The Commission today announced the first call for proposals for the European Solidarity Force 2021-2027.

The European Solidarity Force supports young people who want to volunteer in a variety of areas: from helping vulnerable people to participating in health and environmental activities in the EU and beyond. This year’s priority will be health, and volunteers will work on projects focused on health issues, including the consequences and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The budget of the new program for the period 2021-2027 is more than a billion euros. About 275,000 young people will have the opportunity to volunteer or start their own solidarity projects and thus act humanitarianly and help solve problems in society. More than 138m euros will be available in the first year. From next year, the program will also allow young people to volunteer as part of providing EU humanitarian aid in safe third countries.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for the Promotion of the European Way of Life, said: Solidarity is the cornerstone of the European project, both within the Union and in cooperation with our partners around the world. Our European way of life shows the younger generations that we are stronger together. Through the activities of the European Solidarity Force, they can share this experience with others. This program is largely focused on volunteering, through which young people are encouraged to actively participate in society, nurture our values ​​and be drivers of change.

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel said: Young people can make a significant contribution to society. We want to encourage them to use that part of life when everything seems possible to actively show solidarity and participate in activities they care about. As members of the European Solidarity Force, they are also given an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and develop new skills. This year, activities and projects are particularly focused on health prevention and support, and we hope that many volunteers will join us in the fight against the COVID pandemic 19.

The new period of the European Solidarity Force program focuses on the EU's political priorities and provides support to organizations and young people in related activities. Four areas stand out in particular:

-promoting inclusiveness and diversity
-designing projects so that they are "greener" and encouraging more sustainable and responsible behavior of participants and participating organizations
-supporting the digital transition through projects and activities that promote digital skills and digital literacy and increase understanding of the risks and opportunities of digital technology
-promoting youth participation in democratic processes and civic engagement.

In addition to these four areas of action, it is planned to add annual priorities for the most urgent issues, as is the case with the area of ​​health this year.

In order to participate in the European Solidarity Force, organizations must receive a quality label confirming that they are carrying out high-quality solidarity activities in accordance with the principles, objectives and requirements of the program. Any public or private body can apply for funding with the help of the national agencies of the European Solidarity Force, based in all EU Member States and non-EU countries participating in the program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey and the Republic of Northern Macedonia). ). In addition, groups of young people registered on the European Solidarity Force portal can directly apply for funding for solidarity projects that they have designed and are implementing themselves.

Both types of applications for the 2021-2027 program period are submitted from 15 April to 5 October 2021. Applications for the award of a quality label for voluntary activities in the field of solidarity may be submitted at any time. Applications for the award of a quality label for voluntary activities in the field of humanitarian aid shall be submitted by 22 September 2021.