Erasmus+ program offers young Europeans the chance to make a real difference to the world – and to their own lives – through the European Voluntary Service

An EVS project is a partnership between two or more promoting organizations. These organizations are responsible for recruiting volunteers for their project. Volunteers participate in EVS through a Sending Organization in the country where they live and a Receiving Organization that receives and hosts them during their period of service. Projects last from 2 months to 12 months, and as a volunteer, you can work in a wide range of fields, such as culture, youth, sports, children, cultural heritage, arts, animal welfare, environment, and development cooperation.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) gives young people the opportunity to express their personal commitment through full-time voluntary work in a foreign country within or outside the EU.

The EVS aims to develop solidarity, mutual understanding, and tolerance among young people while contributing to strengthening social cohesion and promoting active citizenship. Their learning experience is formally recognized through a Youthpass.  To participate, you should be between 18 and 30 years old and legally resident in the country of your sending organization.

EVS is free for volunteers. Your sending organization can receive an amount of money for preparing you in a proper way, for the support they provide, and they get 100% of your travel costs, so they can buy you a flight, bus or train ticket to your host country. Your host organization can receive an amount of money for accommodating you, for providing you food, language courses, guidance and support, and insurances. Additional, you get some pocket money ("volunteer allowances"), and if you have visa costs or vaccination costs, you can get them for 100% back. 

More information about EVS can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities-for-individuals/young-people/european-voluntary-service_en

Database of EVS accredited organizations can be found here: http://europa.eu/youth/evs_database