Do you have a great idea in mind to improve your local community? Within Solidarity Projects, you could set up a project yourself, with a group of friends, and take social action wherever you live in the UK.
With this type of activity, groups of at least five young people can come up with and run a project locally. It could address key challenges within the local area, whilst also helping tackle regional or even national issues.
Your group must have a clearly defined topic that you wish to explore together, with concrete daily activities that involve all the participants. Think about working methods and project management – you will decide these too.
Climate change, gender equality, democratic engagement, or other topics – it’s all about the causes that matter to you.
If you’d like, you could choose to work with an experienced organisation when applying for funding or find a coach to support the group (someone with youth work experience, for example).
The project can last from two to 12 months and it can be part-time.
Applying for Solidarity Projects is a straightforward process. In the application form, you will be asked questions such as why you want to carry out this project, how it will benefit the community, and which activities you are planning to run during the preparation and implementation of the idea.
Before you apply
There are six steps to get your group ready to apply for funding.
1. Create your group: call other young people from your community and bring together your group with a common idea or topic.
2. Get everyone registered: all members of the group should join the European Solidarity Corps Portal.
3. Have an OID number: one member of the group takes the role of group leader and registers on the Organisation Registration System (ORS) to obtain an Organisation Identification (OID). Alternatively, you can identify an organisation that is willing to apply on your behalf (either they already have an OID, or they will obtain one). If you previously registered on the Participant Portal and had a Participant Identification Code (PIC), you will have automatically been given an OID.
4. Do your homework: it’s time to get geeky! Read the specific guidance and watch tutorials on writing your application to know what to expect when filling the form.
5. Create your project: structure your ideas with our planner below, cross check it with the guide for applicants and fill the application webform in.
6. Submit your application. Don’t miss the deadline, and good luck!
Additional resources
Check out our additional resources on Solidarity Projects:
- structure your project idea with our Solidarity Projects planner (486 KB);
- watch a video on how to complete our Solidarity Projects planner; and
- watch the module on Solidarity Projects available on ‘Ready, Set, Make the Change!’, a European Solidarity Corps free online course on the HOP platform.
Application process
Who can apply: a group of minimum five young people aged 18-30 from an EU Member State, or an organisation (public or private) can apply on your behalf. You must be registered on the European Solidarity Corps portal to initiate and participate in a Solidarity Project.
How to apply: check the 'Open Calls' tab for the ESC31 Solidarity Projects web form
Guidance for application:
- read the guide for applicants 2020 Call – Round 3 (593 KB)
- watch a tutorial on how to complete the web form
Upcoming deadline: the third round deadline is 1 October 2020, 11am (UK time)
Read our webpage for the latest information on European Solidarity Corps and the EU transition period.