European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (‘EU Aid Volunteers initiative')

In accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 375/2014, the Commission presents an annual report on the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative for the year 2018.

This report describes the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative in 2018.

Objectives and priorities

The activities described in this report were based on the 2018 Annual Work Programme for implementing the EU Aid Volunteers initiative adopted by the Commission. EUR 19 235 000 was set aside in the budget to implement the initiative.

Deployment

The implementation of the deployment and capacity building/technical assistance projects funded in previous years paved the way for progress made on the EU Aid Volunteers initiative in 2018. Eleven new projects for deployment of volunteers, one technical assistance project and six capacity building projects were selected for funding in 2018. The total number of EU Aid Volunteers deployed to non-EU countries by the end of 2018 reached about 400 and at least 368 more will be deployed in 2019. The training programme again had high satisfaction rates among volunteers and more training sessions in English, French and Spanish are planned for 2019.

EU Aid Volunteers Platform

In 2018, the EU Aid Volunteers Platform was increasingly used to publish stories from volunteers and organisations (69 new stories in 2018). It was further adapted to respond to what organisations needed to manage their volunteers. The platform performs better now and is more user-friendly.

The platform is consulted by visitors worldwide and the subscriptions service for volunteering vacancies had around 2 656 subscribers at the end of 2018.

Certification

The ongoing certification process resulted in a total of 208 (42 sending and 166 hosting organisations), providing opportunities for the deployment of more EU aid volunteers. A high number of these applied for re-certification for another three years.

European Solidarity Corps

In the context of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, on 11 June 2018 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Solidarity Corps programme and repealing the European Solidarity Corps Regulation of 2018 and Regulation (EU) No 375/2014. This proposal envisages the integration of the current EU Aid Volunteers initiative into the European Solidarity Corps as of 2021. The proposed integration is informed by the interim evaluation of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and aims to streamline the various volunteering programmes and improve cost efficiency. The integration is expected to simplify processes and provide a one-stop-shop for individuals and organisations, while preserving the specificities of the current EU Aid Volunteers initiative, such as respect for humanitarian aid principles, high standards and a strong focus on safety and security of volunteers.

Way forward

In 2019, in line with the objectives and priorities of the initiative as set by the Annual Work Programme, the activities described above will continue to provide opportunities for more hosting and sending organisations to benefit from capacity building and technical assistance activities and funding for more EU Aid Volunteers to be deployed to countries outside the EU.

Lastly, the Commission stressed that communication activities will continue to provide information to potential organisations and volunteers about the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and its key achievements and impact. The EU Aid Volunteers network will be supported through an event that will take place in 2020 and will bring together volunteers and participating organisations.