ESC in Portugal
WHERE: Northern Portugal – Fafe, Guimarães and Caldas de Vizela
HOST ORGANISATION: YUPI – Youth Union of People with Initiative
THEMES:
1-Communication, event organisation, international youth projects, sustainability and rural development;
2-Natural building, agroforestry, organic farming, gardening and environmental sustainability;
3-Childcare, non-formal education, artistic activities, creativity and alternative education.
WHEN:
1. 21.09.2026 – 13.11.2026
2. 01.10.2026 – 16.10.2026
3. 01.10.2026 – 30.06.2027
DEADLINE: ASAP
HOST ORGANISATION
YUPI – Youth Union of People with Initiative
YUPI – Youth Union of People with Initiative is a youth organisation based in Portugal that works with young people, international mobility, education, community development and European projects.
Through its activities, YUPI creates opportunities for young people to participate in international projects, develop new skills, engage with local communities and contribute to sustainable and educational initiatives.
The organisation promotes learning through practical experience, teamwork, intercultural exchange and active participation. Volunteers joining YUPI can become part of an international environment while developing their own ideas, skills and interests.
Project 1: Behind the Scenes
AVAILABLE PROJECT
ESC Short-Term Individual Volunteering
WHERE: Fafe, Northern Portugal
WHEN: 21.09.2026 – 13.11.2026
DURATION: 54 days
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 2
AGE: 18–30
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The project focuses on supporting YUPI’s international youth projects and activities in Fafe.
Volunteers will join the YUPI team and support the organisation and coordination of international projects, including Youth Exchanges and European Solidarity Corps activities.
The volunteering experience combines logistics, event organisation and communication with practical activities related to sustainability and rural development.
Volunteers may help prepare spaces, materials and schedules for events, support participants, create social media content and contribute to activities such as agroforestry, organic farming, gardening, caring for chickens and building with natural materials.
The project offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international youth organisation while developing organisational, communication and teamwork skills.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supporting the organisation of international youth projects and events
- Preparing spaces and materials for activities
- Supporting participants during events
- Helping with schedules and logistics
- Creating social media and communication content
- Supporting sustainability and rural development activities
- Contributing to gardening, farming and agroforestry activities
- Caring for chickens and supporting activities on the farm
- Helping with natural building activities
- Working as part of an international team
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
We are looking for volunteers who are:
- 18–30 years old
- Curious, open-minded and creative
- Organised and proactive
- Interested in communication and event organisation
- Interested in sustainability, farming and rural development
- Comfortable working both independently and in a team
- Motivated to learn and take initiative
- Interested in international youth work
- Able to communicate in English
Some previous volunteering experience is welcome but is not essential.
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD & TRANSPORT
The volunteer will stay in a family house in Fornelos, Fafe, in an individual room with access to a shared kitchen and bathroom.
Bed sheets, blankets, towels and Wi-Fi are provided.
Meals are provided during hosting activities. On the remaining days, the volunteer receives a €15 daily food allowance.
Pocket money is provided according to the European Solidarity Corps rules. Travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and activities related to the project are covered.
The organisation encourages environmentally friendly ways of travelling, such as trains and buses.
SUPPORT & LEARNING
The volunteer will have a local mentor throughout the project.
Portuguese language support will be provided through Portuguese lessons, helping the volunteer communicate and become more involved in the local community.
The volunteer will also have access to YouthPass.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: ASAP
OFFICIAL CALL: European Youth Portal – Opportunity 53846
Project 2: Build with Your Hands
AVAILABLE PROJECT
ESC Team Volunteering
WHERE: Guimarães, Northern Portugal
WHEN: 01.10.2026 – 16.10.2026
DURATION: 16 days
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 10
AGE: 18–30
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
This team volunteering project gives participants the opportunity to take part in the transformation of an old farm into a sustainable space for volunteers and future international projects.
Volunteers will work together on practical activities related to agroforestry, organic farming, gardening, natural building and restoration.
Activities include preparing and maintaining gardens, caring for chickens, supporting organic egg production and building and renovating spaces using natural materials.
