European Solidarity Corps and environmental protection

The environmental dimension of the European Solidarity Corps

As a contribution to the European Solidarity Corps, the European Commission launched a LIFE call for preparatory actions for the deployment of European Solidary Corps volunteers to support the conservation of Natura 2000 sites.

This first action aims to strengthen the Environment strand of the Corps, and will focus initially on mobilising in-country volunteers. It will enable young people (18 to 30 year-olds) to increase their awareness, assume ownership and responsibility over our common European natural heritage while helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the EU biodiversity objectives.

This pilot has a budget of €3.3 million and is financed by LIFE environment and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EARDF).
In addition, during the first half of 2017 the LIFE programme will partner with ERASMUS+ to offer environment cross-border volunteering opportunities to young Europeans.

For more information: ENV-SOLIDARITY-CORPS@ec.europa.eu

What is the European Solidarity Corps?

The European Solidarity Corps is a volunteers-based initiative that will allow young people to make a hands-on contribution in areas such as disaster relief, social integration, environmental protection and poverty reduction. The objective is to allow more young people to take part in a wide range of solidarity activities, either by volunteering or by taking up work experience to address.

The scheme is open to young people (17-30 years of age) and the registration tool is available in the 24 official languages of the EU.

For more information:

Investing in Europe’s youth: Commission launches European Solidarity Corps – press release

Questions and Answers on the European Solidarity Corps