The European Solidarity Corps is founded on the principles of inclusion, solidarity and mutual respect. In rural eastern Germany, particularly in post-industrial towns such as Altenburg, these ideals are not an abstract goal, but a daily necessity in the face of complex societal challenges. The region is characterised by a significant level of youth disengagement, driven by decades of depopulation, economic decline and a widespread sense of powerlessness. These conditions have created fertile ground for social polarisation and the normalisation of radical, anti-democratic attitudes.

For an international ESC volunteer, this context poses real risks that contradict the programme’s promise of a safe and enriching experience. Volunteers, especially those who are visibly ‚foreign‘, such as people of colour, or those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, can face overt hostility, microaggressions, and social exclusion. The mere presence of a newcomer can trigger an “us versus them” mentality, which is rooted in the historically homogeneous local culture’s current grappling with new migration.

For host organisations like FACK e.V., it is important to reflect on our approach to volunteer management in order to proactively assess risks, build robust psychological support systems and create secure micro-communities. It is essential that we prepare volunteers not only for their tasks, but also for the social and political complexities of the environment itself. This catalogue is a direct response to this challenge, offering concrete, tried-and-tested practices for ensuring volunteer safety and fostering genuine solidarity in regions where it is needed most.

Varėna Cultural Center is located in the Varėna district, Lithuania’s largest yet sparsely populated region. Life here offers strengths—rich cultural heritage, strong community ties, and unique natural surroundings—but also challenges, especially when welcoming international volunteers. Before hosting European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers, careful preparation was essential.

In rural areas, isolation is a major concern. Volunteers living in small towns may face limited social interaction, cultural exchange, and everyday support. Unlike big cities, rural Lithuania can feel distant and lonely for newcomers. Ensuring ESC volunteers felt included and supported was a top priority. As a public institution, Varėna Cultural Center employs around 100 people, including 30 cultural workers across 16 units. Hosting volunteers requires coordinated involvement from many staff members, not just one department. Preparation meant creating space for volunteers while equipping our team with the knowledge and sensitivity to support young people in a new cultural environment. Our local context also matters. Lithuania’s post-Soviet legacy means volunteering attitudes are still developing, and intercultural experiences are rarer in smaller communities. The Varėna district borders Belarus, adding sensitivities around identity, belonging, and inclusion. These realities shaped our approach.

We could not rush into hosting without building strong foundations. Time was needed to strengthen organisational capacity, prepare staff, and create support structures for volunteers to thrive. The Ready to Host project provided that opportunity—allowing training, international networking, and a framework for sustainable hosting. Above all, it ensures that international volunteers find not just a placement, but a welcoming community where they feel connected, valued, and at home.

As the National Resource Center for Volunteering, Pro Vobis has a clear view of both the potential and challenges of volunteering in Romania and across Europe. Our 30 years of experience show that while volunteering is increasingly valued, rural NGOs often lack the tools, confidence, and support structures to host international volunteers safely, inclusively, and sustainably. In small communities, risks are tangible: limited social interaction, insufficient mentoring, or discriminatory attitudes can make volunteering a difficult rather than empowering experience. Rising populism, extremist narratives, and anti-European sentiments further highlight the need to strengthen hosting capacities. Without proper preparation, international volunteering can risk reinforcing stereotypes instead of fostering solidarity and intercultural dialogue.

The Ready to Host project addressed this need. Rural organizations gained targeted support to reflect on their capacities, improve volunteer management, and design support systems that enable both volunteers and communities to thrive. It also created opportunities for NGOs to share knowledge and connect with peer networks, reducing isolation.

For Pro Vobis, the project helped consolidate the broader volunteering ecosystem. By investing in rural NGOs, we ensure that international volunteering remains meaningful, inclusive, and transformative. Ready to Host allowed us to explore the specific challenges of rural volunteering—including isolation and local sensitivities—and develop a training course that prepares organizations to host ESC volunteers with confidence, care, and inclusivity.