How to participate

Now’s your moment.

Take your time with the steps below, we’d hate for your video to miss out because of a tiny detail.

1. Create your video 🎥

Make a vertical video (max 60 seconds) about your ESC experience.

Tell us:

• how you connected with your host community
• what challenged you
• what surprised you
• what changed you

2. Upload your video 📲

Post it on YouTube Shorts:

• max 60 seconds
• vertical format
• set to public

In your description, you must:

• mention that it’s part of the ESC Participation Awards 2026
• include this link: https://volunteer-awards.eyca.org
• tag @EuropeanYouthCard

3. Submit your application ✅

Fill in the form with:

• your personal details
• your YouTube video link
• a title + short description (max 300 characters)

Important info before you apply ⚠️

Make sure you read this carefully, it contains all eligibility rules, prize conditions, and key dates.

Timeline

• submissions open: 13 April 2026
• deadline: 18 May 2026 (23:59 CEST)
• winners announced: week of 15 June 2026

Prize & travel conditions

If you win, you will join a group trip to Brussels:

• 🗓️ 23-27 September 2026 (fixed dates, including travel days)
• 📍 Brussels, Belgium

• 🌍 travel covered ESC programme countries: EYC Programme Countries, EU Member States and ESC associated third-countries: Türkiye, North Macedonia, Iceland, and Liechtenstein)

Please note:

• participation requires availability on the fixed travel dates
• visa and travel documentation costs are not covered
• travel from outside eligible countries may not be included

Eligibility

To take part, you must:

• be 18-30 years old
• be an European Solidarity Corps participant
• hold a valid Special Edition European Youth Card
• have a PRN number

Non-European participants can join, but prize travel will follow programme travel rules and eligibility conditions.

Selection criteria

Winners will be selected based on:

• creativity
• message and impact
• engagement (views & likes)

Important rules

• one entry per participant
• videos must be in English or include subtitles
• videos must be original content (no AI-generated videos or simple photo slideshows)
• inappropriate or non-compliant content will be disqualified
• EYCA reserves the right to reject entries that do not follow the rules

Ready?

Submit your application below, and don’t forget to double-check everything before hitting send.

We can’t wait to see your story and where it might take you next.