All together for ESC

Despite growing numbers of young people and organizations that are involved in Erasmus+ projects all over the Europe, there is still a fear when it is a time to create volunteering projects. There are a lot of NGOs who don’t find themselves confident enough or find difficult to understand guides written by European Commission. They don’t see the advantages to join international volunteering and see themselves a bit lost to start an ESC projects. For this reason, we want to create this TC, share our information and experiences in ESC to help others develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to organize ESC projects, based on the non-formal learning, exchange of good practices, and quality standards.

Main goals of the training course:

• To provide the necessary information about quality label and ESC projects.

• To provide practical information about essential ESC elements (OLS,Cigna,ESC portal, Mobility tool...)

• To improve participant’s skills in project management related to European volunteering activities.

• To create a learning experience through a simulated process on setting up an ESC project based on non- formal learning and quality standards of the European projects.

• Provide a guide to conflict management and emergencies situations.

• To offer the opportunity to meet trustable partners to make contacts for future ESC collaborations.

Participant report

"It is hard to believe that this TC was able to carry out such a diverse, informative, creative range of activities and reach all the goals it was committed to in just a week-long period. If I were to give the name for the project, I would call it “The truth about the ESC” and here is the reason why: this TC revealed the reality behind the curtains, the invisible bottom of the iceberg of the ESC projects. 

Most of the time was dedicated to the sessions facilitated by experienced and qualified mentors who gave relevant information on different aspects of ESC. These topics on agenda were the application for the quality label, the roles of hosting and supporting organizations, volunteer project planning, the budget allocation, OLS, Cigna, a volunteer’s experience and challenges including the solutions to emergencies she/he might be involved in, and a lot more. The participants were not only able to represent their countries, but also their supporting organizations. Therefore, another accent was stressed on building a network of young individuals who can count on future collaborations for their projects. 

However, our days in Ankara were not packed with sessions only, which I would say actually were lively and with a creative approach, like the theater play of some situations or games, but besides that, there was room for joy, fun, and entertainment as well. This manifested itself in the impressive cultural nights of the 9 countries involved, which in my view was the highlight of the project. Where else would I see the staging of Turkish wedding traditions or learn a dance from Mauritius or play an Italian drinking game along with the song Bevilo Tutto? Also, watching the FIFA World Cup final 2022 together with my new friends was the first time I ever watched a football match. The Turkish culture for me most of all demonstrated itself in the form of cuisine as the organizers took importance to our food, and for each meal we were lucky to eat outside at various cafés and restaurants. We were also able to explore the capital of Türkiye, and thanks to our local Turkish participants we didn’t get lost in such a huge and populated city.  

To conclude, I would like to remark that this project helped me to grow professionally and personally and taught me skills and knowledge which for sure will have a long-lasting impact and relevance for my future. The project definitely set the standards high for the future projects I want to participate in and organize myself. "

Myrzaiym Daniiarova