Helping youth with Mic-ados – Marche-en-Famenne

Looking for one volunteer

Trip type

ESC Volunteering

City + Country

Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium

Dates of the next project

From 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2027

Deadline to apply

20th April 2026 (11:59 PM)

Hosting organisation : Amo Mic-ados

Mic-ados is an AMO – “aide en milieu ouvert”: a prevention service with an open scope of intervention, which means we can be active on the streets or anywhere else.

Our public is made up by children and youngsters (0-22) and our mission is helping them keep a balanced relation with their social, family and educational backgrounds.

We work with and for youngsters to improve their skills in order to foster their autonomy and social emancipation.

Equality of opportunities and equal access to services are values we stand for in our daily activities.

Micados is recognized and financed by the Belgian Youth social service of Wallonia-Brussels federation. We are based in Marche-en-Famenne and we work in Marche-en-Famenne administrative district which is made-up by 8 rural or mid-rural municipalities (Marche, Hotton, Erezée, La Roche, Barvaux, Nassogne, Tenneville and Durbuy). We have two branch offices: in La Roche and Barvaux.

Our action is based on two main working axes:

Individual support

A social and educational service based upon a listening, accompanying, orientation, support and mediation work, whose aim is to foster youngsters thriving in their family, scholar and social environment.

We intervene up to a youngster or their family’s request, always respecting youth social service moral code. The youngster can decide to stop asking our support at any time.

Community action

The goal of the community actions is to improve youngsters’ environment and to bring a global answer to individual problems and to the individual social demand.

We work to develop a local dynamic network: many initiatives are taken and projects implemented as a response to the needs expressed by individuals and families or as a consequence of our field analysis.

We work with youngsters around different topics:

– How to deal with addictions (for example drugs…);

– Schooling and school dropout (since several years now we are implementing a project called “Sac Ados”: a civic gap year, whose aim is to support youngsters who left school and to encourage them to try to find again their place in the official education system or to start a professional training);

– Parenthood, and relationships with parents;

– Leisure activities, always entailing reflection moments (workcamps, sport activities…);

– Self-esteem and youth representation.

Our ESC volunteer will especially take part in the “Sac Ados project”, devoted to youngsters’ orientation. At the same time our ESC volunteer will also takes part in other collective and community projects Micados is active in.

FB page

Website

CBB host around 25 international volunteers around Wallonia. The ESC team of CBB tries its best to connect this network of volunteers together through different collective activities, seminars etc…

Check us on Facebook, Instagram and take a look at our website!

Support organization : CBB

In addition to this, the hosting organization is supported by the Association des Compagnons Bâtisseurs, aka CBB located in Marche-en-Famenne. CBB is a non-profit, non-political youth organization recognized and financially supported by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The organization proposes different kinds of activities, based on volunteering and non-formal education: local and international workcamps, medium and long term voluntary services (including ESC), leisure time activities for and with disabled people, campleaders trainings… CBB is active within the different European Programs of volunteering and non-formal education since 1997 and also hosts ESC volunteers each year. CBB’s role as support organization is to:

Promote the project and links between local and international networks;
Support the selection and preparation of European volunteers before arrival;
Manage administrative matters: budget allowances; support in the creation of the bank account and enrolment at the municipality; enrolment in insurance (if not done by sending organization);
Prepare the activity agreement;
Provide pedagogical support for the volunteer and the hosting organization: ensure the participation in the NA seminars; organize auto-evaluation meetings for the volunteer and the hosting organization to reflect on learning outcomes;
Handle practical arrangements: accommodation; information about health insurance system in Belgium; indications about French lesson possibilities; online language tool;…
Create networking activities between all ESC volunteers of the hosting organizations we support.

Activity 1: The “Sac Ados project”

As main mission, the volunteer will be involved in the «Sac Ados» project (3 to 4 days/week).

The aim of this project is to allow youngsters between 15 and 22 years old in school dropout situation to have a reflection period about their future by taking part in varied collective activities: manual works, creative activities, solidarity actions, social actions which are useful to all the community (maintaining green spaces, construction and painting activities, activities with elderly people or children, workshops with refugees, cultural visits, etc.)

By taking part in this programme, young people develop not only technical skills but also essential soft skills: punctuality, responsibility, team spirit, social commitment, self-esteem and life goals (further education, career guidance, etc.).

