COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 23.07.1997 
COM(97) 347 final 
96/0318 (COD) 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme 
"European voluntary service for young people" 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Following the opinion of the European Parliament dated 12 June 1997, the Commission is 
presenting to the Council, pursuant to Article 189 A (2) of the Treaty on European Union, 
an amended proposal for a Decision. In general, the Commission's amended proposal 
retains the same structure and aims as the initial proposal, but with more detail in some 
aspects. The text mainly comprises two types of amendments: 
- one batch provides additional information and clarification in relation to the initial 
proposal; 
- a second batch improves the proposal in so far as they specify activities involving 
third countries and introduce an element of flexibility with regard to age groups. 
Of the 40 amendments proposed by the European Parliament, 22 were partially or 
completely rej ected and 18 were approved ( 14 of which were; slightly amended). 
The Commission has not accepted the principle of defining a European status for young 
volunteers and of coordinating tax systems and social protection, nor of integrating national 
civilian services into European voluntary service, thereby respecting the principle of 
subsidiarity. 
Although very aware of the amount proposed by the European Parliament, the Commission 
has not accepted the increased budget for the first two years of the programme, in so far as 
the current financial perspectives must be respected. 
Finally, with regard to comitology, the Commission has not accepted the proposal for an 
advisory committee, as it considers that experience has demonstrated the usefulness of a 
mixed committee for this type of programme; neither has it accepted other amendments 
concerning procedures to be followed by the committee which are not contained in the 
Decision of 13 July 1987. While respecting commitments made in the context of the 
"modus vivendi", the Commission is keeping exactly to the text of the Decision. 
The Commission has accepted the principle of developing the policy of cooperation in the 
youth field, of the submission, before 31 December 1997, of a report discussing priorities 
up to the year 2000, the importance of coherence and coordination with the "Youth for 
Europe" programme, participation of young people from third countries in programme 
activities in their country of origin and within the European Union, the taking into account 
of specific aspects for voluntary service in the developing countries, the importance of 
linguistic and cultural preparation, sufficient information and awareness-raising for 
volunteers with regard to their rights and obligations, and a degree of flexibility with regard 
to the upper age limit. It has slightly altered the amendments relating to these various 
aspects. 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT «AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme 
"European voluntary service for young people" 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 
- JLC\-^ 
Initial proposal bv the Commission 
PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION 
OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 
AND OF THE COUNCIL 
establishing the Community Action 
Programme 
"European voluntary service for young 
people" 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, 
1.Having regard to the Treaty establishing 
the European Community, and in particular 
Article 126 thereof, 
2.Having regard to the proposal from the-
Commission , 
3.Having regard to the opinion of the 
Economic and Social Committee , 
4.Having regard to the opinion of the 
Committee of the Regions , 
Acting in accordance with the procedure 
referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty , 
1.Whereas the _ Essen European Council, 
meeting on 9-10 December 1994, and the 
Cannes European Council, meeting on 26-
27 June 1995, stressed the need to undertake Amended proposal following the opinion 
oftheEPof12.Iune1997 
3-
new actions to promote the social and 
occupational integration of young people in 
Europe; 
2.Whereas the conclusions of the Florence 
European Council (21-22 June 1996) 
stressed the importance of helping young 
people to become integrated into active life 
and, in this respect, noted with interest the 
idea of a European voluntary service; 
3. Whereas the Council requested the 
Commission to propose practical measures 
to promote transnational cooperation in the 
field of voluntary service ; 
4. Whereas the Council, in its Jlesolution of 
5 October 1995 on cooperation with third 
countries in the youth field, stressed the 
need to step up cooperation, particularly 
with regard to voluntary service, with third 
countries with which the Community has. 
concluded association and cooperation 
agreements; 
5.Whereas the European Council of 25-26 
June 1984 asked Member States to take 
steps to encourage young people to take part 
in projects organised by the Community 
outside its frontiers, and whereas they 
recommended that Member States take on 
board as one of the objectives of their social 
policies the incorporation of social 
protection for development volunteers or the 
correction of shortcomings; 
6.Whereas the Parliament has also expressed 
its support, on many occasions, for the 
development of a voluntary service at 
Community level, in particular in its 
Conclusions of the Council and the Ministers of Youth of 30 November on the promotion of voluntary service periods for young 
people, OJ C348 of 9.12.1994. 
