Regional and local authorities in action during the European Year of Volunteering 2011. Proceedings of the Forum held at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 26 January 2011 in Brussels. Edited by the Directorate for Communication, Press and Protocol of the Committee of the Regions, March 2011.

More information including speeches, presentations and a video can be found at www.cor.europa.eu/EYV2011

EYV 2011 Alliance Steering Group member Agnes Uhereczky (AVSO) recently presented the EYV 2011 Alliance work at the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions conference - "2011 European Year of Volunteering" Cities and Regions promoting sport and active citizenship for social cohesion in Europe held at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő in Hungary on Thursday 3 March 2011.

The Conference adopted a declaration which can be found here.

The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations (www.alliance-network.eu) has launched an EYV 2011 Flag Tour to celebrate volunteering, encourage active involvement of people within civil society and raise awareness on the European Year of Volunteering 2011 & European Year of Volunteers +10!

 

During this campaign, 36 voluntary service organisations from 25 countries, celebrate the valuable contribution the voluntary service has on society, communities and individuals.

With two flags travelling through four continents starting on the 4th March in Armenia during the Technical Meeting of the "Alliance" and ending in November in the UK at the General Assembly of the "Alliance", the Alliance Flag Tour raises awareness and the profile of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 and the International Year of Volunteers +10 while encouraging active involvement of people within civil society.

EUCIS-LLL Annual Conference 2011 on Volunteering within Education & Training

The European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL) gathers 25 European networks working in education and training. Together, these organisations cover all sectors of education and training including networks for higher education, vocational education and training, adult education and popular education; networks for students, school heads, parents, HRD professionals, teachers and trainers. Through its members, EUCIS-LLL embodies lifelong learning.

Volunteers play an essential role within education and training organisations in the formal and non-formal systems. For instance, it is crucial to look at the role of volunteering to develop skills and competencies for personal, social and civic development as well as to look at ways of recognizing or validating them. Educational providers have also a specific role to play regarding volunteering in terms of guidance and training. The conference tackled these issues notably during its four thematic workshops. It took place during the European Year 2011 on Volunteering and aimed to contribute to the debates by providing a specific insight on lifelong learning. Experts from the various sectors and levels of education and training participated to share their experiences and worked on policy recommendations.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS - COMM/C2/1-2010 EYV This Call - based upon Council Decision of 27 November 2009 designating 2011 as the European year of voluntary activities promoting active citizenship - aimed to support flagship projects in Member States, which would receive a grant from the European Commission, in order to test and develop new and innovative schemes and approaches with a view to build long-term partnerships between civil society organisations operating in the area of volunteering.  The projects have now been chosen.  For more information click here.

The European Foundations' Initiative on Dementia (EFID) launches the European Awards: "Living well with Dementia in the Community".

A group of foundations, composed of The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Fondation Médéric Alzheimer, the King Baudouin Foundation and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, join forces to launch the 'Living well with Dementia in the Community - European Foundations' Initiative on Dementia-Awards' in order to improve perceptions of dementia and to stimulate solidarity at the local level. The overarching aim of the Initiative is to contribute to a better quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.

Up to 10 projects will be funded with up to € 10.000. The application is to be filled in English as the Awards are pan-European and partners are required to communicate and exchange their achievements at the European level and amongst their peers. To apply, send your application by 31st August. The full call for proposals and application form are available on the NEF website:

http://www.nef-europe.org/content/12/nef-glad-announce-launch-efid-awards

Organised by Allianssi, the Finnish Youth Council who are a members of EYV 2011 Alliance Executive Group member the European Youth Forum, EYV 2011 was opened in Finland by the President.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP4268dSYsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfkNP-4inLQ

Hungarian Civil Society Organisations express their wish to be involved and play a role during the 2011 EU Hungarian Presidency and EYV 2011", read their joint position paper, 11th January 201.

Volunteering in the European Union. Creating a supportive environment and attracting volunteers, European conference Berlin, 11 and 12 November 2010.

This is a publication of the "Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe". It was produced with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Date of Publication: January 2011

Bürgerschaftliches Engagement in der Europäischen Union Rahmenbedingungen schaffen – Freiwillige gewinnen.

Europäische Fachtagung. Berlin, 11. und 12. November 2010, Januar 2011

"Beobachtungsstelle für gesellschaftspolitische Entwicklungen in Europa" mit Förderung durch das Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ).