Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL Establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps EU Aid Volunteers
Date: 2012-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, foreign aid, international voluntary worker, operation of the Institutions

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 19.9.2012  
COM(2012) 514 final 

2012/0245 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

Establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps 

EU Aid Volunteers 
{SWD(2012) 265 final} 
{SWD(2012) 266 final} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

As  envisaged  in  Article  214(5)  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union 
(TFEU),  this  proposal  establishes  the  framework  for  the  European  Voluntary  Humanitarian 
Aid Corps, which should enable joint contributions from European volunteers in humanitarian 
aid operations. Its objective is to express the Union's humanitarian values and solidarity with 
people  in  need,  through  the  promotion  of  an  effective  and  visible  European  Voluntary 
Humanitarian Aid Corps, which contributes to strengthening the Union's capacity to respond 
to  humanitarian  crises  and  to  building  the  capacity  and  resilience  of  vulnerable  or  disaster-
affected communities in third countries. 

The Union has to ensure adequate humanitarian aid in the face of the increased number and 
magnitude of humanitarian crises, both natural disasters and man-made crises. Well-prepared 
volunteers can contribute to the Union's capacity to cope with these additional humanitarian 
needs. 

Improving the mobilisation of the volunteering capacity of European citizens can also project 
a  positive  image  of  the  Union  in  the  world  and  foster  interest  for  pan-European  projects  in 
support  of  humanitarian  aid  activities.  While volunteering is on the rise  for  many  activities, 
there is still a significant potential of further developing solidarity among Union citizens with 
people in third countries who are victims of man-made crises or natural disasters. European 
citizens consider humanitarian aid to be the sector where volunteering has the biggest impact 
and the establishment of a European Humanitarian Voluntary Aid Corps enjoys considerable 
support  amongst  them.  A  large  majority  of  European  citizens  have  also  expressed 
overwhelming  support  for  the  Union's  activities  in  providing  humanitarian  aid.  However, 
there is a need to further promote communication with the Union's citizens to raise levels of 
awareness about the Union's humanitarian aid and its visibility1. 

The  proposal  builds  on  the  2010  Communication  "How  to  express  EU  citizens’  solidarity 
through  volunteering:  First  reflections  on  a  European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid 
Corps"2.The Communication presents the guiding principles, gaps and necessary conditions to 
make a positive contribution to Union humanitarian aid. To test some of the possible features 
of  the  scheme,  a  series  of  pilot  projects  have  been  launched,  lessons  learnt  from  which  are 
taken into account in this proposal.  

The Council3 and the European Parliament4 have expressed strong support for the initiative, 
reaffirming the key role of the Union in promoting volunteering and identifying some of the 
key components of the Corps. 

1 

2 
3 
4 

Standard  Eurobarometer  73/2010,  Special  Eurobarometer  343/2010  and  Special  Eurobarometer 
384/2012.  
COM(2010) 683. 
Council Conclusions on the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps from 25 May 2011. 
Written Declaration 25/2011 of the European Parliament from 9 May 2011. 

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The  proposal  would  contribute  to  the  objectives  of  the  Union's  external  policy  and,  in 
particular,  the  Union's  humanitarian  aid  objectives  to  preserve  life,  prevent  and  alleviate 
human suffering and maintain human dignity. It would reinforce the benefits delivered to the 
hosting communities in third countries and the impact that the volunteer activities have on the 
volunteers themselves. Furthermore, the training and informal learning experience volunteers 
will acquire is a strong investment in human capital which would improve their employability 
in global economy and thus contribute to the Europe's 2020 objectives for smart, sustainable 
and inclusive growth.  

Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union 

Particular attention has been given to ensuring close coordination between the actions of the 
Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Corps  with  the  Union's  humanitarian  aid  policy  and  actions 
carried  out  under  the  EU  external  policies,  in  particular  in  the  field  of  development 
cooperation. The Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, whilst centred on the objectives of the 
Union's  humanitarian  aid,  should  also  contribute  to  a  range  of  other  Union  internal  policies 
such as learning, youth and active citizenship.  

The Humanitarian Voluntary Corps will fill gaps which are not covered by existing European 
programmes  such  as  the  European  Voluntary  Service.  Indeed,  the  European  Voluntary 
Service's activities take place primarily within Europe, are focused on the promotion of young 
people  up  to  30  years  old  to  enhance  social  cohesion  and  mutual  understanding  within  the 
Union,  and  are  not  based  on  humanitarian  principles.  The  objectives  of  the  Humanitarian 
Voluntary  Corps,  its  scope  and  activities  correspond  to  the  specific  needs  of  humanitarian 
activities and operations. 

2. 

RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES AND 
IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

Since the first tabling of the proposal for a Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps in the draft EU 
Constitutional  Treaty,  two  external  reviews  in  2006  and  2010  and  a  series  of  consultations 
with a broad range of stakeholders were carried out in order to assess the current situation in 
humanitarian aid volunteering, highlight existing gaps and challenges, and identify objectives 
and priorities areas for action.  

Interested  stakeholders,  including  the  main  humanitarian  aid  organisations  (NGOs,  the  Red 
Cross  and  Red  Crescent  Family,  UN  agencies),  mainstream  volunteer  organisations, 
individual  volunteers,  Member  States'  representatives  and  other  relevant  actors  were 
specifically  consulted  at  two  dedicated  conferences5  and  through  a  public  on-line 
consultation.  Different  issues  related  to  the  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Corps  have  been 
discussed in addition by the Member States within the Council working party on humanitarian 
aid and food aid6. Consultations also included an online public forum on a suitable name of 
the  Corps.  A  thorough  analysis  lead  to  the  choice  of  'EU  Aid  Volunteers'  as  an  appropriate 
name for the initiative and shall be hereinafter used to refer to both the initiative and to the 
individual volunteers who will be deployed to humanitarian operations. 

5 

6 

In  2010  in  Brussels  and  2011  in  Budapest  –  where  more  than  150  stakeholder  organisations  have 
actively participated.  
COHAFA. 

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An  impact  assessment  report  was  prepared  to  examine  policy  options  and  their  potential 
impacts. This process was accompanied by an Impact Assessment Steering Group involving 
relevant  Commission  services7  and  benefitted  from  input  of  an  external  preparatory  study. 
Lessons learnt and conclusions from two seminars  organised with pilot project coordinators 
were taken into account8. 

All  comments  by  stakeholders  were  fully  considered  and  are  reflected  in  the  impact 
assessment report. 

Impact assessment 

The main problems identified are: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

Lack of a structured EU approach towards volunteering; 

Poor visibility of EU humanitarian action and solidarity with people in need; 

Lack of consistent identification and selection mechanisms across Member States; 

Insufficient availability of qualified volunteers for humanitarian aid; 

Shortcomings in the surge capacity of humanitarian aid; 

Weak capacity of hosting organisations; 

The impact assessment examined a number of policy options resulting from the combination 
of different modules and mode of management: 

Policy  Option  1,  including:  (1) Development  of  standards  for  identification,  selection  and 
training  of  volunteers  and  (2)  Development  of  certification  mechanism  for  sending 
organisations; 

Policy  Option  2,  including  the  modules  under  Option  1  plus  (3)  Support  to  training  for  EU 
volunteers  in  humanitarian  aid,  (4)  Creation  of  an  EU  Register  of  trained  volunteers,  (5) 
Development of standards and a certification mechanism for volunteer management in hosting 
organisations; 

Policy Option 3, including all modules under Option 2 plus (6) Support to deployment of EU 
volunteers, (7) Building capacity in third country hosting organisations, (8) Establishment of 
an EU Network of humanitarian volunteers. This Option would be implemented in partnership 
with humanitarian aid organisations which should identify, select and deploy the volunteers.  

Policy Option 4, including all modules under Option 3 implemented in a direct management 
mode by the European Commission.  

Based on this assessment of the potential economic, social and environmental impacts, Policy 
Option  3  was  recommended  as  the  most  efficient  and  effective  option  for  adressing  the 
problems identified. 

7 
8 

SG, SJ, DG BUDG, DG DEVCO, FPIS, EEAS, DG EAC, EACEA, DG EMPL, DG ELARG.  
Two  capitalisation  seminars  were  organised  in  December  2011  and  June  2012  in  Brussels  with  more 
than 70 participants. 

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3. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

This  proposal  lays  down  the  procedures  and  the  rules  for  the  operation  of  the  EU  Aid 
Volunteers as envisaged in Article 214(5) of the Treaty. It follows an enabling approach and 
is  limited  to  the  essential  elements  necessary  for  the  implementation  of  the  Regulation, 
including  specifying  its general  and  operational  objectives,  the  principles  and  the  actions  of 
which  it  consists,  the  provisions  for  financial  assistance  and  the  general  provisions  for  its 
implementation.  

The  proposal  follows  the  humanitarian  aid  principles  (Art.  4)  and  the  definition  of 
humanitarian aid from the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid9. In addition to crisis 
response  it  also  covers  disaster  prevention,  preparedness  and  recovery  operations  as  well  as 
humanitarian aid activities which aim to increase the capacities of the communities and build 
their resilience to crises. 

The main elements of the proposal concern the different actions of the EU Aid Volunteers 
which can be supported with financial assistance and implemented by different beneficiaries 
based  on  a  Commission  annual  work  programme  (Art.  21).  In  accordance  with  Council 
Regulation  (EC)  No.  58/200310,  the  Commission  has  the  intention  to  delegate  the 
programme management to an executive agency. 

The proposal specifies the following types of actions: 

– 

Standards regarding candidate and EU Aid Volunteers (Art. 9) 

The Commission will develop standards which will set the policy framework and minimum 
requirements  to  ensure  effective,  efficient  and  coherent  recruitment  and  preparation  of 
candidate volunteers and deployment and management of EU Aid Volunteers which are the 
main  actions  of  this  initiative.  The  standards  will  ensure  duty  of  care  and  cover  notably 
responsibilities  of  the  sending  and  hosting  organisations,  minimum  requirements  on  the 
coverage of subsistence, accommodation and other relevant expenses, insurance coverage and 
other relevant elements. 