Council Resolution of 5 October 1995 on cooperation with third countries in the youth field (OJ No C296 of 10.11.1995) 
4-
Resolution of 22 September 1995 on the 
establishment of European civilian service7; 
7.Whereas voluntary service activities also 
exist in a range of forms in several Member 
States and a number of non-governmental 
organisations are wording in this field; 
8. Whereas, despite these experiences, 
transnational voluntary service actions 
remain limited; 
<! 
9.Whereas- it is necessary to create new 
opportunities for the transfer and application 
of experience and good practice and to 
promote new partnerships; 
10.Whereas the pilot action launched in 
January 1996 and still in progress is 
designed inter alia to test the arrangements 
for decentralised implementation of long 
term voluntary service activities looking 
ahead to the multi-annual programme 
envisaged, and whereas the initial results of 
this pilot action are described in an interim 
progress report; 
11. Whereas an independent ex ante 
evaluation for a "multi-annual programme of 
voluntary service has been carried out in 
accordance with the principles put in place 
by the Commission for the second phase of 
its SEM 2000 ('sound and efficient 
g 
management') programme ; 6a. Whereas the policy of cooperation in thp. 
youth field as a field of informal educating 
has now become ' supplementary to the, 
education policy laid down in the Treaty and 
requires development; 
10.Whereas the pilot action launched in 
January 1996 and still in progress is 
designed inter alia to test the arrangements 
for decentralised implementation of long 
term voluntary service activities looking 
ahead to the multi-annual programme 
envisaged, and whereas the initial results of 
this pilot action are described in an interim 
progress report carried out on the basis of 
the specific budget heading created for this 
purpose in the 1996 budget: 
B4-1127/95 (PE 193.734). 
SEC(95)1814/5. 
-5 
12.Whereas this interim report, already 
provides a basis for the programme's legal 
and financial structure, and a framework for 
its administrative management; and whereas 
the Commission will scrutinise the results of 
the pilot action at the half-way stage (second 
progress report) before taking full stock of 
the final results upon completion of the pilot 
action for the purpose of the discussions to 
be held as part of the co-decision procedure 
on the proposal for a decision and will, if 
need be, submit amendments to its proposal, 
particularly in relation to activities in non-
EU countries; 
13. Whereas there are a series of legal 
obstacles to the development of voluntary 
service: 
14. Whereas this Decision therefore 
establishes a Community framework which 
is intended to overcome these obstacles and 
to promote the development of transnational 
voluntary service activities; 
15. Whereas participation in voluntary 
service activities, by young people is an 
educational experience that may promote 
their integration into active life; 13. Whereas there are significant legal 
obstacles to transnational mobility for young 
people, and these obstacles can be removed, 
particularly through measures to be taken at 
national level with regard to social 
protection and tax schemes applicable to the 
allowances and expenses which young 
people receive during their voluntary service 
for travel, accommodation or subsistence, 
and through increased cooperation between 
the Member States: 
15. Whereas 
service participation in voluntary 
young people is an activities by 
educational experience that may promote 
their integration into active life and promote 
awareness of a true European citizenship: 
15a. Whereas the establishment of European 
voluntary service should be carried out in 
coherence with other Community actions for 
young people, particularly in the context of 
the "Youth for Europe" programme, and it is 
therefore important to ensure their 
complementarity: . 
