Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Voluntary activity: its role in European society and its impact
Date: 2006-12-13
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU policy, European citizenship, public awareness campaign, voluntary work

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Voluntary activity: its role in Euro-
pean society and its impact

(2006/C 325/13)

On 6 April 2006, the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on Voluntary activity: its role in European
society and its impact

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 7 November 2006. The rapporteur was Ms Koller,
and the co-rapporteur was Ms Gräfin zu Eulenburg.

At its 431st plenary session, held on 13 and 14 December 2006 (meeting of 13 December 2006), the Euro-
pean Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 127 votes
to 9 with
17 abstentions.

1. Conclusions and recommendations

1.1
The EESC urges the Commission to announce a Year of
Volunteers, and to publish a White Paper on voluntary activity
and active citizenship in Europe at the earliest opportunity. This
could underline the relationship between these two phenomena
and stress their scale and importance. As most voluntary activity
takes place at local level, this White Paper should contribute to
a strategy for strengthening the European dimension of volun-
tary activity, and promoting active European citizenship and the
role of identification with Europe in the European integration
process.

At the same time, in the interests of preparing individuals
1.5
for voluntary activity, the EESC feels that it would be useful to
highlight the relationship between civil society and schools. In
primary education, more attention must be paid to educational
activities aimed at developing social awareness and involvement
in solving social problems of general interest. For example, from
the age of 15, as part of a ‘social and environmental year’, prac-
tical activities could be provided as an option for young people,
to encourage them to carry out important and useful voluntary
activities. Particular support should be given to NGOs enabling
children to undertake their first voluntary activities.

the Member States

The governments of

should be
1.2
encouraged to frame national policies on voluntary activity and
strategies ensuring that voluntary activity is encouraged and
recognised. These national policies should also cover the role of
infrastructure in facilitating voluntary activity. The EU can
provide a framework and encourage greater exchange of best
practice between Member States.

In all the Member States a legal framework must be
1.3
drawn up to guarantee the right to carry out voluntary activity
independently of an individual's legal or social status. There
should be equal opportunities for all
individuals engaging in
voluntary activity,
including people with disabilities. In some
Member States the legal environment still impedes the develop-
ment of voluntary activity and, as a result, makes it difficult to
enlist stronger social support. Sometimes its development is
restricted or even prevented by legal provisions such as prohibi-
tions on activity. These restrictions should be examined and
voluntary activity promoted by means of a legal framework
which makes provision for insurance and the reimbursement of
expenses.

In the EESC's view, apart from governments, other stake-
1.4
holders such as parliaments, regional and local bodies, and civil
society organisations should recognise the importance of volun-
tary activity and play an active role in promoting it,
thus
emphasising the role of voluntary activity and raising its social
prestige.

In addition, the EESC would emphatically draw the Commis-
sion's attention to the decisive role of civil society organisations
in organising voluntary activity.

In its efforts to promote the recognition of informal and
1.6
non-formal learning, e.g. through the Europass and the recom-
mendation on key competences, the EU should put particular
emphasis on the recognition of competences acquired through
voluntary activities. The implementation of Europass-Youth
would help to enhance recognition of voluntary activities of
young people.

1.7
The EESC therefore recommends that all the Member
States and the EU itself design a policy on voluntary activity
setting out a strategy and specific programmes to promote
voluntary activity, with proposals for targeted support and for
public awareness-raising, promoting partnership between civil
society and business and promoting public recognition of the
activities performed by volunteers. This could include a suitable
legal
framework to support voluntary activity. The EU can
provide a framework and ideas, as well as promoting the
exchange of best practice between Member States.

At European level we need reliable and comparable
1.8
statistics on the scale, importance and socio-economic value of
voluntary activity. This research should be based on a uniform
definition of voluntary activity. It should address the needs and
motivation of volunteers, as well as the reasons why some
people do not wish to become involved in voluntary activity.
Ways must be sought at European level of determining the
contribution of voluntary activity to the national income and its
effects on society. Eurostat could play a coordinating and initi-
ating role here. All the statistical offices of the Member States of
the EU should have statistics of this kind available.