– 

Certification (Art. 10) 

Sending organisations that would like to select, prepare and deploy EU Aid Volunteers will 
have  to  be  certified  for  compliance  with  these  standards.  They  should  meet  different 
eligibility  requirements  and  follow  a  differentiated  certification  procedure  (to  be  defined  in 
implementing acts), taking into account their nature and capacity (e.g. Member States' public 
bodies,  NGOs).  Civil  protection  and  development  cooperation  actors  acting  in  the  field  of 
humanitarian  aid  shall  also  be  considered  eligible.  A  differentiated  certification  mechanism 
will  be  established  for  eligible  hosting  organisations.Although  private  companies  are  not 
eligible  as  sending  or  hosting  organisations,  they  can  be  associated  to  the  projects  and  co-
finance part of the costs of the volunteer to encourage corporate volunteering as called for in 
Communication "A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility"11. 

9 
10 
11 

OJ C 25, 2008, p.1. 
OJ L11, 2003, p.1. 
COM(2011) 681 final. 

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– 

Identification and selection of candidate volunteers (Art. 11) 

The  EU  Aid  Volunteers  are  open  for  participation  to  Union  citizens  as  well  as  nationals 
legally residing in the EU on a long term basis. Subject to agreements as referred to in Article 
23(1),  citizens  from  candidate  and  potential  candidate  countries  and  from  partner  countries 
from the European Neighbourhood Policy may apply to become EU Aid Volunteers.  

On the basis of an annual work programme, the Commission will publish calls for proposals 
for the identification and selection of candidate volunteers by certified sending organisations. 
Sending  organisations  that  have  been  awarded  the  contracts  in  response  to  these  calls  will 
identify  and  select  candidate  volunteers  for  training  after  prior  assessment  of  the  needs  in 
third countries by sending or hosting organisations or other relevant actors. 

– 

Training and pre-deployment preparation (Art. 12) 

The selected candidate volunteers will undergo tailor-made training, taking into account their 
prior experience. The training programme will be organised by the Commission and will be 
implemented  by  organisations  with  specific  training  expertise.  In  addition,  as  part  of  their 
training  and  depending  on  their  training  needs,  candidate  volunteers  will  be  able  to  gain 
practical  experience  through  apprenticeship  placements  or  other  forms  of  short  term  pre-
deployment preparation given by certified sending organisations.  

– 

Register of EU Aid Volunteers (Art. 13) 

Candidate  volunteers  should  be  assessed  for  their  preparedness  to  be  deployed  in  third 
countries. If successful, they should be included in a Register of EU Aid Volunteers eligible 
for  deployment  which  will  be  managed  by  the  Commission.  The  Register  will  also  include 
volunteers  who  have  already  been  deployed,  if  they  are  willing  to  be  considered  for  future 
deployment.  

– 

Deployment of EU Aid Volunteers in third countries (Art. 14) 

On the basis of its annual work programme, the Commission will publish calls for proposals 
for  the  deployment  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  by  certified  sending  organisations.  Sending 
organisations  that  have  been  awarded  the  contracts  in  response  to  these  calls  can  select 
volunteers from the Register and deploy them to hosting organisations. The Commission may 
also deploy volunteers from the Register to the Commission’s humanitarian aid field offices 
or  in  response  operations  in  third  countries  through  the  Emergency  Response  Centre12  that 
facilitates the Union response to disasters. The specific terms of deployment will be set-out in 
a contract between the sending organisation and the volunteer.  

12 

Established by Decision X/XX on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism 

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– 

Capacity building of hosting organisations (Art. 15) 

Through  this  action,  the  Commission  can  support  capacity  building  actions  of  the  hosting 
organisations so as to ensure effective management of the EU Aid Volunteers and sustainable 
impact of their work, including the promotion of local volunteering. 

– 

EU Aid Volunteers' Network (Art. 16) 

This  action  envisages  the  establishment  of  an  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  Network  which  will  be 
managed by the Commission. It will consist of and facilitate interaction between the EU Aid 
Volunteers and will also carry out specific activities, notably through knowledge sharing and 
dissemination of information. It shall also support activities such as seminars, workshops and 
alumni activities.  

– 

Communication, awareness raising and visibility (Art. 17)  

This action will support public information, communication and awareness raising actions to 
promote  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  and  to  encourage  volunteering  in  humanitarian  aid.  The 
Commission  will  develop  an  information  and  communication  action  plan,  which  will  be 
implemented by all beneficiaries, in particular sending and hosting organisations.  

The Commission is empowered to adopt modalities of some of the actions through delegated 
acts (as foreseen in Art. 25) on standards and amending indicators for operational objectives; 
or through implementing acts (Art. 24) including the certification mechanism and modalities 
of the training programme). 

Legal basis 

The  legal  basis  of  this  proposal  is  Article  214(5)  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the 
European Union. 

Subsidiarity principle 

As the establishment of the EU Aid Volunteers by the Union is envisaged in a specific legal 
basis in the Treaty, the subsidiarity principle does not apply. 

Proportionality principle332 

The  proposal  addresses  identified  gaps  in  existing  volunteering  schemes  and  does  not  go 
beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives. 

The  administrative  burden  falling  upon  the  Union  is  limited  and  ensures  the  conditions 
necessary  for  the  deployment  of  volunteers  in  humanitarian  aid  operations,  including  the 
development  of  standards,  certification  mechanism,  a  training  programme  and  a  Register  of 
trained  volunteers.  The  main  actions  concerning  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  related  to  the 
identifiation,  selection,  preparation  and  deployment  of  volunteers  will  be  decentralised  and 
implemented  by  sending  and  hosting  organisations.  The  Commission  has  furthermore  the 
intention to delegate the programme management to an executive agency.  

Choice of instrument 

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 

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4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION  

The  Commission's  Communication  on  a  'Budget  for  Europe  2020'13  envisages  budgetary 
commitments for the establishment of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EU 
Aid Volunteers) of EUR 239.1 million in current prices. 

13 

COM(2011) 500 final. 

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2012/0245 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

Establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps 

EU Aid Volunteers 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 214(5) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After consultation of the European Data Protection Supervisor,  

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Solidarity  is  a  fundamental  value  of  the  Union  and  there  is  potential  for  further 
developing  means  of  expressing  solidarity  of  Union  citizens  with  people  in  third 
countries vulnerable to or affected by man-made crises or natural disasters.  

Volunteering is a concrete and visible expression of solidarity allowing individuals to 
dedicate  their  knowledge,  skills  and  time  to  the  service  of  fellow  human  beings, 
without a primary concern for financial gain.  

The Union's vision of humanitarian aid, including a common objective, principles and 
good practice and a common framework to deliver the Union's humanitarian aid, is set 
out  in  the  "European  Consensus  on  Humanitarian  Aid"14.  The  European  Consensus 
underlines the Union's firm commitment to upholding and promoting the fundamental 
humanitarian  principles  of  humanity,  neutrality,  impartiality  and  independence.  The 
actions of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (hereinafter referred to as 
the  'EU  Aid  Volunteers')  should  be  guided  by  the  European  Consensus  on 
Humanitarian Aid. 

(4) 

The Union's humanitarian aid is delivered in situations where other instruments related 
to development cooperation, crisis management and civil protection operate. The EU 
Aid Volunteers should work in a coherent and complementarity manner with relevant 
policies and instruments in order to make the most effective use of these instruments 

14 

OJ C 25, 2008, p.1.  

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(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

while  systematically  promoting  humanitarian  principles  and  long-term  development 
goals.  Synergies  of  the  actions  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  should  be  sought  with  the 
Union  Civil  Protection  Mechanism,  the  Emergency  Response  Centre  established  by 
Decision  XX/XXXX15  and  with  the  EEAS  and  the  EU  Delegations  in  order  to 
coordinate the Union's response to humanitarian crises in third countries.  

The number, scope and complexity of humanitarian crises worldwide have increased 
significantly  over  the  years  leading  to  a  rising  demand  on  humanitarian  actors  to 
provide an effective, efficient and coherent response and to support third country local 
communities in order to make them less vulnerable and to strengthen their resilience to 
disasters.  

Volunteers  can  strengthen  humanitarian  aid  operations  and  contribute  to  the 
professionalization of humanitarian aid when they are adequately selected, trained and 
prepared  for  deployment  so  as  to  ensure  that  they  have  the  necessary  skills  and 
competences to help people in need in the most effective way. 

Volunteering  schemes  exist  in  Europe  and  worldwide  focusing  on  third  country 
deployment. These are often national schemes which  focus mainly or exclusively on 
development projects. The EU Aid Volunteers should, therefore, avoid duplication and 
should  add  value  by  providing  opportunities  to  volunteers  to  jointly  contribute  to 
humanitarian aid operations thus reinforcing active European Union citizenship and by 
fostering transnational cooperation of implementing organisations participating in the 
actions of the Corps.  

There are gaps in the current landscape of humanitarian volunteering that the EU Aid 
Volunteers can fill with the volunteers with the right profiles deployed at the right time 
to  the  right  place.  This  could  be  achieved  notably  through  providing  European 
standards on identification and selection of humanitarian volunteers, commonly agreed 
benchmarks  for  training  and  preparation  of  humanitarian  volunteers  for  deployment, 
improved registers of potential volunteers who are identified based on the needs in the 
field,  and  opportunities  for  volunteers  to  contribute  to  humanitarian  operations  not 
only  by  deployment  but  also  through  back-office  support  and  online-volunteering 
activities.16  

(9) 

Security and safety of the volunteers should remain of paramount importance. 

(10)  The  Union  carries  out 

its  humanitarian  aid  operations 

in  partnership  with 
implementing  organisations.  These  organisations  should  play  a  significant  role  in 
implementing  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  initiative  to  ensure  ownership  of  the  actors  in 
the  field  and  to  maximise  the  potential  uptake  of  the  Voluntary  Corps'  actions.  The 
Union  should  entrust  implementing  organisations  notably  with  the  identification, 
selection,  preparation  and  deployment  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  in  accordance  with 
standards  established  by  the  Commission.  The  Commission  should,  in  addition,  be 
able to draw upon successfully trained and prepared volunteers for deployment, where 
appropriate.  

