How can volunteering inspire us to keep making a difference? And how can young people's experiences help shape the future of European volunteering?

 

From 5–9 October 2026, 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐮 𝐘𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧, a second-year 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐌𝐀) student, took part in the NowGen Volunteers NL 2026 training course in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing her experience as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer to an international community of young people committed to making a positive impact on society.

 

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚's journey began with her long-term European Solidarity Corps volunteering experience as an English teacher at Skuodas Kindergarten in 2024–2025. This experience opened the door to an opportunity to reconnect with fellow volunteers, exchange ideas, and contribute to discussions about the future of European volunteering.

NowGen Volunteers brought together young people with previous international volunteering experience to reflect on their journeys, exchange experiences, identify challenges, and share ideas with organisations and policymakers. Their insights and recommendations will help inform the development of European volunteering opportunities and policies for the next programme generation beyond 2027.

 

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐮 𝐘𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞:

“If there was one certain thing we as volunteers had in common during the project, it was the rekindled flame of volunteering more! Our Rotterdam visit allowed us to communicate with the local volunteers and discover the power of community. That whole day we spent in Rotterdam visiting local places run by volunteers, like Pauluskerk (Paul's Church), Leeszaal Rotterdam West (Free Library and Reading Room) and Voedseltuin Rotterdam (Community Food Garden), will forever hold a special place in my heart. Maybe someday I will return to the Netherlands as a volunteer!”

 

Thank you, 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚, for sharing your experience with us!

 

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭: Liza Tatishvili and Lara Su Yaman