26. ESC Training Cycle

Explanation

The European Solidarity Corps Training and Evaluation Cycle (TEC) is the official learning and support framework designed to prepare volunteers for their experience, support their personal and professional development during the activity, and evaluate their learning process. It ensures that every volunteer receives a minimum standard of preparation, guidance and reflection regardless of the hosting organisation or country.

The cycle is not only a set of mandatory events but a continuous learning process that accompanies the volunteer before, during and after the mobility. It supports the development of competences related to solidarity, intercultural learning, active citizenship, personal responsibility, teamwork, communication, inclusion and adaptation to new environments.

The Training and Evaluation Cycle for participants consists of the following sessions

Pre-departure training – for volunteers participating in cross-border activities. It is ensured by participating organisations and prepares volunteers before leaving their home country. It normally introduces the ESC programme, rights and responsibilities, practical arrangements, intercultural awareness, motivation, expectations, possible challenges and preparation for living abroad.

On-arrival training – organised by National Agencies, SALTO Resource Centres or participating organisations according to the implementation arrangements in each country. It takes place after arrival and helps volunteers understand the ESC framework, adapt to their new environment and develop tools for successful participation. The ESC Guide specifies that on-arrival training must include a security briefing, covering safety procedures, risk awareness, emergency contacts, rights and responsibilities, and practical information about staying safe during the activity.

Mid-term evaluation – required for volunteering activities lasting six months or longer. It provides a structured reflection point where volunteers evaluate their experience, review learning progress, identify challenges and set objectives for the remaining period. It is ensured by National Agencies or SALTOs. The organisation should use the outcomes of the evaluation to adapt support if needed.

Annual ESC events – organised within the ESC framework to strengthen the connection between volunteers, encourage reflection on solidarity values, and provide opportunities for networking and sharing experiences with other participants.

The host and support organisations must ensure that volunteers participate in all applicable stages of the cycle. Participation is considered part of the volunteer’s learning pathway and should be included in the project planning from the beginning.

Language support runs alongside the cycle through Online Language Support (OLS) and, where needed, local-language courses. Language learning is not treated only as a practical tool for communication but as an important element of intercultural integration and participation in the local community.

The training cycle is one layer of support among several. The ESC Guide emphasises that official training complements the continuous support provided by organisations before and during the activity. In practice, the official NA and SALTO training should be connected with:

• organisational induction and introduction to internal procedures;
• practical preparation for the living environment;
• task-related training;
• cultural adaptation activities;
• regular mentoring and supervision.

The aim is to avoid repetition and create a coherent learning journey where each element has a clear purpose.

For example, the official on-arrival training may address general ESC principles and intercultural learning, while the host organisation may provide additional sessions about the local community, organisational culture, working methods, safeguarding procedures and the specific needs of the target group.

Through participation in the Training and Evaluation Cycle, volunteers should be supported in understanding the values, objectives and principles of the European Solidarity Corps, as well as recognising their rights and responsibilities as participants. The cycle aims to strengthen volunteers’ intercultural competences, openness towards diversity, communication and teamwork skills, while encouraging them to reflect on their personal learning process, challenges and achievements. It helps volunteers develop greater independence and confidence, understand the social impact of their volunteering activities, identify competences gained through non-formal learning, and connect their experience with future personal, educational and professional goals. The cycle also contributes to the preparation of the volunteer’s Youthpass, as the reflection activities included throughout the volunteering period support the identification and recognition of learning outcomes and competences developed during the experience.

To make the Training Cycle effective, organisations should inform volunteers about the full structure and purpose of the cycle before the start of the project, explain which stages are mandatory and why active participation is important, and coordinate travel and working arrangements to ensure that volunteers can attend all relevant training events. Organisations should also prepare volunteers emotionally and practically for international mobility, create opportunities for reflection after each official training stage, support them in applying new knowledge to their daily activities, and use feedback from trainings to improve supervision and overall support. Connecting training topics with the volunteer’s individual learning goals helps ensure that the cycle becomes a meaningful part of the volunteer’s personal development. A common mistake is treating official training as the only learning opportunity; the strongest results are achieved when organisations actively follow up on training content and help volunteers transfer new knowledge and skills into real-life situations throughout their volunteering experience.

Role perspectives

Organisation: The organisation ensures that volunteers attend all applicable stages of the Training and Evaluation Cycle and connects the official training with its own induction, supervision and learning support. It facilitates participation, encourages reflection and uses learning outcomes to improve the volunteer experience.

Coordinator: The coordinator manages practical arrangements, communicates training information, tracks participation, organises language support and links the training content with the volunteer’s individual learning goals and project experience.

Volunteer: The volunteer actively participates in all required training stages, reflects on their learning and challenges, uses available support opportunities and applies the knowledge and competences gained throughout the volunteering activity.

Differences by ESC model

Long-term volunteering: The full cycle applies, including the mid-term evaluation for activities of six months or longer. Longer placements require continuous reflection because volunteers have more time to experience different phases of adaptation: initial excitement, adjustment challenges, deeper involvement and preparation for departure.

Short-term volunteering: Pre-departure and on-arrival training apply, but the formal mid-term does not. However, organisations should still create internal reflection moments, especially after the first days and before the end of the activity, to identify learning achievements and address difficulties.

Volunteering teams / group volunteering: Cross-border teams receive pre-departure and on-arrival training. Due to the intensive and collective nature of team activities, preparation should focus strongly on teamwork and communication, conflict prevention, intercultural cooperation, group responsibility, and safety procedures. The on-arrival security briefing is particularly important because participants often work in unfamiliar environments and complete activities together within a limited timeframe.

Questions & answers

What is the Training and Evaluation Cycle?

It is the official ESC learning and support framework consisting of pre-departure training for cross-border activities, on-arrival training including a security briefing, mid-term evaluation for activities of six months or longer, and annual ESC events. Some stages are organised by National Agencies or SALTO Resource Centres, while others involve participating organisations.

Why is the Training Cycle important if the organisation already provides support?

The official cycle guarantees a common quality standard for all ESC volunteers, while organisational support provides personalised guidance connected to the specific project, community and volunteer role.

Do we have to send the volunteer to all of the trainings?

You must ensure the volunteer attends every stage that applies to your activity; it is a host and support duty.

Is the mid-term always included?

Only for activities of six months or longer. Shorter activities still benefit from your own internal mid-point review.

Can organisations organise additional training?

Yes. Additional training is encouraged when it responds to the volunteer’s needs, project context or target group requirements.

How is the Training Cycle connected with Youthpass?

The reflection moments within the cycle help volunteers identify learning outcomes and competences developed during their ESC experience, which supports the Youthpass process.

Documents for further reading

• SALTO-YOUTH — About the Training and evaluation cycle (TEC) — the cycle structure, ownership of each stage and minimum quality standards.
• Online Language Support - Erasmus+ — the OLS language-support track.
• european_solidarity_corps_guide_2026_EN.pdf — the training-cycle obligations and the on-arrival security briefing.