Hello youth workers, welcome to the part where we learn about effective follow-up on volunteering, particularly European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Here you will find that a relevant follow-up requires involvement and participation from the volunteer, the hosting organisation and the sending organisation. Keep reading to explore our recommendations.

But first, let’s see what ESC is. ESC is a long-term volunteering scheme (2-12 months) funded by the European Union that brings together young people to build a more inclusive society, supporting vulnerable people and responding to societal challenges. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop. Any young person between 18 and 30 years old who resides within the European Union and programme partner countries can apply.

What is volunteering follow-up and why is it important?

Follow-up is a process defined as “monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of a project or plan for management of, and communication about the performance of that project or plan”.

To monitor and evaluate the impact of ESC volunteering, the follow-up starts at the end of the programme, when the individual is preparing to return to their home country. During this period, the individual starts processing the learnings and experiences gained while being on their year abroad. An effective follow-up relies on all actors involved which are the volunteer, the hosting organisation and the sending organisation. All three have to communicate and work together in order to guarantee a fruitful evaluation.

ESC volunteering happens outside the home country. Being abroad for up to one year offers a great deal of new experiences, possibly overwhelming, which have a big impact on the individual. The processing and digestion of this international experience happens over time after the programme ends, thus being a longer process. For this reason, an effective follow-up is important to support the volunteer. With the assistance of the sending and hosting organisation, the individual can reflect on the volunteering experience better and decide how to remain active in this sphere. The organisations also benefit from this as they can use the feedback received to improve the next programme.

How to have an effective follow-up

Follow-up is a process which can be broken down in 8 different stages. Following these steps guarantees an effective and comprehensive follow-up.

Different layers of follow-up

Furthermore, the above can be grouped in three layers of effective follow-up. In this way, the steps which the volunteer, the hosting organisation and the sending organisation all have to follow are more clear. By following this model, all actors involved can assist in wrapping up the volunteering experience and exploring how to keep being active in the field.

1. The individual layer
   The volunteer participates actively in the follow-up process with the assistance of the hosting and the sending organisations. Their input is incredibly valuable and adds quality to the next programme. Thus, the volunteer should:
   • stay in contact with the project coordinator and the other ex-volunteers. This will allow them to share and hear others’ post-ESC experience, get inspired, and give or ask support with post-ESC plans. They can also share information regarding future opportunities and keep updated with other projects
   • get in contact with ex-ESC volunteers from other cities/countries. The hosting and sending organisation can use their network and resources to advise the individual on how to do that
   • become a mentor to the new volunteer
   • discuss with their hosting/sending organisation about job opportunities in their organisation/field
   • get involved in the Final Evaluation meeting with project partners and coordinator regarding evaluation and improvement of the next programme
   • get involved in the Kick-Off meeting for the next programme with project partners, coordinator, mentors and pre-selected new volunteers
2. The hosting organisation layer
   The hosting organisation plays a main part in follow-up as they are the ones who hosted the volunteer for up to 1 year. Thus, the hosting organisation should:
   • have a Final Evaluation Meeting with the volunteer to reflect on the ESC experience and the programme. They should also discuss about what comes next after their ESC year. Will they like to stay involved with this programme and/or others? At what extent and how?
   • offer the individual future opportunities such as, becoming a mentor to the new volunteer or being employed by the organisation if applicable
   • create a social media group with project coordinator and ex-volunteers so they can stay in touch
   • help the individual get in contact with other ex-volunteers in the country
   • organise a meeting 3-6 months after the ESC has ended, as a follow-up to the ESC experience
   • involve the ex-volunteer in the Final Evaluation meeting
   • Involve the ex-volunteer in the Kick-off meeting for the next programme
3. The sending organisation layer
   Compared to the hosting organisation, the sender is more familiar with the national context of the individual’s home country. For this reason, they are more fitting to assist the individual once they return to their home country. Thus, the sending organisation should:
   • have a meeting with the volunteer after the ESC has finished, reflecting and evaluating the ESC experience. They should also discuss about what comes next after their ESC year. Will they like to stay involved with this programme and/or others? At what extent and how?
   • offer the individual future opportunities such as, becoming a mentor to local volunteers or being employed by the organisation if applicable
   • help the individual get in contact with other ex-volunteers across the home country

Conclusion

Follow-up is the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the ESC experience. For it to be effective, all parties involved should participate. In this case, the volunteer, the hosting organisation and the sending organisation. A good follow-up can ensure that there is a continuation to the volunteering year for the individual. It can also be used by the organisations as a method of improving the next cycle of the ESC programme.