Volunteering occurs in every society in the
world. The terms which define it and the
forms of its expression may vary in different languages
and cultures, but the values which drive
it are common and universal: a desire to contribute
to the common good, out of free will
and in a spirit of solidarity, without expectation
of material reward.
Волонтерство відбувається y будь-якому
суспільстві світу. Терміни, що його визначають,
форми його вираження можуть буди різними у
різних мовах і культурах, але цінності, що його
викликають, є загальними й універсальними:
це бажання зробити свій внесок у загальний
добробут, із власної волі, в дусі солідарності,
без розрахунку на матеріальну винагороду.
Deadline: 1st February, 1st April, 1st June, 1st September and 1st November Open to: young people between 18 and 30 years Duration: up to 12 months
What is it?
European Voluntary Service (EVS) is part of the Youth in Action Programm. Its main aim is to develop solidarity and to promote active citizenship and mutual understanding among young people.
The European Voluntary Service enables young people to carry out
voluntary service for up to 12 months in a country other than their
country of residence. It fosters solidarity among young people and is a
true ‘learning service’. Beyond benefiting local communities, volunteers
learn new skills and languages, and discover other cultures.
An EVS project can focus on a variety of themes and areas of
intervention, such as culture, youth, sports, social care, cultural
heritage, arts, civil protection, environment, development cooperation,
etc. High-risk interventions in immediate post-crisis situations (e.g.
humanitarian aid, immediate disaster relief, etc.) are excluded.
Who can apply?
The EVS is open to young people between 18 and 30 years.
This means that volunteers have to be between 18 and 30 years old at
the beginning of their voluntary activity. Flexibility can be applied
to the lower age limit – young people with fewer opportunities may
participate as from the age of 16.
To be eligible you have to have legal resident permit in your sending organization country.
Duration?
Up to 12 months.
Where can I go?
Programme Countries
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Norway
Turkey
Neighbouring Partner countries:
South East Europe
Eastern Europe and Caucasus
Mediterranean Partner Countries
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM)
Montenegro
Serbia**
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Moldova
Russian Federation
Ukraine
Algeria
Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Morocco
Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Syria
Tunisi
The European Voluntary Service concerns almost all countries of the
world. But there are some rules and conventions as to who can go where.
For more information, consult the EVS Guide.
Deadlines
Each year there are five deadlines:
* 1st February
* 1st April
* 1st June
* 1st September
* 1st November
The activity should be timed to begin three months after the
application deadline. As previously mentioned these deadlines are not
applicable for short term EVS.
Procedure
EVS is made up of a three way partnership: the hosting organisation,
where the young person spends the voluntary service working, the
volunteer themselves and the sending organisation, which is an
organisation which helps the volunteer to prepare before leaving the
country.
The sending organisation should be non-profit making and have accreditation with the National Agency. 1st step:
Find a sending organization. The national agencies, and the
different SALTO support centers can provide you with the list of
sending organisations from your region. 2nd step: Based on your competencies and wishes you’ll found –with the
support of your sending organization – out which theme would be good for
an EVS project for you, which place, when it would be good to start a
project, and how long the activity can last. You will look together to
find a hosting organization. You can find all all projects in the European Database on EVS.
From this moment, you’ll work in a trio: your sending organization, the host organization and you as volunteer.
Within this partnership, you’ll make agreements about:
• Accommodation, meals
• Tasks, responsabilities in the volunteer work, free time possibilities,…
• Pocket money
• Language learning and on-arrival training
• Integration in the local community
• Coaching and guidance during the project
• Possibilities for a follow up project after your EVS
From the side of the volunteer, no financial input is expected. Your
contribution to EVS is your energy, your motivation, enthusiasm, and
creativity.
One of the organisations involved (mostly the host organisation),
with compile the application form to get the funding. This organisation
will coordinate the complete EVS project, and prepare together with
you and your sending organisation, your application form. 3rd step:
Your application is sent to the National Agency by one of the deadlines.
And now you just have to wait for the final decision: if your project
is approved or not. If it is not, your sending and hosting organization
can rewrite it and send it again in the next deadline. It it is, you
will be informed and all the preparation to your project will begin.
Volunteers rights
expenses of the international trip and the accommodation expenses and food for as long as the activities of the project last
pocket money, according to the value stipulated for his hosting country
health insurance that covers all the period of the volunteer activities
after finishing the EVS project (or at least a half) has the right
to receive a EVS certificate, usually signed by the responsible of the
National Agency in name of the European Commission
during his volunteer service, has to participate in all the
formation workshops organized by the sending and the hosting national
agencies
If you have more questions please visit this page.
