Austria: ESC: Don Bosco 4 Youth, Vienna (Don Bosco Volunteers)

About the local hosting organization

Don Bosco Volunteers is an Austrian non-governmental organization which promotes volunteering in Austria and Europa. They offer voluntary services focused on education, social inclusion, youth and pastoral care. Volunteers contribute in the host institutions by supporting in educational programmes, leisure activities, community building, public relations or charity events. Don Bosco Volunteers is an initiative of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Salesian Sisters (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice, FMA) and guarantees coordination, mentoring und formation for the volunteers in a professional way. The values of the organisation are rooted in Don Bosco (1815-1888) himself. He was a priest, educator and pioneer of social inclusion, dedicated his life for youngsters in need and founded a nowadays worldwide network focused on youth work. Don Bosco Volunteers focus on Don Bosco’s positive vision for everyone’s life and is sensitivity for new challenges in social inclusion. The organisation wants to inspire people for this vision of a more just and peaceful world and asks to contribute.

Presentation of the programme

Since 30 years the Salesians of Don Bosco have been offering orientation days for school classes. We give pupils the space to ask themselves questions about life, togetherness and faith. We offer age-appropriate methods and current topics in order to be able to tie in with the lifeworld of young people. Depending on the topic, we work with methods from different pedagogical disciplines (social, religious, play, experiential, environmental, theatre pedagogy, etc.). Through the various dimensions of methodological engagement, it is possible to accompany young people holistically and to respond to the interests of the young people. Don Bosco Volunteers offers many volunteering opportunities. The target group are especially kids and youngsters. Volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps contribute their youthful dynamics and they are positively present and close to kids and youngsters. Their presence opens a space for mutual learning processes and underlines the European idea.

About the accomodation

The volunteer lives in a “shared flat” in rooms of the student hostel of the Don Bosco Network in the city centre (Vienna) https://studentenheim.donbosco.at/en/. He/she has a double room (shared with another volunteer) with shower and bathroom. There is also a big community room for the volunteers and the other facilities of the student accommodation can be used as well. The volunteer receives food and pocket money monthly. Transport arrangements: The means by transport for the arrival in Austria will be organised with the office of DB-Volunteers.

About the leisure activities

The participants join the obligatory trainings (On Arrival, Midterm) organised by the Austrian National Agency. Additionally Don Bosco Volunteers organise for the volunteers of the organisation three trainings: 4-day trip to Turin for our national and international volunteers, one-day study programme on educational issues and a weekend for reflexion.

Requirements

The Participant profile: A volunteer should be motivated to work with kids and youngsters, creative, communicative, willing to learn, active and reliable. German Level B1 is required.Deadline: 30/06/2026 23:59