Robert Schuman European Centre - CERS
Robert Schuman European Centre - CERS
Since 2014, the Robert Schuman European Centre has also been an accredited sending and coordinating organization with the European Union, for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme.
Would you like to discover a country “differently”, learn the language of the host country, “take a break” and/or acquire new and useful skills for a future life project?
The ESC offers a unique opportunity for young people to experience mobility and commitment in another country. Above all, ESC is a life experience that allows you to discover another culture while acquiring useful skills needed for socio-professional integration.
Concretely, the ESC makes it possible to engage and carry out missions of general interest in various fields, such as in the:
-Reception and integration of refugees and migrants,
-Citizenship and democratic participation,
-Disaster prevention and reconstruction,
-Environment and nature protection,
-Aid to people in difficulty, social and solidarity economy,
-Employment and entrepreneurship-projects aimed at combating unemployment and improving entrepreneurship,
… all within a non-profit structure (associations, communities, etc.).
To be a volunteer is:
"to give one's time, energy and skills in the service of others, while fulfilling oneself and giving meaning to one's commitments. Rgardless of one’s age, function, and personal background”, as underlined by France’s Volunteers.
The implementation of ESC is based on a few fundamental principles that:
-Promote the fundamental values ââof the European Union among young people, in particular respect to human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination,
-Allow young people to live a privileged experience for 2 to 12 months (to discover another culture, prepare for integration into working life, learn a foreign language, etc.),
-Help associations and communities for the local development of non-profit activities and initiatives,
-Encourage the construction of new (European) partnerships and the exchange of experiences and practices.
-Be between 18 and 30 years old and legally reside in a country participating in the program,
-No level of language, diploma or training is required to participate in the ESC,
-Duration of the project: 2 to 12 months,
-Specific conditions on offer for young people with fewer opportunities.
Contact the person in charge of mobility at the CERS: Julie Knapp (julie.gratz@centre-robert-schuman.org).
1. The CERS is in charge of the preparation of the volunteer and of his/her assistance before, during and after the ESC activity. A minimum of 3 months are required between the first contact and the actual departure.
2. Choose your CES project on the official database: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_fr
3. In the host country, the host organization provides the volunteer with appropriate personal and linguistic assistance and also appoints a mentor. This person should become the reference point for any problems or queries that the volunteer might have.
4. Create a ESC file which includes: the ESC registration form + a CV in English + a cover letter in English.
The person in charge of mobility at CERS is there to guide you during the creation of this file, aiding with specific issues or in the case that you have difficulties with English.
Volunteers regularly testify about their ESC experiences on the CERS social networks. You can also find videos describing their experiences in our media library.
