ecdc.europa.eu Youth in Action programme: European Voluntary Service Maria Podlasek-Ziegler European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture

2 Volunteering -100 million Europeans engaged in voluntary activities -Adults aged 30 to 50 years the most active in volunteering -Many sectors concerned: sport, social care, welfare, health as well as justice culture, education, youth, environment and climate action, consumer protection, humanitarian aid, development policy, equal opportunities -Great impact beyond national borders: potential for education, employment and citizenship

3 Volunteering The added value of volunteering: creating social and human capital, pathway to integration and employment, key factor in improving social cohesion translating European fundamental values of justice, solidarity, inclusion and citizenship into action shaping European society

the European Year of Volunteering Taking stock of volunteering in the European Union and its contribution to society Evaluation what the European Union and Member States can do to facilitate and promote volunteering notably in cross-border situation -Communication on EU policies and Volunteering: Recognising and Promoting Cross-border Voluntary Activities in the EU (20/09/2011) -Report assessing the Year’s outcomes (before the end of 2012)

5 EU funding opportunities for volunteering The European Voluntary Service as part of the Youth in Action programme The Europe for Citizens programme The Grundtvig programme as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme

6 Youth and Volunteering EU Strategy for youth – Investing and Empowering – A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities The Council Recommendation on the Mobility of young volunteers Youth on the Move flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy

7 The European Voluntary Service Open to all young people aged 18 to 30 coming from the EU or from other countries of the world Involving young people, either individually or in groups, in voluntary activities in various fields, such as culture, youth, social care, cultural heritage, sports, environment, etc. Free of charge for volunteers, except for a possible contribution to the travel costs Involving different actors such as non-governmental organisations, local or regional public bodies, European NGOs, profit making bodies active in the field of volunteering, youth, culture or sport Offering volunteering opportunities in 175 countries (main focus on 33 Programme Countries)

8 The European Voluntary Service Programme Countries 27 Member States, EEA/EFTA countries: Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland Switzerland Croatia and Turkey Partner countries 22 neighbouring partner countries, among them EECA: Armenia, Aserbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine 118 other partner countries of the world

9 The European Voluntary Service more than young volunteers since its launch in 1996 in 2010, volunteers among them ca with fewer opportunities) Ca projects submitted, ca granted (success rate 65%) Budget per year: ca. €44,5 Mio Average funding per project: €18,865, Average funding per participant € 6,615

10 The European Voluntary Service: impact on young people Communication in foreign languages – 97% Social and civic competencies – 79% Personal development – 93% Interest in engaging in further educational opportunities – 87 % Increased job chances – 75% More confidence to move around in other countries – 95%

11 The European Voluntary Service: impact on organisations and local communities Interest in participating in similar projects – 85% Increased project management competencies – 91% Increased appreciation of cultural diversity – 95% More contact with other countries – 85 % The project perceived as an enrichment by local communities – 86%

12 The European Voluntary Service: Cooperation with EECA countries

13 The European Voluntary Service: Cooperation with EECA countries

14 Reinforced cooperation with neighbouring countries Commission Communication: A new response to a Changing Neighbourhood (May 2011) Supporting progress towards deep democracy Supporting sustainable economic and social development Strengthening the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Mediterranean Partnership Providing efficient instruments fit to deliver these objectives

15 Reinforced cooperation with neighbouring countries Relevance for youth strengthening people-to-people contacts, including youth expanding participation in EAC programmes, including Youth in Action A new Eastern Partnership Youth Window: + ca. € 31,5 Miofor 2 years ( ) from ENPI funds (DG DEVCO) (provisional figures)

16 Reinforced cooperation with neighbouring countries Regional scope: Eastern Neighbouring Countries (i.e. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) Programme Countries Not included: Russian Federation + other Neighbouring Partner Countries Additional award criteria: focus on young people living in rural or deprived areas project raising awareness about youth work and promoting the sharing of best practices

17 European Voluntary Service Working for the Anne Frank House was a great way of getting familiar with the activities of a leading European NGO and its outstanding approaches in teaching about tolerance and human rights. I am now convinced that countries like Ukraine need a strong development of NGO’s that strive for civil society and that young people can play a significant role. Sergey, 24, working as an EVS volunteer with the Anne-Frank Foundation in the Netherlands 01/12/ /12/2009