6-
16.Whereas it is necessary to reinforce the 
links between the actions undertaken by this 
programme and those pursued within the 
framework of social policy, particularly 
action on training and access to employment 
for young people supported under the 
European Social Fund (both mainstream and 
the 'Employment-Youthstart' Community 
Initiative), the fight against racism and 
xenophobia, and cooperation with third 
countries; 
17.Whereas, in order to facilitate this 
transition into active life, complementary 
links need to be established between 
European voluntary service and local 
employment initiatives; 
18.Whereas voluntary service may help to 
meet new social needs and may also reveal 
new kinds of professions and activities; 
19.Whereas participation in the voluntary 
service actions covered by this Decision 
takes place on a purely voluntary basis, 
since these activities are non-profit-making 
and the volunteer/host project relationship 
can in no case be assimilated with the 
employee/employer relationship; 
20. Whereas young volunteers taking part in 
this programme will have adequate means of 
subsistence and will not, therefore, represent 
a burden to the host country; 
21.Whereas European voluntary - service 
activities are not a substitute for military 
service, for the alternative service formulae 
provided in particular for conscientious 
objectors or for the compulsory civilian 
service that exist in Member States and are 
not a substitute for potential or existing paid 
employment; whereas they are also no 
substitute for potential or existing paid jobs: 
22.Whereas all young people resident in a 21. Whereas European voluntary service 
activities are not a substitute for military 
service, for the alternative service formulae 
provided in particular for conscientious 
objectors or for the compulsory civilian 
service that exist in Member States, and 
must not haVe me effect of restricting or 
substituting for potential or existing paid 
jobs; 
Member State may apply to take part in 
European voluntary service, without 
discrimination; 
23.Whereas the participation of young 
nationals of third countries legally resident 
in a Member State also needs to be 
promoted; 
24. Whereas implementation of this 
programme must be based on decentralised 
structures designated by Member States in 
close cooperation with the national 
authorities responsible for youth questions, 
with a view to ensuring that Community 
action supports and complements national 
activities whilst respecting the principle of 
subsidiarity, as defined in Article 3b of the 
Treaty; 
25.Whereas in its Communication of 13 
June 1995 on "A European strategy for 
encouraging local development and 
employment initiatives" , the Commission 
notes that local development and 
employment initiatives are spreading 
throughout the European Union as they are 
found to provide a genuine response to 
current aspirations; 
26.Whereas European voluntary service 
activities directly involve local and regional 
authorities, bearing in mind the role they 
will play in direct support for projects as 
well" as in the development of local 
information and in following up young 
people at the end of their service; 
27.Whereas the social partners should play 
an important role in the development of a 
European voluntary service not only to 
avoid any activity that is a substitute for 
potential or existing employment but also to 
C0M(95)273. 
build on the experience acquired in order to 
help young people to become integrated into 
active life; 
28.Whereas the Agreement on the European 
Economic Area sets out enlarged-
cooperation in the field of education, 
training and youth between the European 
Community and its Member States, on the 
one hand, ,and the countries of the European 
Free Trade Association and the European 
Economic Area, on the other hand, and that 
Article 4 of Protocol 31 states that the 
countries of the European Free Trade 
Association and the European Economic 
Area shall take part, from 1 January 1995, in 
all Community programmes in the field of 
education, training and youth that are 
already in force or have been adopted; 
29.Whereas the programme "European 
voluntary service for young people" is open 
to the participation of the associated 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in 
accordance with the conditions set out in the 
Additional Protocols to the Association 
Agreements on participation in Community 27a. Whereas the voluntary sector should 
also play an important role in enabling the 
participation in these programmes of those 
voung people in the greatest difficulties: 
27b. Whereas there should be ongoing 
monitoring to take full account of the 
opinions of the social partners and the 
voluntary sector: 
27c. Whereas the Commission and the 
Member States are keen to encourage 
cooperation with non-governmental 
organisations in the youth and social fields, 
the environment, culture and the fight 
against various forms of exclusion: 
10 OJLlof3.1.1994,p3. 
programmes to be concluded with those 
countries; whereas this programme is open 
to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on 
the basis of additional appropriations under 
the same rules as apply to the EFTA 
countries, in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with those countries; 
30. Whereas the Association and 
Cooperation agreements provide for 
exchanges of young people; 
31. Whereas this Decision establishes for the 
full duration of the programme a financial 
framework which constitutes the preferential 
point of reference for the budget authority 
during the annual budgetary procedure 
within the meaning of Point 1 of the Joint 
Declaration of 6 March 1995 by the 
European Parliament, the Council and the 
Commission; 
3 2. Whereas the Community's financial 
perspective is valid up until 1999 and will 
have to be revised for the period beyond that 
date; 29a. Whereas the acquisition of active 
citizenship and of formative experience on 
the one hand, and the contribution of young 
people to cooperation between -the 
Community and third countries on the other, 
are important objectives of the "Voluntary 
service for young people" programme: 
29b. Whereas the quality of voluntary 
service will depend to a large extent on 
linguistic and cultural preparation activities: 
32a. Whereas, in the light of the conclusion 
of the third phase of the "Youth for Europe" 
programme on 31 December 1999 and of 
the first phase of the pilot action "European 
voluntary service for young people", the 
Commission is to present to the European 
Parliament and the Council., bv 
10 
31 December 1997. a report diseasing the 
priorities of the policy of cooperation in the 
youth field between now and the year 2000: 
33.Whereas an agreement on a modus 
vivendi between the European Parliament, 
the Council and the Commission concerning 
the implementing measures of the acts 
adopted pursuant to the procedure referred 
to in Article 189b of the Treaty took place 
on 20 December 1994; 
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
Establishment of the programme 
"European voluntary service for young 
people" 
1. This Decision establishes the. 
Community action programme 
"European voluntary service for 
young people", as described in the 
Annex and hereinafter referred to as 
the "programme", concerning 
European voluntary service activities 
for young people within the 
Community and in third countries. 
