Vom EFD zum ESK: Ein kurzer Rückblick

EVS were letters that sounded good to anyone who wanted to travel to another European country and volunteer there for a longer period of time. EVS? This means (or was called) European Voluntary Service and meant working for 2 to 12 months in a project in the social, cultural or educational sector, getting a taste of a new language, living alone for the first time (perhaps), gaining initial work experience - and above all: getting to know lots of new people and EUROPE!

Our NGO magazine contains several enthusiastic testimonials from young people who have completed the European Voluntary Service and were clearly delighted with it. The work opportunities during the EVS were very different: Christina worked in a children's home and orphanage in Lithuania, Elisabeth took a break from her normal life in Romania, Sinem gained experience in childcare in a kindergarten in Palermo and Petra (from South Tyrol) supported young people looking for work at an association in Graz.

These four - like many other teenagers and young adults before and after them - have gained enriching, colorful, valuable experiences for their entire lives.

Elisabeth sums up the social component of the European Voluntary Service in touching words:

„EFD bringt dich in eine Community voll mit aufgeweckten und partly offenen People. Sie laden dich ein, ein Mitglied ihrer Familie zu sein. Es sind deine besten Freunde mit Ablaufdatum. Du schenkst fremden People, die du zuvor noch nie gesehen hast, dein ganzes Vertrauen. In einer Geschwindigkeit, in der dir schwindlig wird. Du erzählst ihnen Schritt für Schritt immer mehr über deine Vergangenheit und verbringst eine fantastische Gegenwart mit ihnen. Du erzählst ihnen mehr als deinen wahren Freunde, du kannst sein, was du bist, wer du bist. Keine Entschuldigungen, kein „von dir hätte ich mir das nicht erwartet“. Keine Überraschungen, denn alles ist eine Überraschung. Überrascht zu werden, das wird deine neue Routine.“

What has become of the European Voluntary Service?

Why is the beginning of this article written in the past? Does the EVS no longer exist? All-clear - it does! It just got a new name and was incorporated into the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in 2018. However, the project has hardly changed.

With the ESK - if you are between 18 and 30 years old - you can

... work on a charitable project for 2 to 12 months
... gain valuable experience in a social, cultural or environmental project in Europe
... live in another country free of charge and receive pocket money. Your work (approx. 30 hours per week) is voluntary.
… ein „gap year“ nach der Schule, nach einem Studienabschnitt, nach dem Uniabschluss ganz wunderbar und wertvoll füllen!

How can I apply for the European Solidarity Corps?

First you need to find a broadcasting organization, these vary depending on the federal state in which you live. Here you will find an overview of all ESK regional offices that are responsible in Austria. In Vienna, for example, this is Jugendinfo wien xtra. The regional offices will also provide you with detailed advice on the volunteer projects and there are information days on the European Solidarity Corps.

You can then search for projects and apply yourself in the ESK database. Your broadcasting organization or the regional office in your federal state will also help you with this. There are hardly any requirements for participation if you are between 18 and 30 years old and show motivation and openness for your commitment - then nothing can stop you!

Take a gap year with the European Solidarity Corps and get to know Europe!

Or, to quote Elisabeth's touching article again:

„EFD schenkt dir eine Auszeit vom normalen Leben. Von allem, was normal ist. Du wirst mit mehr als du erwartest konfrontiert, mit mehr als du erwartest zurückkommen, wenn du dich traust.
Es ist eine Zeit, in der du egoistisch sein darfst und dennoch etwas Gutes für die Welt tust.
Ist doch eine gute Balance.
Willkommen im Abenteuer, in dem du nie weißt, was morgen auf dich zu kommen wird. Du wirst es lieben!„