Promotion of European Solidarity Corps program

Jerusalem, 11 December, 2019 (TPS) -- By: MIA 

Young people in North Macedonia have the opportunity to volunteer in the EU through the European Solidarity Corps program that the country joined, and show solidarity, commitment and benefit communities and people around Europe.

The Secretariat for European Affairs, the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, and the Ministry of Education and Science promoted the program on Tuesday.

According to the agreement signed, applicants from the country may include young people and organizations. The age limit is 18-30 years of age. Their stay in the EU countries would last 2 to 12 months with costs covered through a grant from the European Solidarity Corps program, which also provides an opportunity for young people from Europe to volunteer in North Macedonia.

Any public or private organization that has an Erasmus+ volunteer accreditation or a Quality Label, and is legally established in a participating state (EU member states, as well as Iceland, North Macedonia and Turkey) can take part and apply for a project. Projects need to be in relation to local community challenges at the same time promoting European values.

Addressing the promotion, Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani said the Secretariat for European Affairs had provided IPA-funds for participation in the program both for 2019 and 2020.

The program promoters, including Deputy PM Bujar Osmani, Minister of Education and Science Arber Ademi and director of the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, Lidija Dimova, pointed out that membership in this program creates great opportunities for young people to volunteer and acquire skills and competencies for their personal, educational, social and professional development.

The 2018-2020 budget for the European Solidarity Corps program stands at EUR 375,6 million.