Applications for European Solidarity Corps 2026 Call for Proposals is now open. The 2026 call for project proposals under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) has been officially published in the Official Journal of the European Union (C/2025/6214). This call invites organisations to apply for funding to implement solidarity and volunteering activities that support inclusion, community resilience, social engagement, and other solidarity objectives across Europe and associated countries.
The ESC is a programme of the European Union that supports youth-led and community-focused initiatives in solidarity activities, volunteering, and engagement with local communities. The 2026 call for proposals is based on the ESC Regulation (EU) 2021/888 and the 2026 Annual Work Programme, and it provides funding opportunities for a range of project types.
Actions Covered in the 2026 Call
The 2026 ESC call includes the following actions:
- Volunteering Projects – Projects that enable individuals to engage in volunteering activities to support communities.
- Solidarity Projects – Initiatives led by groups of young people to address societal challenges through solidarity actions.
- Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas – Larger teams addressing strategic areas of policy priority.
- Volunteering under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps – Support for humanitarian-related volunteering activities.
- Quality Label for Solidarity and Humanitarian Volunteering – Accreditation for organisations enabling them to participate in ESC activities.
Organisations may also apply for a Quality Label on a continuous basis, which is a prerequisite for many project types and demonstrates compliance with the ESC’s quality standards.
Deadlines for Submission of Proposals
Applications must be submitted by the deadlines specified below (all times are Brussels time):
- Volunteering Projects: 18 February 2026 (with an optional second round on 1 October 2026)
- Solidarity Projects: 18 February 2026 (additional rounds on 7 May and 1 October 2026)
- Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas: 3 March 2026
- Volunteering under the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps: 23 April 2026
- Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering: 22 September 2026
Applications for Quality Labels for solidarity volunteering can be submitted at any time.
Funding and Participation
The total budget earmarked for the 2026 call is estimated at EUR 129,595,000. The funding supports projects of varying durations and scopes, as detailed in the 2026 European Solidarity Corps Guide, which includes implementation modalities and eligibility criteria.
Organisations that are legally established in EU Member States or associated countries as defined in the ESC regulations can apply for funding. Detailed eligibility criteria and application conditions are described in the Programme Guide.
How to Apply
To submit a proposal, organisations must follow the procedures outlined in the 2026 European Solidarity Corps Guide, which is available on the European Youth Portal under the calls for proposals section. Applications for decentralised actions are typically submitted through National Agencies, while centralised actions are submitted via the European Education and Culture Executive Agency or the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
The European Solidarity Corps 2026 call for proposals is now open for organisations wishing to apply for funding to implement volunteering and solidarity initiatives across Europe and associated countries. Funded actions include volunteering projects, solidarity projects, high-priority volunteering teams, humanitarian volunteering, and Quality Labels. Key deadlines in 2026 range from 18 February to 23 April, with additional rounds throughout the year. The overall budget for the call is approximately EUR 129,595,000. Interested organisations should consult the European Solidarity Corps Guide 2026 and submit their applications via the appropriate National Agency or centralised managing authority.
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