ESC: Alternative Education in Practice - Sonnenhaus in Austria

Name: ESC: Alternative Education in Practice - Sonnenhaus in Austria
Start: 2026-09-01
End: 2027-07-09
Location: Leibnitz, Austria

Code: 50141 Copied

Austria European Voluntary Service Social work Education Culture European Voluntary Service Social work +2 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

💼 What the programme involves

The Private School “Sonnenhaus” is located in Leibnitz, in the region of Styria in Austria. The school offers an alternative educational approach for children aged 6–14, based on the principles of alternative pedagogy, Montessori education, and non-violent communication. Our goal is to support and guide children in developing into responsible, confident, and open-minded individuals who actively shape their learning process and their community. Around 60 children attend the "Sonnenhaus" school. Volunteers are an important part of the school community and are closely integrated into the daily routine. They support teachers in the classrooms, accompany learning processes, and actively participate in school life. A key element of our educational approach is project-based learning. In daily project groups, children work independently, take responsibility for their learning, and are guided and encouraged by teachers and volunteers.

🏠 Accommodation on site

The two volunteers will live in a shared apartment with two single bedrooms and a shared kitchen, washing facilities, laundry room, bathroom, and social spaces in Leibnitz. A public transport ticket for the region of Styria is covered, as well as a half-price public transport ticket for the whole of Austria. Volunteers will receive a food allowance of 330 EUR/month and pocket money of 210 EUR/month, in accordance with ESC programme guidelines. Travel and visa costs are also covered by the programme.

🎒 Leisure activities

Volunteers will be welcomed as part of the teacher team and supported in finding their role. Each volunteer will have a mentor and will participate in team meetings. Volunteers will take part in On-Arrival Training and Mid-Term Training provided by the Austrian National Agency. A German language course as well as the Online Language Support (OLS) tool is offered. Continuous support will be provided by the teacher team throughout the activity.

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED HERE: www.logo.at/esc - please check the link for current application! We are happy to get to know you! We are looking for volunteers who are interested in alternative pedagogy, enjoy working with children, and can assist the teachers during lessons as well as in after-school activities.
Deadline: 03/03/2026 00:00

ℹ️ Additional information

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

Training before and after the project
Health insurance during your project
round-trip travel reimbursement
accommodation and food
pocket money
language course
Return Week-end
Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

AT50141

01/09/2026 → 09/07/2027

Closed

0 / 2

♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1

Deadline: 03/03/2026

ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–30 years old

Solidarity donation

0.00 EUR

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

Leibnitz, Austria

Austria

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)

Timezone

Central European Standard Time

Local time: 21:33 (12/11/2026)

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English German