ESC Volunteer Vacancies 2026
CATAPA is looking for two ESC volunteers. Download the vacancies through the links below or read them on this page.
Local campaign & Communication
International campaign & Partners
About CATAPA
CATAPA is a movement that strives for a world in which the extraction of non-renewable resources is no longer necessary. The extraction of such materials always entails major social and environmental impacts and fuels conflict. In working towards global social and environmental justice, we focus on mining issues (ecological disasters, human rights violations, etc.). In Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, we work together with grassroots movements and support local communities who are threatened by large-scale mining projects. In Belgium, we activate citizens to denounce the current overconsumption and overproduction of electronics.
Our main activities are:
- – Campaigning on the impact of mining and sustainable production of electronics in Flanders.
- – Supporting partners and local communities in Latin America that – are threatened by large-scale mining projects.
- – Creating a movement around the sustainable production and consumption of metals.
- – Networking, conducting research & stimulating alternatives.
Our campaigns
The Right to Say No – Mining activities cause devastating environmental impacts and human rights violations across the globe. Communities opposing extractive projects face severe repression and human rights violations. A just transition requires that local communities have the decisive say over extractive projects within their territories. CATAPA campaigns on the Right to Say No. which gives the voice to environmental defenders from affected communities to share their stories and build international solidarity
CTRL ALT DEL – Stop#ExpresDefect – Our current linear model of consumption and production is a driving cause of the climate crisis. In this “throwaway” model, electronic products are designed in ways that make repair difficult or impossible, resulting in limited life spans. This is planned obsolescence. The infinite supply of electronics is incompatible with planetary boundaries. We cannot continue extracting more and more metals and minerals. Through our (mainly Dutch) Ctrl Alt Delete: Stop#ExpresDefect campaign we activate Flemish civilians to advocate for strict regulations that ensure electronic products are eco-designed, repairable, and made to last.
Bankswithoutmining – This newly formed working group aims to push banks in the Global North to divest from mining activities. This initiative addresses the critical need to tackle the environmental and social impacts of bank investments in mining companies. Our campaign seeks to bring mining issues into public debates, persuade investors to withdraw support from harmful mining practices, and form equal partnerships with organisations in the Andes and Europe to strengthen our efforts and create impactful change.
Our main campaigning activities are:
- – Raising public awareness through: (social media) campaigns, educational activities, public actions, …
- – Searching for and supporting sustainable solutions & alternatives
- – Collaborating & networking with other organisations that focus on mining issues, Degrowth and Circular Economy
- – Advocating for an end to planned obsolescence via our Ctrl Alt Delete – Stop#Expresdefect campaign
- – Collaborating with grassroots organisations in Latin America to defend the rights of affected communities via our Right to Say No campaign
- – Pushing banks in the Global North to divest from mining activities.
CATAPA towards a Safe(r) Space
CATAPA is committed to inclusivity and safety for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, language, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic standing, or otherwise. These guidelines aim to ensure CATAPA is a movement that actively works towards social justice, inclusiveness, and the elimination of all forms of oppression.
Possible tasks and requirements
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteer to join our office team (5 part-time staff + 2 ESC volunteers + variable number of interns). You will support our Ctr Alt Delete – Stop#ExpresDefect campaign and work on executive communications and social media. As CATAPA is a volunteer-driven movement, you will collaborate closely with volunteers who bring diverse and wide-ranging experience.
You will work 30 hours per week (4 days/week) within a flexible schedule, which occasionally includes evenings or weekends, as many events and meetings take place during the free time of participants and volunteers.
