European Solidarity Corps 2026: new requirements for NGOs and entities

Key data

Organisations managing volunteering, traineeship or solidarity employment projects for young people aged 18 to 30 are facing new rules. Order JUI/292/2026, of 17 March, amends Order DSA/1028/2021 and updates the regulatory bases that determine who can access European funding under the European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027.

The amendment responds to new administrative and European requirements, with the aim of improving the management and control of funds. For participating entities, this means that the criteria and procedures they were previously familiar with have changed, and submitting an application without reviewing the new requirements may result in its rejection.

What does this regulation establish?

Order JUI/292/2026 amends the basic regulation governing access to grants from the European European Solidarity Corps programme in Spain for the 2021-2027 period. The amended aspects are:

• Access requirements: The conditions that organisations must meet to be eligible for grants are updated.
• Procedures: The administrative processes governing the application and management of funding are modified.
• Participation conditions: The general conditions are adapted to new European and administrative requirements.
• Fund control: The mechanisms for managing and controlling European funds allocated to the programme are strengthened.

The amended regulation, Order DSA/1028/2021, of 20 September, originally established the general framework for the award of these grants. The new order updates it without replacing it entirely, so both must be read together.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this amendment is operational and related to access to funding. Organisations that do not review and adapt their applications to the new requirements risk being excluded from European grant calls under a programme active until 2027.

From an opportunity perspective, the European Solidarity Corps represents a source of European funding for entities managing projects with young people. The amendment does not close access, but updates the conditions: organisations that adapt in time maintain their ability to access these funds.

The operational cost for affected entities is primarily one of internal review and documentary adaptation: updating their application procedures, verifying that they meet the new requirements and, if necessary, renewing or updating their accreditation as participating entities.

Who is affected?

This amendment directly affects all entities that participate or wish to participate in the European Solidarity Corps in Spain:

• Non-profit organisations accredited or in the process of accreditation to manage programme projects.
• Public administrations participating as hosting or sending organisations for young volunteers.
• Accredited private institutions managing volunteering, traineeship or solidarity employment projects.
• Entities managing projects aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 under the European programme.

It does not directly affect young people participating in the programme, but rather the organisations acting as intermediaries and managers of the funded projects.

Practical example

A Spanish NGO accredited in the European Solidarity Corps that manages international volunteering projects for young people aged between 18 and 30 plans to submit a new grant application in the next programme call.

Until now, this entity prepared its application following the requirements and procedures established in Order DSA/1028/2021. With the entry into force of Order JUI/292/2026 on 17 March 2026, some of those requirements and procedures have changed.

If the NGO submits its application without reviewing the changes introduced by the new order, it may find that its documentation does not meet the new administrative or European requirements, which could result in exclusion from the call or the need to remedy the application within tight deadlines.

The correct course of action is to review Order JUI/292/2026 before preparing any new application, identify which requirements or procedures have changed compared to the previous regulation, and adapt the documentation accordingly.

What should organisations do now?

1. Review Order JUI/292/2026 in full to identify exactly which requirements, procedures and conditions have changed compared to Order DSA/1028/2021.
2. Verify the accreditation status of the entity as a participating organisation in the European Solidarity Corps, checking whether the new requirements affect that accreditation.
3. Update internal application procedures to adapt them to the new administrative and European requirements before submitting any new grant application.
4. Consult with the programme managing body in Spain if there are any doubts about how to apply the new requirements to projects already underway or applications in preparation.
5. Document the changes made to demonstrate compliance with the new requirements in the event of an inspection or audit of funds received.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7190