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ESC: Football for Belonging – Building Community Through Sport

Code: 50710 Copied

Finland European Voluntary Service Social work Sport European Voluntary Service Social work +1 Fixed dates

About the project

ESC: Football for Belonging – Building Community Through Sport

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

The primary aims of Union Plaani football club are to promote the sport of football, foster a sense of community, and provide a platform for both youth and adult players to engage in physical activity, teamwork, and competition. We aim to instill values such as Athleticism, Goal-Oriented , Communal Spirit and Individualism among our participants. Main Activities: * Youth Development Programs: Offering training sessions, coaching, and competitions for young aspiring footballers to enhance their skills and passion for the sport. * Youth Tournaments: Organizing regular tournaments for youth, providing a competitive yet enjoyable environment for players of varying skill levels. * Community Engagement: Hosting events, workshops, summer camps and outreach programs to engage with the local community, encouraging participation and support for football. * Educational Initiatives: Collaborating with schools and educational institutions to integrate football into physical education programs and promote a healthy lifestyle. Target Groups: * Youth Players: Children and teenagers interested in learning and playing football, with a focus on skill development and character building. * Adult Players: Individuals of varying skill levels who seek recreational or competitive opportunities to play football. * Schools and Educational Institutions: Partnering with schools to introduce football as part of physical education programs and extracurricular activities.

💼 What the programme involves

Union Plaani is a community-driven football club based in Heinola, Finland. In this European Solidarity Corps project, four volunteers will co-create inclusive, low-threshold sports and community activities that strengthen participation, equality, and a sense of belonging. Volunteers will support grassroots football training for children and youth, take part in school visits and outreach, and help organize local events such as community sports days and Plaanilandia. They will also contribute to first team match days by supporting arrangements, communication, and fan experience. The project offers a mix of practical coaching, community work, and teamwork in an international environment. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own ideas and actively shape activities together with the club.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Volunteers will be provided with shared accommodation in Heinola. A monthly food allowance and pocket money will be covered according to ESC guidelines. Travel costs will be reimbursed. Local transport will mainly be organized by providing bicycles for volunteers, supporting an active and sustainable way of moving around the town.

🎒 Leisure activities

Volunteers will participate in the European Solidarity Corps training cycle, including on-arrival training and mid-term evaluation organized by the Finnish National Agency. In addition, Union Plaani provides: • Introduction training to the club’s activities and values • Basic coaching guidance and support for working with children and youth • Ongoing mentoring and regular reflection meetings • Opportunities to learn about event production, communication, and community work • Support in setting personal learning goals and developing individual competencies

⚠️ Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for open-minded, proactive, and community-oriented young people who are interested in sports, youth work, or social inclusion. Previous football experience is an advantage but not required, motivation and willingness to learn are more important. We especially value participants who are eager to bring new ideas, take initiative, and actively contribute to the development of the club’s activities. A genuine interest in working for the benefit of the community and creating positive impact together with others is essential.
Deadline: 30/04/2026 23:30

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.

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📅 Available sessions

FI50710

23/06/2026 → 23/12/2026

Closed
Volunteers registered 0 / 2
♂ 0/1 ♀ 0/1
Deadline: 30/04/2026

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

Heinola, Finland

Finland

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)

Timezone

Eastern European Standard Time

Local time: 22:01 (12/11/2026)

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Finnish