Possible tasks
Tasks are flexible depending on your learning goals and the needs of the organisation, and can include:
- – Helping to shape and implement the campaign strategy, communication and tools for the Ctrl Alt Del – Stop#ExpresDefect campaign
- – Co-coordinating the Ctrl Alt Del – Stop#ExpresDefect campaign
- – Actively participating in and supporting the Stop#ExpresDefect working group
- – Supporting our executive communication through content creation and the management of our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp…)
- – Designing posters, flyers and social media visuals in Canva
- – Organising movement activities such as the movement weekend or movement days
- – Following-up on volunteer engagement
- – Contributing to the organisation of the RTSN Tour in autumn 2026, where two environmental defenders from Colombia are coming to Belgium
- – Engaging with networks working on social and ecological justice in Belgium
- – Helping set up awareness-raising and training activities for diverse audiences (documentary screenings, workshops, infostands, public actions, …)
- – Supporting day-to-day office tasks and gaining insight into how a non-profit organisation is managed
- – Writing, revising and proofreading articles, blogs, informative tools and reports
- – Developing and implementing your own ideas and projects.
Requirements
Essential:
- – Motivated to work closely with volunteers
- – Motivated to inspire and energise others
- – Willing to contribute to positive change in the world we live in
- – Interested in learning about social and environmental movements, planned obsolescence, e-waste and mining issues
- – Good command of English (B2 level)
- – Ability to work independently and proactively
- – Strong executive communication skills and confident using social media
- – Knowledge of Canva (for creating posters, flyers, and social media content)
- – A team player with a flexible, hands-on attitude
- – Willing to travel through Flanders and to Brussels
- – Age below 31 years (programme requirement)
- – Comfortable with a flexible work schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, as events and meetings may take place during participants’ free time
- – Ability to learn on the job and DIY spirit.
Nice to have:
- Knowledge, experience or interest in learning about:
- – Implementing and coordinating campaigns
- – Developing campaign strategies
- – Organising educational or training events and tools
- – Project writing and project management
- – Volunteer engagement
- – Advocacy and networking
- – Activist and movement organising
- – Circular and degrowth economy, environmental and/or social movements
- – Video editing skills
- Knowledge of Dutch and/or Spanish
Interested or more information?
Please send your CV and a document answering the following questions to maud.marcial@catapa.be at the latest the 20th of May 2026 at 23h59 CET. Please, be aware that incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions concerning this vacancy, don’t hesitate to contact us. Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held between 26 and 29 May 2026. If you are unavailable on these dates, please indicate this in your application so that we can try to arrange an alternative.
Questions to answer:
- – Please introduce yourself briefly.
- – What do you think about CATAPA’s mission and vision, and how do you see your profile aligning with them?
- – Tell us about an experience that shaped your interest in social and environmental justice (this could be a personal, academic, professional, or activist experience).
- – Do you have experience in volunteering and/or working with volunteers? If so, how would you describe that experience?
- – What attracts you to the Stop#ExpresDefect campaign?
- – What do you think you could bring to this campaign? (What do you expect to gain? How can you contribute?)
- – Do you have experience using Canva and managing social media channels? Can you describe any other relevant experience you have in communications, such as writing, press work, or content creation?
- – Would you feel comfortable working in an office where English is the primary language?
- – Do you understand and speak Spanish and/or Dutch? If so, at what level?
We acknowledge that Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in the preparation of applications. We encourage applicants to use them in a limited and thoughtful way, as extensive reliance on AI not only contributes to the use of natural resources but may also affect the authenticity and quality of applications.
More information:
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteer to join our office team (5 part-time staff + 2 ESC volunteers + variable number of interns). You will support our Right to Say No campaign and work closely with our partners in Latin America. As CATAPA is a volunteer-driven movement, you will collaborate closely with volunteers who bring diverse and wide-ranging experience.
You will work 30 hours per week (4 days/week) within a flexible schedule, which occasionally includes evenings or weekends, as many events and meetings take place during the free time of participants and volunteers.
