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Solidarity Academy
Solidarity Academy
Content
Across the programme you’ll build confidence, learn new skills and get a better sense of what you want for your future. Through training, mentoring and hands-on experience, Solidarity Academy helps you grow as a person, make a real difference in your community, and take steps towards whatever comes next - be it work, further education or more volunteering adventures.
Watch this video to discover more about the European Solidarity Corps initiative.
This video will tell you more about the European Solidarity Corps experience as well as the impact that ESC projects can have on both the participants and the community at large.
The Solidarity Academy badges are here to celebrate everything you’ve been doing during your journey with Solidarity Academy.This programme is all about getting you ready for your volunteering adventure abroad. Over the past weeks, you’ve been gaining hands-on experience here in Ireland, building confidence and picking up the skills you’ll need on the next step of your journey.
By completing the associated activities, you’re showing that you’ve:
- Taken part fully in the Solidarity Academy.
- Reflected on your own journey.
- Practiced real-life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, resilience, and adapting to new cultures/communities.
- Started getting yourself ready to live, work and thrive abroad.
The badge tasks are your chance to look back on what you’ve done, share your highlights, and show how you’ve grown. It's about celebrating your progress and recognising the strengths you’ll bring with you on your ESC adventure. As you complete these tasks, you’ll have a record of your journey so far and a story that might just inspire someone else to take the leap too!
Learn more here ...
Activities to complete
Complete the following activities, earn badges and you will see your playlist progress updated
Content
As part of the European Solidarity Corps, participants also take part in On Arrival Training during their first weeks. This 4-day residential training session organised and facilitated by Léargas. This session brings together young people from across Ireland who are getting ready to go abroad, alongside international participants who have just arrived in Ireland for their own ESC projects.
It’s a chance to meet new people, learn more about the ESC experience and build connections. Through workshops, games, and discussions, you get to share your story, hear about other people’s journeys and prepare together for what’s ahead.
This experience is an important step in building confidence, cultural awareness and a sense of solidarity that you’ll carry with you throughout your time on the programme.
Here is a video example of On Arrival training that took place in Poland, hosting volunteers from 9 different countries!
Topics covered during the On Arrival Session include:
- Understanding Solidarity and the ESC program
- Your role as an ESC Volunteer
- Responsibilities of your host and support organisation
- The role of the National Agency (NA)
- Dealing with challenges and cultural differences
- Planning your time in Ireland and setting learning goals
- Networking and connecting with other volunteers
Get activity badge
Solidarity Academy: On Arrival Get this badge
This badge isn’t just about the On Arrival Training provided by Léargas. It’s also about the start of your placement. It’s a chance to capture those very first steps: your first impressions, the people you’ve met, and the goals you’re setting for yourself as you begin this new experience.
You have to finish all tasks to get the badge
Tasks
Task no.1
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
One Word Challenge.
Choose one word that sums up how you feel at the start of your journey and explain why you feel that way.
Task no.2
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
Personal Goal Setting.
Set 2–3 personal goals that you would like to achieve throughout your Solidarity Academy journey. These can be skills to build, challenges to tackle, or experiences you want to have.
Task no.3
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
First Impressions.
Reflect on your first week in your placement: what surprised you, what felt exciting, or what felt challenging.
Task no.4
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
On Arrival Reflection.
After your On Arrival training with Léargas, tell us one cool thing you picked up from meeting people in the group. It could be a new lesson, a fresh perspective, or even just a funny or memorable moment. How did it make you feel more prepared (or excited) for your ESC journey?
Skills
ETS-TR
#Empower learners to act in solidarity with each other and in the community
ETS-TR
#Conveys the importance of a life-long commitment to solidarity - beyond the training environment
ESCO
#advocate youth work in the local community
Activities: 3
Started: 2
Completed playlist: 0
Time to complete: 55 minutes
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Organisers
Youth Work Ireland Midlands
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