15 
16 

Not yet published. 
Commission  Communication  COM(2010)  683  "How  to  express  EU  citizens’  solidarity  through 
volunteering: First reflections on a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps" (OJ C 121/59, 2011). 

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(11)  Private  companies  can  play  an  important  role  and  contribute  to  the  Union's 

humanitarian operations notably through employee volunteering17. 

(12)  Volunteering in humanitarian aid could help maintain young people active, contribute 
to  their  personal  development  and  intercultural  awareness,  and  improve  their 
competences  and  employability  in  global  economy.  It  would,  thus,  contribute  to  the 
'Youth Opportunities Initiative'18 and to a range of other key objectives of the Union 
such  as  social  inclusion,  employment,  active  citizenship,  education,  and  skills 
development19. 

(13)  The  Union's  principles  of  equal  opportunities  and  non-discrimination  suggest  that 
Union citizens and long-term residents in the Union of all walks of life and age should 
be able to engage as active citizens. Given the specific challenges of the humanitarian 
context, participants of the EU Aid Volunteers should be aged over 18. 

(14)  A clear legal status is a crucial precondition for volunteers to participate in deployment 
in countries outside the Union. The terms of deployment of the volunteers should be 
defined contractually, including standards for protection and safety of the volunteers, 
responsibilities of the sending and hosting organisations, insurance coverage, coverage 
of subsistence, accommodation and other relevant expenses. Volunteers' eligibility for 
deployment  in  third  countries  should  be  subject  to  adequate  safety  and  security 
arrangements. 

(15)  The  EU  Aid  Volunteers  should  support  local  humanitarian  aid  organisations  in  third 
countries. Its activities should increase the hosting organisations' capacity to deal with 
humanitarian  crises  and  to  professionally  manage  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers,  to 
effectively  use  their  skills  and  competences  and  to  ensure  that  the  volunteers' 
contributions  have  a  sustainable  impact  on  local  communities  thereby  assisting  the 
people in need affected by humanitarian crises, who are the final beneficiaries of the 
Union's humanitarian aid. 

(16)  The financial provisions of this Regulation should apply as of 1 January 2014 as they 
are  related  to  the  Multi-annual  Financial  Framework  2014-2020.  The  allocation  of 
financial  assistance  should  be  implemented  in  accordance  with  Regulation  No 
xxx/201220  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Union  (the  Financial 
Regulation).  Due  to  the  specific  nature  of  action  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers,  it  is 
appropriate to provide that financial assistance may be awarded to natural, public and 
private law legal persons. It is also important to ensure that the rules of that Regulation 
are  respected,  in  particular  regarding  the  principles  of  economy,  efficiency  and 
effectiveness laid down therein. 

(17)  The  financial  interests  of  the  Union  should  be  protected  through  proportionate 
measures  throughout  the  expenditure  cycle,  including  the  prevention,  detection  and 

17 

18 
19 

20 

Commission Communication on "A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility" 
COM(2011) 681 final (OJ C 37, 2012, p.24). 
Commission Communication COM(2011) 933 (OJ C 102, 2012, p.35) . 
Commission  Communication  COM(2011)  568  "EU  Policies  and  Volunteering:  Recognising  and 
Promoting Cross border Voluntary Activities in the EU" (OJ C 335, 2011, p.19), 
Not yet published.  

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investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly 
used  and,  where  appropriate,  penalties.  Appropriate  measures  should  be  taken  to 
prevent  irregularities  and  fraud  and  the  necessary  steps  taken  to  recover  funds  lost, 
wrongly  paid  or  incorrectly  used  in  accordance  with  Council  Regulation  (EC, 
Euratom)  No  2988/95  of  18  December  1995  on  the  protection  of  the  Communities 
financial interests21, Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 
1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in 
order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other 
irregularities22 and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of 
the  Council  of  25  May  1999  concerning  investigations  conducted  by  the  European 
Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)23. 

(18)  Participation  of  third  countries,  in  particular  acceding,  candidate,  EFTA  and  partner 
countries  of  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy,  should  be  possible  on  the  basis  of 
cooperation conventions. 

(19) 

(20) 

In order to allow for continuous feedback and improvement, the power to adopt acts in 
accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
should  be  delegated  to  the  Commission  in  respect  of  provisions  relating  to  the 
standards  for  management  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  and  the  amendment  of  the 
performance indicators. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out 
appropriate  consultations  during  its  preparatory  work,  including  at  expert  level.  The 
Commission,  when  preparing  and  drawing-up  delegated  acts,  should  ensure  a 
simultaneous,  timely  and  appropriate  transmission  of  relevant  documents  to  the 
European Parliament and Council. 

In  order  to  ensure  uniform  conditions  for  the  implementation  of  this  Regulation, 
implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should 
be  exercised  in  accordance  with  Regulation  (EU)  No  182/2011  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general 
principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s 
exercise of implementing powers.24 The examination procedure should be used for the 
adoption of the certification mechanism, the training programme and the annual work 
programme of the Corps.  

(21)  This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles which are 

recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.  

(22)  The  processing  of  personal  data  that  is  carried  out  within  the  framework  of  this 
Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary and proportionate for the purposes of 
ensuring the smooth running of the EU Aid Volunteers' initiative. Any processing of 
personal data by the Commission will be governed by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of 
the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of 
individuals  with  regard  to  the  processing  of  personal  data  by  the  Community 

21 
22 
23 
24 

OJ L 312, 1995, p.1. 
OJ L 292, 1996, p.2. 
OJ L 136, 1999, p.1. 
OJ L 55, 2011, p.13. 

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institutions  and  bodies  and  on  the  free  movement  of  such  data25.  Any  processing  of 
personal data by implementing organizations legally established in the Union will be 
governed by the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC26.  

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Chapter I 
Objectives, Scope and Definitions 

Article 1 
Subject matter  

This  Regulation  establishes  a  European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Corps  (hereinafter 
referred to as 'the EU Aid Volunteers') as a framework for joint contributions from European 
volunteers in humanitarian aid operations of the Union. 

This  Regulation  lays  down  the  rules  and  procedures  for  the  operation  of  the  EU  Aid 
Volunteers and rules for the provision of financial assistance. 

This Regulation shall apply to:  

Article 2 
Scope 

1. 

2. 

3. 

deployment of EU Aid Volunteers in humanitarian aid operations in third countries.  

actions  inside  the  Union  that  support,  promote  and  prepare  the  deployment  of  EU 
Aid Volunteers in humanitarian aid operations.  

actions  inside  and  outside  the  Union  aimed  at  building  the  capacity  of  hosting 
organisations in third countries in view of the management of EU Aid Volunteers. 

Article 3 
Objective 

The objective of the EU Aid Volunteers shall be to express the Union's humanitarian values 
and solidarity with people in need, through the promotion of an effective and visible EU Aid 
Volunteers'  initiative,  which  contributes  to  strengthening  the  Union's  capacity  to  respond  to 
humanitarian  crises  and  to  building  the  capacity  and  resilience  of  vulnerable  or  disaster-
affected communities in third countries. 

25 
26 

OJ L 8, 2001, p.1. 
OJ L 281, 1995, p. 31. 

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Article 4 
General principles 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The  actions  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  shall  be  conducted  in  compliance  with  the 
humanitarian aid principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.  

The actions of the EU Aid Volunteers shall respond to the need of local communities 
and  hosting  organisations  and  should  contribute  to  the  professionalization  of  the 
provision of humanitarian aid. 

The safety and security of volunteers shall be a priority. 

The  EU  Aid  Volunteers  shall  promote  common  activities  and  participation  of 
volunteers  from  different  countries  and  foster  joint  projects  and  transnational 
partnerships between implementing organisations as referred to in Article 10. 

Article 5 
Definitions 

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

'volunteer' means a person who chooses, out of free will and motivation and without 
a  primary  concern  for  financial  gain,  to  engage  in  activities  that  benefit  the 
community, him or herself, and society at large.  

'candidate  volunteer'  means  a  person  eligible  in  the  sense  of  Article  11(1)  applying 
for participation in the activities of the EU Aid Volunteers. 

an  'EU  Aid  Volunteer'  means  a  candidate  volunteer  that  has  been  selected,  trained, 
assessed  as  eligible  and  registered  as  available  for  deployment  in  humanitarian  aid 
operations in third countries. 

'humanitarian  aid'  means  activities  and  operations  intended  to  provide  needs-based 
emergency  assistance  aimed  at  preserving  life,  preventing  and  alleviating  human 
suffering  and  maintaining  human  dignity  in  the  face  of  man-made  crises  or  natural 
disasters. It encompasses assistance, relief and protection operations in humanitarian 
crises or their immediate aftermath, supporting measures to ensure access to people 
in  need  and  to  facilitate  the  free  flow  of  assistance,  as  well  as  actions  aimed  at 
reinforcing  disaster  preparedness  and  disaster  risk  reduction,  and  contributing 
towards strengthening resilience and capacity to cope with, and recover from, crises.  

(e) 

'third country' means a country outside the Union where humanitarian aid activities 
and operations as referred to under (d) take place. 

Article 6 
Coherence and complementarities of the Union action  

1. 

In  implementing  the  Regulation,  coherence  shall  be  ensured  with  other  areas  of 
Union's  external  action  and  with  other  relevant  Union  policies.  Particular  attention 

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14 

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shall  be  given  to  ensure  smooth  transition  between  relief,  rehabilitation  and 
development. 

2. 

3. 

The Commission and the Member States shall cooperate to improve the consistency 
and coherence between relevant national volunteering schemes and the actions of the 
EU Aid Volunteers. 

The  Union  shall  foster  cooperation  with  relevant  international  organisation,  in 
particular the United Nations, and other humanitarian aid partners in implementation 
of the actions of the EU Aid Volunteers. 

Article 7 
Operational objectives 

1. 

The EU Aid Volunteers shall pursue the following operational objectives: 

(a) 

Increase  in  and  improvement  of  the  capacity  of  the  Union  to  provide 
humanitarian aid. 