The programme is adopted for the 
period from 1 January 1998 to 31 
December 2002. 
2. This programme comes within the 
context of the general objectives of a 
cooperation policy in the youth field 
as set out in the programme Youth 
for Europe (Article 1, paragraph 2). 
It is intended, while respecting equal 
opportunities for men and women, to 
encourage mobility among young 
Europeans as part of an active 
citizenship, to give them the chance 
of an educational experience in a This programme comes within the 
context of the general objectives of a 
cooperation policy in the youth field 
as set out in the programme Youth 
for Europe (Article 1, paragraph 2). 
It is intended, while respecting equal 
opportunities for men and women, to 
encourage mobility among young 
Europeans as part of an active 
citizenship, to give them the chance 
of an educational experience in a 
11 
variety of sectors of activity, to 
promote their active contribution ÎQ 
the construction of Europe and 
cooperation between the European 
Community and third countries 
through their participation in 
transnational activities of benefit to 
the community. 
Article 2 
Framework, objectives and resources 
This programme, based on increased 
cooperation between the Member 
States, offers young Europeans a 
recognised educational experience, 
at transnational level, involving both 
the acquisition of skills and abilities 
and the demonstration of responsible 
citizenship in order to help them to 
become integrated into active life. 
In accordance with the general 
objective set out in Article 1, the 
specific objectives of this 
programme shall be as follows: 
a) to step up participation by 
young people resident in a 
Member State in long-term 
or short-term transnational 
activities of benefit to the 
community, within the 
Union and in third countries; 
b) to promote an educational 
experience accredited at the 
European level; 
c) to encourage a spirit of 
initiative and enterprise 
among young people in order 
to* promote their integration variety of sectors of activity, to 
promote their active contribution, to 
the ideals of democracy, tolerance 
and cohesion of European 
integration and to cooperation 
between the European Union and 
third countries through their 
participation in transnational 
activities of benefit to the 
community. 
12 
ci) into active life and their 
contribution. to the 
development of the 
objectives of the programme; 
to promote access to the 
programme for all young 
people; 
For this purpose, and in accordance 
with the general objective set out in 
Article 1, and the specific objectives 
described in the previous paragraph, 
the~ main elements of this 
programme shall be as follows: 
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) to support long-term or 
short-term transnational 
activities of benefit to the 
community, within the 
Union and with third 
countries; 
to support networks of 
innovative initiatives, 
particularly in the social, 
environmental and cultural 
fields and with regard to the 
fight against different forms 
of exclusion; 
to support projects that help 
to build on the experience 
acquired and are intended to 
further the follow-up of these 
young people; 
to develop, and support the 
preparation, particularly 
linguistic and intercultural, 
and the supervision of young 
volunteers, in particular 
long-term volunteers, 
"mentors" and European 
project leaders so that the 
young volunteers can benefit d) to develop and support the 
preparation, particularly 
linguistic and intercultural, 
and the supervision of young 
volunteers, "mentors" and 
European project leaders so 
that the young volunteers can 
benefit from high-quality 
actions connected with the 
13-
from high-quality actions 
connected with the 
objectives of the programme; 
e) to support the quality of all 
the programme's activities, 
the development of their 
European dimension and to 
contribute to cooperation in 
the youth field by supporting 
Mernber States' endeavours 
to improve services and 
measures linked to European 
voluntary service, 
particularly through 
measures to provide young 
; people with information on 
the objectives of the 
programme and through 
studies and continuing 
evaluation through which the 
operation and guidelines of 
the programme can be 
brought into line with the 
needs of target groups. 
Article 3 
Financial provisions 
1. The financial framework for the 
implementation of the programme 
during the period 1998-1999 shall be 
ECU 60 million, in keeping with 
current .. financial perspectives. 
Proposals shall be put forward in 
accordance with the procedure set 
out in Article 10 in order to 
determine the financial framework 
for the final three years of the 
programme (2000-2002). 
2. The budget authority shall determine 
the appropriations available for each 
financial year within the limits of the 
financial perspective. 
14 
Article 4 
Positive action to facilitate access to the 
programme 
1. Special attention shall be paid to 
ensuring that all young people can 
have access, without discrimination, 
to the programme's activities. 
2. The Commission and the Member 
States shall ensure that special 
efforts are made for young people 
who experience the most difficulties 
in being included in existing action 
programmes at both Community and 
national, regional and local levels, 
due to cultural, social, physical, 
economic or geographical reasons. 
These efforts shall be proportional to 
the problems encountered by this 
target group. 
Article 5 
Participation by associated countries 
This programme shall be open to the 
participation of the associated countries of 
central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in 
accordance with the conditions set out in the 
Europe agreements and the Additional 
Protocols to the Association Agreements on 
participation in_ Community programmes 
that have been or are to be concluded with 
those countries. This programme shall be 
open to the participation of Cyprus and 
Malta on the basis of additional 
appropriations under the same idles as apply 
to the EFT A countries, in accordance with 
the procedures to be agreed with those 
countries. 
-Article 6 
15 
Links with other Community actions and 
cooperation with the relevant 
international organisations 
1. The Commission and the Member 
States shall ensure that the 
programme is compatible with and 
complementary to other actions 
undertaken for young people by the 
Member States and the Community. 
They shall promote cooperation 
relating to this programme to allow 
. complementarity of the programme 
• with the relevant international 
organisations, in particular the 
Council of Europe. 
Article 7 
Cooperation with Member States 
The Commission and the Member 
States shall take the necessary 
measures to develop the structures 
" set up_ at European, national, 
regional and local level for achieving 
the objectives of the programme, for 
facilitating the access of young 
people and other partners at local 
level to the programme, for 
evaluating and monitoring the 
actions set out in the programme and 
for applying consultation and 
selection mechanisms. The Commission and the Member 
States shall ensure that the 
programme is compatible with and 
complementary - including from a 
budgetary point of view - to other 
actions undertaken for young people 
by the Member States and the 
Community. In this context, the 
Member States involved may 
examine procedures enabling young 
people from third countries to take 
part in activities arising from this 
programme both within their country 
of origin and within the European 
Community. 
The Commission and the Member 
States shall take the necessary 
measures to develop the structures 
set up at European, national, 
regional and local level for achieving 
the objectives of the programme, for 
facilitating the access of young 
people and other partners at local 
level to the programme, for 
evaluating and monitoring the 
actions set out in the programme and 
for applying consultation and 
selection mechanisms. They shall 
ensure that volunteers are given 
sufficient information and made 
- 16 
2. Each Member State shall endeavour 
to adopt the measures necessary to 
ensure that the young people 
participating in the programme do 
not encounter obstacles, especially 
as regards the right of residence in 
the host Member State for the period 
of the voluntary service and the 
maintenance of their entitlements, in 
particular those lhiked to their social 
protection. 
Article 8 
Validation 
Young volunteers shall receive a European 
certificate, drawn up by the Commission in 
cooperation with the Member States, 
attesting to their participation in European 
voluntary service and the experience and 
skills that they have acquired during this 
period. 
Article 9 
Committee 
1. The Commission shall implement 
this programme in accordance with 
this Decision. 
2. In the performance of this task, the 
Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee composed of two 
representatives appointed by each 
Member State and chaired by the 
representative of the Commission. sufficiently aware at 'European, 
national and local level of their 
rights and obligations and shall 
make an active contribution to 
ensuring complementarity between 
transnational activities and local 
voluntary actions. 
-17-
3, The representative of the 
Commission shall submit to the 
committee, in accordance with the 
procedure set out in paragraph 4, a 
draft of the measures to be taken in 
respect of: 
the committee's internal rules 
of procedure; 
the annual plan of work for 
the implementation of the 
actions of the programme; 
the general balance between 
all the sections of the 
programme; 
the criteria for determining 
indicative allocation of funds 
among the Member States; 
the procedures for 
monitoring and evaluating 
the programme. 
4. The Committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft measures 
referred to in point 3 within a time 
limit which the chairman may lay 
down according to the urgency of 
the matter. The opinion shall be 
delivered by the majority laid down 
in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the 
• case of decisions which the Council 
is required to adopt on a proposal 
from the Commission. The votes of 
the representatives of the Member 
States shall be weighted in the 
manner set out in that Article. The 
chairman shall not vote. 
The Commission shall adopt 
measures which shall apply 
immediately. However, if these 
measures are not in accordance with 
-l: 
the opinion of the committee, they 
shall be communicated by the 
Commission to the Council 
forthwith. In that event: 
a) the Commission may defer 
application of the measures 
which it has decided for a 
period of two months from 
the date of that 
communication; 
b) the Council, acting by a 
qualified majority, may take 
a different decision within 
the time limit referred to in 
pointa). 
