital transitions, democratic participation and addressing health related challenges.
For 2024, the Commission adjusted the funding model of European Solidarity Corps and raised grant amounts to ease the impact of inflation and to ensure that the budget for projects remained sufficient. In addition, the new call provides incentives for green travel. The new call also aims to support Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion. Dedicated European Solidarity Corps projects will support people fleeing the war.
The indicative budget for 2024 is €145 million. It will fund volunteering, youth-led solidarity projects, volunteering teams in high priority areas, and the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, which contributes to humanitarian aid efforts across the world. The programme is open to people between 18 and 30 for solidarity activities addressing societal challenges, and between 18 and 35 for volunteering in support of humanitarian aid activities outside of the EU. Young people wishing to engage in European Solidarity Corps activities need to register on the European Solidarity Corps portal, where they can browse and find participating organisations. Groups of young people registered in the Portal may also apply for funding for solidarity projects they lead.
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