The European Solidarity Corps, a new European Union programme for the 2018-2020 period that enables young people up to the age of 30 to volunteer or work on projects that benefit people and communities around Europe, was officially launched in Zagreb on Tuesday.

The programme is offering volunteer and occupational activities that support NGOs, local authorities, or private companies in addressing challenging situations across the European Union.

A total of €340 million has been set aside for this purpose, which will enable 100,000 young volunteers to take part in the programme.

Programmes like this create opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe, said the chairman of the Croatian parliamentary committee on European Affairs, Domagoj Milosevic.

European Solidarity Corps participants could be selected and invited to join a wide range of projects, such as helping to prevent natural disasters or rebuild afterwards, assisting in centres for asylum seekers, or addressing different social issues in communities.

Projects supported by the European Solidarity Corps can last from two to twelve months. They will usually be located within the European Union member states.

Approximately 400 young Croatians are volunteering abroad, while 2,000 foreign nationals are volunteering in Croatia.

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