First piloted by the European Commission in 1996, after a four year successful trial it was re-defined and re-launched in 2000 and now is financed untill the 2013.
EVS offers to the youngsters a non-formal, intercultural learning experience in a large variety of fields (social, cultural, environmental, sport, etc.).
Most EVS projects takes from 1 to 4 volunteers, but you can find larger projects with up to 100 volunteers.
An important target group under EVS is young people with fewer opportunities, who due to socio-economic, health or geographic reasons would normally not have the possibility to participate in transnational voluntary activities.
At the end of the service, every volunteer is entitled to an EVS certificate in order to facilitate the recognition of his/her experience.
EVS volunteers receive food and accommodation, insurance cover and an allowance (pocket money) whose level depends on the host country.
EVS is recognised as a high quality standard, notably because it ensures that every single volunteer receives adequate training, including linguistic one, and personal support throughout the project.
The main aims of EVS are: to help young people become more integrated into society to develop a service that will benefit the community in humanitarian, social and cultural ways to link and strengthen organisations working for the benefit of the public throughout Europe
Link: Visit the website of the
Youth Unit of the European Commission…