Progress towards the achievement of this operational objective shall be assessed on 
the basis of indicators, such as: 

– 

– 

(b) 

the number of EU Aid Volunteers  deployed or ready for deployment; 

the number of people reached by humanitarian aid provided by the Union. 

Improvement  of  the  skills  and  competences  of  volunteers  in  the  field  of 
humanitarian aid and the conditions under which they are working. 

Progress towards the achievement of this operational objective shall be assessed on 
the basis of indicators, such as: 

– 

– 

the number of volunteers trained and the quality of the training on the basis of 
the reviews and level of satisfaction;  

the  number  of  certified  sending  organisations  applying  the  standards  for 
deployment and management of EU Aid Volunteers. 

(c)  Building the capacity of hosting organisations and foster volunteering in third 

countries. 

Progress towards the achievement of this operational objective shall be assessed on 
the basis of indicators, such as: 

– 

– 

the number and type of capacity building actions; 

the  number  of  third  country  staff  and  volunteers  participating  in  the  capacity 
building actions. 

(d)  Promotion of the visibility of the Union's humanitarian aid values.  

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Progress towards the achievement of this operational objective shall be assessed on 
the basis of indicators, such as: 

– 

– 

the EU Aid Volunteers' level of knowledge about EU humanitarian aid;  

the  level  of  awareness  about  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  among  the  targeted 
population  in  the  Union,  the  participating  and  benefitting  third  country 
communities and other humanitarian actors. 

(e)  Enhancement  of  coherence  and  consistency  of  volunteering  across  Member 
States  in  order  to  improve  opportunities  for  Union  citizens  to  participate  in 
humanitarian aid activities and operations. 

Progress towards the achievement of this operational objective shall be assessed on 
the basis of indicators, such as: 

– 

– 

the number of certified sending organisations; 

dissemination  and  replication  of  the  standards  on  management  of  EU  Aid 
Volunteers by other volunteering schemes. 

2. 

The indicators referred to under paragraph 1(a) to (e) shall be used for monitoring, 
evaluation and review of performance as appropriate. They are indicative and may be 
amended in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 25 in order to take 
into account experience from the progress measurement.  

CHAPTER II 
ACTIONS OF THE EU AID VOLUNTEERS 

Article 8  
Actions of the EU Aid Volunteers 

The EU Aid Volunteers shall pursue the objectives referred to in Articles 3 and 7 through the 
following types of actions: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Development  and  maintenance  of  standards  regarding  candidate  and  EU  Aid 
Volunteers;  

Development  and  maintenance  of  a  certification  mechanism  for  sending  and 
hosting organisations; 

Identification and selection of candidate volunteers; 

Establishment  of  a  training  programme  and  support  for  training  and 
apprenticeship placements; 

Establishment, maintenance and updating of a Register of EU Aid Volunteers; 

Deployment  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  in  third  countries  for  humanitarian  aid 
activities and operations; 

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– 

– 

– 

– 

Capacity building of hosting organisations; 

Establishment and management of an EU Aid Volunteers' Network;  

Communication, awareness raising and visibility; 

Ancillary  activity 
effectiveness of the EU Aid Volunteers.  

furthers 

that 

the  accountability, 

transparency  and 

Article 9 
Standards regarding candidate and EU Aid Volunteers  

1. 

The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 25 in order to 
establish standards for: 

2. 

1. 

2. 

(a) 

the  identification,  selection  and  preparation  of  candidate  volunteers  for 
deployment in humanitarian aid operations; 

(b)  management and deployment of EU Aid Volunteers in third countries. 

These standards shall ensure duty of care and cover notably the responsibilities of the 
sending  and  hosting  organisations,  minimum  requirements  on  the  coverage  of 
subsistence,  accommodation  and  other  relevant  expenses,  insurance  coverage, 
security procedures and other relevant elements. 

Article 10 
Certification 

The  Commission  shall  establish  a  certification  mechanism  ensuring  that  sending 
organisations comply with the standards referred to in Article 9 and a differentiated 
certification mechanism for hosting organisations. 

Sending organisations shall be eligible for certification, if they are active in the field 
of  humanitarian  aid  as  defined  in  Article  5(d)  and  if  they  belong  to  any  of  the 
following categories: 

(a)  Non-governmental  not-for-profit  organisations  formed  in  accordance  with  the 

law of a Member State and whose headquarters are located within the Union; 

(b)  The  International  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  (ICRC)  and  the  International 

Federation of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; 

(c)  Public law bodies governed by the law of a Member State.  

Non-governmental  not-for-profit  organisations  and  public  law  bodies  established  in 
the countries referred to in Article 23 shall also be eligible for certification under the 
conditions laid down in that Article and the agreements mentioned therein.  

3. 

Organisations  in  third  countries  that  adhere  to  the  standards  referred  to  in  Article 
9(1)(b)  shall  be  eligible  as  hosting  organisations  if  they  are  active  in  the  field  of 

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humanitarian  aid  as  defined  in  Article  5(d)  and  belong  to  any  of  the  following 
categories: 

(a)  Non-governmental  not-for-profit  organisations  operating  or  established  in  a 

third country under the laws in force in that country;  

(b)  Public law bodies governed by the law of a third country; 

(c) 

International agencies and organisations. 

Without prejudice to the requirements referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3, sending and 
hosting  organisations  may  implement  actions  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  in 
association with for-profit private organisations.  

The  functioning  and  modalities  of  the  certification  mechanisms  shall  be  adopted 
through  implementing  acts  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  referred  to  in  Article 
24(2).  

Article 11 
Identification and selection of candidate volunteers 

Citizens  of  the  Union,  third  country  nationals  who  are  long-term  residents  in  a 
Member State of the Union and citizens from countries and organisations referred to 
in  Article  23(1)  under  the  conditions  mentioned  in  that  article,  aged  18  years  and 
over are eligible to apply as candidate volunteers.  

On the basis of prior assessment of the needs in third countries by sending or hosting 
organisations  or  other  relevant  actors,  certified  sending  organisations  may  identify 
and select candidate volunteers for training. 

The  identification  and  selection  of  candidate  volunteers  shall  comply  with  the 
standards referred to in Article 9(1)(a).  

Article 12 
Training of candidate volunteers and apprenticeship placements 

The  Commission  shall  establish  a  training  programme  in  order  to  prepare  the 
candidate  volunteers  for  undertaking  humanitarian  activities  and  for  deployment  in 
humanitarian aid operations. 

Candidate  volunteers  who  have  been  identified  and  selected  in  accordance  with 
Article 11 shall be eligible to participate in the training programme. The individual 
scope and content of the training each candidate volunteer needs to accomplish shall 
be determined on the basis of his or her needs taking into account prior experience. 

As  part  of  their  training  and  notably  their  preparation  for  deployment  candidate 
volunteers  may  undertake  apprenticeship  placements 
in  certified  sending 
organisations, where possible in a country other than their country of origin. 

Without prejudice to paragraph 3, candidate volunteers who have not benefited from 
an  apprenticeship  placement  may  be  given,  where  appropriate,  additional  pre-

4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

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deployment preparation by certified sending organisations. This preparation and the 
apprenticeship placement shall comply with the standards for preparation referred to 
in Article 9(1)(a). 

The  training  programme  shall  include  an  assessment  of  the  candidate  volunteers' 
readiness to be deployed in humanitarian aid operations.  

The  modalities  of  the  training  programme  and  the  procedure  of  assessing  the 
candidate  volunteers'  readiness 
through 
implementing acts in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 24(2).  

to  be  deployed  shall  be  adopted 

Article 13 
Register of EU Aid Volunteers 

Candidate  volunteers  who  have  successfully  passed  the  assessment  referred  to  in 
Article 12(5) shall be considered EU Aid Volunteers. They can be as such included 
in  the  Register  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  'the  Register')  and 
shall be eligible for deployment. 

The Commission shall establish, maintain and update the Register and shall regulate 
the access and the use of it.  

5. 

6. 

1. 

2. 

Article 14 
Deployment of EU Aid Volunteers in third countries 

1. 

EU  Aid  Volunteers  included  in  the  Register  may  be  deployed  in  humanitarian  aid 
activities and operations as defined in Article 5(d):  

2. 

3. 

4. 

(a)  by certified sending organisations to hosting organisations in third countries, or 

(b)  by  the  Commission  to  the  Commission's  humanitarian  aid  field  offices  or  in 

response operations in third countries. 

For deployment as referred to in paragraph 1(a), certified sending organisations shall 
ensure compliance with the standards referred to in article 9. 

The specific terms of deployment of volunteers shall be set-out in a contract between 
the  sending  organisations  and  the  volunteer,  including  the  duration  and  location  of 
deployment and the tasks of the volunteer.  

For  deployment  as  referred  to  in  paragraph  1(b),  the  Commission  shall  sign  a 
'volunteer  deployment  contract'  with  the  volunteers,  defining  specific  terms  and 
conditions of deployment. Volunteer deployment contracts shall not confer upon the 
volunteer rights and obligations arising from the 'Staff Regulations of the Officials of 
the  European  Union'  and  the  'Conditions  of  Employment  of  Other  Servants  of  the 
European Union'. 

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Article 15 
Capacity building of hosting organisations 

The  Commission  shall  support  actions  aimed  at  strengthening  capacity  of  hosting 
organisations  in  order  to  ensure  the  effectiveness  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  and  sustainable 
impact of their work, including: 

(a) 

(b) 

training  in  volunteer  management,  coaching,  disaster  preparedness  and 
response  and  other  relevant  areas  for  staff  and  volunteers  from  hosting 
organisations;  

exchange  of  best  practices,  technical  assistance,  twinning  programmes  and 
exchange  of  staff  and  volunteers,  creation  of  networks  and  other  relevant 
actions  aiming  to  improve  the  management  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  in  third 
countries and to encourage and support quality volunteering in third countries. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

Article 16 
EU Aid Volunteers' Network  

The  Commission  shall  establish  and  manage  a  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  Network 
(hereinafter referred to as 'the Network').  

The  Network  shall  facilitate  interaction  among  candidate  volunteers  and  EU  Aid 
Volunteers who are participating or have participated in the initiative; between these 
volunteers  and  other  beneficiaries  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers,  notably  by  those 
referred  to  in  Article  15;  and  among  other  relevant  actors.  It  shall  provide 
opportunities  for  virtual  interaction,  notably  through  knowledge  sharing  and 
dissemination of information on the EU Aid Volunteers' initiative; and shall support 
other appropriate activities such as seminars and workshops.  

The Network shall also provide and promote opportunities for on-line volunteering to 
complement and reinforce the activities of the EU Aid Volunteers. 

Article 17 
Communication, awareness raising and visibility  

The  Commission  shall  support  public  information,  communication  and  awareness 
raising  actions  to  promote  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  initiative  and  to  encourage 
volunteering  in  humanitarian  aid  within  the  Union  and  in  the  third  countries 
benefitting from its actions. 

The Commission shall develop an information and communication action plan on the 
objectives,  actions  and  results  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  which  shall  define 
communication  and  dissemination  activities  towards  the  public,  in  particular  the 
European citizens and towards future potential candidate volunteers and beneficiaries 
of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  actions.  All  beneficiaries  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers, 
notably sending and hosting organisations, shall implement this action plan.  

3. 

EU  Aid  Volunteers  shall,  where  necessary  with  the  assistance  and  direction  of  the 
information, 
sending  and  hosting  organisations,  participate 

in  appropriate 

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communication and awareness raising activities before, during and after deployment 
to  promote  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  and  their  engagement  therein.  The  Commission 
shall define those activities, which shall not impose disproportionate obligations on 
the volunteers. 

CHAPTER III 
Financial provisions 

Article 18 
Eligible actions 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The actions referred to in Article 8 shall be eligible for financial assistance, including 
the  measures  necessary  for  their  implementation  as  well  as  measures  aimed  at 
strengthening  the  coordination  between  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  initiative  and  other 
relevant schemes at national and international level. 

The  financial  allocation  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  may  also  cover  expenses 
pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, which 
are  required  for  the  management  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  initiative  and  the 
achievement of its objectives. 

Such expenditure may, in particular, cover studies, meetings of experts, information 
and  communication  actions,  including  corporate  communication  of  the  policy 
priorities  of  the  Union,  as  far  as  they  are  related  to  the  general  objectives  of  this 
Regulation, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information processing and 
exchange (including their interconnection with existing or future systems designed to 
promote cross-sectoral data exchange and related equipment), together with all other 
technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission. 

Article 19 
Financial beneficiaries 

Financial  assistance  under  this  Regulation  may  be  awarded  to  natural  persons  and  legal 
persons,  whether  governed  by  private  or  public  law,  which  shall  then  be  deemed  financial 
beneficiaries in the sense of the Financial Regulation XX/2012. 

Article 20 
Budgetary resources 

The financial reference amount for the implementation of this Regulation for the period 2014 
to  2020  shall  be  EUR  239.100.000  at  current  prices.  If  necessary,  appropriations  could  be 
entered  in  the  budget  beyond  2020  to  cover  similar  expenses,  in  order  to  enable  the 
management of actions not yet completed by 31 December 2020. 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Article 21 
Types of financial intervention and implementing procedures 

The Commission shall implement the Union's financial assistance in accordance with 
the Financial Regulation XX/2012 applicable to the budget of the Union. 

Financial assistance under this Regulation may take any of the forms provided by the 
Financial Regulation. 

In order to implement this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt an annual work 
programme  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers'  initiative  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
referred  to  in  Article  24(2).  It  shall  set  out  the  objectives  pursued,  the  expected 
results, the method of implementation and their total amount. It shall also contain the 
description of actions to be financed, an  indication  of the amount allocated to each 
action and an indicative implementation timetable. For grants, they shall include the 
priorities, the essential evaluation criteria and the maximum rate of co-financing. 

The  Commission  may  consider  the  added-value  and  management  advantages  of 
creating an EU Trust Fund. 

Article 22 
Protection of the financial interests of the Union 

The  Commission  shall  take  appropriate  measures  ensuring  that,  when  actions 
financed under this Regulation are implemented, the financial interests of the Union 
are protected by the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and 
any other  illegal  activities by effective checks and, if irregularities are detected, by 
the  recovery  of  the  amounts  wrongly  paid  and,  where  appropriate,  by  effective, 
proportionate and deterrent penalties. 

The  Commission  or  its  representatives  and  the  Court  of  Auditors  shall  have  the 
power  of  audit,  on  the  basis  of  documents  and  on  the  spot,  over  all  grant 
beneficiaries, contractors and subcontractors, who have received Union funds under 
this Regulation. 

The  European  Anti-fraud  Office  (OLAF)  may  carry  out  on-the-spot  checks  and 
inspections on economic operators concerned directly or indirectly by such funding 
in  accordance  with  the  procedures  laid  down  in  Regulation  (Euratom,  EC)  No 
2185/96 with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any 
other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union in connection with 
a grant agreement, grant decision or a contract concerning Union funding. 

Without prejudice to paragraphs 1 and 2, cooperation agreements with third countries 
and  international  organisations,  grant  agreements,  grant  decisions  and  contracts 
resulting  from  the  implementation  of  this  Regulation  shall  expressly  empower  the 
Commission,  the  Court  of  Auditors  and  OLAF  to  conduct  such  audits,  on-the-spot 
checks and inspections. 

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CHAPTER IV 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Article 23 
Cooperation with other countries and international organisations 

1. 

The EU Aid Volunteers shall be open to participation of: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

citizens  and  sending  organisations  from  acceding  countries,  candidate 
countries, potential candidates countries and partner countries of the European 
Neighbourhood  Policy  in  accordance  with  the  general  principles  and  general 
terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  those  countries  in  Union's 
programmes  established  in  the  respective  Framework  Agreements  and 
Association Council Decisions, or similar arrangements; 

citizens  and  sending  organisations  from  European  Free  Trade  Association 
(EFTA) countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), 
in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement; 

citizens  and  sending  organisations  from  other  European  countries,  subject  to 
the conclusion of bilateral agreements with those countries. 

staff from international organisations who meet the eligibility criteria referred 
to in Article 11(1).  

(2) 

This  cooperation  shall  be  based,  where  relevant,  on  additional  appropriations  from 
these participating countries to be made available in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with these countries. 

Article 24 
Committee procedure 

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall be assisted by the committee established under Article 17 (1) 
of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1257/96  concerning  humanitarian  aid.  That 
committee  shall  be  a  committee  within  the  meaning  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 
182/2011. 

Where  reference  is  made  to  this  paragraph,  Article  5  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 
182/2011 shall apply. 

Article 25 
Exercise of the delegated powers to the Commission 

1. 

The  power  to  adopt  delegated  acts  is  conferred  on  the  Commission  subject  to  the 
conditions laid down in this Article. 

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2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The  power  to  adopt  delegated  acts  referred  to  in  Articles  7(2)  and  9  shall  be 
conferred on the Commission for a period of 7 years from the date of entry into force 
of this Regulation. 

The delegation of power may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or 
by  the  Council.  A  decision  of  revocation  shall  put  an  end  to  the  delegation  of  the 
power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication 
of  the  decision  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the  European  Union  or  at  a  later  date 
specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 

As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to 
the European Parliament and to the Council. 

An  adopted  delegated  act  shall  enter  into  force  only  if  no  objection  has  been 
expressed  either  by  the  European  Parliament  or  the  Council  within  a  period  of  2 
months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, 
before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both 
informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by 
2 months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council. 

Article 26 
Monitoring and evaluation  

implementation,  and  regularly  evaluated 

Actions receiving financial assistance shall be monitored regularly in order to follow 
their 
independent  external 
evaluation  to  assess  the  efficiency,  effectiveness  and  their  impacts  against  the 
objectives  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers.  This  monitoring  and  evaluation  shall  include 
the reports referred to in paragraph 5 and other activities on specific aspects of this 
Regulation which may be launched at any time during its implementation.  

through 

In  the  evaluation  phase,  the  Commission  shall  ensure  regular  consultation  of  all 
relevant  stakeholders,  including  volunteers,  sending  and  hosting  organisations, 
assisted  local  population,  humanitarian  organisations  and  workers  in  the  field.  The 
results  of  the  evaluation  shall  feed  back  into  the  programme  design  and  resource 
allocation.  

Sending organisations deploying volunteers in operations outside the Union shall be 
responsible for the monitoring of their activities and shall submit to the Commission 
monitoring reports on a regular basis. 

The Commission shall regularly inform the EEAS and the EU Delegations about the 
activities of the EU Aid Volunteers in accordance with relevant working agreements. 

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council: 

(a) 

an  interim  evaluation  report  on  the  results  obtained  and  the  qualitative  and 
quantitative  aspects  of  the  implementation  of  this  Regulation  during  the  first 
three years of its implementation no later than 31 December 2017; 

(b) 

a Communication on the continued implementation of this Regulation no later 
than 31 December 2018; 

EN 

24 

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(c) 

an ex post evaluation report no later than 31 December 2021.  

The conclusions of the reports shall be accompanied, if appropriate, by proposals for 
amendment of this Regulation. 

CHAPTER V 
FINAL PROVISIONS 

Article 27 
Entry into force 

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union.  

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

[to be used for any proposal or initiative submitted to the legislative authority 

(Articles 28 of the Financial Regulation and 22 of the implementing rules)] 

1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1.  Title of the proposal/initiative  

1.2.  Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure 

1.3.  Nature of the proposal/initiative  

1.4.  Objective(s)  

1.5.  Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.6.  Duration and financial impact  

1.7.  Management method(s) envisaged  

2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

2.2.  Management and control system  

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

3. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

3.1.  Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) 
affected  

3.2.  Estimated impact on expenditure  

3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on expenditure  

3.2.2. Estimated impact on operational appropriations  

3.2.3. Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 

3.2.4. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework 

3.2.5. Third-party participation in financing  

3.3.  Estimated impact on revenue 

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26 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1. 

Title of the proposal/initiative  

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council 

Establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps 

1.2. 

Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure27  

Policy Area concerned and associated Activity/Activities: 

Policy Area 23 Humanitarian Aid 

23 02 04 – European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps 

1.3. 

