The Volunteer Card, catch up with the card that give you discounts

Being a European Volunteer has several advantages, but maybe there’s a specific one you are missing. If you are a ESC participant, you can ask for your European Volunteer Card and get a lot of discounts in around 30 countries. For some people this card will not be so unfamiliar as it is similar to the youth card that you can have if you are under 30 years old. In this report I explain what it is, how to get hold of it and where to use it.

What is exactly?

As explained above, this is a card that gives you access to discounts and opportunities but only for european volunteers within the ESC. This card is part of the EYCA and European Commission program.

Which discounts?

This card will give you access to a wide variety of discounts, including restaurants, shopping sports, hotels, learning, travelling, and so on. In the official website you can find a search engine with the category of the discount, the country where you can find it and how long it lasts.

Who can use it?

All European volunteers assigned to the ESC programme.

Where to use it?

You’ll be able to use it in exactly 35 countries (Albania, Belgium, Finland, Russia, etc..), places that have signed up to the ESC.

How long will you be able to use the card?

From the moment you receive it, your card will be valid only for 18 months.

How do you get the card? Digital or physical?

According to the website, “you should receive an email with your ESC European Youth Card soon after starting your service”. In this email you’re also going to find your card number, with which you will have access to your card. It will mainly be a digital card and for this you will have to download the app. In the app you will register with the number, an email address and create a password. Once you have finished, you will finally have your card and when you want to use one of the discounts you will only have to show it through the app.

You will also have your physical card. But as EYCA says, due to the pandemic, the issuing of cards has been delayed and if you don't have a phone to access the digital card, you only have to send an email to esc-participants@eyca.org and request it as soon as possible.

Haven't you received your number yet?

In case you didn't receive the number or the email, what you have to do is send an email to esc-participants@eyca.org and with a probe that you are a European Solidarity Corps participant.

Sources:

- https://www.eyca.org/volunteers-card

- https://europa.eu/youth/home_en

- https://young.scot/get-informed/national/european-youth-card