ESC: Bridging Generations: Cultivating Community and Understanding Through Intergenerational Volunteering

Name: ESC: Bridging Generations: Cultivating Community and Understanding Through Intergenerational Volunteering
Start: 2025-07-14
End: 2025-07-27
Location: Toruń, Poland

Code: 45718680fab5258eeb Copied

Poland Culture Environment European Voluntary Service Social work Culture Environment +2 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU), established in 1945, is one of the largest universities in Poland, comprising 16 faculties. It provides graduate and postgraduate courses for around 18000 students, offering education in over 100 fields of study. It employs 4400 people and has 200 000 alumni. NCU has state-of-the-art research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities, excellent social, cultural and sports facilities. It participates in student and staff exchange programs at international and national levels. The university supports local communities with knowledge, stimulates its social and business environment’s development, and is a culture-forming institution. It has extensive experience in brokering and organising volunteer opportunities. NCU is a member of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe alliance (YUFE) – one of the first European Universities. 10 academic and two associated partners work together to promote joint educational programmes and facilitate student and staff mobility. The goal is to create an inclusive higher education landscape without borders that keeps pace with changes in society and the labour market, giving all citizens access to various opportunities that respond to their development needs. Since December 2022, NCU has led the YUFE Community and Civic Engagement Work Package, with one of the tasks aiming to increase the involvement of students in the lives of local communities and to enhance volunteering mobility.

💼 What the programme involves

Are you passionate about community, culture, and connection? Join Bridging Generations, a unique 2-week volunteering project that brings together 20 young people (ages 18–25) from across Europe with local elderly community members through gardening, cooking, and cultural exchange! Together, we’ll plant, cook, learn, and grow – breaking stereotypes, building friendships, and creating a stronger sense of community. Activities include working in a social garden, sharing traditional recipes, hosting a community festival, and exchanging digital and life skills. This project is more than just a two-week experience — it’s a step toward building stronger, more connected communities where all generations are valued, and mutual respect and understanding are nurtured. By working together in a creative, collaborative setting, we aim to spark lasting impact. info: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18xXVszC6g/

🏠 Accommodation on site

You’ll stay just 200 m from the action – in comfy UMK (English: NCU) dorms near the Copernican Integration Centre (CIC). Single or double rooms come fully furnished, with shared kitchens, laundry, gym, TV room, and 24/7 reception. The campus is chill, green, and just 3 km from the city centre. You’ll have access to public transport, bikes, and scooters.

🍲 Food

At the CIC, we’ve got snacks, coffee, and tea waiting. You’ll plan your own meals with project funds – and we’ll support any special needs you have.

🎒 Leisure activities

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: We’re looking for open-minded, motivated young people (18–25) who are excited to grow, connect, and make a difference! As a volunteer, you’ll join a diverse group working with local seniors through gardening, cooking, and cultural exchange. You don’t need specific experience – just curiosity, respect for others, and a willingness to learn. This project is all about collaboration, empathy, and community. You’ll get to share your own skills, discover hidden talents, and learn valuable social and communication skills that are useful far beyond the project. You’ll meet people from different countries, build friendships, and develop your civic engagement. As a volunteer, you’ll be supported every step of the way by the organizing team and mentors. You’ll take part in training and orientation sessions to help you feel confident and prepared. We value equality, respect, and tolerance – everyone contributes equally, and we always honour the self-determination and wishes of those we support. Confidentiality is key, and we’re here to help if you face challenges or feel overwhelmed. You won’t be doing paid work, and there are no salaries or tips involved – this is about shared experiences, not transactions. What you’ll gain is priceless: new perspectives, friendships, skills, and a sense of purpose. Ready to co-create something meaningful? Join us!
Deadline: 20/05/2025 12:00

ℹ️ Additional information

Get ready before you even arrive! As a volunteer, you’ll join online training to explore the European Solidarity Corps, the project vibe, and all essentials. You’ll take part in interactive workshops on volunteering, social impact, and cultural differences. Special sessions will help you actively prepare and co-create the project activities you’ll later carry out with local seniors in Toruń. One-on-one support will also be available to help you feel confident and inspired!

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

PL45718

14/07/2025 at 00:00 → 27/07/2025 at 00:00

Closed

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Deadline: 20/05/2025

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

Jurija Gagarina 11, 87-100 Toruń, Poland

Poland

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Poland Zloty (PLN / zł)

Exchange rate

1 PLN = 0.228363 EUR

Rate as of 31/05/2026

Timezone

Central European Summer Time

Local time: 21:18 (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 Polish