Nature of the proposal/initiative  

(cid:133) The proposal/initiative relates to a new action  

X  The  proposal/initiative  relates  to  a  new  action  following  a  pilot  project/preparatory 
action28  

(cid:133) The proposal/initiative relates to the extension of an existing action  

(cid:133) The proposal/initiative relates to an action redirected towards a new action  

1.4. 

Objectives 

1.4.1.  The Commission's multiannual strategic objective(s) targeted by the proposal/initiative  

Title 4 – Global Europe 

1.4.2. 

Specific objective(s) and ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned  

Operational objective No 1 

Increase in and improvement of the capacity of the Union to provide humanitarian aid. 

Operational objective No 2 

27 
28 

ABM: Activity-Based Management – ABB: Activity-Based Budgeting. 
As referred to in Article 49(6)(a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation. 

EN 

27 

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Improvement  of  the  skills  and  competences  of  volunteers  in  the  field  of  humanitarian  aid  and  the 
conditions under which they are working. 

Operational objective No 3 

Building the capacity of hosting organisations and foster volunteering in third countries.  

Operational objective No 4 

Promotion of the visibility of the Union's humanitarian aid values.  

Operational objective No 5 

Enhancement of coherence and consistency of volunteering across Member States in order to improve 
opportunities for Union citizens to participate in humanitarian aid activities and operations. 

ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned 

23 02 04 – EU Aid Volunteers (European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps).  

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28 

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1.4.3.  Expected result(s) and impact 

Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. 

The proposal will: 

-  establish  a  European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Corps  (EU  Aid  Volunteers)  as  a  framework  for 
joint contributions from European volunteers in humanitarian aid operations; 

- be aiming at enhancing the Union’s capacities to deal with humanitarian crisis, build knowledge and 
experience and provide visibility for the Union’s humanitarian values and solidarity with the victims of 
natural disasters and man-made crises in third countries; 

- respond to the needs of the vulnerable or affected communities and contribute to building capacity in 
third countries and resilience to disasters; 

- adhere to the principles of humanity, non-discrimination, neutrality, impartiality and independence of 
humanitarian aid and shall aim to contribute to the professionalization of the provision of humanitarian 
aid; 

- ensure that the safety and security of EU Aid Volunteers is a priority; 

- deploy EU Aid Volunteers in third countries while avoiding the crowding out of local employment 
and local volunteering; 

1.4.4. 

Indicators of results and impact  

Specify the indicators for monitoring implementation of the proposal/initiative. 

– 

– 

The number of EU Aid Volunteers deployed or ready for deployment; 

The number of people reached by humanitarian aid provided by the Union; 

The  number  of  volunteers  trained  and  the  quality  of  the  training  on  the  basis  of  peer  reviews 

– 
and level of satisfaction;  

The  number  of  certified  sending  organisations  applying  the  standards  for  deployment  and 

– 
management of EU Aid Volunteers; 

– 

– 

– 

The number and type of capacity building actions; 

The number of third country staff and volunteers participating in the capacity building actions; 

The EU Aid Volunteers' level of knowledge about EU humanitarian aid;  

– 
The level of awareness about the Humanitarian Voluntary Corps among the targeted population 
in  the  Union,  the  participating  and  benefitting  third  country  communities  and  other  humanitarian 
actors. 

Dissemination and replication of the standards on management of EU Aid Volunteers by other 

– 
volunteering schemes. 

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29 

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1.5. 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term  

The Lisbon Treaty foresees in its article 214.5: 

"In order to establish a framework for joint contributions from young Europeans to the humanitarian 
aid  operations  of  the  Union,  a  European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Crops  shall  be  set  up.  The 
European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary 
legislative procedure, shall determine the rules and procedures for the operation of the Corps." 

Communication  "How  to  express  EU  citizens'  solidarity  through  volunteering:  First  reflections  on  a 
European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps”, COM(2010)683. 

Council Conclusions adopted in May 2011 

EP Written Declaration in November 2011 

1.5.2.  Added value of EU involvement 

The EU added value comes in the form of: 

(a)  the  European  and  transnational  character  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  which  brings  together  Union 
citizens from different Member States for joint contributions in humanitarian aid operations;  

(b)  fostering  transnational  cooperation  of  humanitarian  aid  organisations  and  stakeholders  in 
implementation of the actions of the Corps;  

(c)  allowing  for  economies  of  scale  and  effects  through  complementarities  and  synergies  with  other 
relevant national, international and Union programmes and policies; 

(d) providing for a tangible expression of the European values in general and in particular the solidarity 
of the Union and its citizens with the people who are most vulnerable and in need; 

(e) contributing to reinforcing active European Union citizenship by empowering Union citizens of a 
different  age  and  from  different  social,  educational  and  professional  background  to  engage  in 
humanitarian aid activities;  

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past 

These proposals build upon: 

- experience gained as a result of the pilot projects financed within the framework of the calls launched 
in  2011  and  2012  respectively  "European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid  Corps  -  Call  for  proposal  for 
pilot projects"; 

- a review concerning the establishment of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps; 

- Communication from the Commission "How to express EU citizen's solidarity through volunteering: 
First reflections on a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps" – COM(2010)683. 

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30 

   EN 

1.5.4.  Coherence and possible synergy with other relevant instruments 

Consistency with: 

- Treaty Art. 215.4;  

- Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid;  

-  Actions  receiving  financial  assistance  under  this  Regulation  shall  not  receive  assistance  from  other 
Union financial instruments.  

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that  the  applicants  for  financial  assistance  under  this  Regulation  and 
financial beneficiaries of such assistance provide it with information about financial assistance received 
from  other  sources,  including  the  general  budget  of  the  Union,  and  about  on-going  applications  for 
receiving such assistance. 

- Synergies and complementarities shall be sought with other financial instruments of the Union. 

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31 

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1.6. 

Duration and financial impact  

(cid:133) 

Proposal/initiative of limited duration  

–  (cid:133)  Proposal/initiative in effect from [DD/MM]YYYY to [DD/MM]YYYY  

–  (cid:133)  Financial impact from YYYY to YYYY  

X Proposal/initiative of unlimited duration 

Financial provisions of limited duration: 

Budget allocation covers 1/1/2014 to 31/12/2020 

Financial impact from 1/1/2014 to 31/12/2020 (payments until 31/12/2023) 

1.7.  Management mode(s) envisaged29  

X Centralised direct management by the Commission  

X Centralised indirect management with the delegation of implementation tasks to: 

–  X  executive agencies  

–  (cid:133)  bodies set up by the Communities30  

–  (cid:133)  national public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission  

–  (cid:133)  persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions pursuant to Title V of the 
Treaty  on  European  Union  and  identified  in  the  relevant  basic  act  within  the  meaning  of 
Article 49 of the Financial Regulation  

(cid:133) Shared management with the Member States  

(cid:133) Decentralised management with third countries  

(cid:133) Joint management with international organisations  

If more than one management mode is indicated, please provide details in the "Comments" section. 

Comments  

The  programme  could  be  implemented  either  directly  by  the  Commission  (DG  ECHO)  via  the 
centralised  direct  management  mode,  or  through  an  executive  agency  (indirect  management  mode). 
These two options remain open and a decision will be taken in due time. 

29 

30 

Details  of  management  modes  and  references  to  the  Financial  Regulation  may  be  found  on  the  BudgWeb  site: 
http://www.cc.cec/budg/man/budgmanag/budgmanag_en.html 
As referred to in Article 185 of the Financial Regulation. 

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32 

   EN 

                                                 
The EU Aid Volunteers shall be open to participation of: 

citizens  and  sending  organisations  from  acceding  countries,  candidate  countries,  potential 
(a) 
candidates countries and partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy in accordance with 
the  general  principles  and  general  terms  and  conditions  for  the  participation  of  those  countries  in 
Union's  programmes  established  in  the  respective  Framework  Agreements  and  Association  Council 
Decisions, or similar arrangements; 

(b) 
citizens  and  sending  organisations  from  European  Free  Trade  Association  (EFTA)  countries 
which  are  members  of  the  European  Economic  Area  (EEA),  in  accordance  with  the  conditions  laid 
down in the EEA Agreement; 

citizens and sending organisations from other European countries, subject to the conclusion of 

(c) 
bilateral agreements with those countries. 

staff  from  international  organisations  who  meet  the  eligibility  criteria  referred  to  in  Article 

(d) 
11(1).  

2. 
This  cooperation  shall  be  based,  where  relevant,  on  additional  appropriations  from  these 
participating  countries  to  be  made  available  in  accordance  with  procedures  to  be  agreed  with  these 
countries. 

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33 

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2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

Specify frequency and conditions. 

Actions  receiving  financial  assistance  shall  be  monitored  regularly  in  order  to  follow  their 
implementation,  and  regularly  evaluated  through  independent  external  evaluation  to  assess  the 
efficiency, effectiveness and their impacts against the objectives of the EU Aid Volunteers and its EU 
added value. This monitoring shall include the reports referred to in Article 25(5) and other activities 
on specific aspects of this Regulation which may be launched at any time during its implementation.  

In the evaluation phase, the Commission shall ensure regular consultation of all relevant stakeholders, 
including volunteers, sending and hosting organisations, humanitarian organisations and workers in the 
field. The results of the evaluation shall feed back into the programme design and resource allocation.  

Sending organisations deploying volunteers in operations outside the Union shall be responsible for the 
monitoring of their activities and shall submit to the Commission monitoring reports on a regular basis. 

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council: 

(a) an interim evaluation report on the results obtained and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of 
the implementation of this Regulation during the first three years of its implementation no later than 31 
December 2017; 

(b) a Communication on the continued implementation of this Regulation no later than 31 December 
2018; 

(c) an ex post evaluation report no later than 31 December 2021.  

The  conclusions  of  the  reports  shall  be  accompanied,  if  appropriate,  by  proposals  for  amendment  of 
this Regulation.  

The Commission shall also regularly inform EEAS and the EU Delegations about the activities of the 
EU Aid Volunteers.  

