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1. EU programmes

2. Other Programmes

3. Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

EU programmes

Youth volunteering across borders in Spain is mainly supported through European Union programmes, most notably the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and  Erasmus+.

European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps, launched in 2018, has now fully replaced the former European Volunteer Service (Servicio Voluntario Europeo (SVE)) stands out. It targets young people aged 18 to 30, enabling them to participate in solidarity and volunteering projects within and outside the EU. Upon completion, participants receive a Youthpass certificate, documenting the skills and experience gained.

In Spain the ESC is managed by the Spanish National Agency (Agencia Nacional Española – ANE), composed of: the Youth Institute (INJUVE); Representatives from the Autonomous Communities and Autonomous Cities; and the Spanish Youth Council.

Actions managed under the ESC framework include:

• Volunteering projects
• Solidarity Projects
• Quality Label certification for hosting and supporting organisations

The table below outlines the details of ESC projects coordinated by Spanish organisations:

Source: ESC Project Results Platform. Filtered by projects hosted by Spanish organizations. 

Erasmus +

EU Aid Volunteers (EUAV)

Spain also participates is the EU Aid Volunteers (EUAV) initiative though entities such as the Spanish Agency for the International Development Cooperation (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID)) and, at a regional autonomic level, the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (Agencia Catalana de Cooperación al Desarrollo). The participants in these projects need to be 18 years or older, EU citizens or long-term residents in a member state.

Other Programmes

In addition to EU schemes, several Spanish programmes promote youth volunteering with an international dimension.

REAJ Youth Exchange Programme 

The Youth Exchange Program of the Youth Hostelling Network (Programa de Intercambios Juveniles de la Red Española de Albergues Juveniles (REAJ)) initiative allows young people to live and work in youth hostels abroad (e.g. in the UK, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia or Portugal) for a period of 2 weeks and 3 months. Aimed at youth aged 18–30, it enhances knowledge of hostel management and intercultural skills. Accommodation and partial board are covered by the hosting oganisation under the programme. 

International Volunteer Camps (SVI)

Coordinated by INJUVE and the Autonomous Communities, the International Volunteer Camps (Campos de Voluntariado Internacional, SVI) programme offers young people aged 18–30 the opportunity to volunteer in various countries for approximately 15 days. Participation is open to both Spanish citizens residing abroad and foreign residents in Spain. Expenses are not covered by the State, and participants are responsible for costs.

The program is coordinated through the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations, which includes participating countries like Germany, France, Greece, Mexico, and the United States, among others.

As part of the European Solidarity Corps framework, these international camps are now integrated into the broader ESC programme. 

Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers