Quality Label

The Quality Label certifies that an organisation can guarantee the general conditions necessary to participate in the programme, in accordance with the principles, aims and quality standards of the ESC. Obtaining the Label is a precondition for participation in volunteering activities and is not required in the case of Solidarity Projects.

There are two types of Quality Label, depending on the function the organisation wants to develop:

Hosting function. This covers the full range of activities related to the hosting of ESC participants, including the development of the programme of activities and the guidance and support to participants during all phases of the project.

Support function. This involves supporting, preparing or training participants before departure, acting as a point of contact between them and the host organisations and supporting participants on their return from their activity.

Quality Label for Lead Organisations

In addition to holding the Label with the above functions, organisations wishing to apply for funding, manage and coordinate Volunteering Projects must hold the Quality Label for Lead Organisations.

In the application form they should state their long-term aims, their approach to project management as well as their business plan. This plan shall cover a minimum period of three years and shall be updated periodically. Organisations that do not have this label may act as partners in the projects.

Once granted, organisations will have access to the European Solidarity Corps Portal, where they can advertise their activities and make use of the database to search for potential participants.

Applications for the Quality Label shall be submitted to the national agency of the country where the applicant organisation is established using the form ESC50-QLA.

Organisations wishing to submit a project in the first round of each year must apply by 31 October of the previous year.

Quality Label for Volunteering in the field of Humanitarian Aid

The Quality Label for Volunteering in Humanitarian Aid certifies that an organisation is able to carry out high quality solidarity activities in accordance with the principles, aims and requirements of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Unit. It is a precondition for participation in the Volunteering Projects in this field.

The label must be applied for at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), the body that manages this action. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.

Organisations wishing to submit projects under the 2024 call for proposals should have made their application through the electronic submission system of the Funding and Tendering Portal, (see part E of the Programme Guide) by 21 September 2023 at 17:00 (Brussels time) at the latest.

To submit projects for the 2025 call, projects must apply for the label by 24 September 2024 at 17:00 (Brussels time).