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The EESC recommends that EU funding, policies and
1.9
programmes should do more to promote voluntary activity, and
that an adequate infrastructure be put
in place throughout
Europe to support voluntary action. At present, one source of
support for voluntary activity from the European Union comes
the European Voluntary Service Programme
in the form of
(EVS), which has so far sent nearly 40 000 (18-25 year-olds)
volunteers to 31 EU Member States and partner countries for
periods of between six months and one year. At the same time,
voluntary service in developing countries is funded from devel-
opment aid. The EESC considers these sources insufficient and
would like the European Union to adopt a more active, consis-
tent and coherent approach to voluntary activity, making pan-
European volunteer programmes available to all population
groups rather than being restricted purely to long-term volun-
tary service by young people.

In order to give fuller recognition to the importance of
1.14
volunteering for the development of Member States, the EESC
recommends adopting a European-level charter establishing the
role of voluntary organisations, including their rights and duties.
In order to improve the economic situation of voluntary organi-
sations in the Member States, the EESC recommends intro-
ducing a legal basis in Community law whereby such organisa-
tions would be exempted from VAT. The main purpose of
enshrining the role, rights and duties of voluntary organisations
in the proposed European charter is to create uniform guidelines
for organisations which could be granted special legal status in
conjunction with special economic and other rights.

2. Introduction

1.10
The EESC would also welcome a specific recommenda-
tion for the promotion of voluntary activity by senior citizens,
for example with pilot actions for partnerships and exchange of
experiences and which would be among the first initiatives to
be launched.

Voluntary activity makes an invaluable contribution to
2.1
society.
In Europe more than 100 million volunteers devote
their leisure time to a multitude of activities which benefit third
parties and serve the common good. The work of civil society
organisations, which is often performed exclusively or to a great
extent by volunteers, is winning ever greater recognition from
companies, government bodies and the public (1).

1.11 Moreover, voluntary activity, as a contribution to Euro-
pean projects, should be recognised as equivalent to co-finan-
cing. Application forms for European projects must also be
made simpler and less bureaucratic, so that voluntary organisa-
tions are able to take part in these projects.

Information needs to be disseminated more widely, as
1.12
unfortunately it often fails
to reach those concerned. All
possible channels must be used to achieve this. A special
website with information could be set up, accessible from all
existing voluntary activity websites with a single mouseclick.
European networks of volunteer organisations have an impor-
tant role to play here. They can ensure that organisations
exchange experience and best practice and that the needs and
requirements of volunteers on the ground are passed on to the
EU institutions. They must be promoted in a targeted way as
part of the infrastructure for promoting voluntary activity.

2.2
And yet the true value of voluntary activity goes far
beyond the provision of services and the satisfaction of social
needs. The motivation which underlies it, that is the desire to
make a contribution on one's own initiative to the common
good and to help shape society, promotes values such as
altruism and solidarity and thus forms a counterweight
to
increasingly widespread isolation and egoism in modern socie-
ties.

2.3
Voluntary activity is inextricably linked with active citi-
zenship, which is the cornerstone of democracy at local and
European level. People take part in the life of society not only
through political participation but also through the specific
solution of social problems. By working for society they can
translate a desire to help shape society into action. Individuals
either sacrifice their leisure time, or engage in voluntary service
for others and work for the common good, often at consider-
able risk to their financial well-being or health. It is this very
form of European active citizenship which gives people a strong
sense of belonging to society. Voluntary activity can therefore be
regarded as one of the best examples of participation and thus
an essential component of, or even a precondition for, active
citizenship.

The European Union can make an important contribu-
1.13
tion to promoting and ensuring the public recognition of volun-
tary activity by supporting the United Nations'
International
Volunteer Day on 5 December and celebrating and honouring
voluntary activity on that day. The 2001 International Year of
Volunteers
effective government-
supported publicity programmes can be. If a European Year of
Volunteers was declared at European level, as proposed by the
EESC, it would help to ensure support and recognition at Euro-
pean level for numerous local volunteer activities, besides giving
volunteers a sense of European identity.

showed how important

2.4
Voluntary activity also promotes personal development:
the development of social awareness on the one hand and, on
the other hand, the development of key competences and skills,
making volunteers more employable and enhancing their active

(1) The EUYOUPART 2003-2005 study,

financed by the European
Commission, on the social involvement of young people shows, for
example, that in all eight participating European countries young
people trust civil
society organisations more than government
bodies.
http://www.sora.at/images/doku/euyoupart_finalcomparativereport.pdf.

