European Solidarity Corps European Solidarity Corps / Léargas Forum Guard Room Dublin Castle Suzanne Kavanagh Noeleen O Callaghan 28 November 2017
Why are we here? Objectives of the day
What will we learn? EVS/ERASMUS+ Volunteering European Solidarity Corps
EVS/ERASMUS+ Volunteering Objectives of Erasmus+ Volunteering Activities allow young people between 17-30 express their personal commitment to contribute to the daily work of an organisation. These activities include dealing with youth information and policies, young people s personal and socio-educational development, civic engagement, social care, non-formal education programmes etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqwjs95iudi
EVS/ ERASMUS+ Volunteering Individuals incl. YPWFO Volunteering activities Group Volunteering activities 2 to 12 months 2 weeks for YPWFO TEC 10-40 people 2 weeks to 2 months Complementary activities
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING Who can apply? Organisations who hold a valid accreditation NGOs European Youth NGOs Social Enterprises Public bodies at local level Public bodies at regional or national level Programme Countries Member States 28 Non EU Programme Countries Partner Countries neighbouring the EU Western Balkans Eastern Partnership Countries South Mediterranean Countries Russian Federation
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING Programme Countries/ Member States Partner countries neighbouring EU Non Programme countries
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS Mobility is transnational and involves a hosting and sending organisation At least one of the partners needs to be a non EU Programme Country or a Partner Country neighbouring the EU Project duration is 3 to 24 months Volunteers who carry out a volunteering activity lasting max 2 months can take part in an additional volunteering opportunity
EVS/ ERASMUS+ PROGRAMME Budget Model Travel cost EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING Organisational support Individual support Special needs support Exceptional costs
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING EXAMPLE 2018 Gerry is 23 and is from an area of disadvantage in Ireland. Gerry is going to a youth club in Norway for two weeks to work on an inclusion project, to learn new skills in youth work and to learn about a new culture.
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING EXAMPLE 2018 Anna from Iceland is coming to Ireland to help out in an after school programme for children. Anna will be learning about non-formal learning approaches, improving her English and experiencing the Irish culture.
EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING EXAMPLE 2018 Ahmed from Albania is interested in conservation and is going to carry out his Erasmus+ in Portugal to assist in the prevention of deforestation.
DEADLINES 2018 EVS/ERASMUS+ VOLUNTEERING 01 February 2018 at 11:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 01 May and 30 September 2018. 26 April 2018 at 11:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 01 August and 31 December 2018. 04 October 2018 at 11:00 (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 01 January and 31 May 2019.
European Solidarity Corps There are many young, socially-minded people in Europe willing to make a meaningful contribution to society and help show solidarity. We can create opportunities for them to do so Solidarity is the glue that keeps our Union together.. President Juncker, Sept. 2016 European Solidarity Corps projects will cover a wide variety of topics but all will be within the Mission of the European Solidarity Corps, and meet its Principles. Examples of what you could be asked to do include: Helping rebuild a school or community centre that has been devastated following an earthquake Providing support to newly arrived asylum seekers Clearing vegetation from forests to help prevent wildfires Working with disabled people in a community centre.
EUROPEAN SOLIDARTITY CORPS Objectives Put into practice EU values of solidarity Help tackle challenges with society, environment and natural disasters Young people will have the opportunity to get experience in confronting challenging situations Gain life and work experience Learn new skills and languages Help and support others, including society's most vulnerable
EVS to EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS What has happened so far European Solidarity Corps Announced Website launched 2017 ESC Delivered under Erasmus+ and EVS Stand alone programme will be launched 2016 2018
European Solidarity Corps How will this work? http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=i-143146 The ESC is built on existing EU professional and volunteering programmes for youth. For now the scheme is available within the 28 Member States only. Candidates who want to join the Corps can do so through one single entry point: a dedicated European Solidarity Corps webportal. Organisations must have an accreditation or quality label to take part in the ESC.
European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Activities I. Activity related to disaster preparedness and longterm response II. Addressing social challenges, such as social exclusion, poverty, health and demographic challenges III. Activities aiming at tackling the refugee crisis Immediate disaster response is excluded because these activities require highly trained specialists.
European Solidarity Corps Two types of placement as part of the ESC: volunteer placements offering full-time, unpaid opportunities occupational placements providing traineeships and jobs.
