What is of EVS
EVS provides youth with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU. It aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the union. The program offers youth the chance to make a real difference to the world and to their lives.
Beyond benefiting the local communities, by participating in voluntary activities, young volunteers can develop new skills and, therefore, improve their personal, educational and professional development. Particularly volunteers can be benefited from specific training throughout the activity and agree on their expected learning outcomes, processes and methods in advance. Their learning experience is formally recognized through a Youth pass. Participation is free for the volunteers who also get board and lodging, insurance cover and an allowance for the duration of the project. Special conditions apply to encourage the participation of young people with fewer opportunities.
The project spans a wide range of areas, such as culture, youth, sports, social care, cultural heritage, the arts, civil protection, the environment, development co-operation, etc. One thing all the activities have in common is a clear European and intercultural learning dimension. It is a mutually beneficial process, where everybody gains from getting to know the other’s culture.
Armenian volunteers from AIYO have participated in long term and short term European voluntary projects in Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, etc.
What is the age limit to participate in EVS?
The EVS is open to young people between 18 and 25 years. This means that volunteers have to be between 18 and 25 years old at the beginning of their voluntary activity. Flexibility can be applied to the upper age limit – young people with fewer opportunities may be 26 years old at the start of their voluntary activity if it is justified. For details please contact us.
A volunteer can take part in only one EVS project.
Exception: volunteers who have carried out an EVS lasting less than 2 months can take part in an additional EVS project provided that the total duration of the combined periods of Service does not exceed 12 months.
Do I need to know the language of my host country?
The selection of volunteers should not be made according to language skills, unless a basic knowledge is needed for a specific task. Linguistic support is provided during the EVS project in order to ensure the volunteers’ integration.
Do I need to have specific skills to take part in a EVS project?
The selection of volunteers should not be made according to the skills of the volunteers. EVS should be open to everybody. Nevertheless, a certain sensitivity or ability are sometimes mentioned as being a plus for specific tasks.
Can my sending or host organisation ask me for financial contribution for my participation in an EVS-project?
Participation fees or financial contribution by the volunteer cannot be a condition to take part in an EVS project. This includes any kind of deposits to get back after a completed project. Also bills for electricity, gas and water, as well as any taxes are the responsibility of the host organisation.
How to apply and become an EVS volunteer through AIYO?
STEP 1: Register at AIYO as your evs sending organization
AIYO is an accredited sending organization for EVS. In order to apply for an EVS placement abroad, you will need to register with an accredited EVS sending organization. Please note that from the time of registering with us it will take a minimum of three months before you can start your EVS placement. By registering online we will contact you for interview. Click here to register
STEP 2: Choosing a host project
What would you like to do? Where would you like to go?
There are a huge range of EVS voluntary placements across Europe. Project themes include: culture, social care, environment, youth, sport, and more. Think about what interests and motivates you before you contact host organizations. It will help if you are as open minded as possible.
AIYO works with a vast network of international like-minded organizations experienced in hosting EVS volunteers. We will do our best to find you a project that can match your expectations. You can follow EVS placements on our website and apply online.
You can also search for projects by country or theme by visiting the European Commission’s project database (however, do note that some projects may not have EVS placements available).
Step 3: Aplying for the project
When applying to EVS, you need to submit both CV and motivation letter. These are the documents that potential host organizations are evaluating when choosing you for a project! CV is a passionless summary, but motivation letter is needed to discover your personality and interest in exact project.
Some host organizations might send you their own application form to be filled in.
How to create Europass CV?
The Europass CV is a standard CV template widely used in Europe. No matter you intend to study in Europe as an exchange, full-degree or PhD student, or become a volunteer, or even work in Europe, the Europass CV will help you communicate in a compelling and concise manner your academic, volunteering and work history.
Create your Europass CV online now
How to write EVS motivation letter?
Motivation letter is needed to discover your personality and interest in exact project. Letter must be written in English or in official language of the country where project is hosted (if You have the language skills). So how to write motivation letter download guide here.
How is the volunteer selection process carried out?
Volunteers are chosen regardless of their ethnic group, religion, sexual orientation, political opinion, etc.
No previous qualifications, educational level, specific experience or more than basic language knowledge should be required.
A more specific profile of the volunteer might be drawn up if justified by the nature of the tasks of the Service or by the project context but even in this case selection on the basis of professional or education qualifications is excluded.
Do I need an insurance coverage?
Specific plan designed to protect participants in EVS is provided free of charge to the volunteer. It is the responsibility of the sending or the coordinating organisation to enrol the volunteer.
This enrolment must be done before the departure of the volunteer(s) and cover the duration of the Service.
An insurance Guide including all the information on the coverage and support provided, as well as instructions on the online enrolment process, is available at www.europeanbenefits.com.
What is euro<26 card?
The European Youth Card is a card for young people offering a large number of discounts on culture, travel, accommodation, shopping and services in most European countries. Everyone under the age of 30 (or 26, depending on the country or region) can become a cardholder and benefit from 80.000 discounts that the card offers – you don’t have to be a student or a resident of a European country. The card costs between EUR 5 and EUR 19, depending on where it is purchased, but a cardholder will always be able to use it wherever they see the European Youth Card logo. The card is usually issued for one year.
In many European countries, the card is still known as EURO<26 but with the change of the age limit (from 26 to 30), more and more it is called the European Youth Card (in English or the local language – Jugendkarte, Carta Giovani, Carnet Joven).
The European Youth Card is issued in three versions: a classic card (as pictured), a student card or a so called co-brand card. The co-branded card can be issued with various partners – a bank, a railway company, a municipality or a local government, a cultural institution or other. The design of the co-branded card can be very different from the classic card, however, it always carries the EYCA logo and offers the same benefits as the classic card.
Will I get some document or certificate after my project?
Every person who has taken part in EVS is entitled to receive a Youthpass Certificate, which describes and validates the non-formal and informal learning experience and outcomes acquired during the project (learning outcomes). The certificate consist in two parts: an attestation issued by the sending National Agency or the Commission and an “annex to the certificate” filled in by the host organisation together with the volunteer. For more information on Youthpass, please consult Part A of this Guide as well as the Youthpass guide and further relevant material presented at www.youthpass.eu.
