Volunteering with Youth Department of Cartagena City Council

Start: Sep. 2026

End: Jul. 2027

The volunteer will participate in activities between 30 and 38 hours per week.

Please note that this project follows a daily split-shift schedule. Activities regularly take place both in the morning and in the afternoon, according to the needs of the programmes and participants. This is an essential characteristic of the project and applicants should be comfortable with an active and structured weekly timetable, as well as fully committed to participating in the different activities offered.

The volunteer will support the work of the Youth Department staff across its different services and programmes, contributing directly to initiatives that benefit young people in Cartagena and the surrounding area.

This is a dynamic project with a strong focus on youth work, non-formal education, participation and European citizenship. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work directly with young people, design and facilitate activities, share their culture and experiences, and become an active member of the local community.

Main activities

• Supporting the organisation and implementation of programmes, workshops and leisure activities for young people, particularly within the Bolsa de Idiomas language exchange programme and the local Eurodesk information point.
• Creating content and supporting the communication and social media activities of the Youth Department.
• Collaborating in activities developed together with the Erasmus Student Network and other local partners.
• Promoting youth opportunities and European programmes through workshops and presentations in youth organisations, secondary schools and other educational settings. The volunteer will contribute their own culture, language, interests, experiences and perspectives on topics such as European citizenship, participation and cultural diversity.
• Designing and implementing socio-cultural activities with children facing educational or social difficulties through our collaboration with the association Botica del Libro, helping to promote inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
• Developing and implementing a personal project based on their interests, talents and future professional goals. The Youth Department will provide guidance, resources and support so that the project can create a meaningful impact and become an important learning experience for the volunteer.

Learning opportunities

Throughout the project, volunteers will acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes related to youth work and non-formal education.

Knowledge

• New methodologies in non-formal education.
• Reflection and recognition of learning processes.
• Understanding social, cultural and community realities in the Region of Murcia.
• European citizenship, participation and solidarity.

Attitudes

• Tolerance, empathy and assertiveness.
• Positive conflict management.
• Openness towards diversity and intercultural learning.
• Stronger awareness of European values.

Competences

• Facilitation of workshops and group activities.
• Communication and public speaking skills.
• Digital and social media competences.
• Teamwork and project management.
• Conflict prevention and resolution skills.

Our volunteering project promotes the values of the European Union and the European Solidarity Corps, including solidarity, equality, justice, inclusion, respect for diversity and active participation.

Practical arrangements: The schedule of the volunteer activities will be between 30 and 38 hours per week. The volunteer will work max. 38 hours on 5 days per week.

Holidays: According to the rules of ESC, volunteers must have 2 working days off per month.

Accommodation: The volunteers will live in a room in a shared flat located in the city of Cartagena together with other volunteers. The room and the flat will be fully equipped, and electricity, water, gas and internet will be covered by the lead organization (till the amount of 30€ per volunteer).

Pocket money: The volunteer will receive the monthly rate foreseen by the Spanish NA, 186€ per month.

Food: The volunteer will receive 184€ for food every month.

Local transport: Every volunteer will have a chance to choose a bike or bus card provided by the hosting organization if it is needed.

Language support: The volunteer is entitled to receive language support with an online platform, as stated on the ESC programme guide.

Medical insurance: The volunteer will be covered by a private insurance that will cover all the expenses not covered by the public health system (health, accident and civil liability insurance).

Travel costs: The volunteer will receive financial support for travel from his/her country to Spain and from Spain to his/her country once the project is completed, up to a maximum amount established by the European Commission according to the distance band.

Visa and residence permit fees: The volunteer will receive financial support for visa arrangements (if required).

Deposit: The volunteer will have to make a 370€ deposit that will be reimbursed once the project is ended and the volunteer leaves tidy, clean, and with no damage in the private room and common areas, and if the volunteer doesn’t leave the project without a justified reason before it ends.

Anyone interested after reading the info above, fill in this form : https://b24-hiozxe.bitrix24site.ru/crm_form_wa1au/

This project is aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 who have not previously participated in a long-term EVS or ESC volunteering project. Priority will be given to young people with fewer opportunities.

Selection will be based primarily on motivation, attitude, willingness to participate and commitment to the values of the project rather than on previous knowledge or qualifications.

We particularly value:

• Responsibility and reliability.
• Initiative and creativity.
• Patience and emotional maturity.
• Ability to manage interpersonal conflicts constructively.
• Interest in youth work and non-formal education.
• Enthusiasm for participating actively in community life.

Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage but is not required.

No young person willing to participate in our project will be excluded due to economic difficulties, social or geographical obstacles, cultural or ideological differences, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity or any other personal circumstance.

The Youth Department of the City Council of Cartagena is a public service dedicated to supporting young people in areas such as education, employment, international mobility, participation, volunteering, information services and healthy leisure.

The department develops a wide range of programmes including Bolsa de Idiomas, Eurodesk, Implica2, Mandarache Literary Award, T-LA, Entre Cuerdas y Metales and Urban CT, among others.

Through these initiatives, we aim to:

• Promote youth participation and volunteering.
• Support personal development and autonomy.
• Encourage social inclusion and intercultural understanding.
• Provide information, guidance and opportunities for young people.
• Foster cooperation between organisations working in the youth sector.

The Youth Department of Cartagena has extensive experience in international volunteering programmes and has been hosting and sending volunteers through EVS and the European Solidarity Corps since 2005.