EVS partnership

A solid partnership between EVS sending, host, coordinating organisations and the volunteer is the basis of every EVS activity. An adequate match-making between the volunteer profile and the tasks has to be in place. An activity agreement is signed by all the partners before the beginning of the activity.

• The sending organisation is in charge of the preparation and support of the volunteers before, during and after the EVS activities.

• The host organisation has to ensure safe and decent living and working conditions to the volunteer throughout the entire activity period. It has to provide adequate personal, linguistic and task-related support, including the identification of a mentor for the volunteer.

• The coordinating organisation (applicant) has the role of facilitating the implementation of the project by offering administrative and quality support to all project partners and enabling their networking.

EVS principles to be ensured

• The non-formal educational and intercultural learning dimension, through a clear definition of a learning plan for the volunteer.

• The service dimension through a clear definition of the non-profit making character and the volunteer tasks. Full-time service and active role of the volunteer in implementing the activities have to be ensured. EVS volunteer activities must not substitute any employment.

• The benefit to and the contact with the local community.

• EVS is free of charge for the volunteers.

• Accessibility and Inclusion: when recruiting EVS volunteers, the organisations maintain the overall accessibility of EVS for all young people, without prejudice related to ethnic group, religion, sexual orientation or political opinion. If the project targets volunteers with fewer opportunities, facilities and capacity in providing tailor-made preparation, support and follow-up have to be in place.

EVS quality standards to be ensured

Support to the volunteer

• before, during and after the EVS activities, in particular in crisis prevention and management;

• for insurance, visa, residence permit, travel arrangements and all the EVS administrative procedures;

• by facilitating the volunteer’s participation in the EVS training cycle (pre-departure training, on-arrival training, mid-term meeting and final evaluation);

• by foreseeing proper evaluation measures;

• by encouraging a follow-up activity: every volunteer has the right to plan and implement a follow-up activity.

Information

• All EVS partners have the right to receive complete information on the activity and agree on all aspects.

• Visibility, dissemination and publicity measures have to be in place.

Recognition

• Each EVS volunteer is entitled to receive a Youthpass.

The EVS Charter can be used as a guideline for both organizations and volunteers in conjunction with the rights and responsibilities documents. The carter sets out the basic rules of EVS and they should only be considered as minimum standards!