EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE

(EVS)

Youth in Action 2007 - 2013

European Union programme

Peggy Genève
Youth programmes Manager
European Commission Brussels, 4th May 2007
ecdc.europa.eu
 EVS management (1)
• Largely decentralised to National Agencies
• National Agencies can be assisted by EVS
facilitator organisations to deliver their
services
• EVS sending/hosting organisations carry
out the actual sending and hosting activities.

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 EVS management (2)
• The core services consist in orienting and
supporting potential volunteers and organisations
in the partner-finding and matchmaking.

• Other services may be added, e.g. ensuring

proximity and support, developing EVS towards
certain target groups, themes or regions, providing
volunteer with training, valorising and evaluating
EVS, giving advice in crisis situations, issuing the
Youthpass/EVS certificate, informing about
admission and residence conditions, etc.

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 EVS management (3)

• A grant agreement with a single beneficiary

can last up to 24 months and comprise up to
100 volunteers who are involved in
individual or group EVS activities.

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 EVS management (4)
• Quality support through accreditation of all
EVS sending/hosting organisations is at the
heart of the new EVS.

• All accredited sending/hosting organisations

and the EVS facilitator organisations adhere
to the EVS Charter.

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 Instruments
1. The EVS Charter: one single document containing EVS quality profile,
rights and responsibilities, etc.
2. The accreditation process, which is ongoing and includes direct contact
and dialogue between accreditors and potential hosting/sending
organisations. It leads to an accreditation of organisations for up to 3
years.
3. The database of accredited EVS organisations and volunteer profiles
(including “vacancy indications”, matchmaking and evaluation
functions.
4. The facilitator organisation agreement between Agencies and external EVS
Facilitator Organisations (based on a call for proposals) to support the
service delivery.
5. The EVS sending/hosting organisation agreement: a grant agreement to
support the sending and hosting of volunteers.
6. The EVS activity agreement between EVS organisations and each
volunteer: It lays down details of the EVS activity, including the
division of responsibilities and the grant; it also describes practicalities.
7. The Youthpass/EVS Certificate in order to recognise the EVS learning
experience.

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 Actors (1): the volunteer
• Can choose EVS organisations, or be guided by EVS
sending/hosting organisations, National Agencies and their
Facilitator Organisations.
• Can participate in individual or group EVS.
• Signs an EVS activity agreement with EVS
sending/hosting organisations.
• Receives preparation, training, linguistic, task-related and
personal support.
• Receives free food and accommodation, insurance cover,
travel cost contribution and a volunteer allowance.
• Can engage in structures of former EVS volunteers
• Receives a Youthpass/EVS certificate

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 The actors (2): National Agencies
• Are in charge of the day-to-day management of
EVS at national level
• Manage the relationship and grants with EVS
Facilitator Organisations and EVS sending/hosting
organisations at national level
• Responsible for accreditating EVS
sending/hosting organisations
• Advise, support and train organisations and
volunteers

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 The actors (3): Commission

• sets the strategic framework

• proposes adaptations if necessary
• conceives the EVS instruments, including
the EVS Charter and database
• monitors and evaluates EVS

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 Contact and further information
• European Commission, DG Education and Culture
Youth: programmes unit
EAC-YOUTHINACTION@ec.europa.eu
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html

• Programme Guide and application forms 2007:

• http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html and
• http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm

• SOS Volunteer Helpdesk at the Education, Culture and Audiovisual

Executive Agency in Brussels: +32/2/296 87 24, volunteers@ec.europa.eu

• National Agencies: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/yia/contact_list_en.pdf

• EVS event "10 years of solidarity and active citizenship" in Brussels on

26-27 November 2006: www.celebrateEVS.eu.

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