Última actualización Martes, 01/04/2025
Find all information about the European Solidarity Corps interim evaluation below.
On 1 April 2025, the European Commission officially adopted the Interim Evaluation of the European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027, as well as the final evaluations of the previous programmes (European Solidarity Corps 2018-2020 and EU Aid Volunteers 2014-2020). They reaffirm the programme’s crucial role in fostering youth engagement, social cohesion, and solidarity across Europe.
A transformative programme for young people
Since its launch in 2016 and its establishment as an EU-funded programme in 2018, the European Solidarity Corps has been a key driver of civic youth engagement. The initiative provides young people with opportunities to volunteer in projects across and beyond Europe. With an initial budget of €375.6 million (2018-2020) and €1.009 billion allocated for 2021-2027, the Corps has empowered more than 100,000 young people to participate in initiatives addressing urgent social and global challenges,
Projects have played a vital role in pandemic recovery, in support to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war of aggression and in mitigating consequences of disasters for EU citizens, underlining the programme’s adaptability and relevance in times of crisis.
Key findings: high impact, inclusivity, and efficiency
The evaluation highlights the strong impact of the European Solidarity Corps in promoting inclusion, diversity, and democratic participation, reinforcing European identity and values.
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71% of participants would not have found similar opportunities without the programme.
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Participation of young people with fewer opportunities has steadily grown from 25% in 2018 to 40% in 2023.
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The programme’s impact has doubled, proving cost-effective despite challenges like inflation, which led to increased unit costs in 2023 and 2024.
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The humanitarian aid strand has seen overwhelming interest, with nearly 200,000 expressions of interest since its launch in 2023, vastly outnumbering available placements.
Challenges and areas for improvement
While the programme has demonstrated remarkable success, the evaluation outlines key areas requiring attention:
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Inclusion – Strengthening outreach and support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Funding – Aligning the budget with growing demands to sustain impact.
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Digital Efficiency – Improving IT systems and reducing administrative burdens.
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Geographical Balance – Encouraging wider participation across all EU member states.
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Non-EU Nationals – Reflecting on possible improvements of visa arrangements.
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Alignment of the humanitarian aid strand – Clarifying the purpose of the humanitarian aid strand and considering an alignment of the age limit of that strand with the rest of the programme.
A message from the Commissioner
Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport, praised the programme’s impact, stating:
“Volunteering is an expression of solidarity and a driver of positive change. To ensure that youth engagement continues to thrive both in and from the EU, we need strong structures, recognition, and support. Investing in youth volunteering means investing in a better future for all young people.”
Looking forward: strengthening European solidarity
The European Commission remains committed to refining the programme. The insights from this evaluation will shape the future of the Corps beyond 2027, ensuring continued empowerment of young volunteers and strengthened European unity.
The evaluation report builds on the findings of a support study commissioned by DG EAC and carried out by a consortium led by PPMI.
For more information, visit the European Solidarity Corps section on this portal.