The Voluntary Diaconal Year (VYD) Programme Office /Önkéntes Diakóniai Év (ÖDÉ) Programiroda has more than 25 years of experience in coordinating short- and long-term volunteer service.
The European Solidarity Corps’ volunteering projects offer young people interested in volunteering the opportunity to get involved in various social action organisations. Through their work, applicants can benefit the community and take part in valuable and self-developing solidarity activities.
The ministry of the ÖDE Programme Office aims to encourage young people and adults (18-30 years old) to volunteer in the short and long term, so that they can do God-pleasing work for the community in need during the period of their application.
We believe that through volunteering, those who are called to serve can grow closer to the Lord, learn about the world around us, and get to know themselves better. The ÖDE Programme Office helps candidates to develop their talents, thus promoting the selfless uniting of societies, cultures and individuals in the Lord.
Availability and well-preparedness
For young people from the international programme’s partner countries, a volunteer organisation in Hungary will provide the location for the activities. The ÖDE Programme Office will provide accommodation, pocket money, and reimbursement of the volunteer’s travel expenses.
After evaluating the application for volunteers from Hungary to volunteer abroad, we will contact the volunteer coordinating organisation in the destination country, which will provide the location, accommodation, pocket money and travel expenses within the programme framework. The Programme Office will also be involved in preparing the volunteer, organising travel and maintaining contact throughout the activity.
Duration of voluntary service
Participants can apply for short-term (0-2 months) or long-term (2-12 months) service.
Ecumenical Partner Network – EDYN
We partner with many churches and organisations across Europe. In particular, we coordinate volunteers through the Ecumenical Diaconial Year Network.
What can you learn during the programme?
Candidates will receive all the useful information, including practical and spiritual support, before the departure period, during the service, and after the activity. At the end of their volunteering service, participants will be invited to join the network of former ÖDE volunteers, which will allow hundreds of former participants to share their experiences over the years.
Feedback from the volunteers shows that the ÖDE Service is not only an exciting experience abroad for young people, but also an opportunity to take part in a real spiritual journey: during the months abroad, they will develop personally, gain intercultural and ecumenical experience, learn autonomy, become more cooperative improve their language skills and become more confident in their daily life.
Certificate of Quality
In February 2022, our organisation was awarded the European Solidarity Corps’ Certificate of Accreditation for its coordination and dispatch role. Organisations with a Certificate of Accreditation can apply for further funding under the European Solidarity Corps projects. Achieving the maximum score in the Quality Certificate demonstrates our organisation’s professional capacity to coordinate and host volunteers and send them abroad. Our Certificate is guaranteed until 31 December 2027. We have the capacity to coordinate volunteers for host organisations in our home country and to support the service of volunteers abroad, mainly from church organisations, in our current project until 31 July 2026.
Interested to join?
For more information, visit the Volunteer Diaconal Year Programme Office website: https://odeprogramiroda.hu/
