European Voluntary Service 20th Anniversary

Celebrating 20 years of volunteering opportunities

In 2016, European Voluntary Service (EVS) celebrates its 20th anniversary of giving young people the opportunity to volunteer abroad. This is a great time to highlight the successes of EVS projects and participants, past and present, with events taking place across Europe. To follow the latest news or to share your own experience, you can use the #EVS20 hashtag.

Find out more

Now part of the Erasmus+ programme, with funding through Key Action 1 Youth Mobility, EVS gives young people aged 17-30 the opportunity to develop their skills through international volunteering placements, in the European Union and beyond. For more information about EVS 20 please view our leaflet (735 KB).

Organisations in the UK can get involved in EVS either by running their own project to send young people abroad or by hosting international volunteers. All organisations must have EVS accreditation in place before applying for EVS funding.

Young people can take part in EVS by contacting an EVS-accredited organisation. There is a database on the European Youth Portal. The Eurodesk UK website has advice on mobility opportunities and the support available from the European network.

Be inspired

Mary Hegarty spoke to us about her experience of having an EVS volunteer at Bryson Charitable Group and the benefits of volunteering to individuals. 

Calum Barron travelled to Italy with EVS, supported by UNA Exchange, a youth organisation that offers community-based volunteering opportunities in Wales and around the world.