The Commission may consult the 
committee on any other matters 
relating to the implementation of this 
programme. 
The representative of the 
Commission shall submit to the 
committee a draft of the measures to 
be taken. The committee shall 
deliver its opinion on the draft 
within a time limit which the 
Chairman may lay down according 
to the urgency of the matter, if 
necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the 
minutes^ in addition, each Member 
State shall have the right to ask to 
have its position recorded in the 
minutes. 
The Commission shall take the 
utmost account of the opinion 
delivered by the committee. It shall 
inform the committee of the manner 
in which its opinion has been taken 
into account. 
19 
Article 10 
Monitoring and evaluation 
1. On implementation of this Decision, 
the Commission shall take the 
necessary measures to ensure the 
monitoring and continuous 
evaluation of the programme, taking 
account of the general objective 
referred to in Article 1, the specific 
objectives defined in the Annex, the 
provisions laid down in Article 4 
and any input provided by the 
committee set up under Article 9. 
2. During the course of the second year 
of this programme, the Commission 
shall present to the European 
Parliament and to the Council an 
evaluation report which will serve to 
define any. new implementing 
guidelines and methods, and a new 
budget framework for the final three 
years of the programme. 
3. In the light of the evaluation report 
referred to in paragraph 2 and the 
proposals made by the Commission, 
the European Parliament and the 
Council shall envisage the 
possibility of adjusting the 
programme, extending some actions 
or making provision for new actions. 
Article 11 
This Decision shall enter into force on the 
date of its publication in the Official Journal. 
Done at , 
For the European Parliament 
For the Council 
The President 
20-
The President 
ANNEX 
In order to promote mobility among young 
people within the framework of active 
citizenship, their practical participation in 
the creation of European solidarity and their 
integration into active life, the Community 
shall support European voluntary service 
activities within the Union and in third 
countries, projects to, follow up these 
activities and European cooperation 
measures to develop their quality and their 
European dimension. 
The basic principles on which the 
Community action is based are as follows: 
local partnerships between the 
various public/private partners 
involved in the integration of young 
people into active life; 
transnational partnerships between 
host projects - validated by the 
Member States and the Commission 
- and sending projects; 
guarantees from the point of view of 
the preparation and supervision of 
young volunteers and their physical 
conditions, insurance and social 
protection; 
the inclusion, within host projects, of 
"mentors" having an important role 
to play in the supervision of young 
volunteers and in the validation of 
the skills acquired and the 
preparation of measures following 
up the experience; 
validation of the educational 
experience; 
21 
follow-up for young volunteers and 
the enhancement of the skills that 
they have acquired. 
In order to meet these basic objectives, the 
Community is organising the current 
programme which is made up of five main 
sections. These five sections are interlinked 
and are flexible enough to meet the needs of 
the young people concerned in the most 
appropriate way. 
SECTION 1 - INTRA-COMMUNITY 
1. The Community shall support long-
term (in principle for six months to 
one year) and short-term (in 
principle from three weeks to three 
months) transnational • projects 
allowing young people - aged 
between 18 and 25 - resident in a 
Member State to play an active part 
in activities which help to meet the 
needs of society in a wide range of 
fields (social, environmental, 
cultural, etc.) and which are likely to 
have a direct impact on the well-
being of the populations of the host 
communities. The aim of these 
projects shall be to provide young 
people from the Union with an 
educational experience and to bring 
them into contact with other cultures 
" and experience new ideas and 
projects in an intercultural context. 
The assistance awarded under this 
section should not exceed 50% of 
the total expenditure incurred, The Community shall support long-
term (in principle for six months to 
one year) and short-term (in 
principle from three weeks to three 
months) transnational projects 
allowing young people - with 
priority given to those aged between 
18 and 25. but without excluding the 
possibility, in some exceptional and 
justified cases, of taking into 
consideration applications from 
young people above this age limit -
resident in a Member State to play 
an active part in activities which 
help to meet the needs of society in a 
wide range of fields (social, 
environmental, cultural, etc.) and 
which are likely to have a direct 
impact on the well-being of the 
populations of the host communities. 
The aim of these projects shall be to 
provide young people from the 
Union with an educational 
experience and to bring them into 
contact with other cultures and 
experience new ideas and projects in 
an intercultural context. 
22-
subject to point 3. 
