Toolbox — For Training and Youth Work
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Manual
What's inside - a guide how to start hosting with ESC
A practical guide to improving volunteer hosting under the European Solidarity Corps. Covers pre-arrival prep, mentoring, host family concept, first-week success, cultural diversity, and tools for quality volunteer support. United Vision & KERIC.
Aims of the tool
The aim of the tool is to enhance the quality of volunteer hosting in the European Solidarity Corps by providing practical guidance, tools, and good practices for organizations—especially newcomers. It focuses on preparation, mentoring, cultural inclusion, and long-term impact.
Description of the tool
Tool Description:
This tool, developed through the KA2 project “Excellence in ESC Volunteering” by United Vision and KERIC, is a comprehensive guide designed to support organizations in hosting European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers. It is especially useful for newcomers seeking practical advice and proven practices.
The guide covers the entire volunteer lifecycle—from pre-arrival preparation to post-project reflection. Key learning components include:
Pre-arrival Preparation: Structured online meetings to set expectations, introduce the host country, and begin cultural adaptation.
Mentorship Model: How to build personal, emotional, and cultural support through a dedicated mentor system.
Host Family Concept: The value of early cultural immersion through short stays with local families.
First Weeks Focus: Techniques for empowering volunteers early on to foster engagement and confidence.
Cultural Diversity Inclusion: Strategies for working with volunteers from non-EU countries and promoting intercultural understanding.
Tools and Resources: Templates, digital tools (like E-passport), mentoring practices, and mental health supports.
Learning Outcomes:
By using this tool, youth workers, coordinators, and host organizations will:
Develop structured onboarding and support practices for ESC volunteers.
Improve intercultural communication and inclusion skills.
Learn to use mentoring as a personal development tool.
Foster volunteer autonomy and engagement from the beginning.
Strengthen their capacity to host diverse groups of young people effectively.
Gain access to replicable tools and methodologies to improve overall volunteer management quality.
Available downloads:
Disclaimer
SALTO cannot be held responsible for the inappropriate use of these training tools. Always adapt training tools to your aims, context, target group and to your own skills! These tools have been used in a variety of formats and situations. Please notify SALTO should you know about the origin of or copyright on this tool.
Tool overview
http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/4964
This tool addresses
Youth Initiatives
It is recommended for use in:
European Voluntary Service
Materials needed:
none
Duration:
flexible
Behind the tool
The tool was created by
United Vision and Keric
in the context of
results of KA 2 project
The tool was published to the Toolbox by
Lucie Hruskova (on 23 June 2025)
and last modified
23 June 2025
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