EVS FOR ORGANISATIONS

European Voluntary Service, Action 2, is part of the European Youth in Action programme. Organisations that have an interest in supporting young people can become involved by sending or hosting young people.

Benefits:

•Enhance the European and international dimension of your work

•Help young peoples’ development by exposing them to another culture

•Increase the intercultural learning of your organisation and the local community.

GETTING INVOLVED

All organisations must be accredited as a hosting or sending organisation before they can participate in EVS.  To get involved organisations will need to download and complete an Expression of Interest (EI) form.

There is no deadline for the submission of an Expressions of Interest.  Accreditation can take up to six weeks and will involve a visit or a telephone interview.

PROJECT CRITERIA

All EVS organisations must be non-profit making.

•Sending:  Support UK young people before, during and after their EVS placement.

•Hosting:   Host placements should offer a clearly defined role for the volunteer, with a variety of tasks and good (non-formal) learning opportunities. An EVS placement is a period of full time volunteering (35 hours a week) for between 2 and 12 months.  The priority for host projects in the UK is 6 to 12 months.

WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS WITH FEWER OPPORTUNITIES

One of the key principles of European Voluntary Service is the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities. Volunteers with fewer opportunities who are not able to undertake a long term EVS placement over two months can undertake an EVS placement for a shorter amount of time, between 2 weeks and 2 months.

Organisations working with volunteers affected by the following are suitable for shorter term projects, though the list is not exhaustive.

•Homelessness

•Left school without qualifications

•Involvement with the probation service or at risk of offending

•Alcohol / drug abuse

The UK National Agency (British Council) allows greater flexibility and will provide extra support for organisations working with young people in these groups.

•The UK National Agency will accept applications after the deadline, up to 7 days prior to a grant selection panel.  

•Flexibility will be given on what can be claimed under exceptional costs.

•There is greater flexibility on when the volunteer can leave or arrive.  Applications can specify the duration but the exact date does not have to be specified.

Please check the Training and Support section of the EVS website for details of additional funding and support for organisations.

EVS IS NOT

•A paid job, it must not replace paid jobs

•A recreation or tourist activity

•An internship in an enterprise

•A period of study or vocational training abroad

HOW IS EVS FUNDED?

Grants are awarded by National Agencies on behalf of the European Commission, to organisations to fund volunteers to carry out EVS projects.  EVS is undertaken on the principle of co-financing.  This means that the host and sending organisations will have to contribute to the funding of the project.  

Set rates are paid for accommodation, sending costs and volunteer’s allowances by country. Travel costs from the volunteer’s home to the venue (one return ticket) are covered. Extra funding is available to support volunteers with fewer opportunities.

PARTNERSHIP

EVS is undertaken as a partnership between the host and sending organisation as well as the volunteer.  Good partnership working is essential for a successful EVS project. All organisations and volunteers must adhere to the EVS Charter.  

Download the EVS Charter

Please check the Training and Support section of the EVS website for more information.

SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION

Once you are accredited you can submit grant applications for volunteers

Download EVS grant application guidelines

•Applications must be submitted by post to be received by the British Council on the deadline (applications post marked on the deadline will be accepted).

Address:

British Council,

Youth in Action Programme

Action 2

10 Spring Gardens,

London, SW1A 2BN

•Applications must also be emailed to action2.enquiries@britishcouncil.org by the deadline.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

REPORTING

All grant beneficiaries must complete and submit a mid term an final report.  Final reports must be submitted no later than 8 weeks after the completion of the placement. It is advisable to complete the final report with the volunteer prior to their departure.  Failure to submit final reports can result in future applications being rejected

YOUTHPASS

The European Commission has devised the Youthpass certificate as a recognition tool to be used by young people and others when taking part in Youth in Action activities.

It aims to assist employers, and educational and vocational institutions, in recognising the skills young people have developed through participating in an international and non-formal educational project.

Youthpass is web-based, easy to use and accessible.

All organisations that host EVS volunteers are required to produce a Youthpass certificate for each volunteer.  This provides recognition for the volunteer’s placement.

In order to generate Youthpass certificates please go to www.youthpass.eu

Further information on the recognition of non-formal learning can be found on the European Commission's website www.youthandrecognition.eu

FORMS AND REPORTS

Download an Expression of Interest form, an application form and report