2.2.  Management and control system  

2.2.1.  Risk(s) identified  

The programme could be implemented either directly by DG ECHO (centralised direct management) or 
through  an  existing  Executive  Agency  (central  indirect  management),  and  will  encompass  the 
attribution of grants and services contracts. 

In both scenarios, the following risks have been identified: 

(a)  Risk  relating  to  the  capacity  of  partner  organisations  (particularly  low-sized  Non-Governmental 
Organisations) to internally adapt their organisational structures in order to respond to the contractual 
financial and performance obligations; 

EN 

34 

   EN 

(b)  Security  and  access  constraints  derived  from  the  implementation  of  activities  in  armed  and/or  in 
difficult  access  regions,  which  may  put  in  danger  the  physical  integrity  of  the  implementers 
(volunteers) and impact the attainability of the operational objectives;  

(c) Reputational risk for the Commission linked to the inherent risk of fraudulent misuse of funds. 

If the option of an executive agency is eventually chosen, an additional risk may relate to: 

(d) coordination failures with an executive agency resulting from the absence of a clear definition of 
the limits of the responsibilities in the management and the control of tasks delegated to the executive 
agency. 

Most  of  these  risks  are  expected  to  be  reduced  and,  in  any  case,  will  be  constantly  subject  to  close 
monitoring.  For  instance,  simplification  measures  will  be  applied,  in  compliance  with  the  revised 
Financial Regulation (e.g. extended use of lump sums and flat rates). 

Based on the identified error rates in the last three years, the potential error rate in case of centralised 
direct management by DG ECHO will likely stand below 2%. 

As for the implementation through an executive agency, assuming the global error rate of an agency 
(the EACEA executive agency for instance presented in its 2011 annual activity report an error rate of 
0.81%) the level of non-compliance is expected to be below 2%. 

2.2.2.  Control method(s) envisaged  

As  for  centralised  direct  management,  general  DG  ECHO  control  structure  will  apply.  Control  will 
therefore  focus  on  the  compliance  and  effectiveness  of  administrative,  operational  and  financial 
procedures in place and in the respect of the legislation in force. These will be also in the scope of DG 
ECHO Internal Audit Capability (IAC). 

In addition, grants and contracts awarded under the Instrument will be subject to ex-post audit from the 
External Audit Sector of DG ECHO and to evaluation by external partners. As usual, actions can be 
subject  to  audits  and  investigations  by  the  Internal  Audit  Service  (IAS),  the  Court  of  Auditors  and 
OLAF. The expected cost of control of DG ECHO based on 2011 figures ranges from 2.7% to 3.1%.  

In  case  of  implementation  via  an  executive  agency,  the  Commission  will  apply  the  control  measures 
required  for  executive  agencies  in  accordance  with  Art.  59  of  the  Financial  Regulation  and  with 
Council Regulation (EC) N° 58/2003 on executive agencies. In addition, the Commission will monitor 
and control that the executive agency realises appropriate control objectives for the actions that it will 
be  entrusted  to  manage.  This  supervision  will  be  integrated  in  the  terms  of  cooperation  between  the 
parent DG and the executive agency and in the bi-yearly reporting of the agency. 

The  main  features  of  an  executive  agency's  internal  control  system  (based  on  EACEA)  are  the 
following: 

(a) Financial circuits and segregation of duties;  
(b) Control of eligibility of costs through ex-ante controls (desk reviews, monitoring missions);  
(c) Supervision procedure;  
(d) Simplification measures and harmonisation implemented within the same programme and between 
different programmes (sharing of best practices);  

EN 

35 

   EN 

(e) Use of lump sums and flat rates for some strands/actions;  
(f) Management reporting (monthly, quarterly and yearly like AAR);  
(g) Centralised ex-ante control for public procurement, calls for proposals & grant agreements; 
(h) Internal audit capability. 

The executive agency's activities are subject to audits and investigations by the Internal Audit Service 
(IAS), the Court of Auditors and OLAF. 

Regarding  cost  of  controls,  their  estimate  is  based  on  the  past  experience  of  the  EACEA  executive 
agency. The latter has estimated the cost of control of two programs to be implemented in the period 
2014-2020: according to the figures presented in the 2011 annual activity report, the estimated cost of 
controls  amounts  to  2.8%  and  2.9%  of  the  total  budget  of  the  two  programs.  By  applying  the  same 
results, the estimated cost of control of the establishment of the EU Aid Volunteers would range from 
€6.7M to €6.9M for the period 2014-2020. 

With respect to DG ECHO, it is estimated that the cost of control linked to its role of co-parent DG 
would be around €210K, representing 0.1%  of the total budget. The implementation of such controls, 
coupled with the likely effect of the new FR simplifications, would allow for the avoidance of material 
errors (>2%). 

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

Specify existing or envisaged prevention and protection measures. 

DG  ECHO  will  further  devise  its  anti-fraud  strategy  in  line  with  the  Commission's  new  anti-fraud 
strategy (CAFS) adopted on 24 June 2011 in order to ensure inter alia that: 

DG ECHO's internal anti-fraud related controls are fully aligned with the CAFS; 

DG  ECHO's  fraud  risk  management  approach  is  geared  to  identify  fraud  risk  areas  and  adequate 
response; 

The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections. 

In order to mitigate potential fraud and irregularities, the following measures are envisaged: 
- The prevention of potential fraud and irregularities is considered already at the programme set up, by 
the simplification of rules and the wider use of flat rates and lump sums. 
- Systematic check of potential double funding and identification of beneficiaries of several grants will 
be done.  
- Ad hoc audits will be implemented when there are serious concerns in terms of irregularities and/or 
suspected fraud. 

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3. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

3.1. 

Heading(s)  of  the  multiannual  financial  framework  and  expenditure  budget  line(s) 
affected  

•  Existing expenditure budget lines  

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines 

Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework 

Global Europe 

23 02 04 

Budget line 

Type of  
expenditure

Contribution  

Diff./non-
diff. 
(31) 

from 
32
EFTA
countries 

from 
candidate 
33
countries

from third 
countries 

within the meaning 
of Article 18(1)(aa) 
of the Financial 
Regulation  

4 

(European  Voluntary  Humanitarian  Aid 
Corps) 

Diff. 

YES 

YES 

NO 

YES/NO  

EU Aid Volunteers 

Participation in the EU Aid Volunteers will be open to other European countries subject to conditions referred to under 
Article 23.

31 
32 
33 

Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non-diff. = Non-Differentiated Appropriations 
EFTA: European Free Trade Association.  
Candidate countries and, where applicable, potential candidate countries from the Western Balkans. 

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3.2. 

Estimated impact on expenditure  

3.2.1. 

Summary of estimated impact on expenditure  

Heading of multiannual financial 
framework:  

Number 

4. GLOBAL EUROPE 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

DG: ECHO 

(cid:121) Operational appropriations  

23 02 04 

Appropriations 
administrative 
from the envelope for specific programmes34  

an 

of 

Year 
2014 

Year 
2015 

Year 
2016 

Year 
2017 

Year 
2018 

Year 
2019 

Year 
2020 

Sub-
sequent 
years 

TOTAL 
2014 TO 
2020 

Commitments 

Payments  

(1) 

(2) 

nature 

financed 

21.200 

23.800 

27.600 

32.700 

37.900 

44.500 

51.400 

239.100 

13.780 

18.650 

23.630 

29.895 

34.680 

40.640 

47.145 

30.680 

239.100 

(3) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

TOTAL appropriations 
for DG ECHO 

(cid:121) TOTAL operational appropriations  

Commitments 

=1+3 

Payments 

=2+3 

Commitments 

Payments 

(4) 

(5) 

21.200 

23.800 

27.600 

32.700 

37.900 

44.500 

51.400 

13.780 
21.200 

18.650 
23.800 

23.630 
27.600 

29.895 
32.700 

34.680 
37.900 

40.640 
44.500 

47.145 
51.400 

30.680 

13.780 

18.650 

23.630 

29.895 

34.680 

40.640 

47.145 

30.680 

239.100 

0 

239.100 

239.100 
239.100 

34 

Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former "BA" lines), indirect 
research, direct research. 

EN 

38 

E

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
(cid:121)  TOTAL  appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature 
financed from the envelope for specific programmes  

(6) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADING 4 
of the multiannual financial framework 

Commitments 

=4+ 6 

Payments 

=5+ 6 

21.200 

23.800 

27.600 

32.700 

37.900 

44.500 

51.400 

239.100 

13.780 

18.650 

23.630 

29.895 

34.680 

40.640 

47.145 

30.680 

239.100 

EN 

39 

E

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heading of multiannual financial 
framework:  

5 

"Administrative expenditures" 

Year 
2014 

Year 
2015 

Year 
2016 

Year 
2017 

Year 
2018 

Year 
2019 

Year 
2020 

TOTAL 
2014 - 2020 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

DG: ECHO 

(cid:121) Human resources  

(cid:121) Other administrative expenditure  

1.146 

1.146 

1.146 

1.146 

1.274 

1.274 

1.593 

0.063 

0.063 

0.143 

0.063 

0.065 

0.122 

0.045 

TOTAL DG ECHO 

Appropriations  

1.209 

1.209 

1.289 

1.209 

1.339 

1.396 

1.683 

8.725 

0.564 

9.289 

TOTAL appropriations 
under HEADING 5 
of the multiannual financial framework  

(Total 
= Total payments) 

commitments 

1.209 

1.209 

1.289 

1.209 

1.339 

1.396 

1.683 

9.289 

Year 
2014 

Year 
2015 

Year 
2016 

Year 
2017 

Year 
2018 

Year 
2019 

Year 
2020 

Sub-
sequent 
years 

TOTAL 
2014 - 
2020 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADINGS 1 to 5 
of the multiannual financial framework  

Commitments 

22.409 

25.009 

28.889 

33.909 

39.239 

45.896 

53.083 

   248.434 

Payments 

14.989 

19.859 

24.919 

31.104 

36.019 

42.036 

48.828 

30.680  248.434 

EN 

40 

E

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2.2.  Estimated impact on operational appropriations  

–  (cid:133)  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations  

–  X  The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below: 

Indicate objectives and outputs 
(cid:216) 

