Volunteers Centre Skopje is nongovernmental organization, providing opportunities to young people through volunteering, non-formal education methods and different local and international programs. VCS aims to strengthen the capacities and active citizenship of young people.

A non-governmental, non-profit organization, often tackling social or political issues. Our NGO operates independently without government and is not taking part on political issues, focusing on active citizenship and voluntary work organized on a local, national and international level to address issues in support of the public good.

It’s our 15-year-old magazine, created completely by volunteers. You can discover interesting articles with topics around the world, and be part of writing them. We encourage young people to take active part in today’s society through expressing themselves by writing articles, discovering new topics and making interviews. We also have a VOICES to Hear podcast. Join!

Why not, it’s fun and rewarding. All of us were young and still are, and we want to offer you the same experiences that we have. Integrating deeper into your community and taking active part through different volunteering projects and trainings, helping out those in need and bringing your message forward. It gives us – and to you – so much. We want to offer a channel to young people to express themselves, find their place and learn about new topics.

Yes you can! We welcome everybody to be part of our VCSfamily, regardless of your age, nationality, religion, political, economic or social status.

Volunteers Centre Skopje offers several possibilities:

Local volunteering: Contributing to VOICES magazine & podcast, volunteering with street children and children with fewer opportunities, environmental awareness and actions, joining local events and promoting volunteering

International volunteering: 2 weeks to 12 months periods of volunteering in another organization abroad with the European Solidarity Corps programme. 

Training Courses, Youth Exchanges and seminars: Trainings and exchanges from several topics using non-formal education methods, projects happening locally or abroad. Connecting countries and cultures all around Europe. 

Local events: VCS is organizing different events and workshops, where anyone is welcome to join! Check out the events and get involved.

Project partners and writing: Maybe you are already familiar with Erasmus+ and other funding opportunities? You can write a project with us! We are always happy to create new inspiring concepts and involve new people in the process.

For local volunteering and being part of your community – no age limit!

For international ESC programmes the age limit is 18 – 30 years old.

It’s easier than it sounds! We have open calls to multiple projects around Europe – but remember, we are not a travel agency; these opportunities are beneficial for you to learn something new through non-formal educational methods, meet new people and cultures and strengthen your skills. 

Check out the open calls and apply! You can also contact us and let us know what you would like to do.

Simply, European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a programme offering opportunities for young people to volunteer abroad. The project topics vary from youth work to media related work, from nature protection to working with elderly… and beyond! You can participate in the program when you’re between 18 – 30 years old.

What else? It’s free! The programme covers travel costs, accommodation, insurance and monthly food + pocket money.

You can participate in a short term ESC (2 weeks – 2 months) and long term (up to 12 months). Discover more here.

Erasmus with a plus provides opportunities beyond students! Volunteering (ESC), training courses, youth exchanges, seminars… Projects that will strengthen your capacities in new topics, bringing cultures and countries together and providing amazing experiences. And again – free for you, providing travel costs, accommodation and food during the project, which usually lasts more or less one week. Ready to go for an adventure? Read more here!

Don’t you sometimes feel better after making someone smile, after helping them out? You are giving something good to the society while being active on yourself. There are various fields of volunteering, which means you can choose something you would enjoy doing. Youthwork, eco-actions, working with children, helping with events and activities… 

Sometimes the results are shown in different ways. Did you know that volunteers translated this website? Volunteering is not only about field work with people, there’s so much more in it!

The European Union supports young people and their development, even with countries outside of the EU. It might sound unbelievable that you can go abroad to strengthen your competences, learn new things and widen your points of views – all for free. There’s no catch, there’s simply programmes honestly putting effort on youth’s learning process and activism in the society.

You simply need to search through the open calls and send us an application following the simple instructions: 

1. Send an e-mail to vcs_contact@yahoo.com
2. Write the project title in the subject line (eg. Application for “name of the project”)
3. Present yourself shortly and point out which project you are interested in
4. Attach your CV in English
5. Attach motivation letter in English, answering at least the following questions:

• Who are you?
• How old are you?
• Why do you want to participate?
• How do you want to contribute to the project?

We are a Macedonian organization, but we have very intercultural staff and volunteers in our office. English is the main language used in our events and during our activities, and since many of our projects are with partners from all around Europe, we must have strong communication skills in English. We encourage everyone to straighten their language skills – but we will not discriminate against you based on your English level. There’s always time to learn! Applying in English is simply because we want to see a bit how comfortable you are with English – and so we can engage our internationals in the process of creating projects.

We want to know why you are interested in the project and what you could bring to the project. Take a moment to think about your motives to participate in the specific project and what benefit it could have on you. 

Describe yourself shortly as well, more we know, more we know! What are your hobbies, what did you study? What motivates you to learn new things? 

All active calls can be found at Open Calls. You can also check open calls on our Facebook and Instagram – we post everything on Social Media.

No, we welcome everyone, regardless of your experience or relation with our organization. But you are more than welcome to join our activities at the local level as well.

Most of the youth projects realized or supported by our organization do not require participation fees as the Erasmus+ program funds them. If the project envisages a participation fee, it will be mentioned in the call as a condition for participation.

We are always happy to implement the ideas of anyone willing to share them with us! Contact us, share your initiatives.