GHANA
DEVELOPING
COMMUNITIES
ASSOCIATION
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ESC Humanitarian Aid
Project to help strengthen social cohesion in strategic cross-border areas
Implemented by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) in partnership with Mondo Estonia and Association ADICE, the ESC Humanitarian Aid Programme connects skilled international volunteers with local communities and organisations in Northern Ghana. Volunteers support GDCA for six to twelve months, contributing their expertise in various thematic areas that are jointly identified by the sending and hosting organisations based on current needs.
Background
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The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Humanitarian Aid strand provides opportunities for young professionals from Europe to contribute to global development and humanitarian work. Through this collaboration, GDCA welcomes volunteers who strengthen both organisational systems and community initiatives. In Ghana, local development organisations often face challenges in capacity, innovation, and resource mobilisation, especially in rural and vulnerable areas. By embedding skilled volunteers within GDCA and its community programmes, the initiative promotes shared learning, knowledge transfer, and sustainable development. The programme also fosters intercultural exchange, building bridges between European and Ghanaian civil societies.
Objectives
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Strengthen GDCA’s institutional and technical capacities through long-term volunteer placements.​
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Support community-led projects in areas such as environmental sustainability, education, youth empowerment, communication, digital innovation, MEAL, fundraising, organisational capacity building.
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Encourage cross-cultural learning and solidarity between international volunteers and local communities.
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Promote sustainable and inclusive development through skill-sharing, collaboration, and local ownership.
Activities
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Deployment of volunteers for 6–12 months, allowing them to meaningfully engage in organisational and community-based work.
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Volunteers contribute to diverse projects, ranging from climate resilience, communication and outreach, youth capacity building, and MEAL, fundraising, organisational capacity building, to operational and strategic development within GDCA.
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Regular coordination, mentoring, and review meetings between GDCA, Mondo Estonia, and Association ADICE to ensure effective collaboration and mutual learning.
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Community outreach and visibility activities to share results, foster awareness, and promote volunteerism as a tool for sustainable development.
Results
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Improved collaboration between local staff and international volunteers, leading to stronger systems, innovative ideas, and better community outcomes.
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Enhanced visibility and communication capacities of GDCA and its partners at local and international levels.
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Increased community participation and awareness through joint initiatives addressing education, climate change, and youth empowerment.
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The programme has fostered mutual learning, solidarity, and long-term partnerships between European volunteers and Ghanaian communities.