Fully Funded Volunteering in Europe 2025 (ESC) + UNV Online — Open Calls & How to Apply

Quick take

• In Europe: The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) funds long- and short-term volunteering (travel, housing, insurance, and pocket money covered). You apply on the European Youth Portal.

• Remote / worldwide: UNV Online Volunteering offers 100% online roles (free to join, all nationalities, 18+). On-site UNV assignments also include a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), travel and insurance.

Volunteering in Europe : What is the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)?

The ESC is the EU’s flagship volunteering programme. Approved projects cover accommodation, insurance, travel support and a monthly allowance, so you can volunteer without paying fees.

Who can apply? For standard ESC volunteering you must be 18–30 and legally residing in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Türkiye, North Macedonia). For humanitarian aid volunteering, the age limit is 18–35.

Where to find roles: the official ESC Opportunities directory filters by country, dates, and topics.

Featured open ESC calls (apply now)

1. ESN International — Brussels, Belgium (12 months)
   Youth work & events at Erasmus Student Network’s HQ. Listing notes rental assistance up to €650 plus a €500 monthly allowance, insurance via ESC, and travel covered. Start: around 1 Sept 2025.
   Apply: European Youth Portal listing. Details on benefits and start date are shown on the listing.

2. “Vitality 2025” — Alta Langa, Italy (≈10 months)
   Culture, community and rural revitalization in Monesiglio (Cuneo). ESC long-term project; page explains profile and 10-month term starting October 2025.
   Apply: ESC listing and project site: Parco Culturale Alta Langa.

3. SCI Belgium — Brussels, Belgium
   Support workcamps, trainings and school activities with Service Civil International’s branch.
   Apply: ESC listing. Youth Portal

More openings (rolling deadlines through 2025): the official 2025 ESC call remained open with deadlines between 11 Feb and 1 Oct 2025; new projects continue to appear in the portal.

How to apply for ESC (step-by-step)

1. Create an account on the European Youth Portal and activate your ESC profile.

2. Open All Opportunities and filter by country, topic, and duration. Save interesting roles.

3. Read “Who can apply / countries covered” on each listing to confirm eligibility based on your legal residence.

4. Prepare a short motivation letter tailored to the project and submit your application via the portal.

UNV: global online & on-site volunteering (free to join)

A) UNV Online Volunteering (100% remote)

• Open worldwide (18+); join from any device; assignments usually up to 20 hours/week for up to 12 weeks.

• Fields include translation, research, design, data, education, social media, and more.
  Start here: Become an Online Volunteer → sign up and apply via the Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP). unv.org

B) UN Volunteers (on-site) — funded allowances

For on-site assignments with UN agencies worldwide, UNV provides a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) (to sustain safe, basic living), travel to/from duty station, medical & life insurance, annual leave, and other benefits per the Unified Conditions of Service.
Learn more / create a profile: Become a UN Volunteer. Benefits explained here: UNV benefits & allowances, and Unified Conditions of Service.

Which path fits you?

Application links (official)

• ESC – All Opportunities: https://youth.europa.eu/go-abroad/volunteering/opportunities_en Youth Portal

• ESC – About & how it works: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en Youth Portal

• ESN Brussels call (apply): https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/45167_en Youth Portal

• Vitality 2025 Italy (apply): https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/47871_en — project info: https://www.parcoculturalealtalanga.it/vitality-2025 Youth PortalPARCO CULTURALE ALTA LANGA

• SCI Belgium (apply): https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/42746_tr Youth Portal

• UNV – Online Volunteering (how to join): https://www.unv.org/become-online-volunteer unv.org

• UNV – Create profile / opportunities: https://app.unv.org/ (UVP) app.unv.org

• UNV – On-site benefits & Conditions of Service: key pages explaining VLA, insurance, travel, and allowances. unv.org+1

FAQs

Is ESC really “free”?
Yes—the programme is EU-funded, and eligible volunteers don’t pay fees to participate. Projects cover travel, accommodation, insurance and a monthly allowance (amounts vary by country/host). Always apply via the European Youth Portal.

I don’t legally reside in an EU or associated country. Can I still do ESC?
Standard ESC volunteering requires legal residence in an EU/associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Türkiye, North Macedonia). If you don’t meet this, consider UNV Online (remote, open worldwide) or on-site UNV roles globally.

What support do UNV on-site volunteers receive?
UNV provides a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) to sustain basic living, plus travel to/from duty station, medical & life insurance, leave, and more—per the Unified Conditions of Service.

Pro tips to get selected

• Tailor your motivation to the host’s mission and tasks listed on the call.

• Show practical examples (teaching, event support, social media, research, mentoring, etc.).

• Stay authentic and keep it concise—hosts read many applications.