Question 1

How do I apply for a volunteering project?

Accepted Answer

You can fill the form from our web page then wait for our response and also through the European Youth Portal you can find the Genç Girişim Association's project and apply. (youth.europa.eu) Additionally, you can reach us via Instagram to make your official appointment. (@gencgirisim06)

Question 2

Can i participate in an ESC project? If i already been an EVS/ESC volunteer in the past?

Accepted Answer

If you have already done a long-term EVS or ESC (more than 2 months), you are not allowed to go for any ESC project again. If you have participated in a short-term EVS or ESC (less than 2 months), you can go on another ESC project.

You can nevertheless apply for any available Erasmus+ internship / traineeship program, no matter if you have participated on EVS/ESC programs in the past.

Question 3

I do not live in an EU member state. Can I apply?

Accepted Answer

Some of our ESC projects are only open to applicants who are living in EU member states. This is due to funding rules or project timelines and cannot be changed.

Your nationality is not important. You need to be a resident of the country you are applying from (ie. Croatian nationality living in Italy = Italian participant; Indian nationality with permanent residence in Spain = Spanish participant). You are a resident of a country if your registered address is there.

Question 4

What is a "partner country"?

Accepted Answer

In the context of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects, a "partner country" refers to non-EU countries that are involved in these programs. Partner countries can participate actions of Erasmus+ and ESC projects, but they have different levels of involvement compared to EU Member States and other program countries.

For example, Turkey is a partner country in Erasmus+ and ESC, meaning organizations from Turkey can collaborate on various projects, including youth exchanges, training, and volunteering activities. Partner countries contribute to the mobility and cooperation activities but may have different funding mechanisms and eligibility criteria.

Question 5

I saw the ESC project on the European Youth Portal yesterday, and now it is not visible anymore. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes we receive hundreds of applications through the European Youth Portal in just one day. As we want to read all of them and organise a fair selection process, we sometimes have to take down the opportunity from the European Youth Portal earlier than initially planned. You can then still apply through our website by filling out the application form under the respective project post. Once the application form is not visible there anymore, the call will have been closed and you cannot apply anymore (also not through sending your documents via email).

Question 6

Should I send a CV and motivation letter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. During your application we ask for a CV and motivation letter. If we need more information, we will contact you and arrange an online call where you can tell us more about yourself.

Question 7

Do I need to apply through the European Youth Portal?

Accepted Answer

No, this is not mandatory. To apply for our volunteering projects, please fill in the form on the website post of the position you would like to apply for.

Question 8

I don't know any Turkish. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can definitely still apply! It is more important that you are motivated to learn the language during your stay in Türkiye.

Question 9

The project is planned for 12 months and I am not available for those dates. Can I also start later and only volunteer for 8 months?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately not. We can usually neither shorten the project by more than one month, nor start it earlier or later than indicated in the project description.

Question 10

I did not get a confirmation email that my application was received - why?

Accepted Answer

We get in touch via email with all applicants about the result of the selection (positive or negative) within 7 days after the deadline. You can find the deadline under the website post of the position you applied for.

Question 11

I do not have a sending organisation. Can I still apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you get selected, we can help you find an organisation in your home country that can support you as your sending organisation.

Question 12

Do I need to pay for my Visa / Residence Permit?

Accepted Answer

Visa costs / residence permit costs are usually reimbursed. Together with you and your sending organisation, we can decide which type of visa or residence permit to apply for and gather the necessary documents.

Question 13

When will I find out about the result of the selection process?

Accepted Answer

If the selection was positive, you will be invited for an online call with the hosting organisation

Question 14

Do I need to be fluent in English in order to participate in your projects?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need to be fluent in English! If you want to participate in a Youth Exchange, your level of English does not matter at all.

Question 15

Do I need to pay for anything if I want to participate in a project?

Accepted Answer

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All costs for food, accommodation, activities, and also travels (up to a limit), are covered by Erasmus+ and / or other funding depending on the project.

Question 16

What is my role going to be as a participant in the project?

Accepted Answer

As a participant, you will be a member of an international group coming together to learn with and from each other. As such, you are expected to respect other cultures, be open to participate in all activities and contribute to co-creating a learning experience for you and everybody around.

For projects hosted in Türkiye, we have summarised the most important rules in our Statement of Participation and House Rules Agreement which we are going to send you. These rules have to be signed by all participants that come on our projects hosted in Türkiye.

Question 17

What is a Youthpass and how do I receive it?

Accepted Answer

Youthpass is a certificate that confirms your participation in the project, but, more importantly, it is a tool you can use to document your own learning! The first two pages of the Youthpass shows the details of the project. The following pages are filled by you with what you have learned during the project. Through clicking on a link that the project organisers will send to you, you will see a page where you can enter your learning outcomes. After you click submit, the project organisers will send you the Youthpass as a PDF. You can read more about the Youthpass here.

Question 18

Can I stay in the host country before or/and after the project?

Accepted Answer

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This depends on the Erasmus+ rules that can be different depending on the host country. In Türkiye, you can stay up to 7 days in total before/after the project and still get your tickets from/to your home country reimbursed.

For those extra days (up to 7 all together), you would have to organise and finance your stay in the country. Before you plan extra days in the host country of the project, always check with the organisers if you are allowed to stay for extra days.

Question 19

What if I get sick during my stay abroad?

Accepted Answer

You are responsible to make sure you have health insurance, for example through purchasing additional travel insurance.

Please also pack your personal medication and inform the organisers of allergies and special needs before the start of the project.