Possible tasks
The tasks are flexible depending on your learning goals and the needs of the organisation, and can include:
- – Participating in the follow-up of our partners in the Andes region through online meetings
- – Engaging in networks on social and ecological justice and defending the demands of our partners within these networks
- – Helping identify funding opportunities and campaign opportunities for our partners
- – Proofreading and contributing to fund applications and reporting for our partners
- – Actively participating in and supporting the CATAPA working groups Right to Say No and “divestment”
- – Assisting in planning activities on the Right To Say No campaign
- – Contributing to the organisation of the RTSN Tour in autumn 2026, where two environmental defenders from Colombia are coming to Belgium
- – Helping organise movement activities such as the movement weekend or movement days
- – Following-up on volunteer engagement.
- – Writing, revising and proofreading articles, blogs, informative tools and reports
- – Supporting communication with partners in Latin America
- – Supporting day-to-day office tasks and gaining insight into how a non-profit organisation is managed
- – Developing and implementing your own ideas and projects.
Requirements
Essential:
- – Motivated to work closely with volunteers
- – Motivated to inspire and energise others
- – Willing to contribute to positive change in the world we live in
- – Interested in learning about social and environmental movements, planned obsolescence, e-waste and mining issues
- – Good command of English (B2 level)
- – Good command of Spanish (B2 level)
- – Ability to work independently and proactively
- – Strong communication skills
- – Basic knowledge of Canva and social media and willingness to learn more about this
- – A team player with a flexible, hands-on attitude
- – Willingness to travel through Flanders and to Brussels
- – Age below 31 years (Programme requirement)
- – Comfortable with a flexible work schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, as events and meetings may take place during participants’ free time
Nice to have:
- – Knowledge about/experience in or interest to learn about:
- – International Cooperation and Human Rights
- – Fundraising
- – Project writing and management
- – Organising educational or training events
- – Advocacy and networking
- – Volunteer engagement
- – Circular and degrowth economy, environmental and/or social movements
- – Latin-American politics
- – Knowledge of Dutch
CATAPA is committed to diversity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity.
! Important: This call is part of the European Solidarity Corps, a European Union initiative that creates opportunities for young people to volunteer in projects abroad. This position is open to people who currently reside in EU or Schengen countries due to the urgency of filling the position.
Interested or more information?
Please send your CV and a document answering ALL the following questions to chiara.ramondetti@catapa.be at the latest the 20th of May 2026 at 23h59 CET Please, be aware that incomplete applications will not be considered. Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held between 26 and 29 May 2026. If you are unavailable on these dates, please indicate this in your application so that we can try to arrange an alternative.
Questions to answer:
- – Please introduce yourself briefly
- – What do you think about CATAPA’s mission and vision, and how do you see your profile aligning with them?
- – What draws you to the mission of supporting communities affected by mining and campaigning for their Right to Say No?
- – Tell us about an experience that shaped your interest in social and environmental justice. This could be a personal, academic, professional, or activist experience.
- – CATAPA is a volunteer movement. Do you have experience volunteering/working with volunteers? If so, how would you describe that experience?
- – Would you feel comfortable working in an office where English is the primary language?
- – What is your level of Spanish? Do you feel comfortable participating in online meetings, in Spanish, with Latin American participants?
We acknowledge that Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in the preparation of applications. We encourage applicants to use them in a limited and thoughtful way, as extensive reliance on AI not only contributes to the use of natural resources but may also affect the authenticity and quality of applications.
If you have any questions concerning this vacancy, don’t hesitate to contact us.
More information: www.catapa.be
What do we offer?
- – A warm welcome in our horizontally organized movement with plenty of learning opportunities and new connections.
- – A dynamic & motivated team of employees and volunteers.
- – Monthly fee to cover cohousing accommodation (with a max. rent contribution of €550) and a monthly reimbursement to cover daily expenses of €580.
- – A personal learning trajectory coached by one of CATAPA’s employees, one language course (Dutch, English or Spanish) and opportunities for personal development.
- – Work-related expenses are covered by CATAPA.
Do you have nice #catapistas pictures yourself? Send them to communication.sc@vzw.catapa.be! Or share them via social media with 
