Impact & testimonials
They lived it: young people of the European Civic Service speak out
From Metz to Sarajevo, from Cascais to Gdynia, young people tell how six months of volunteering changed them, and the communities they served.
6
documented pilots in 2024-2025, in 5 countries
4 000+
people directly supported by the volunteers
2 000+
trees planted in Cascais in six months
6 out of 8
Gdynia volunteers went on to another European experience
“The most meaningful part was the training trip to Romania — the cherry on top. Thanks to this experience, I realised I want to go on a long-term volunteer project. If it were not for YouSCE, I probably would not have found the courage to actually apply — and I was accepted.”
Zofia, YouSCE pilot in Gdynia (Poland), now a European Solidarity Corps volunteer in Berlin
The pilots, country by country
In countries where civic service does not yet exist, we test the model with local associations. These pilots were run as part of the European projects Along the Road of the YouSCE (Erasmus+) and CONNECTTOWNS2U (CERV).
Poland · CWM Gdynia · Nov. 2024 – May 2025
Gdynia: daring to go
- 8 local volunteers in two child and family support associations
- 350+ direct beneficiaries
- 6 volunteers went on to a European exchange or volunteering project (Germany, Slovenia…)
“This experience allowed me to reassess my career plans entirely. I gained practical skills: working with people, moderating conflicts, and learning to distance myself from difficult situations.”
Karolina, Gdynia
“This project helped me define my career path and even led to my current job in a kindergarten!”
Klaudia, Gdynia
“I discovered that my skills have real value and a true impact.”
Daria, Gdynia
Portugal · Plantar Uma Árvore · Oct. 2024 – Mar. 2025
Cascais: restoring the forest
- 2,000+ trees and shrubs planted in degraded areas
- 30+ school, company and community groups led by the volunteers
- 1,000+ people reached, in groups of up to 130 participants
“This project completely exceeded my expectations. I believe all young people should do the same — change only happens when we roll up our sleeves and work together.”
Tomás, Cascais
“Spending six months in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The friends I made are an essential part of my life to this day.”
Alyson, Cascais
“Knowing that people near and far share this goal brings a feeling of belonging to something bigger!”
Margarida, Cascais
Spain · Coordinadora de Vallecas · Oct. 2024 – Apr. 2025
Madrid: from beneficiaries to facilitators
- 10 young people from the Vallecas district, all with fewer opportunities
- 8 host associations working with children, young people and families
- 1 international meeting with Portuguese and Italian volunteers (April 2025)
The Madrid pilot is our strongest proof of inclusion: young people who used to attend the neighbourhood associations became their facilitators. They ran workshops, supervised children and produced videos. For many, the international meeting was their first experience of living alongside young people from other countries.
Poland · Centrum Wolontariatu · 2024
Warsaw and Gdańsk: a network of associations
- 10 volunteers in 6 associations: migrants, children, health, food aid
- ≈ 3,000 hours of volunteering in total
- 1,770 direct beneficiaries and 87 activities
“The activities taught me to be sensitive to the other person and their needs. I definitely see great potential in long-term volunteering — I’m staying with the organisation for the next few months!”
Karolina, Warsaw
“I opened myself to activities I had previously been afraid of. I have gained more confidence, and I hope to use this experience in creating my own cultural events.”
Marta, Poland
Bosnia and Herzegovina · CONNECTTOWNS2U · 2024
Sarajevo: the Olympic spirit of 1984
- 249 applications for 15 places
- Commemorations of the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Winter Olympics, humanitarian and cultural support
- A volunteering festival organised by the young people themselves
“Through this project, I discovered so much about my city that I hadn’t known before. I saw firsthand how even the smallest gestures can bring immense happiness to people.”
Irma, Sarajevo
“There is so much potential in young people, and this energy needs to be harnessed further. The project gives me hope for my generation.”
Kenan, mentor, Sarajevo
Romania · FITT · 2024
Timișoara: culture for all
- 1,000+ direct beneficiaries
- 12 free cultural events: exhibitions, concerts, workshops
- A round table on volunteering with the municipality and about ten associations
“For me, cultural projects are a way of giving people a chance to shine. It is a wonderful feeling when you see people’s faces shining because they see their work appreciated and exposed.”
Beatrice, Timișoara
“Volunteering has given me both great friends and a space to grow and discover what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Vlad, Timișoara
In our SCE cohorts
The heart of the scheme: mixed cohorts, half young people from the host country, half young people from elsewhere in Europe.
France · Unis-Cité · since 2020
Metz, where it all began
“Living with these young people from all over Europe and serving the common good, as I wanted to, it’s the first time I truly feel European.”
Maxime, Metz cohort then mission in Milan
“I had never left Romania before coming here. My mindset has changed, and so has my view of the world.”
Vlad, Romania, Metz cohort
“I’m clearly more confident! I have a better idea of what I want to do later.”
Louise, Paris, Metz cohort then mission in Portugal
Spain, Czechia, France · 2025
The 2025 cohorts
- 218 young people in 15 countries
- New cohorts in Málaga (Arrabal) and Mělník (Czechia), 7 Unis-Cité cohorts in France
“A deep sense of gratitude for the valuable lessons and unforgettable memories that have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.”
Nour, Málaga cohort
“I wanted to try a new experience and live on my own, far from my family. To build connections, grow and gain new skills.”
Médéric, Belgium, Metz cohort
Giovanni and Agatha, first cohort 2020-2021
Alumni community
Join the YouSCE community
After their service, young people can stay involved by becoming ambassadors. More than 100 young ambassadors have already led awareness-raising activities about Europe across the network.
- Become a mentor for future volunteers
- Set up your own solidarity, European and intercultural projects
- Help the European Civic Service become better known and grow
- Take part in our youth exchanges, meetings and events, including the annual meeting
Write to us with the hashtag #AmbassadeurYouSCE and we will send you the registration form. We speak French, English, Spanish, Italian and German.
Our cohorts in pictures
Gallery to be completed with photos of the 2024-2026 cohorts.
Want to experience it yourself?
Discover the open missions in Europe or abroad, or join the network as a host organisation.
Testimonials taken from the impact reports of the YouSCE (Erasmus+, 2024-2025) and CONNECTTOWNS2U (CERV, 2024-2025) pilots, and from the Collective’s 2025 activity report. Published with the volunteers’ first names. Reports available on request for our partners and funders.