3. In accordance with Article 4, 
paragraph 2, of the Decision, efforts 
shall be made to help young people 
facing cultural, social, economic, 
physical or geographical difficulties. 
These efforts must be proportional to 
the difficulties that participation in 
existing action programmes raises 
for this target group. In this context, 
financial assistance greater than the 
50% set out in point 3 may be 
awarded, or support, where 
appropriate, for other activities likely 
to facilitate participation by this 
target group, including preparation 
and follow-up actions. 
4. Assistance shall be awarded to: 
LONG-TERM ACTIVITIES 
5. Long-term activities shall place the 
emphasis on the acquisition of 
appropriate experience from 
European voluntary service projects 
and on the follow-up of young 
volunteers' activities. 
6. The Commission shall certify, at 
European level, the skills acquired 
from this formative experience and 
from the follow-up of young 
- volunteers at the end of these 
activities. 
PREPARATION AND SUPERVISION 
7. Actions intended (particularly as 
regards language, intercultural 
development, etc.) to build on the 
European dimension of activities, to 
prepare young long-term volunteers 
prior to departure and to promote 
their integration during these 
-23-
activities and at the end of European 
voluntary service. 
8. Actions (particularly training in 
setting up projects etc..) to promote 
the development of follow-up 
projects for young volunteers at the 
end of their European voluntary 
service. 
* 
SHORT-TERM ACTIVITIES 
9. The Community shall support short-
term transnational projects intended 
to make young people genuinely, 
aware of the potential of actions 
linked to the principle of active 
citizenship, the impact that these 
activities may have on their lives and 
to familiarise all the partners with 
the concept of active citizenship. 
10. These projects will initially involve 
groups of young people. Support for 
individual participation in a host 
project may be envisaged depending 
on the length of the project, its 
nature or the profile of the young 
volunteer. 
SECTION 2 - THIRD COUNTRIES 
1. The Community shall support long-
term (in principle 6-12 months) and 
- short-term (in principle from three 
weeks to three months) transnational 
projects allowing young people -
aged between 18 and 25 - resident in 
a Member State to play an active 
part in third countries in activities 
which meet the needs of society in a 
wide range of fields (social, 
environmental, cultural, etc.) and 
which are likely to have a direct 
impact on the well-being of the 
populations of the host communities. The Community shall support long-
term (in principle 6-12 months) and 
short-term (in principle from three 
weeks to three months) transnational 
projects allowing young people -
with priority given to those aged 
between 18 and 25. but without 
excluding the possibility, in some 
exceptional and justified cases, of 
taking into consideration 
applications from young people 
above this age limit - resident in a 
Member State to play an active part 
in third countries in activities which 
-24 
Thé aim of these projects shall be to 
provide young people with an 
educational experience and to bring 
them into contact with other cultures 
and experience new ideas and 
projects in an intercultural context. 
2. The appropriations awarded under 
- this Section shall in principle cover 
the costs of the activities of young 
people residing in the Member 
States. 
3. Assistance shall be awarded for': 
LONG-TERM ACTIVITIES 
4. Long-term activities shall place the 
emphasis on the acquisition of 
appropriate experience from meet the needs of society "in a wide 
range of fields (social, 
» environmental, cultural, etc.) and 
which are likely to have a direct 
impact on the well-being of the 
populations of the host communities. 
The aim of these projects shall be to 
provide young people with an 
educational experience and to bring 
them into contact with other cultures 
and experience' new ideas and 
projects in an intercultural context. 
la. With regard more specifically to 
voluntary service activities in the 
developing countries. the 
•Community shall support activities 
respecting the aims and scope for 
cooperation between the European 
Union and the developing countries 
as defined in cooperation 
agreements, other agreements and 
the relevant regulations. These 
activities may be open to young 
volunteers aged over 25 in the case 
of projects justified by a specific 
transfer of know-how to the 
countries concerned or by particular, 
duly justified conditions. Long-term 
projects may in exceptional 
circumstances be extended to two 
years. 
-25 
European voluntary service projects 
and from the follow-up of young 
volunteers' activities. 
5. The Commission shall certify, at 
European level, the skills acquired 
from this formative experience and 
from the follow-up of young 
volunteers at the end of these 
activities. 
PREPARA TIONAND SUPER VISION 
6. Actions making it possible to lay or 
consolidate the foundations needed 
for the development of transnational 
European voluntary service projects 
with third countries, in particular 
long-term activities. 
