The European Year of Volunteering

EYV 2011 is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the commitment of millions of people in Europe who work in their communities during their free time without being paid – for example in schools, hospitals, and sports clubs, protecting the environment, providing social services and helping people in other countries. Their efforts and those of the many thousands of volunteering organisations make a huge difference to our lives in countless ways. The world would be much worse off without volunteers! The EYV is also a challenge to the three-quarters of European population who do not do any volunteering. We would like to say to them that they can also make a difference.

EU countries will be toured over a one-year period. Each stage of the tour in each Member State will last for approximately ten days, and will provide volunteers with an opportunity to exhibit their work, meet one another, engage with policy-makers and the general public, convey their energy and enthusiasm, and discuss key issues for the future of their work.