European Solidarity Corps (ESC)

Solidarity · EU-wide Programme · Directly relevant for Greek youth

Objectives

  • Mobilise young people aged 18–30 across the EU for high-quality solidarity and volunteering activities.
  • Strengthen cohesion, solidarity, democracy, and active citizenship.
  • Address societal and humanitarian challenges with a focus on sustainable development and social inclusion.
  • Provide recognition and validation of competences gained through solidarity activities.

Who Can Participate?

  • Young people aged 18 to 30 residing in an EU Member State.
  • Young people with fewer opportunities who are given priority access.
  • Youth organisations and NGOs that wish to host or organise solidarity projects.
  • Volunteers interested in contributing locally or in another EU country.

How to Participate?

  • Register on the European Solidarity Corps Portal (europa.eu/youth/solidarity) to create a profile.
  • Browse and apply for volunteering projects posted by organisations across Europe.
  • Greek youth can find local hosting organisations through the Greek National Agency (IKY).
  • Projects typically last 2 weeks to 12 months; shorter solidarity actions are also available.
  • Travel, accommodation, food and a monthly allowance are covered by the programme.

Erasmus+ Youth Programme

Participation & Solidarity · EU-wide Programme · Accessible from Greece

 

Objectives

  • Support youth mobility, volunteering, and civic engagement across Europe.
  • Implement the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and develop active European citizenship.
  • Fund youth exchanges, training courses, and projects led by youth organisations.
  • Promote non-formal education, inclusion, and cross-sectoral cooperation.

Who Can Participate?

  • Young people aged 13–30, including those with fewer opportunities.
  • Youth workers, educators, and organisations working with young people.
  • Schools, NGOs, local authorities, and informal groups based in Greece.
  • Youth wishing to do a voluntary activity abroad or host volunteers in Greece.

How to Participate?

  • Contact the Greek National Agency for Erasmus+ (IKY – iky.gr) for information on open calls.
  • Youth exchanges and training courses are organised throughout the year – applications open periodically.
  • Organisations can apply for funding to run projects; youth groups can participate as partners.
  • Individual volunteers can find opportunities through the European Solidarity Corps (linked programme).
  • No formal educational qualifications required for most youth activities – open to all.

 

EU Youth Dialogue

Participation · EU-wide · Youth Councils & National Working Groups

 

Objectives

  • Ensure young people’s opinions, views, and needs are taken into account in EU youth policies.
  • Connect youth with decision-makers through structured, 18-month policy cycles.
  • Address all young people, including those with fewer opportunities and those not yet engaged.
  • Current theme (11th cycle, 2025–2026): ‘Connecting EU with Youth’ – Youth Goal #1.

Who Can Participate?

  • Young people across all EU Member States, especially those not yet politically active.
  • Youth organisations and associations seeking to feed into national and EU-level policy.
  • Young people with fewer opportunities who want a voice in EU decision-making.
  • National working group members who coordinate consultations at the country level.

How to Participate?

  • Participate in national consultations and activities organised by the Greek working group.
  • Connect through the Greek National Youth Council and youth organisations to join dialogue sessions.
  • Attend EU Youth Conferences held under each EU Council Presidency.
  • Submit views and ideas during formal consultation periods – open calls are announced online.
  • Follow the European Youth Portal (europa.eu/youth) for updates on ongoing cycles and events.

 

European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI)

Participation · EU-wide · Online & Pan-European

 

Objectives

  • Give EU citizens the power to directly call on the European Commission to propose new legislation.
  • Provide a democratic tool to shape EU policies on issues that matter to citizens.
  • Foster civic engagement and participatory democracy at the European level.
  • Ensure that when 1 million signatures are collected, the Commission is obliged to respond.

 Who Can Participate?

  • Any EU citizen of voting age (18+ in most countries, 16 in some).
  • Greek citizens who want to influence EU-level legislation and policy.
  • Civil society organisations, activist groups, and concerned citizens.
  • Anyone passionate about EU-wide issues such as human rights, environment, or democracy.

How to Participate?

  • Visit citizens-initiative.europa.eu to browse and sign active initiatives.
  • Support an existing initiative by providing your digital signature – takes 2 minutes.
  • Start a new initiative by forming a citizens’ committee of at least 7 EU citizens from 7 different Member States.
  • Follow the ECI Forum and CitizenCentral Podcast for news on ongoing and successful initiatives.
  • Share initiatives with your networks – grassroots promotion is key to reaching 1 million signatures.