European Voluntary Service

European Voluntary Service (EVS) is part of the Youth in Action programme (english version , czech version ), supportting transnational voluntary service of young people.

It aspires to develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, primarily to reinforce social cohesion in the European Union. It promotes active citizenship and enhances mutual understanding among young people.

EVS is implemented through activities organised in partnership between legally established organisations, which send or host volunteers. An EVS activity is composed of preparation, voluntary activity and follow-up. The volunteer carries out the voluntary activity in a country other than his/her country of residence. The activity is unpaid, non-profit making and full-time during a given period (max. 12 months). It serves the benefit of the community.

An EVS activity can take place in a variety of areas: culture, youth, sports, social care, cultural heritage, arts, civil protection, environment, development cooperation, etc. High risk interventions in immediate post-crisis situations (e.g. humanitarian aid, immediate disaster relief etc.) are excluded.

What EVS is not

EVS is not occasional, unstructured, part-time volunteering.
EVS is not an internship in an enterprise.
EVS is not a paid job and must not substitute paid jobs.
EVS is not a recreation or tourist activity.
EVS is not a language course.
EVS is not exploitation of cheap work force.
EVS is not a period of study or vocational training abroad.
EVS is not simply a funding scheme, but a quality model of transnational voluntary service.