The EU treaties do not grant it any specific powers in the area of youth policy. However, Parliament has supported numerous proposals to increase the participation of young people in the life of the Community and to increase the opportunities that might be offered to them at a European level.
In 1991 Luciano Vecchi (I, PES) argued that "every effort should be made to enable young people to transform themselves gradually from being the `objects' of EU measures into active `subjects' who participate in the choices affecting them. They should be involved in the construction of the Community and Europe on a strategic and spiritual level and on a positive and daily basis."
In the early 1990s it had become apparent that there was a strong feeling in favour of a Europe-wide voluntary service. In 1995 MEPs called on the Commission to set up a "European voluntary service and to draw up a special legal status for volunteers". In 1996 the scheme began to take shape as Parliament made funding available for a series of experimental projects for young people.
These projects ran in 1996 and 1997 as a precursor of the European Voluntary Service and have enabled around 2,500 individuals to carry out voluntary community work with 1,000 local organisations. These pilot projects have generally been regarded as a success, with a significant level of interest in all member states from young people and from organisations interested in hosting volunteers.
They have also provided an important opportunity to test a new model of decentralised implementation based on a network of national structures that organise the programme at a grassroots level. The new programme has drawn from these experiences.
Its main details are:
it is open to all young people aged 18 to 25 who are legally resident in a EU country or Norway and Iceland. There are no preconditions in terms of nationality, qualifications or social background. "The only condition," said one volunteer, "is to be motivated." It is also being extended to central and eastern European countries, and eventually African, Latin American and Asian countries may participate;
participants work on projects lasting between six and 12 months;
volunteers travel to another country where they work on schemes which contribute to the wellbeing of the local community in fields such as social work, environmental protection, artistic or cultural activities or combating drugs;
volunteers receive board and lodging and some pocket money;
assistance amounts to up to 50 per cent for projects within the EU, except for projects involving disadvantaged youth where assistance can be higher. The remainder is paid by the organisations which are sending and hosting the volunteer, such as local authorities or voluntary and charitable organisations.
As well as these activities EVS will also cover:
short-term projects of between three weeks and three months, generally involving multinational groups of volunteers working on a common project;
small grants for returning volunteers allowing them to set up their own projects based on experiences gained;
multilateral projects bringing together participants from at least four countries;
development of EVS projects with third countries.
The current programme will end in December 1999 but it is planned that voluntary service for young people should continue within the framework of the future EU Youth programme proposed by the Commission for the period 2000-2004.
The aim of EVS is twofold. First, participants will benefit as they will be broadening their horizons by getting to know another country and its language and culture. They will be acquiring new skills and increasing their self confidence which will help them in their working lives.
Secondly, volunteers will be carrying out tasks that will be of benefit to the community in their host country, such as working with children or the elderly, environmental projects, or theatre and art projects. Hosting an EVS volunteer can therefore bring substantial benefits to the host organisation and community.
It can bring a European, social, cultural and practical added value to the activities as the young person coming from abroad will bring fresh ideas and an innovative point of view. EVS is not a substitute for existing or potential paid jobs and participants cannot be used as cheap labour, but should be giving a helping hand to projects which aim to meet social needs. It is also open to the member states to initiate bilateral initiatives which can go further than they could with EVS, while still benefiting from the scheme.
Commissioner Edith Cresson stressed the importance of EVS, arguing that "Europe is not just about high-level meetings. Grassroots activities are just as important in building Europe. Young volunteers will have the chance to get involved in such activities, exchange ideas and experiences, and contribute their enthusiasm and creativity. They can help to lay the foundations of the future."