The European Commission is attempting to mobilise young people. Faced with growing euro-scepticism, the Commission proposed to set up a “European Solidarity Corps” on Wednesday 7 December. Without mentioning any specific resources, this initiative will, however, be limited to a major communications campaign.
The “Investing in Europe’s Youth” initiative covers four key areas: employment, mobility, solidarity and participation, in addition to education and training.
European Solidarity Corps. At a time when the very concept of solidarity is struggling to assert itself at the Council of the EU in the context of migration crisis management, the Commission is proposing to set up a European Solidarity Corps in support of young people who want to get involved in solidarity activities! A press release explains that this corps will respond to the needs of vulnerable communities and national and local organisations, by way of a broad range of action such as, “the provision of food, shelter construction, reception, support and integration of migrants and refugees, environmental protection etc.”
This is not, in fact, a new programme because no specific funding will be allocated to it (it will be based on existing EU funding programmes through calls for proposals) and will instead provide an interface and framework for the participation of young people aged between 18 and 30 in solidarity projects that can last up to a year. Each of the different parties will have to sign up to a charter containing their respective rights and responsibilities.
Two kinds of placements will be possible: voluntary projects in full-time and unpaid activities or vocational projects that provide opportunities for finding a job, training or apprenticeship. The vocational projects will be subject to a work contract and will be reserved for EU citizens and those from Norway and Iceland (volunteering, however, will be open to residents of certain non-EU countries). The Commission is hoping that 100,000 young people will participate in this European Solidarity Corps by the end of 2020 (enrolment can be done via the European youth portal: http://www.europa.eu/solidarity-corps ).
ErasmusPro. The other key measure in this package, “Investing in Europe’s Youth” focuses on Setting up a “ErasmusPro” branch in the current Erasmus + programme.
This new branch will help to support long-term placements for apprentices abroad. The Commission is expected to support this initiative to develop a “quality framework for apprenticeships” on the basis of what already exists (with certain relative changes) for traineeships. This framework is expected to define the key principles for the conceptualisation and provision of apprenticeships at all different levels. The Commission will set up an apprenticeship support service in 2017 based on demand in an effort to help countries set up apprenticeship system or reform them. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)