EVS continues in Erasmus + 2014-2020

If you remember well, the EVS was a part of the European program Youth in Action 2007-2013. The question was: what will happen in 2014?

Answer given by the Council and the Parliament the 19th November 2013: European Voluntary Service is renewed in the European program called Erasmus + 2014-2020.
A relief for all those who wish to experience it.

A new website was also created : the European Youth Portal, which offers a lot of information and opportunities for youth people across Europe about education, employment or volunteering.

To know more about Erasmus + click here.

Source : European Commission

On-arrival and mid-term trainings

In the host country, each European volunteer participates in an on-arrival training and a mid-term training (only for EVS of 6 months and more).
They are organized by an host organization in your area and they include all European volunteers who arrived at relatively the same period.
These trainings intend to inform volunteers about the culture of the host country, their rights and duties, about the Youthpass and all tips available.
Each volunteer can also share their experiences, meet new people and get answers to their questions.

European Youth Card

The European Youth Card is a card for young people offering a large number of discounts on culture, travel, accommodation, shopping and services in most European countries.
This card is delivered for free to each EVS volunteer, but everyone under the age of 30 (or 26, depending on the country or region) can become a cardholder – you don’t have to be a student or a resident of a European country. In this latter case, the card costs between €5 and €19, depending on where you purchase it, and it is usually issued for one year.
You can find all discounts in the database of the EYCA website.

Source : European Youth Card

Sending organisation : to help you throughout your project

Also accredited by the European Commission, the sending organisation must :
- help you to find a home to suit your project needs,
- contact the structure and clearly define your mission with it,
- prepare you to begin your project, with language classes for example,
- keep in contact with both yourself and the host organisation during the project in order to ensure its success,
- accompany you upon your return in the promotion enhancement of your EVS experience.

Source : Youth in action

How to find your EVS project and your host organisation?

The principle is the same as a job search.
From the database of accredited organisations, list also mentioned in the article "Sending and Host organisations", you need to send your application to organisations and projects that you prefer.

The search tool will guide your choice by :
- the country,
- the city,
- the type of accreditation : here, you must select "Host Organisation"
- theme such as art and culture, disability, environment, health....

Then, you obtain a list of organisations and it is time to read every description ^^

Each project is identified by a reference number. In the example below, this number is "2013-RO-4".
The project description is composed of five parts :
- Summary of the project
"Approval Date" and "Validity Date" refers to the period during which the organisation has been accredited to host volunteers.
- Project environment
Information on volunteer's missions, housing conditions, ....
- Motivation and EVS experience
Why the organisation wants to host volunteers.
- Description of the organisation
Where it is located, what its mission is.....
- Contact point
To contact the organisation and send your CV and cover letter.

 Source : European Commission

Sending and Host organisations

EVS involves a three-way partnership: the volunteer, the sending organisation and the host organisation.
These two structures are accredited by the European Commission to organize European voluntary services.
You need to contact a sending organisation, usually the closest to your home, and you must be accepted in a host organisation.
Here a list available on the Commission website to find your structure.

In France, you can also find information about your sending organisation in the Centres Régionaux d'Information Jeunesse (CRIJ) 

Source : CRIJ Bretagne

European Voluntary Service : principles and objectives

The three main objectives of European Voluntary Service are :
- to promote integration through employment by acquiring new skills;
- to develop a solidary, cultural, social and useful commitment to the community;
- to create links between young people in Europe with an aim to strengthening citizenship.

Each project lasts between 2 weeks and 12 months.
EVS involves a three-way partnership: the volunteer, the sending organisation and the host organisation.
In addition, volunteers participate in a project developed abroad, never in their country of residence.
Finally, each project is nonprofit and the volunteer will not be paid and will not replace paid employment.

Further details will be developed in upcoming articles. 

Source : EVS

Youth in Action, European program 2007-2013

Youth in Action is a non-formal community education program. It is open to all youth aged between 13 and 30 years old, residents of the participating countries, and all nonprofit organisations.
Its objectives are:
- the promotion of citizenship;
- encouraging young people in democratic life;
- the action for peace, solidarity and cultural diversity;
- the development of support measures for youth activities;
- the acquisition of new skills.

The European Voluntary Service is a part of this European program.

Source : Youth in Action