FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
Voluntary Services International is a member of the Irish Anna Lindh Network. They work with a number of groups including young people aged between 18-30 years. One of their programmes on offer is the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering programme gives young people (18-30 years old) the opportunity to volunteer in their own country or abroad. The ESC is funded by the EU and participation is completely free. Volunteers will be afforded accommodation, food, and insurance, as well as a small allowance for personal expenses. Support for language learning is also available. The length of an ESC project can range from 2 weeks to 12 months.
ESC projects support local community and voluntary organisations in a wide range of fields. The programme is an initiative of the European Union, aiming to promote active citizenship and to develop solidarity.
All ESC projects involve sending and hosting organisations who cooperate closely with each other to support the volunteer during their project. VSI is accredited by Léargas, Ireland's national agency for the programme, as a coordinating, sending, and hosting organisation. VSI has many years of experience co-ordinating ESC projects, and endeavours to ensure that all volunteers enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding ESC journey.
You can find out more from the 'horses mouth' as they say - read hear and discover one of the ESC volunteer's experience in Belgium last year volunteering at an equine therapy centre for vulnerable teenagers here