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participation in society. In its various manifestations voluntary
activity offers an opportunity for informal (2) and non-formal (3)
learning and thus, alongside formal (4) learning, plays an essen-
tial part in achieving lifelong learning.

Voluntary activity has also been mentioned in other contexts in
the EESC's work, but no opinions have yet been drawn up speci-
fically on the subject (6).

2.5
Voluntary activity also makes an essential contribution to
our economies' output. This contribution is often overlooked in
national statistics, as it does not always involve the exchange of
goods of monetary value and because there is no single accepted
method for measuring its economic value. Where it is measured,
however, the economic value of voluntary activity and its contri-
economy has proved considerable (5). For
bution to the
example, in the United Kingdom the economic value of volun-
tary activity is estimated at 7.9 % of GDP, with 38 % of total
population engaged in voluntary activity.
In Ireland and
Germany more than 33 % of the population are involved in
voluntary activity in one form or another, compared to 18 % in
Poland.

In addition, transnational voluntary service at European
2.6
and international level can substantially increase solidarity and
mutual understanding among peoples, and promotes intercul-
tural dialogue. In this context the EESC welcomes the Commis-
sion's intention to extend the European Voluntary Service,
making it more visible and more effective.

Solidarity and a sense of

responsibility for others,
2.7
together with the urge for individuals to feel useful, are essential
sources of motivation for voluntary activity. It creates social
links, contributes to social cohesion and promotes quality of life
and social progress in Europe. It thus encapsulates the values of
European integration, as set out in Article 2 of the EC Treaty
and Article 2 of
the Treaty on European Union. Moreover,
voluntary activity is an essential expression of participatory
democracy, which is recognised in the European Constitutional
Treaty as a component of the democratic life of the EU. Volun-
teers and voluntary activity are both in the public interest.
Voluntary activity should be given due recognition in all the
Member States of the European Union.

2.9 Within the EU the contribution of voluntary activity is
being increasingly recognised in the social, cultural and environ-
mental areas and voluntary organisations are being involved to
a greater extent in political and other decision-making processes,
lifelong learning, health and
for example in the fields of
etc. The EESC
consumer protection, development,
welcomes these initiatives, although it
feels that not nearly
enough has been done so far.

trade,

2.10
The EESC is pleased that voluntary activities by young
people have been set as a priority of the policy process launched
by the Commission in 2001 and as part of the open method of
coordination. On the basis of the progress already achieved in
the Youth sector, the Commission is encouraged to take the
development of voluntary activities further by addressing hori-
zontal aspects within a holistic approach.

2.11
An international precedent was set by the proclamation
of 2001 as the Year of Volunteers by the United Nations, thus
helping to focus public opinion on voluntary activity, and
providing renewed encouragement for people to volunteer and
showing how government can recognise, support and promote
it. At the initiative of the UN, 5 December of each year is Inter-
national Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.
It would be good if the EU were also to raise public awareness
in Europe of this important event.

However, we feel that all

2.12
in all both the European
Commission and national governments should take a greater
interest in voluntary activity. This is one of the reasons why the
EESC welcomes Commissioner Wallström's request
the
Committee to draw up an opinion on this important subject.

for

3. The concept of voluntary activity and its characteristics

2.8
The EESC has already touched on the subject of volun-
tary activity in its opinion on ‘Hospice work — an example of
voluntary activities in Europe’, adopted in 2002 (rapporteur: Ms
Gräfin zu Eulenburg).

(2) informal learning: Learning resulting from daily life activities related
to work, family or leisure. It is not structured (in terms of learning
objectives, learning time or learning support) and typically does not
lead to certification. Informal learning may be intentional but in most
cases it is non-intentional (or ‘incidental’/random).

(3) non-formal learning: Learning that is not provided by an education or
training institution and typically does not lead to certification. It is,
however, structured (in terms of learning objectives, learning time or
learning support). Non-formal learning is intentional from the learner's
perspective.