Year 2014 

Year 2015 

Year 2016 

Year 2017 

Year 2018 

Year 2019 

Year 2020 

Type of 
35
output

Average 
cost 
output 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

OUTPUTS 
No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. 
outputs 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

TOTAL 
2014 - 2020 

Total cost 

Total 
number 
outputs 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE No 1  

Increase in and improvement of the 
capacity of the Union to provide 
humanitarian aid 

- Output 

Register, No of 
apprenticeships, 
No of volunteers 
deployed 

0.014 

376 

5.271 

941 

13.367

1130

15.976

1356 

20.222

1560 

22.867 

1950 

27.361

2291 

32.074

9604 

137.136 

Sub-total for operational objective 1 

376 

5.271 

941 

13.367

1130

15.976

1356 

20.222

1560 

22.867 

1950 

27.361

2291 

32.074

9604 

137.136 

35 

Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.: number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 

EN 

41 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Indicate objectives and outputs 
(cid:216) 

Year 2014 

Year 2015 

Year 2016 

Year 2017 

Year 2018 

Year 2019 

Year 2020 

Type of 
36
output

Average 
cost 
output 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

Cost 

No. 
out 
puts 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

OUTPUTS 
No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. 
outputs 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

TOTAL 
2014 - 2020 

Total cost 

Total 
number 
outputs 

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE No 2  

Improvement of the skills and 
competences of volunteers in the field 
of humanitarian aid and the 
conditions under which they are 
working  

- Output 

Training of 
volunteers, 
development of 
standards  

0.0075 

938 

7.034 

711 

5.330 

837 

6.280 

863 

6.476 

1193 

8.946 

1535 

11.511

1600 

12.000

7677 

57.576 

938 

7.034 

711 

5.330 

837 

6.280 

863 

6.476 

1193 

8.946 

1535 

11.511

1600 

12.000

7677 

57.576 

Sub-total for operational objective 2 
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE No 3  

Building the capacity of hosting 
organisations and foster volunteering 
in third countries 

- Output 

0.00471 

1418 

6.681 

785 

3.700 

857 

4.038 

901 

4.244 

1037 

4.886 

849 

3.999 

1263 

6.000 

7110 

33.549 

No of volunteer 
managers / local 
volunteers / 
train the 
trainers/number 
of participants 
seminars/  

Sub-total for operational objective 3 

1418 

6.681 

785 

3.700 

857 

4.038 

901 

4.244 

1037 

4.886 

849 

3.999 

1263 

6.000 

7110 

33.549 

36 

Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.: number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 

EN 

42 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Indicate objectives and outputs 
(cid:216) 

Type of 
37
output

Average 
cost 
output 
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE No 4 

To promote the visibility of the 
Union's humanitarian aid values  

Year 2014 

Year 2015 

Year 2016 

Year 2017 

Year 2018 

Year 2019 

Year 2020 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

Cost 

No. 
out 
puts 

No. 
out 
puts 

Cost 

OUTPUTS 
No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

No. 
outputs 

Cost 

No. out 
puts 

Cost 

TOTAL 
2014 - 2020 

Total cost 

Total 
number 
outputs 

0,00081 

300 

1.737 

700 

0.940 

1300

0.769 

1700 

1.395 

2000 

0.769 

2000 

1.053 

2000 

0.826 

10000 

7.488 

- Output 

Development of 
EU 
Aid 
Volunteers' 
Network; 
conferences, 
communication, 
visibility; 
number 
online 
volunteer 
assignments  

of 

Sub-total for operational objective 4 
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE No 5 

Enhancement of coherence and 
consistency of volunteering across 
Member States in order to improve 
opportunities for Unions' citizens to 
participate in humanitarian aid 
activities and operations 

- Output 

Development of 
standards, 
revision, 
certification 
mechanism 

300 

1.737 

700 

0.940 

1300

0.769 

1700 

1.395 

2000 

0.769 

2000 

1.053 

2000 

0.826 

10000 

7.488 

0.477 

0.464 

0.538 

0.364 

0.433 

0.575 

0.500 

3.351 

Sub-total for operational objective 5 

0.477 

0.464 

0.538 

0.364 

0.433 

0.575 

0.500 

3.351 

TOTAL COST 

3032  21.200 

3137 

23.800

4124

27.600

4820 

32.700

5790 

37.900 

6334 

44.500

7154 

51.400

34391 

239.100 

37 

Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.: number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 

EN 

43 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3.2.3.  Estimated impact on appropriations of an administrative nature 

3.2.3.1.  Summary  

–  (cid:133)  The  proposal/initiative  does  not 

require 

the  use  of  administrative 

appropriations  

–  X  The  proposal/initiative  requires  the  use  of  administrative  appropriations,  as 

explained below: 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
2014 

Year 
2015 

Year 
2016 

Year 
2017 

Year 
2018 

Year 
2019 

Year 
2020 

TOTAL 

HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework 

Human resources  

1.146 

1.146 

1.146 

1.146 

1.274 

1.274 

1.593 

8.725 

Other administrative 
expenditure  

Subtotal HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

Outside 
HEADING 5

38

of the multiannual 
financial framework  

Human resources  

Other expenditure  
of an administrative 
nature 

Subtotal  
outside HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

0.063 

0.06.3 

0.143 

0.063 

0.065 

0.122 

0.045 

0.564 

1.209 

1.209 

1.289 

1.209 

1.339 

1.396 

1.683 

9.289 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

TOTAL 

1.209 

1.209 

1.289 

1.209 

1.339 

1.396 

1.683 

9.289

The above figures will be adjusted in accordance with the results of the envisaged 
externalisation process. 

38 

Technical  and/or  administrative  assistance  and  expenditure  in  support  of  the  implementation  of  EU 
programmes and/or actions (former "BA" lines), indirect research, direct research. 

EN 

44 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3.2.3.2.  Estimated requirements of human resources  

–  (cid:133)  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources  

–  X  The  proposal/initiative  requires  the  use  of  human  resources,  as  explained 

below: 

Estimate to be expressed in full amounts (or at most to one decimal place) 

Year 
2014 

Year 
2015 

Year 
2016 

Year 
2017 

Year 
2018 

Year 
2019 

Year 
2020 

(cid:121) Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary agents) 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7 

XX 01 01 01 
(Headquarters and 
Commission’s 
Representation 
Offices) 

XX 01 01 02 
(Delegations) 

XX 01 05 01 (Indirect 
research) 

10 01 05 01 (Direct 
research) 
(cid:121) External personnel (in Full Time Equivalent unit: FTE)39 

6 

6 

6 

6 

8 

8 

11 

XX 01 02 01 (CA, 
INT, SNE from the 
"global envelope") 

XX 01 02 02 (CA, 
INT, JED, LA and 
SNE in the 
delegations) 

XX 
01 
04 
yy 
40 

- at 
Headquarters
41 

- in 
delegations  

XX 01 05 02 (CA, 
INT, SNE - Indirect 
research) 

10 01 05 02 (CA, INT, 
SNE - Direct research) 

Other budget lines 
(specify) 

39 

40 
41 

CA= Contract Agent; INT= agency staff ("Intérimaire"); JED= "Jeune Expert en Délégation" (Young 
Experts in Delegations); LA= Local Agent; SNE= Seconded National Expert;  
Under the ceiling for external personnel from operational appropriations (former "BA" lines). 
Essentially  for  Structural  Funds,  European  Agricultural  Fund  for  Rural  Development  (EAFRD)  and 
European Fisheries Fund (EFF). 

EN 

45 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
TOTAL 

12 

12 

12 

12 

14 

14 

18 

23 is the policy area or budget title concerned. 

The  human  resources  required  will  be  met  by  staff  from  the  DG  who  are  already  assigned  to 
management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together if necessary with any 
additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure 
and in the light of budgetary constraints. 

The  above  figures  will  be  adjusted  in  accordance  with  the  results  of  the  envisaged  externalisation 
process.  

Description of tasks to be carried out: 

Officials and temporary agents 

Policy Development and concepts. Implementing acts and measures. 

External personnel 

Management  of  grant  agreements  and  contracts;  implementation  and  follow-up  of 
policy work; administrative support. 

3.2.4.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  

–  X  Proposal/initiative  is  compatible  with  the  Commission  proposal  for  the 
multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 as per Communication "A Budget for 
Europe 2020" (COM(2011)500 final). 

–  (cid:133)  Proposal/initiative  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the  relevant  heading  in  the 

multiannual financial framework. 

Explain what reprogramming is required, specifying the budget lines concerned and the corresponding amounts. 

–  (cid:133)  Proposal/initiative requires application of the flexibility instrument or revision 

of the multiannual financial framework42. 

Explain what is required, specifying the headings and budget lines concerned and the corresponding amounts. 

[…] 

3.2.5.  Third-party contributions  

–  The proposal/initiative does not provide for co-financing by third parties  

–  The proposal/initiative provides for the co-financing estimated below: 

Appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

… enter as many years as 
necessary to show the duration 
of the impact (see point 1.6) 

Total 

42 

See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional Agreement. 

EN 

46 

   EN 

 
 
 
                                                 
Specify  the  co-financing 
body  

TOTAL appropriations 
cofinanced  

The proposal provides for third-party contributions from the EFTA countries which are members of the EEA, , 
acceding  countries,  candidate  countries  and  potential  candidates  benefiting  from  a  pre-accession  strategy  and 
from partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. 

EN 

47 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3. 

Estimated impact on revenue  

–  X Proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue. 

–  (cid:133)  Proposal/initiative has the following financial impact: 

(cid:133) 

(cid:133) 

on own resources  

on miscellaneous revenue  

Appropriation
s available for 
the ongoing 
budget year 

Budget revenue line: 

Article …………. 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Impact of the proposal/initiative

43

Year 
N 

Year 
N+1 

Year 
N+2 

Year 
N+3 

… insert as many columns as necessary 
in order to reflect the duration of the 
impact (see point 1.6) 

For miscellaneous assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected. 

[…] 

Specify the method for calculating the impact on revenue. 

[…] 

43 

As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net 
amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 25% for collection costs. 

EN 

48 

   EN