WHAT IS EVS?
Within the European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme, young people can spend up to 12 months abroad as European volunteers helping in local projects in various fields. EVS represents Action 2 of the Youth in Action Programme
Volunteers in EVS projects participate in activities in different fields (like: environment, arts and culture, activities with children, young people or elderly, heritage, sports, etc.) which comply with the following general principles:
ACTIVITIES MUST:
Take place in a country other than where the volunteer lives;Be non-profit-making and unpaid;
Bring an added value to the host organisation and the local community;
Not involve job substitution, nor be a substitute for military service or alternative service formulas;
Last for a limited period, normally between 2 and 12 months.
ACTIVITIES SHOULD:
Promote universal peace, dialogue, tolerance and solidarity;Contribute to building long-lasting and solid partnerships;
Include exchange of youth work expertise and know-how;
Give participants a better understanding of their own situations and cultures and help them explore their identities;
Contribute to developing the voluntary sector and civil society.
EVS IS NOT...
EVS is not occasional, unstructured, part-time volunteering.
EVS is not an internship in an enterprise.
EVS is not a paid job and must not substitute paid jobs.
EVS is not a recreation or tourist activity.
EVS is not a language course.
EVS is not exploitation of cheap work force.
EVS is not a period of study or vocational training abroad.
EVS is not simply a funding scheme, but a quality model of transnational voluntary service
Who can participate?
-Young people aged between 18 and 30
Which Countries?
EVS, as the Youth in Action Programme in general, is aimed mainly at the Programme countries, but young people from the Neighbouring Partner countries can also participate in EVS projects
What does it cost?
As volunteer, Evs does not cost you anything! (At least, no money!)
More technical information about this you can find here: www.action2.eu