The project is ideal for young people who enjoy practical work, nature and working as part of an international team.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Taking part in natural building and restoration activities
- Working with natural construction materials
- Supporting agroforestry activities
- Preparing and maintaining gardens
- Participating in organic farming
- Caring for chickens
- Supporting organic egg production
- Helping transform the farm into a sustainable space
- Sharing skills and ideas with other volunteers
- Working collaboratively as part of an international team
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
We are looking for volunteers who are:
- 18–30 years old
- Hands-on and motivated to work practically
- Open-minded and proactive
- Creative and willing to learn
- Interested in nature and sustainability
- Comfortable working outdoors
- Comfortable staying in tents
- Interested in farming, agroforestry or natural building
- Able to work in an international team
- Able to communicate in English
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD & TRANSPORT
Volunteers will stay at a family farm in Atães, Guimarães, in tents.
Shared toilets and showers are available. Mattresses, bed sheets, blankets and towels are provided.
Wi-Fi is available, although the signal may be limited.
Meals are provided during hosting activities and are mostly vegetarian, while dietary restrictions are taken into consideration.
Pocket money is provided according to the European Solidarity Corps rules. Travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and activities are covered.
The organisation strongly encourages environmentally friendly travelling, such as travelling by train or bus.
SUPPORT & LEARNING
Volunteers will learn through practical activities and international teamwork.
They will gain experience in agroforestry, organic farming, gardening, caring for chickens, organic egg production and natural building and restoration.
A local mentor will support the volunteers throughout the project, and participants will have access to YouthPass.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: ASAP
OFFICIAL CALL: European Youth Portal – Opportunity 53845
Project 3: Child Care & Artistic Education
AVAILABLE PROJECT
ESC Long-Term Individual Volunteering
WHERE: Caldas de Vizela / Guimarães, Northern Portugal
WHEN: 01.10.2026 – 30.06.2027
DURATION: 9 months
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 1
AGE: 18–30
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
This volunteering project takes place at MAWU, a learning community of families and educators that promotes a free and creative approach to education.
The project works with more than 35 children aged between 1 and 10 years old and uses principles inspired by Pikler, Montessori and project-based education.
The volunteer will mainly support children between 3 and 6 years old in their daily activities, meals and routines.
The volunteer will also have the opportunity to prepare and lead creative workshops and activities related to ecology, art, culture, music, languages and other skills.
The project is particularly suitable for young people interested in childcare, creative education, arts and crafts, sustainability and alternative educational approaches.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supporting children in their daily activities
- Helping with meals and routines
- Supporting children aged 3–6
- Preparing creative activities and games
- Organising workshops
- Supporting activities related to art and creativity
- Developing activities related to ecology and sustainability
- Supporting music and language activities
- Contributing personal skills and ideas
- Communicating with children and educators
- Taking part in the daily life of the learning community
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
We are looking for a volunteer who is:
- 18–30 years old
- Experienced or interested in working with children
- Open-minded and motivated
- Proactive and responsible
- Communicative and creative
- Comfortable working in an alternative educational environment
- Interested in innovative education
- Interested in childcare and creative expression
- Interested in arts and crafts / DIY
- Interested in sustainability
- Not afraid of physical work, insects, getting dirty or getting wet
- Willing to learn and explore new approaches
Digital and artistic skills are especially welcome.
Communicative English is preferred, although it is not obligatory as the team is multicultural.
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD & TRANSPORT
The volunteer will stay in a shared house with other students in Guimarães, with a private room and shared bathroom and kitchen.
The house provides Wi-Fi, towels, bed sheets and blankets.
MAWU is located in Caldas de Vizela and can be reached from Guimarães by train in approximately 15 minutes.
Vegetarian lunch will be provided at MAWU. Dinner will be prepared by the volunteer, with the possibility of taking extra lunch from the school.
Pocket money is provided according to the European Solidarity Corps rules. Travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and activities are covered.
SUPPORT & LEARNING
The volunteer will receive on-arrival training and ongoing support during the project.
Portuguese language learning is supported through the OLS platform and individual Portuguese lessons.
The volunteer will also be encouraged to learn Portuguese through daily interaction with children, educators and the local community.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: ASAP
OFFICIAL CALL: European Youth Portal – Opportunity 53794
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send the following documents to:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Short introduction video, maximum 1 minute 30 seconds
Please mention the specific project you are applying for in your application.
The selection process is managed by the hosting organisation, YUPI.
For further information about the opportunities, please check the official European Youth Portal calls linked above.
Apply now
For further information and to find your sending organization, please contact: mobility@you-net.eu