EU opretter et program, der skal sende tusinder af frivillige fra medlemslandene ud i verden for at udføre humanitært arbejde på frivillig basis. Programmet kører for tiden som pilotprojekt men begynder for alvor i slutningen af 2014.
In today’s vote, (25. februar 2014) the European Parliament gave its overwhelming support for the “EU Aid Volunteers” programme – an initiative that will allow European citizens to take part in humanitarian work worldwide, says EU’s office for humanitarian aid, ECHO, on its website on Tuesday.
Over the next seven years the programme will create over 18.000 opportunities for a variety of profiles, from newcomers to experienced humanitarian experts.
Throughout the programme, volunteers will be trained and matched with humanitarian organisations for deployment within EU-funded projects in disaster-affected countries.
The official launch of EU Aid Volunteers programme is foreseen by the end of 2014, after three successful pilot rounds will have been completed (2011-2014), deploying 250 volunteers around the world.
Hovedpunkter
- The EU Aid Volunteers’ initiative provides a practical training programme for humanitarian volunteers and matches the volunteers with humanitarian organisations.
- The initiative aims to develop common European standards on the management of volunteers by humanitarian organisations.
- The volunteers will be trained and deployed in EU funded humanitarian operations worldwide.
Humanitarian organisations need more well-prepared and trained people to carry out projects helping communities struck by disasters.
The EU Aid Volunteers’ initiative will enable the Europeans interested to help with the opportunity to provide their support in the countries where assistance is needed.
The majority of the existing volunteer schemes in Europe have a national focus.
The EU Aid Volunteers initiative will bring volunteers and organisations from different countries to work together in common projects, establishing European standards in this field
Hvad er nyt?
The Commission will set up a European training programme for volunteers and will develop European standards for
partners to deal with volunteers in humanitarian EU funded projects worldwide.
In the period 2014-2020, the initiative will create opportunities for 18.400 Europeans to be trained and deployed to the field and also for third country volunteers and staff to participate in capacity building experiences.
Interested citizens will also have the option to contribute to specific projects as online volunteers, supporting EU Aid volunteers already in the field or helping humanitarian organisations with tasks that can be done from home on a computer.
A network will be created, so that all EU Aid Volunteers and other stakeholders can interact with and support each other before, during and after deployment.
Hvem kan ansøge?
- EU Aid Volunteers candidates have to be over 18 years of age and be citizens of EU Member States, acceding countries, candidate countries, potential candidate countries and partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy, or countries included in the European Free Trade Association.
Citizens from other European countries not included in the above mentioned agreements can also apply to become EU Aid Volunteers, subject to the conclusion of bilateral agreements on their participation with those countries.
- The initiative is open for a variety of profiles: candidates can be newcomers willing to gain experience in the humanitarian sector, they can be experts in any field connected to humanitarian aid, or retired citizens who want to help out with their acquired knowledge.
Preparation and deployment opportunities will depend on the level of skills and competences of candidates.
Inexperienced volunteers will not be sent to projects where security is a concern.
- The EU Aid Volunteers will be deployed starting 2015.
Information will be available on ECHO’s website http://ec.europa.eu/echo.
- Capacity building and technical assistance for hosting organisations will start in 2014
Læs mere på ECHOs websted: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/news/2014/20140225_en.htm
