Call for Volunteers: ESC Opportunities with ENIL in 2025!
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) has launched its call for two European Solidarity Corps volunteers in 2025! This is your opportunity to join the movement for disability rights and Independent Living, with 6-month placements in Brussels.
Deadline to apply: 1 February 2025. Don’t miss out—find all the details and apply today!
This duration of this project is: 01/03/2022 – 31/12/2027
Since 2015, ENIL has been hosting volunteers at our Brussels Office, first as part of the European Voluntary Service, then the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The aim of ESC is “to foster solidarity in European society, engaging young people and organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities.” Its aim is to address societal challenges and to give young people the opportunity to learn and develop their potential.
ENIL is a hosting organisation and each year we publish a Call for new volunteer(s). Priority is always given to young disabled people. Those that apply go through a selection process, with those shortlisted invited for an interview. Typically, volunteers come to Brussels for a period of 8 months. They are not paid a salary, but their accommodation costs are covered and they get a small amount of money for food, expenses and travel in Brussels. They are eligible for ESC health insurance and if needed, can be provided with a personal assistant. Those who need a visa to come to Belgium are provided with the necessary documents. ENIL applies for a budget for each volunteer, so there is a limit to how much we can spend on accommodation, personal assistance salaries and the rest.
ESC volunteers support the ENIL team in implementing the work plan (for example, by helping to organise the Freedom Drive) and can also work on a personal project. They are encouraged to learn French, Flemish or another European language, and to explore the culture and history of Brussels and Belgium. At the end of their volunteering period, they are provided with a Youth Pass. Each volunteer must have a sending organisation in their country, which provides pre-departure training.
ENIL has received positive feedback from our volunteers about their experience. It has helped them become more independent, gain employment skills, learn a new language, meet new friends or partners, or find a paid job. You can find one of the experiences here.
ESC is funded by Erasmus+ and is administered by national agencies. ENIL’s national agency is JINT. You can find more information and criteria for taking part – including eligible countries – here.
Contact person: Vita Vaisnyte, vita.vaisnyte@enil.eu