(4) formal

learning: Learning typically provided by an education or
training institution, structured (in terms of learning objectives, learning
time or learning support) and leading to certification. Formal learning
is intentional from the learner's perspective. Source: COM(2001) 678.
(5) Based on the ‘Facts & Figures Research Project’ research document
(2004-2006), published by the European Volunteer Centre (CEV) (
http://www.cev.be/facts&figures.htm)

3.1
In practice and in theory voluntary activity is often
defined in different ways, and it is difficult to devise a definition
of voluntary activity which covers all
its various facets. The
various definitions used in the European Union countries have
three essential criteria in common:

— Voluntary activity is an act carried out on an individual's
own initiative and of his own free will. It cannot in any way
be obligatory. This ensures the volunteer's commitment to
and identification with the activity.

(6) The following work by the EESC is relevant to voluntary activity:

EESC opinion on Youth Policy, rapporteur: Ms van Turnhout (OJ C
28, 3.2.2006, pp. 35-41);
EESC opinion on the Youth in Action Programme 2007-2013, rappor-
teur: Mr Rodriguez-Garcia-Caro (OJ C 234, 22.9.2005, pp. 46-51);
EESC opinion on Making European citizenship visible and effective,
rapporteur: Mr Vever (not published in OJ as yet);
EESC opinion on the Active citizenship action programme, rapporteur:
Mr Le Scornet (OJ C 28, 3.2.2006, pp.29-34).

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— Voluntary activity is unpaid and is not undertaken for finan-
cial gain; expenses incurred by the volunteer may however
be reimbursed.

— charity work, assistance to others, and to the elderly and
disabled in particular, in the neighbourhood, or in the area
of development aid;

— The aim of voluntary activity is to work for people outside
one's own family or for other social groups and thus to be
useful to society as a whole (although voluntary activity is
undoubtedly of great value for the personal development of
the volunteer).

There is some disagreement as to whether only regular activities
fall within the definition: does the definition, for example, also
include assistance to neighbours or the time banks which have
been developing in recent years, or can voluntary activity only
take place in a formal, structured way? Nevertheless, fulfilling
the above-mentioned three basic criteria is an essential condition
for any activity to qualify as voluntary, whether it takes the
form of voluntary activity for the local community or organised
voluntary service. In general it can be said that a broad defini-
tion is most appropriate to the various manifestations of volun-
tary activity.

3.2
The purpose of voluntary activity is not to replace paid
work — indeed, it is highly desirable that paid work should not
be substitutable by voluntary activity. The special value of volun-
tary activity derives from its contribution to shaping society. It
is not merely the provision of a social service, nor is it intended
to take over the basic tasks of government. The essential added
value of voluntary activity consists of:

— the creation of social and societal ties; stronger identification
with society and feeling of solidarity by all those involved in
voluntary activity;

— participation by citizens in actively shaping communities.

3.3
Voluntary activity takes on diverse forms; this very diver-
sity makes it difficult to categorise. The most diverse social
groups are involved in voluntary activity, although the scale of
their involvement varies from one EU Member State to another:
the proportion of volunteers active in each area and their profile
(age, background, level of education etc.) varies greatly from one
country to another.

In addition to formal activities carried out under the
3.4
auspices of a specific organisation there is also informal work
and also types of voluntary activity which remain hidden (e.g. in
many cases voluntary activity by migrants).

— work for

the good of

for
example in special situations such as the aftermath of envir-
onmental disasters, etc.;

the immediate community,

— mutual help and self-help groups;

— involvement in religious associations;

— Citizens in various ‘honorary’ posts who are involved in
political and scientific activities, or in managing or operating
smaller associations or sports clubs.

3.4.2
Voluntary activities can also be categorised according
to field of activity, such as sport, culture, social work, health,
education, youth, environmental protection, disaster relief, poli-
tics, consumer protection, development cooperation, etc.

3.5
Voluntary service is a special form of voluntary activity.
It is limited in time from the outset and is often the volunteer's
sole activity,
in contrast to most voluntary activity which is
additional to other activities such as training or employment.
There is usually a mutually agreed set of rules and responsibil-
ities under volunteer service, often in the form of an agreement
between the partners of the project,
including the volunteer,
unlike voluntary work carried out continuously in the volun-
teer's spare time. There are different forms of voluntary service
in terms of:

Voluntary activities are all kinds of voluntary engagement.
They are characterised by the following aspects: open to all,
unpaid, undertaken by own free will, educational (non-formal
learning aspect) and added social value.

