The UNA of Bulgaria has for the second consecutive year two European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers. The European Solidarity Corps is a program funded by the European Union and aimed at providing opportunities for international mobility of volunteers from across Europe. It provides young people aged 18-30 with the opportunity to volunteer in their own country or travel abroad and volunteer for a foreign NGO, with the mission of building a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable people, and responding to societal challenges.
Our project, “UN and Youth”, implemented in partnership with the „For You“ association in Varna, aims at developing key competencies in young people that help them integrate more successfully into the labor market and society. After an introductory training with a local sending organization, the Municipality of Cremona, Italy, the volunteers will be involved in the organization’s daily activities, such as planning and organizing events, maintaining communication channels, and liaising with partners.
The 2024-2025 ESC volunteers are Claudia and Margherita from Italy. This year, they will engage with the promotion of non-discrimination, equality, and justice, for a fair and equal society. Following the ESC principles, their aim will be to enhance solidarity between people and to contribute to building a community of mutual support and understanding.
“We decided to embark on this journey as we saw in the ESC program the chance to grow, both as individuals and professionally.” Claudia and Margherita say. “Thanks to the opportunity of volunteering abroad, we are looking forward to acquiring useful skills and creating an international network. And most importantly having fun! We chose UNABG as we both deem extremely relevant the work that the organization does in the country, bringing the international sphere to the national public, empowering young people and promoting the UN values and human rights.”
Margherita arrived in the beginning of May, and she is already getting familiar with the projects and structure of the organization. “I have been involved in all the activities of UNABG since the first days, and I love it! Especially, I really enjoyed participating at the event for the World Refugee Day, playing in the UNHCR Passages simulation game. I hope I will be able to put my knowledge of topics related to democracy, the EU, and integration to good use in national and transnational projects, and I am looking forward to gaining insights into the work of the NGO and its institutional aspect.”
Claudia joined her colleague just a few weeks ago. “I’ve received a very warm welcome from everyone at the association, and I’m excited to take an active part in its mission. My background is in cultural mediation and the matters of inclusion, integration and human rights are very dear to me. I’m also passionate about youth work, and I can’t wait to give my contribution to the organization of the many youth events that UNA has in store.”
The implementation of the project will provide ideas for future international initiatives in the field of youth participation. Margherita and Claudia enthusiastically took on the task of establishing contacts and taking the first steps in building a regional network of youth organizations within the United Nations Associations in the Western Balkans.
You can follow our volunteers’ activities and projects on our website, Facebook and Instagram.
