Representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission reached an agreement, on Friday 11 December, on the operating arrangements for the European Solidarity Corps for the period 2021-2027. They agreed to put volunteering at the heart of the programme and to make an exception to the age limit for humanitarian aid. They also placed great emphasis on the importance of inclusion.
The European Solidarity Corps was launched in December 2016 by the European Commission (see EUROPE 11684/23) in order to enable young people aged 18 to 30 to participate in a range of solidarity activities through voluntary service, internships or fixed-term employment within the EU. To date, 275,000 young people have joined the European Solidarity Corps and some 50,000 participants have started their activities.
The new Regulation renews this programme for the next programming period 2021-2027, with some adjustments. For example, it emphasises volunteering and introduces stricter rules for care facilities. These will have to have been issued a quality label by the competent national implementing body on the basis of certain criteria, such as the principles of equal treatment, equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Special permission will be required for volunteers working with children and people with disabilities.
The Commission and the Member States will have to present plans to improve the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities. Volunteering in the country of origin will also be possible, especially for young people with fewer opportunities.
Also, for the first time, the programme will also allow young people to volunteer in the field of humanitarian aid until the age of 35 (compared to 30 for other activities). The agreement also provides for the possibility of hiring experts and accompanying persons without age limits.
Non-Member States (members of the European Free Trade Association, which are members of the European Economic Area, acceding countries, candidates and potential candidates, countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy and other non-Member States depending on the conditions laid down in the specific agreements concluded) may also participate in the programme with a few exceptions, in particular for voluntary work in humanitarian aid actions.
“With this programme, young people will be on the frontline to promote European values such as freedom, democracy, equality or human rights in and outside the EU”, said Franziska Giffey, German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. For her part, Michaela Šojdrova (EPP, Czech Republic), European Parliament rapporteur on this dossier, welcomed the fact that the programme includes more people with fewer opportunities, “who until now have been relatively excluded from the scheme”. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)