Voluntary service is part of voluntary activities and is charac-
terised by the following additional aspects: fixed period; clear
objectives, contents, tasks, structure and framework; appropriate
support and legal and social protection.

Civic service is a voluntary service managed by the State- or
on behalf of the State e.g. in the social field or in civil protec-
tion.

Civilian service is an alternative to compulsory military service
in some countries, but not voluntary (7).

3.4.1
alia:

The diverse forms of voluntary activity include,

inter

— participation in public life and civic commitment;

— involvement in matters of public interest, organisation of
legal advice and consumer

awareness-raising campaigns,
protection;

3.6
A clear distinction can be made between two kinds of
volunteering: (i) one which, as defined by the UN and the ILO,
involves working for a not-for-profit organisation for pay which
is often below the going rate and (ii) the other which is unpaid
but during which expenses are reimbursed. Moves to clarify the
legal status of these activities should take account of this distinc-
tion in order to simplify the situation for volunteers as well as
for students on compulsory placement at NGOs.

(7) COM(2004) 337 final.

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Voluntary work as defined by the ILO and UN agencies is work
carried out in not-for-profit organisations, i.e. charitable associa-
tions or humanitarian or non-profit-making non-governmental
organisations by ‘voluntary’ workers who usually receive remu-
neration in the form of a salary. They are salaried employees,
the voluntary nature of their work being defined by the fact
that
their wages are often below market rate; this is what
defines and constitutes its voluntary element and nature. For
example, a logistician working for an emergency humanitarian
organisation, or a lawyer working for a refugees' rights associa-
tion will be a salaried employee, but with a different (i.e. lower)
salary than he could expect in the world of business (e.g. trans-
port or legal consultancies).

the European Voluntary Service
Calls are often made for
programme (EVS)
to be expanded and enhanced. This is a
service that puts young people at the disposal of associations or
NGOs in return for some form of compensation and expenses
(board and lodging) and includes an allowance, as with trainee-
ships. It provides a way of making young people available, as
part of their higher education courses (a traineeship abroad is
required for almost all courses with an international or Euro-
pean dimension) to these associations and NGOs.

Involving young people in humanitarian or general
interest
projects by paying a fixed allowance is a source of mutual
enrichment. While it is legitimate to clarify the legal status of
the allowance, there must be no confusing charity and voluntary
work.

3.7
This opinion does not discuss paid voluntary work
within the meaning of the ILO and UN definition, such as
activity by Médecins Sans Frontières.

3.8
In recent years there has been further diversification of
the forms of voluntary activity and the reasons for undertaking
it, arising from new social values and developments. The interest
in and demand for voluntary activity is growing, but improve-
ments in financial and budgetary resources, infrastructure and
recognition have not kept pace with this growth.

For volunteers the benefits of voluntary activity include
3.8.1
meaningful use of
leisure time, developing social skills and
making contacts, as well as acquiring and exchanging experi-
ence. The acquisition of knowledge or of a better understanding
of one's own character and abilities are becoming increasingly
characteristic of volunteer activity by young people, not least in
order to meet the requirements of the knowledge-based society.
The opportunity to learn a foreign language and about other
cultures by doing voluntary service abroad is another factor
influencing the decision to become a volunteer. In the context
of European integration this promotes mutual understanding
between cultures. Cross-border voluntary projects
such as
volunteer fairs in Euregios could be of great importance in rela-
tion to the development of European citizenship.

ties in our society, examples being changes in youth culture,
greater use of the Internet and opportunities for volunteering
online. They also need to be aware of new ways of contacting
young people e.g. via text messages, and to offer short-term
voluntary activity as an initial step for young people. Besides
this, they should pay attention to new forms of leisure beha-
viour and the time available to interested members of public,
and to new target groups such as migrants, the long-term unem-
ployed or the increasing number of pensioners who wish to
become involved.

3.9
In summary, voluntary activity is a horizontal phenom-
enon which affects many policy areas in society and which
involves a large section of the population. However, it may be
noted that
few volunteers come from disadvantaged back-
grounds or socially marginalised groups.

4. The general socio-economic role of voluntary activity in

European society

international

literature on the subject

4.1 Most
tends to
analyse the role of voluntary activity based on its contribution
to social or economic life. As already pointed out, its derives its
essential value from its contribution to active citizenship, and its
effects are often difficult to quantify: social commitment, feeling
of belonging,
identification with society, solidarity, feeling of
responsibility for society and the promotion of social cohesion
are all difficult to measure.

4.2
A suitable approach, illustrated in research work on civil
society (e.g. Putnam, 2000) (8), is ‘social capital’, to which volun-
tary activity makes a significant contribution. Social networks,
contacts, values and public attitudes as well as mutual trust are
of great importance for the social (and economic) development
of regions. If in a particular area there are many civil society
organisations and volunteers, other economic and social indica-
tors also tend to be positive. Voluntary activity significantly
increases the social capital of a society, as it creates social
networks and links.

4.3
To the generally used quantitative indicators for a coun-
try's development (essential economic indicators like economic
growth and financial balance) new, alternative indicators need to
be added, which measure social capital and social cohesion as
well as the contribution of voluntary activity. The economic
value of voluntary activity should also be quantified, as
proposed by the United Nations in its Handbook on Non-Profit
Institutions in the System of National Accounts.

4.4
This is also in line with the emphasis on sustainable
development, which strives for a global system in which envir-
onmental sustainability, solidarity and democracy are promoted
alongside economic success. It is also in line with the objectives
of
the
the Lisbon strategy, under which the three areas of
economy, social questions and the environment are considered

Civil society organisations and volunteer centres will
3.8.2
recruit volunteers more easily if they take account of new reali-

(8) Robert D. Putnam (2000): Bowling Alone — The Collapse and Revival

of American Community. Simon and Schuster. New York.

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inseparable in the overriding context of sustainable development
and which sets out to exploit synergies between these areas
more effectively. Volunteers make an essential contribution in all
these areas: promotion of social cohesion, environmental activ-
ities as well as the reintegration of (long-term) unemployed into
the job market, and this needs to be measured.

The Youth Pact adopted by the European Council

4.5
2005 as part of
young people to become involved in voluntary activity (9).

in
the renewed Lisbon strategy, also calls on

Voluntary activity can give various marginalised popu-
4.6.4
lation groups an opportunity for involvement and integration,
either because volunteers are working for them or because
through their own commitment they are brought back to the
centre of society. This kind of empowerment through voluntary
activity is particularly important for socially marginalised popu-
in some countries
lation groups and migrants. Unfortunately,
the law is holding this process back; for example,
in some
Member States immigrants cannot become volunteers.

4.6
International studies and experience suggest that volun-
tary activity could be promoted in an even more effective and
targeted way in the various areas.

4.6.5
The importance of various self-help groups should also
be mentioned. The main characteristic of such groups is that
people with similar problems in a wide range of areas come
together and share experiences to help one another.

For example, a start can be made during children's
4.6.1
education, socialisation and upbringing on ensuring that they
eventually become active members of
their communities. A
special, inspiring role is played in this process by organisations
carrying out social programmes, whose members are mostly
children and young people.

4.6.2
Volunteering can play a special role in combating
youth and long-term unemployment, as well as generally in rela-
tion to entering the labour force.

Volunteers can accumulate important experience and knowledge
which is in demand in the labour market and build up a
network of contacts. Apart from activities in the social sphere
and in health care, which are traditional areas for voluntary
activity, volunteers can also acquire key competences and knowl-
edge in areas like publicity, communications, self-expression,
social skills, management and vocational training.

They have the opportunity to try out various social roles, to
learn to make the right decisions, to solve problems, to assimi-
late a work culture and to demonstrate their sense of justice and
leadership qualities. Voluntary activity can form an important
part of a person's CV and career. Voluntary activities are thus an
important instrument of non-formal and informal learning that
complement formal learning, education and training. They may
also enhance employability, particularly of young people.

4.6.3
In relation to active ageing voluntary activity is of
twofold importance. On the one hand it enables older people to
continue to be involved in the life of society, to make use of
their life experience and to continue to feel useful. This has a
positive effect on their health and quality of
life. Secondly,
voluntary activity can promote understanding between genera-
tions when young and old act together, exchange experience
and support each other.

(9) The European Youth Pact was adopted by the Spring 2005 European
Council as part of the revised Lisbon Strategy and aims at improving
education, training, mobility, vocational training and social inclusion of
young people while facilitating the reconciliation of working life and
family life. In this context the European Council called on the Union
and the Member States to encourage the mobility of young people by
removing obstacles for trainees, volunteers as well as workers and for
their families. Annex 1 of Presidency Conclusions of the European
Council, Brussels, 22-23 March 2005 (7619/05).

a

role

also play

Companies

and employers

4.6.6
in
promoting voluntary activity. On the one hand their employees
and skilled workers can acquire social skills and increase their
creativity and work motivation through voluntary activity
outside the company and as a result feel more committed to
their company. On the other hand, companies are increasingly
aware of their social responsibility: mutually beneficial partner-
local and national
ships between volunteer organisations,
government and companies help to mobilise skills locally and to
harness
these in shaping the community. Social dialogue,
mutual learning, and joint agreements can contribute to greater
recognition and support for voluntary activity, which is part of
social responsibility.

4.6.7
The EESC is concerned that, as a result of the lack of a
legal definition or basis for voluntary activity in many Member
States, volunteer organisations and voluntary activities are often
denied public recognition. Sometimes potential
is not recog-
nised, where for example voluntary activity is not taken into
account in the framework of measures for the integration of
young people, the unemployed or migrants. Moreover, volun-
teers are often in a very difficult position, for example in terms
of taxation, social security or insurance. It is vital to push for
legislation to clarify the legal status of volunteers and to give
every citizen the right to engage in voluntary activity. Further-
more, the EESC calls on the Member States to eliminate labour
law shortcomings which prevent the use of volunteers to carry
out important work in the public interest, especially in the
event of disasters. All too often employees are still dependent
on the goodwill of their employer, for instance to give them
time off work.

4.6.8
The EESC recommends that the relationship between,
and tasks of, government, business and volunteer organisations
be clearly defined. Voluntary activity certainly plays an impor-
tant role in our societies, but it is not intended to provide basic
social services or replace government action. The aim of policy
must be to promote voluntary activity as such, not to institutio-
nalise it, as it would then lose its raison d'être and its special
value as the outcome of free choice.

C 325/52

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

30.12.2006

The EESC nonetheless believes that the government has
4.6.9
the task of providing the necessary infrastructure for voluntary
activity. Voluntary activity may be unpaid but it is not free, as it
does entail costs. Experience in a number of European countries
also shows that specific infrastructure for voluntary activity
significantly increases its scale and quality. Supporting and
advising volunteer organisations and motivating volunteers,
training them and providing them with support and backup, as
well as reimbursing their expenses, all cost money — but are
very worthwhile investments. The State has an active role to
play, in planning national strategy and raising public awareness,
as well as in coordination. To enable a better understanding of

Brussels, 13 December 2006

voluntary activity, the State should provide funding for studies,
and there should also be a strong emphasis on bringing the
volunteer ethos into education.

all

the

the

time

same

players

involved
4.6.10
At
trade unions and volunteer organisa-
(government, business,
to be
if voluntary activity is
tions) must work together
promoted and encouraged and its
recognition in society
enhanced. Effective networking between volunteer organisations
for the exchange of best practice and the pooling of resources is
essential here, as is dialogue and cooperation between the
various sectors.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

APPENDIX

to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee

The following amendment attracted more than a quarter of the votes cast, but was rejected during the course of the delib-
erations:

Delete point 3.6

Reason

This is an extremely important opinion, as it is one of the few EESC opinions to discuss volunteering so comprehensively.
The definitions and examples included in the opinion are important, because future opinions of this type will make use of
them when distinguishing between voluntary activity and social services.

The purpose of this amendment is to delete the definitions used by the UN and the ILO. I do not feel there is any reason
for the EESC to refer to these definitions in its opinion, as the Commission proposal on which the opinion is based only
concerns volunteering in its purest form, i.e. voluntary activity for which the volunteer does not receive any remunera-
tion.

Adoption of my amendment at the plenary session would make the opinion clearer and avoid unnecessary confusion on
the part of the reader; it would also make the opinion more concise.

Voting

For: 53

Against: 61

Abstentions: 24