From September until mid-October: meet the team, discover the different projects and colleagues of the association. Light period of work where you will be encouraged to go to French classes to rapidly improve your understanding and speaking skills.
From mid-October until end of December: active participation in the daily activities of the « Sac Ados » project.
January: transition period devoted to other Mic-Ados projects (activities in community centres, cooking workshops, etc.) and assisting preparations for the next session of the « Sac Ados » project.
From end of January until end of March: Second Sac Ados session.
From end of March until mid-April: transition pediod devoted to other Mic Ados projects.
From mid-April until end of June: third Sac Ados session.
July and August: organising summer camps for children and young people of different ages, rest period and holidays.

The activities are carried out in partnership with various local organisations in Marche-en-Famenne and the surrounding villages.

You will always be accompanied by a Mic-Ados educator responsible for the project, as well as a tutor, in order to receive constant support. This framework will offer them the opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills (listening, supporting young people, group facilitation) and practical skills (painting, construction, gardening, organising activities).

At the same time, you will be able to get involved in various aspects of Mic-Ados’ work: welcoming young people to the open space, handling phone calls, providing support in everyday life, participating in workshops, leading activities in local youth centres, contributing to team meetings and occasionally helping with administrative tasks. You will also have the opportunity to develop a personal project related to your interests and skills.

Activity 2: Collective activities with other ESC volunteers

The European Solidary Corps volunteering activities within Compagnons Bâtisseurs are part of an ESC group project that aims to increase European awareness among youth in the town of Marche-en-Famenne and to maintain a close collaboration among the local youth services. For that reason, some activities will be run with other ESC volunteers (hosted by other local youth organizations). It will be asked to all the ESC volunteers in Marche-en-Famenne and from near towns around to regularly join collective activities as co-animator or participant of CBB activities like environmental volunteering days and week-end and summer workcamps. The volunteers will work together especially during special events organized once a year in Marche-en-Famenne: intergenerational events, youth services opening day…. The volunteers will help to prepare and follow-up these events. In some occasions, they could hold an information stand presenting ESC programs and youth exchange opportunities. They could organize a “European night” in the local youth house to present their country and traditions.

Accommodation in Marche-en Famenne

The AMO-Micados is located in Marche-en-Famenne, a 17 000 inhabitants town in the province of the Belgian Luxembourg. This unique situation will allow the volunteer to share the semi-rural life style of the area, but also to meet young people coming from different realities and horizons.

During their ESC volunteering activity, the volunteer will live and mostly work in Marche-en-Famenne. The town offers all modern facilities (shops, supermarkets, bars, sport center, cinema….).

For the urban-life-style-lovers, it is however IMPORTANT to note that our town is located in a semi-rural area. Even if it is not far away from the biggest Belgian cities (57 km from Liège, 106 km from Brussels, 47 km from Namur) and well connected by train, Marche-en-Famenne can sometimes look remote and very quiet.

The volunteer will be in contact with other ESC volunteers who are participating in other projects in the municipality.

This project is therefore very suitable for volunteers who are not attracted by a very lively nightlife, but appreciates living in a small town which will be resourceful, quieter and will give you a break from your usual routine.

The country - BELGIUM

Squeezed between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium is one of Europe’s tiddlers.
The north is flat, the south dominated by the picturesque Ardennes and the 65km North Sea coastline monopolized by resorts, except for a few patches of windswept dunes. The 4 seasons are well divided, cold and white winter and warm and sunny summer… But be ready for grey skies at least for half part of the year.

But the Belgian population is usually warm. A lot of cultural and frees events in the streets happen during the year, which can make your journey in this little country fun and resourceful.

This project will be taking part in the south of the country which is French speaking. Be therefore ready to learn and speak French! Especially in this project involving kids.

