KOZ-DER Go to Bulgaria 5

About the Project

GrandChildren for Rent is a short-term ESC volunteering project taking place in Madan, Bulgaria between 29.06.2026 and 23.08.2026. The project strengthens solidarity between generations, supports social inclusion and helps build meaningful bonds between young people and older members of the community.

Volunteers are in regular contact with older people, encourage social interaction and take part in day-to-day solidarity activities. The aim is to reduce loneliness, strengthen community ties and bring energy, attention and human connection into the daily lives of older people.

This is more than a volunteering activity: it gives participants real experience in empathy, social responsibility, intercultural learning, patience and personal growth. The activities are built on learning by doing and direct human relationships rather than a formal training structure.

Core Activities

• Regular social interaction and communication with older people
• Light support with everyday tasks
• Work that encourages older people to take part in social life
• Helping create a warm, supportive environment grounded in solidarity
• Volunteering activities focused on social solidarity and responsibility
• Intercultural learning and sharing within the group
• Where appropriate, intelligence games, group games and interaction-based activities
• Depending on the volunteer’s interests and experience, robotics and coding, creative activities or educational group work

Participant Profile

The project suits young people who are interested in volunteering, have a strong sense of social responsibility, are open to communicating with older people and want to take an active role in solidarity work.

Participants are expected to be motivated and responsible, to work well in a team and to be willing to work with people from other cultures. It is especially suited to young people who want to create social impact, can build strong relationships with older people and want international volunteering experience.

Candidates with experience in intelligence games, group activities, non-formal education, robotics and coding or similar creative and educational work are at a particular advantage.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers stay at Hostel “Chayka”. On arrival each participant completes a registration form and signs the documents confirming they will follow the house rules. A short orientation meeting with the organising team and partner representatives takes place on the first day.

Participants stay in twin rooms, each with a private bathroom. Rooms are allocated by gender.

On arrival participants receive:

• Room keys and accommodation details
• WiFi access details
• A short briefing on house rules and safety

Meals are covered by the project. Participants with dietary preferences or restrictions should tell the project coordinators in advance so that catering can take cultural differences and individual needs into account.

Travel Support

Travel is planned as green travel. Participants are expected to travel by bus, train, high-speed rail or similar environmentally friendly means rather than by plane. Please follow the organisation’s guidance when planning your journey.

Pocket Money and Support

Participants receive pocket money in line with ESC rules, and accommodation and meals are also covered by the project, so volunteers have the support they need to cover their basic expenses.

Expected Outcomes

• Participants gain experience of working with older people
• Empathy, patience, communication and social responsibility skills develop
• Participants gain intercultural learning and international teamwork experience
• Awareness of solidarity and active citizenship grows
• Volunteers grow in personal development and self-confidence
• Bonds between generations in the local community are strengthened

Important Notes

• Activity dates: 29.06.2026 - 23.08.2026
• Location: Madan, Bulgaria
• Places: 2
• Participants stay in twin rooms with a private bathroom
• Accommodation, meals and pocket money are covered under ESC
• Green travel will be used
• Each participant should bring a towel and clothing suitable for indoor and outdoor activities
• Each group is expected to bring a laptop for the workshops, plus ice-breaker ideas and game suggestions
• Participants are encouraged to prepare an interactive presentation about their country for the culture night, bring small souvenirs and plan a short cultural performance
• Applications are made through the Turna Portal
• If this is your first application through the Turna Portal, please watch this video to see the steps: Watch the application video
• Application deadline: 30.04.2026 - 23:59
• Please read the info pack carefully before applying