«Volunteer! Make a difference»: European Commission launches the European Year of Volunteering 2011

«Volunteer! Make a difference»: European Commission launched at the end of last December the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
To highlight volunteers’ work, encourage others to join in and address the challenges they face, the 2011 European Year of Volunteering has four main objectives: lowering obstacles to volunteering in the EU; empowering volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering; rewarding and recognise volunteering activities; raising awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.
To meet these goals the Commission is working closely with the “Alliance” of volunteering organisations, the European Parliament, the Member States, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Council of Europe and the United Nations Volunteers.
ALDA is member of the Alliance EYV2011 and will participate to the hundreds of activities and projects that will be promoted.

ALDA is also active in SVE the European Voluntary Service, and promoted a pilot project, in the framework of the MoDE Project (Innovative Action, Europe for Citizens), involving senior volunteer. ALDA works on volunteering with the particular perspective of the «participation».
«If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever» — Kofi Annan said. It is in this spirit that 100 million Europeans dedicate their time and expertise to help those in need and give back to their communities.
«I want to pay tribute to the millions of Europeans who take the time to make our world a better place,» said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. «Deep within all of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need. Volunteering strengthens our core European values: solidarity and social cohesion. As we launch the European Year of Volunteering, I want to rally support for people who make a difference. Now is the time for us to share and to give something back, for us to focus on helping the helpers!«

A Eurobarometer study in May 2010 revealed that 3 out of 10 Europeans claim to be active in a voluntary capacity. There are many different definitions and traditions concerning volunteering. A common thread throughout these activities is that wherever people come together to help each other and support those in need, both society as a whole and the individual volunteers benefit. Through volunteering, people gain knowledge, exercise skills and extend their social networks, which can often lead to new or better employment opportunities, as well as personal and social development.

The Commission helps young people participate in volunteering activities. Through the European Voluntary Service, thousands of adolescents and young adults travel outside their home countries to teach, promote cultural awareness and develop important life skills.
During the European Year of Volunteering, the Commission will encourage the exchange of good practices between Member States’ authorities and volunteering organisations. The focus will be on training volunteers, accreditation and quality assurance, and efficient and effective match-making between potential volunteers and volunteering opportunities. The Commission will encourage new Europe-wide networking initiatives to encourage cross-border exchanges and synergies among volunteer organisations and other sectors, especially with businesses.

Throughout the Year of Volunteering, hundreds of activities and projects will be highlighted and promoted. At the EU level, these include:
EYV2011 Tour: Volunteers will tour EU countries over a one-year period, showcasing their work and engaging with policy makers and the public at each step of the tour.
EYV Relay: 27 “Relay” volunteer reporters will follow the work of 54 volunteering organisations and produce audio, video and written reports to be broadcast by the media. At the end of the year, the combined reports will be compiled to form a broadcast-quality documentary about the European Year and its tour.
Four thematic conferences in 2011 to highlight key issues related to volunteering: 8 January in Budapest: Recognition of Volunteering; May/June: Celebrating volunteers and their valuable contribution; October: Empowering volunteering organisations; December: Closing conference on future challenges.

More information:

• Official website for the European Year: www.europa.eu/volunteering (includes the timetable of the EYV Tour)
• The Alliance’s website: www.eyv2011.eu
• Homepage of Viviane Reding, Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm