European Voluntary Service

The European Voluntary Service, or EVS, is the branch of the European Commission’s Youth in Action programme that offers young Europeans the chance to make a real difference to the world – and to their own prospects – by volunteering abroad.

Some 50,000 young people have volunteered with EVS since its birth 15 years ago, discovering other cultures and languages and gaining new skills along the way – and it costs nothing: funding from each national agency is used to cover travel, accommodation food and insurance expenses, as well as a little pocket money for the volunteer.

IMPACT

The benefits of EVS are immense. A recent survey of previous EVS participants found that after volunteering:

  • 94% of previous EVS participants said they felt better able to communicate in a foreign language;
  • 72% felt their job prospects had improved;
  • 68% developed a clearer idea about their career plans, and
  • 66% even said they feel more ‘European’ than before.

And it’s easier than you think to get a slice of the action – EVS is open to everyone aged 18 to 30.

In 2009:

  • Over 6,300 young people got EVS support to volunteer abroad, with each of them receiving an average funding grant of €7,000 from the total budget of €45 million
  • The boy-girl split was exactly 50:50 – you can’t say fairer than that for gender equality
  • And those from less privileged backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply: one sixth of young people involved were those with ‘fewer opportunities’
  • 3,500 applications were submitted for an EVS project; 2,400 were successful. That’s more than two from every three applications making the cut – not bad odds, are they?
  • 27% of volunteers went to work in countries outside but neighbouring those involved in the Youth in Action programme; 3% went to other partner around the world
  • Anywhere between one and 30 people can volunteer on the same EVS project
  • The typical cost to volunteers is €0! Nothing. Zilch. EVS is free of charge for volunteers, except for a possible contribution toward travel costs and they receive free accommodation, food, complete insurance cover and pocket money. They also benefit from regular training and strong personal and task-related support. Bargain.

To achieve all this, the total EVS budget for 2011 was set at €45 million.

KEY TO SUCCESS

But enough of the statistics. What’s the key to a successful application?

Well, EVS is made up of a triangular partnership: the hosting organisation, where the volunteer spends the voluntary period working; the volunteers themselves, and the sending organisation, which helps the volunteer to prepare before leaving their home country.

For more help, you can contact your national agency.
Accredited organisations can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_en.cfm

Have a look at this example to see how the application process works:

This year, the European Year of Volunteering 2011, is the perfect time to act on those long-held plans to volunteer abroad – either within the EU or beyond – so why not follow our tips for a successful application and get planning your own EVS adventure:

  1. First, you should think carefully about what you want to do and how long you have. EVS projects cover a wide range of activities from culture, sport and the arts to youth, social care, development and the environment – this is not a week’s working holiday on the beach, it could be many months of work abroad, so you need to be sure what you want;
  2. Then, you should contact your national agency for advice (in your own language) on finding a sending organisation and on the next steps. They will be used to answering questions, so go ahead and ask.
  3. Find a good hosting organisation. This will be your partner organisation for the whole period you are volunteering, so it’s important to make sure your expectations and aspirations are well matched.
  4. Prepare! Research training options, quiz former volunteers, keep talking to your sending organisation – use the full extent of the resources available to you. All EVS volunteers receive training after arriving in their country of service, and the host organisation should have a mentor to support you, but the more you can prepare beforehand, the better.
  5. Enjoy it! EVS is beneficial to everyone involved – host, sender and volunteer – so have fun in the knowledge that you are doing something truly great.

And if, after all that, you’re still in need of inspiration, check out the national nominations for the best volunteer projects in Europe !

For more information on EVS opportunities, click on the following links: