Overview

One of the most valuable and rewarding things any of us can do in life is to volunteer – that’s why European Youth Week is honouring the best volunteer projects from across the continent.

Around 50,000 young people have taken part in European Voluntary Service projects in its 15-year history, learning new skills and enhancing intercultural understanding in the process.

Now 36 of those projects have been nominated for prizes, with the winners announced by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, at a high-level awards ceremony in Antwerp on Tuesday, May 17.

The 36 shortlisted schemes will be carefully judged in three categories – Innovative Society, Inclusive Society and Global Society – by a panel of youth experts including MEPs, the Hungarian youth minister and the president of the European Youth Forum.

The projects’ aims and quality, level of youth involvement and the benefits for, and inclusion of, local communities will all weigh on the judges’ decision, while the innovation and creativity of methods chosen by young volunteers will also have an impact.

And there’s a consolation prize for the runners-up: all 36 of the outstanding projects will be presented with a certificate and have the opportunity to showcase their projects during a special exhibition – at Antwerp Zoo!

Each of the 33 countries involved in the Youth in Action programme has a horse in the race (except Belgium, which nominates one project from each of its three language communities) – so it’s all to play for until the big announcement in Antwerp.

Here you can find out more about the national nominated projects from each country, the people behind them, and the outstanding work they do.

The winners will be posted here at awards time.

And since this is also the European Year of Volunteering 2011, there’s never been a better time to join in.

EYV2011 VIDEO

Major conferences and events are going on in cities throughout Europe to whet your appetite.

Maybe you’ve seen the amazing things that volunteer projects can achieve – and the smiles on the faces of those achieving them – and you’re itching to get involved.

Well, it could be you! Click on European Voluntary Service to find out how you can make a difference.