Specialities: FRIES, BEERS and FESTIVALS
AREA: 30,518 sq km
POPULATION: 11.492.641 million
CAPITAL: Brussels (pop: 1.212.352)
REGIONS: Flanders (North), Wallonia (South), Brussels – Capital
COMMUNITIES: Flemish-, French- and German-speaking community
LANGUAGE: Dutch (±59%), French (±37%) and German (±1%)
CURRENCY: Euro

Working Hours

Working days will be mostly during the week. Mondays are usually dedicated to team meetings. During the “Sac-Ados” projects, you will work 5 days/week from 8:00 until 16:00. Days off will compensate for the extra shift hours if necessary to keep an average of 35 hours a week. During the summer period (July and August), the volunteer is involved in the preparation and animation of the residential summer camps. The volunteer usually takes part in two different residential camps (from Monday until Friday). Be prepared to have very busy periods of work at certain times, and very light periods at others.

Food

You will receive a budget and will prepare your own meals.

Accommodation

You will live in a house that will be shared with 6 other volunteers. It is located in the centre of Marche-en-Famenne and has all the modern facilities.

Pocket Money

Participation in the European Solidarity Corps is free of charge, except for exceptional contribution to travel costs. You will therefore receive free board and lodging during the whole activity. In addition, you will receive pocket money for personal expenses throughout the duration of the activity, including holidays

Language course

EU Academy + French lesson.
An online linguistic tool (EU Academy) is provided by the European Commission. The volunteer can also ask to join French conversation tables organized in the region by a local non-profit organization.
We recommend that the participant starts practicing French prior to their arrival in Belgium and that they participate in as many activities as possible in order to get better at the language.

Insurance

You get covered, throughout the activity period, by the obligatory European Solidarity Corps insurance plan (Henner) that the European Commission sets up. This coverage is only complementary to the mandatory coverage of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you must obtain prior to departure.

In certain cases, when national rules deprive participants from coverage under EHIC for the duration of the placement, Henner will provide full coverage. However, you must provide proof that obtaining the EHIC in your case was not possible. You should contact your National Agency for advice on your specific circumstances. You must read carefully the insurance-related information here.

Profile of the volunteer

Aged 18-30 years old
Because the majority of the youngsters attending MICADOS activities don’t speak any other language than French, it is advised to have a good basis in French before starting the service.
Our project is open to anybody motivated by volunteering and who wishes to be involved in our organization and working with children and youngsters regardless to their nationality, religion, believes, diploma, professional experience.
We expect the volunteer to be open-minded and pro-active. We would appreciate that the volunteer shares with us the values of active citizenship, cultural openness, pluralism and is ready to work with people coming from different social backgrounds
We expect the volunteer to build an atmosphere of confidence with the youngsters; be ready to involve themself in the several tasks we do with them (practical and artistic skills are welcome!); be able to work together with the staff; be interested in social inclusion and youngsters’ support and be ready to bring new ideas, new energy and enthusiasm!
The volunteer has to provide copy certificate of good conduct related to the work with minors before starting the activity
Prior to departure, the volunteer should be in contact with a support (sending) organization in order to receive information and preparation. Lookup for a support organization in your region via this link: https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisations_en

Alessio, volunteer at Micados in 2022

“I can’t describe my experience in MICADOS in a few words, I can say that I admire the strongness of my coworkers, the dedication to help that they have shown and be there for others and also that sometimes has been a challenge, but now I believe that those hard moments are the ones that mostly taught me something. Thanks to that I can say that I really changed my vision of things, I learnt to be more open minded, to absolutely not judge a book from its cover and that in a story, there’s never, never only one version, but different truths.”

Livia, volunteer at Micados in 2020

“My experience at Micados has been a challenge because there we face really difficult situations. But I still remember and admire the patience, the availability and the strength of the team while helping people in need!”

José, volunteer at Micados in 2018

How to apply ?

Deadline: 20th April 2026 (11:59 PM) (Brussels time).

1. In the frame of the new program of the European Commission, the European Solidarity Corps, you first need to create a profile on the new data base: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en (“JOIN THE CORPS”).

2. Answer the questionnaire below (NB: you will be asked to attach a CV at the end of the form)

3. (optional) if you’re feeling creative, please feel free to send us any addtional material related to your application: esc@compagnonsbatisseurs.be

The creation of a profile on the ESC portal AND fulfilling the form (in English or French) is compulsory for us to take your application into consideration.

In the days following the application deadline, the pre-selected volunteers will be contacted for a Skype interview.

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM WITHOUT THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE !

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, we prefer personnal answers than perfect ones.

ESC Micados

Step 1 of 4 - Personal Data

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