7. Actions intended (particularly as 
regards language; intercultural 
development, etc.) tô build on the 
European dimension of activities, to 
prepare young long-term volunteers 
prior to departure and to promote 
their integration during these 
activities and at the end of European 
voluntary service. 
8. Actions (particularly training in 
setting up projects etc..) to promote 
the development of follow-up 
projects for young volunteers at the 
"' end of their European voluntary 
service. 
SHORT-TERM ACTIVITIES 
9. The Community shall support short-
term transnational projects intended 
to make young people genuinely 
aware of the impact that these 
activities may have on their lives and 
to familiarise all the partners with 
the concept of active citizenship. 
26 
10. These projects will initially involve 
groups of young people. Support for 
individual participation in a host 
project may be envisaged depending 
on the length of the project, its 
nature or the profile of the young 
volunteer. 
SECTION 3 
NETWORKS INNOVATIVE 
1. Assistance shall be awarded for 
actions coordinated by innovative 
networks, particularly in the social, 
environmental and cultural fields 
! and with regard to the fight against 
different forms of exclusion. 
2. This assistance shall cover 
innovative networks of initiatives 
both within the Union and with third 
countries. 
3. Support for these innovative 
networks shall be intended to help, 
on the one hand, these networks to 
develop practical European 
voluntary service activities and, on 
the other hand, to help these 
networks to take on a European 
voluntary service dimension. 
SECTION 4 - DEVELOPING A SENSE 
OF INITIATiyE AND ENTERPRISE 
1. Assistance may be awarded for 
projects intended to build, in a 
concrete way, on the experience that 
young people have acquired from 
European voluntary service and thus 
to promote their integration into 
active life. 
2. This assistance will allow young 
volunteers to develop their sense of 
27 
initiative and enterprise by helping 
them to: 
launch complementary 
training projects; 
develop voluntary service 
initiatives that follow on 
from the activities that they 
have undertaken; 
launch economic activities, 
including business creation. 
3. Special attention should be paid to 
the commitment of (public and/or 
private) partners to these projects in 
order to support, help and sponsor 
young people's strategies of 
integration into active life. 
SECTION 5 - COMPLEMENTARY. 
MEASURES 
5.1 Preparation and supervision 
1. In addition to actual voluntary 
service activities, assistance will also 
be awarded for actions intended to 
underpin the work of "mentors" and 
European project leaders. These 
actions shall concern activities 
supported at intra-Community level 
as well as in third countries. They 
- are intended, on the one hand, to 
ensure that the content of the 
formative experience is of high 
quality and, on the other hand, to 
help to develop certification 
methods. 
2. The term "mentors" means people 
supporting and supervising young 
volunteers during European 
voluntary service activities within 
hosting projects and those who act as 
28-
contact points for young volunteers 
and projects within relay structures 
at national, regional or local level. 
Special attention shall be paid to projects 
having little or no experience of 
transnational activities. 
Mentors 
Activities intended to prepare and 
support mentors from the point of 
view of their tasks of supporting and 
supervising young volunteers during 
transnational voluntary service 
activities. 
European project leaders i 
4. Activities intended to develop the 
ability of European project leaders 
effectively to carry out their 
administrative tasks in a European 
context (financial and administrative 
management and follow-up of 
European projects, legal aspects, 
etc.). 
5.2 Partnerships 
1. The Community shall support 
activities to promote partnerships at 
local/national/regional level 
between public and private partners -
geared towards European voluntary 
service and leading potentially to 
transnational partnerships. 
2. Assistance shall be awarded for 
activities to facilitate and promote 
the creation of transnational 
partnerships between 
local/regional/national partnerships 
wishing to work together within the 
framework of this programme either 
within the Union or with third 
29 
countries. 
3. Special attention shall be paid to 
local projects/initiatives which have 
little or no experience of or 
opportunity for contacts at European 
level. 
5.3 Research, information and 
evaluation 
1. Support for activities to launch 
awareness, information and advisory 
systems at local, regional, national 
and transnational level to promote 
and support the objectives of the 
programme. 
2. In the particular area of studies and 
evaluation connected with the 
objectives of the programme, the 
Community will concentrate its 
efforts on the analysis and 
dissemination of data and the 
promotion of Community 
cooperation in this field. The 
Commission will, in cooperation 
with the Member States, monitor 
and evaluate this programme in an 
ongoing way in order, when 
necessary, to bring it into line with 
needs arising during 
implementation. 
30 



ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 347 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 16 06 05 04 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-338-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-21971-1 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
'SI