Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
1. Organisational Need & Local Community Challenge
Identifies why the organisation wants volunteers and which real community or organisational need the ESC project addresses.
The practical guide to European Solidarity Corps projects
From the first idea to the alumni network: 36 phases in 7 chapters for organisations that host, support or coordinate ESC volunteers. Shared by NaturKultur e.V.
The seven chapters
Follow a project from organisational readiness to alumni and learning loop.
Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
This chapter checks whether the organisation is ready before it starts designing or recruiting. It answers: Do we have the structure, people, rules and responsibilities to run ESC safely and legally?
5 phasesChapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
This chapter turns organisational readiness into a project concept. It answers: Who are we working with, what are we trying to change, and how does the volunteer role fit the community?
5 phasesChapter 3 - Capacity, Budget, Logistics & Risk Planning
This chapter tests whether the project is realistic. It answers: Can we actually host this project well with the resources we have?
4 phasesChapter 4 - Recruitment, Selection & Matching
This chapter keeps the three recruitment phases separate. It answers: How do we attract, understand and choose the right volunteers fairly and realistically?
5 phasesChapter 5 - Preparation, Administration & Arrival
This chapter prepares the volunteer and organisation before the work begins. It answers: Are documents, people, housing and onboarding ready?
5 phasesChapter 6 - Implementation, Support & Quality Monitoring
This chapter covers the living project. It answers: How do we keep the experience safe, meaningful, useful and adjustable while it is happening?
7 phasesChapter 7 - Closing, Return, Impact & Continuity
This chapter closes the project and feeds the next cycle. It answers: What changed, what was learned, and how do we use this knowledge for the future?
5 phasesStart here
The first phases every organisation should go through.
Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
2. Internal Governance & Team Roles
Defines who is responsible for ESC, who makes decisions, who manages volunteers, who supervises tasks, who mentors, who handles finances, who communicates with partners, and who is backup if staff change.
Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
3. Legal, Ethical & Compliance Setup
Covers GDPR, consent, data protection, image permissions, child protection, safeguarding, insurance documentation, document retention and access rights.
Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
4. Programme Information & ESC Rules
Covers ESC rules, activity types, eligibility, roles, Quality Label, support measures, insurance, Youthpass, training cycle and reporting obligations.
Chapter 1 - Organisational Foundation, Governance & Compliance
5. Quality Label & Organisational Readiness
Checks whether the organisation can provide high-quality activities, support, learning, safety, inclusion, continuity and partner cooperation.
Chapter 2 - Ecosystem, Partnerships & Strategic Project Design
6. Partnerships & Local Ecosystem
Maps local schools, municipalities, NGOs, youth centres, community groups, support organisations and international partners.
Have a question or an idea?
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