How to Find Erasmus+ Volunteering Programmes in Europe (2026 Guide)
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Every year, tens of thousands of young Europeans pack their bags and head abroad, not for a holiday, but for something more meaningful. They join volunteering projects, training courses, and youth exchanges funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.
If you have heard of Erasmus+ but are not quite sure how volunteering fits into it, or where to even begin, this guide is for you.
Erasmus+ is the EU's flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. Most people associate it with university exchange semesters — but that is only one part of it.
The youth strand of Erasmus+ funds a wide range of activities for young people between 18 and 30, including:
Youth Exchanges — groups of young people from different countries meet for 6 to 21 days to work on a shared theme
Training Courses — professional development for youth workers, educators, and NGO staff
Volunteering Projects — through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), young people can volunteer for 2 weeks to 12 months with a hosting organisation abroad
These are not internships. They are not paid jobs. They are structured, non-formal education experiences, and they are almost always fully funded, meaning your travel, accommodation, meals, and local transport are covered.
The basic requirements for most Erasmus+ youth activities are:
You are between 18 and 30 years old (some activities accept 17-year-olds)
You are a resident of an EU member state or a partner country (many non-EU countries participate)
You are genuinely interested in the theme of the project
There is no requirement to speak a specific language, hold a university degree, or have previous volunteering experience. Erasmus+ is deliberately designed to be accessible, including for young people with fewer opportunities.
The range is enormous. In any given month, you might find:
A two-week youth exchange in Romania focused on democracy and active citizenship
A month-long ESC volunteering placement in Portugal, working on reforestation
A training course in Vienna for youth workers on non-formal education methods
A six-month ESC project in Spain teaching digital skills to elderly communities
Projects happen across more than 30 countries and cover topics from environment and climate to arts and culture, sport, social inclusion, digital skills, and human rights.
This is where most people get stuck. Opportunities exist, but they are scattered. Here are the main places to look:
Abroadventure: A platform built specifically for EU-funded youth programmes. You can filter by country, programme type, dates, and topic. NGOs post their opportunities directly, so the listings are current and detailed. Browse programmes →
SALTO-YOUTH: The official European resource centre for Erasmus+ youth activities. Their training and cooperation opportunities database lists courses and exchanges, though the interface is dated and not always up to date.
European Youth Portal: The EU's official portal for young people. Has a volunteering section, but requires patience to navigate.
Social Media Facebook groups like "Erasmus+ Youth Exchange" or "ESC Volunteers Europe" are surprisingly active. NGOs often post opportunities there directly.
Direct Contact with NGOs: If you know which country or topic you are interested in, search for NGOs in that area and contact them directly. Many run recurring programmes and are happy to hear from motivated applicants.
Every project has its own application process, set by the hosting NGO. Most applications involve:
A short motivation letter explaining why you want to join this specific project
Basic personal information (age, nationality, language level)
Sometimes a few specific questions about your experience or expectations
Be specific in your motivation letter. "I want to volunteer because I love helping people" will not get you far. Instead, explain what you know about the project, why this particular topic matters to you, and what you bring to the group.
Apply early. Good projects fill up fast, especially those with no participation fee and full travel reimbursement.
Do not apply to everything at once. Pick two or three projects that genuinely excite you and write a proper application for each.
If the NGO is interested, they will contact you for an online interview or ask for additional information. Selection usually takes one to four weeks, depending on the project timeline.
If accepted, the NGO will guide you through the next steps — paperwork, travel arrangements, and preparation activities. You will typically receive a participation agreement outlining what is expected of you and what you will receive in return.
Ask anyone who has done an Erasmus+ project, and they will almost universally say yes.
You gain real experience working in international teams. You develop language skills, intercultural competence, and resilience. You build a network of contacts across Europe. And often, you leave with a Youthpass certificate — an EU-recognised document that validates the competences you developed.
Beyond the CV, many participants describe their Erasmus+ experience as genuinely life-changing. The combination of meaningful work, new friendships, and living abroad even briefly has a way of shifting your perspective.
Browse currently open Erasmus+ and ESC programmes across Europe on Abroadventure. Filter by country, topic, and dates to find the right fit for you.
