European Year of Volunteering

In November 2009, after a two-year campaign by European civil society networks, (the European Year of Volunteering Alliance) the council of the European Union confirmed 2011 to be the European Year of Volunteering.

The objectives of the year are to:

  • Reward and recognise voluntary activities;
  • Empower volunteer organizations;
  • Raise awareness about the value of volunteering in our societies
  • Create an enabling environment for volunteering

Volunteering plays an important role in delivering our non-formal educational programmes;  Volunteering enables young people, particularly girls and young women, to develop leadership and other life skills; participate on decision-making; and become involved and take action in their local communities.

Now the Year is a reality, the preparations are just beginning for the events and activities which will take place during 2011.  The Europe Region WAGGGS will continue to work with the EYV Alliance to ensure that, during the Year, policies are developed which meet the needs of volunteers in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and raise awareness and promote the recognition of volunteering so that it is better valkued and supported at all levels of society.

What is the European Year of Volunteering?

More than 100 million Europeans, dsome of thrm Girl Guides and Girl Scouts take part in volunteering activities, and volunteering is seen as an important part of democratic life in Europe.

Volunteering brings together young and older people, men and womean, people from different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds who are united in a common cause.

However 8 out of 10 people do not volunteer, and there are many obstacles which prevent people from getting involved. 

On 24 November 2009, the European Council confirmed that 2011 will be designated the European Year of Volunteering after a two-yeat campaign of volunteer organizations.

2011 is the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of Volunteers, and will provide the opportunity for governments and other stakeholders to identify how volunteering can be better supported across the EU.

During 2011, volunteer organizatins will come together to celebrate the achievements of volunteering, raise awareness about the value and importance of volunteering; and work together towards an enabling environment for volunteering and to improve the quality of the opportunities being offered.