European Year of Volunteering 2011 Evaluation Ex ante

Abstract

Volunteering is a core expression of civic participation and puts European values such as solidarity and non discrimination into action thereby contributing to the harmonious development of our societies. Volunteering can extend the aspect of solidarity to a global context and provide European citizens with opportunities to carry their responsibility in relation to global challenges. At the individual citizen's level, volunteering is also an important learning opportunity because involvement in voluntary activities provides citizens with new skills and competences. Volunteering has therefore always two kinds on benefits: on the one hand it contributes to the social cohesion of the society through its direct outcomes and on the other hand it serves for capacity building of those who volunteer. Through these two dimensions volunteering makes an important contribution to the EU's renewed social agenda focusing on opportunities, access and solidarity.