LTV projects, EVS and other, are usually quite competitive, and the information below is aimed to serve as guidelines for you, how to make a nice application which would lead you to acceptance in the project.

An application for LTV consists usually of two parts: a CV (curriculum vitae) and a motivation letter.

General remarks:

-    Be aware that applying for LTV/

-    EVS is not the same as applying for an internship or a job. Volunteering is quite different from a professional job and the stress should be put differently in your EVS application.

-    Be personal; avoid general slogans commonly used in a work or internship application.

-    The application should give information about your personality and your personal motivation why you want to do this specific project, this is the most important thing you should keep in mind while you are writing it.

-    Be authentic and creative.

The CV:

The idea of a CV is to give the receiver an overview of you and what you have been doing in your life so far.

It should contain the information about your educational background, your hobbies, skills, voluntary work etc.  You could separate them into different categories, such as ‘personal data’, ‘education’, ‘internships’, ‘work experience’, ‘social engagement’, ‘hobbies’, ‘special skills’ (such as languages, computer skills etc.) etc.

Personal data section should contain: full name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, contact address, email and phone number where the receiver can contact you.

The educational background part usually starts with your latest activity and ends with you entering high school, or receiving your university entrance diploma.

Since it is an application for voluntary work, it is important to stress your social activities and your previous voluntary work. Are you member of a voluntary organisation? Do you give sport lessons to children in your sports club? Have you been on a workcamp? Tell about your hobbies, interests and language skills. Maybe your studies or your major subject in school are reflecting your special interest? Maybe your studies fit to the content of the EVS project you are applying for? Here you can point this out.

Keep in mind that it is no application for a job, so the professional activities are not as important as your social engagement. This is where you should put the focus on.

The motivation letter:

-    Here you should be as precise as possible why you want to do this specific project you are applying for. Do NOT write in general or one letter for all, but write your motivation letter for this one specific project only!

-    With regard to the structure: start from the general and then go to the specific. Plus, make a short introduction, then have a strong main part and a little conclusion.

-    Be precise why you want to do this specific project and why you want to do it abroad (and not in your home country)

-    If you have previous experiences in volunteering, here you have the perfect opportunity to tell more about these experiences, the kind of work you have done and what you learned from it.

-    Try to look at your application also from the receiver’s side: why could you be interesting for them? What could you contribute to the project and to the organisation? Do not just make promotion for yourself by saying ‘I am simply the best’. Of course it is important to point out your abilities, creativity and the ‘added value’ the organisation would gain by having you in the project. But it is important that you explain why you think so and give your arguments.

-    Usually there are some questions to be included, such as the ones you can find below:

a) In which fields would you like to do your voluntary service?

b) Tell about your experiences with communities (or other long term projects)?

c) Skills you would like to mention (such as practical, artistic, domestic, intellectual, driving license, etc.)

d) How do you like to spend your free time?

e) What is important to you in life?

f) Write about your motivation to be a long term volunteer. Explain as fully as possible why you are applying for this post and what you envisage both contributing and learning from the experience.

-    Try to answer them with view on the specific project you are applying to. These questions give space to tell something about your personality and your character which is important for the project.

GOOD LUCK