European Solidarity Corps Volunteering Placements Standard Projects Individuals and teams APV Complimentary activities Solidarity in nature Unpaid
European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Projects Initiated by young people themselves In country Must have a strong European dimension Must address social solidarity needs
ESC Web Portal- Volunteer Volunteers apply by registering online at https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en At registration, volunteers specify: the countries they would like to be placed whether they want a volunteering experience or an occupational one what type of activities interest them what experiences and skills they have.
ESC Portal- Organisation An online tool, called the Placement Administration and Support System (PASS), has been created to MATCH young people to an organisation based on the personal data and preferences they stated in their profiles.
EXAMPLES OF ESC VOLUNTEERING Can you think of some examples of what a Standard ESC Volunteering project might look like? Can you think of an example of what a Solidarity project may look like?
European Solidarity Corps Examples of ESC Volunteering INDIVIDUAL Gerry from Ballyfermot is going to Croatia in a post-conflict area. He will help organise activities for young people from different communities to help them live together peacefully.
European Solidarity Corps Example of ESC Volunteering Solidarity Project- Following an oil spill in the Baltic Sea, a local Finnish authority will host a group of young people from Finland in the area most affected for a period of two months. They will support the municipality in cleaning up areas and rehabilitate animals.
TRAINEESHIPS AND JOBS
European Solidarity Corps JOBS AND TRAINEESHIPS Any public or private entity established in a participating country or an international organisation active in solidarity-related areas and holding a valid Quality Label Offer paid training opportunities with a solidarity dimension Offer jobs compliant with national labour and fiscal laws applicable in the countries where the job is carried out
European Solidarity Corps Jobs and Traineeships Jobs based on employment contract in accordance with the national regulatory framework of the country where the placement is carried out Good quality (skills and training opportunities, working conditions, promotion of gender equality) Paid traineeship in line with the Quality Framework for Traineeships and based on a written traineeship agreement NB: does not include traineeships which are part of VET curricula or those required for a specific profession or impact on other elements of European programmes.
European Solidarity Corps Possible supports in Solidarity placements Preparatory online training ESC portal Interview trip allowance Online Linguistic Support Pre-departure training (optional) Insurance Travel costs Relocation allowance On-arrival training (mandatory) Mentorship and on-the job training Supplementary allowance for young people with special needs Remuneration/Salary in accordance with national standards but not less than equivalent volunteer Mid-term evaluation sessions Post-placement support Certificate Recognition of learning outcomes
European Solidarity Corps EXAMPLE OF TRAINEESHIP Gerry is qualified as a youth worker from Ireland. Gerry wants to learn new skills. He was matched through the ESC portal with an agency working with street gangs in Finland. Gerry is on a traineeship with the organisation learning a new way of working with street gangs for six months.
European Solidarity Corps EXAMPLE OF A JOB Gráinne from Donegal has just completed her studies. Through the ESC portal Grainne indicated that she had qualifications in archaeology. Grainne was given an offer of a job in Spain with a organisation working on preserving a site of historical value. Gráinne is working as an archaeologist in Spain.
European Solidarity Corps Quality Label What is it? Certifies that the Organisation Is able to ensure the necessary framework conditions Complies with ESC Charter Ensures high standards in the implementation Valid for the duration of the programme Free of charge Current EVS Accreditations are valid for ESC volunteering What is it for? Precondition for organisations to Receive access to the portal Submit a grant application
European Solidarity Corps The information needed depends on the function of the organisation and the type of placement. Applications for volunteering and traineeship placements may also include: description of the distinctive role of participants in their organisation approach to guiding and supporting participants' learning assurances that participants: do not replace regular jobs Quality Label are not bound to work under contractual obligations are not taking up essential tasks for the organisation's running operations. that the placement is not part of a young person's regular studies or vocational training. In addition, traineeship placements should comply with the Quality Framework for Traineeships, while job placements need to respect national regulations.
Where are we now? Last Tuesday EU Ministers in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council came to an agreement on the Commission's proposal to provide the European Solidarity Corps with its own budget and legal framework. According to the European Commission, this will give a boost to solidarity activities across Europe and enable it to secure 100,000 placements by 2020. This agreement by Member States paves the way for a final agreement with the European Parliament.
Thank You Suzanne Kavanagh Youth Volunteering Léargas Client Services Team skavanagh@leargas.ie 01 887 1242