REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual report on the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers Initiative in 2014
Date: 2015-07-13
Institutions: Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, activity report, aid to disaster victims, foreign aid, international voluntary worker, man-made disaster, natural disaster, third country, voluntary organisation

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 13.7.2015  COM(2015) 335 final   REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual report on the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers Initiative in 2014  
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 

In view of the increasing number of natural and man-made disasters in the world over the last 
years,  the  humanitarian  organisations  need  more  well-prepared  people  to  support  them 
helping  communities  struck  by  disasters.  As  envisaged  by  the  Treaty  of  Lisbon1,  the 
European Union established the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. The objective is to contribute 
to  strengthening  the  Union’s  capacity  to  provide  needs-based  humanitarian  aid  and  to 
strengthening  the  capacity  and  resilience  of  vulnerable  or  disaster-affected  communities  in 
third  countries,  while  giving  the  European  citizens  an  opportunity  to  be  involved  in 
humanitarian action in third countries showing solidarity with people in need.  

Article 27  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 375/2014  setting  up  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative2 
requires  the  Commission  to  submit  annual  reports  to  the  European  Parliament  and  to  the 
Council examining the progress made in implementing the Regulation. 

This annual report outlines the main activities and achievements in the implementation of the 
EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  in  2014  taking  into  account  the  specificity  of  the  first  year, 
which  was  dedicated  to  the  adoption  of  the  indispensable  legal  acts  mapping  out  the  next 
steps in the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative.    

II. PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES 

1. PILOT ACTION 

The EU  Aid Volunteers initiative has  a solid foundation  in the  pilot  action which ran from 
2011  to  2014  in  three  phases  and  had  the  purpose  of  guiding  the  establishment  of  the 
initiative  and  informing  the  development  of  standards  and  systems  around  specific 
dimensions (training, certification mechanism, deployment set-up, data-base) of the EU Aid 
Volunteers initiative.  Twelve pilot projects were funded under the action and through these 
some 300 volunteers were deployed in 49 third countries. 

The pilot action of EU Aid Volunteers3 proved to be effective in testing different models or 
methods  of  implementing  the  distinct  dimensions  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative.  The 
lessons  learned  fed  into  the  development  of  the  legislation  and  the  implementing  and 
delegated  act  and  will  allow  for  a  smooth  transition  to  deployment  of  EU  Aid  Volunteers 
under Regulation (EU) No 375/2014. Furthermore, a major task of the evaluation was also to 
develop  and  propose  a  monitoring  and  evaluation  framework  that  will  contribute  to  the 
regular assessment of the implementation of the initiative. 

1 Article 214 (5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the  European Union: "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  Corps  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." 
2  Regulation  (EU)  No 375/2014  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  3  April  2014  establishing  the  European  Voluntary 
Humanitarian Aid Corps ("EU Aid Volunteers initiative") (OJ L 122, 24.4.2014, p. 1). 
3 The Pilot action was evaluated by an independent evaluator:   
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/evaluation/2014/pilot_project_euaidvolunteers_final_report_en.pdf 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
2. NEEDS ASSESSMENT 

Given  the  strong  needs-based  dimension  of  this  new  initiative,  the  Commission  has  been 
actively  building  the  basis  for  development  of  an  "EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative"  needs 
assessment framework.  To  this  end,  several  channels  were used: a  comprehensive  study  on 
the current needs for volunteers4; a workshop with a wide group of experts and practitioners 
to  explore  various  methodological  processes  on  how  needs  could  be  analysed  annually  and 
through the Pilot actions' evaluation. This framework will allow the needs to be covered by 
the  actions  under  the  initiative  to  be  assessed  on  an  annual  basis.  The  need  assessments 
methodology is similar to that for humanitarian aid actions taking into account the specificity 
of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  and  excluding  ex-ante  the  areas  with  ongoing  armed  conflict  to 
which  EU  Aid  Volunteers  should  not  be  deployed.  This  allows  for  a  tailor-made  approach 
while  ensuring  the  optimal  coherence  and  complementarity  with  the  EU  humanitarian  aid 
worldwide decisions. 

III. ADOPTION OF THE LEGISLATION 

The key achievement in 2014 was the adoption of the whole legislative package providing the 
legal basis for the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, laying down the rules for its implementation 
and establishing the relevant standards. 

The  Regulation  setting  up  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  was  adopted  on  3 April  2014, 
establishing  the  framework  for  joint  contribution  from  EU  volunteers  to  support  and 
complement humanitarian aid in third countries. The programme will create opportunities for 
18 000 people to volunteer in humanitarian operations worldwide by 2020, including EU Aid 
Volunteers,  online  volunteers  and  local  people  benefitting  from  capacity  building.  EU  Aid 
Volunteers  initiative  is  open  to  a  variety  of  professional  profiles  -  from  young  people  to 
established  humanitarian  experts  -  to  help  meet  the  humanitarian  needs  of  the  most 
vulnerable people. EU will ensure that participants are sent where their skills are most needed 
and ensure that they contribute to strengthening local capacities and local volunteering.  

A delegated act5 and an implementing act6 were adopted and entered into force at the end of 
2014. As foreseen by the Regulation, these acts set out high standards and procedures with 
regard to the certification of the sending and hosting organisations and the selection, training 
and deployment of the volunteers.  

4 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/euaidvolunteers/EUAV_Study_Needs_Assessment_en.pdf   
5 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1398/2014 of 24 October 2014 laying down standards regarding candidate volunteers and EU 
Aid Volunteers (OJ L 373, 31.12.2014, p. 8).  
6 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1244/2014 of 20 November 2014 laying down rules for the implementation of Regulation 
(EU) No 375/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid 
Corps ("EU Aid Volunteers initiative") (OJ L 334, 21.11.2014, p. 52).  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
The Commission adopted the first annual work programme for EU Aid Volunteers initiative 
on 16 June 20147. The budget for the implementation of the initiative in 2014 was set at EUR 
12 148 000  for  the  purpose  of  providing  technical  assistance  to  prospective  sending 
organisations  to  prepare  for  certification;  building  capacities  of  prospective  hosting 
organisations  from  third  countries  and  who  may  wish  to  participate  in  the  initiative; 
launching  the  certification  process  of  sending  and  hosting  organisations;  developing  the 
technical environment for all related support measures, launching an insurance contract that 
would ensure insurance coverage for the period 2015-2020.  

IV. DELEGATION OF TASKS TO EACEA 

As  foreseen  by  Regulation  (EU)  No 375/2014,  the  Commission  is  entrusted  with  the 
implementation  of  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  and  has  delegated  certain  tasks  to  the 
Education,  Audio-visual  and  Culture  Agency  (EACEA).  EACEA  is  an  executive  agency 
responsible for the implementation of the technical aspects of EU programmes through calls 
for proposals, calls for tender and contract management thereafter and for the implementation 
of the corresponding budget appropriations.8 This translates into Annual Work Programmes 
adopted  by  Commission  implementing  decisions  that  set  the  priorities  and  actions  for  each 
year,  and  that  are  the  basis  for  calls  for  proposals  and  tenders  run  by  EACEA.  In  terms  of 
operational  management,  the  Commission  through  the  "parent  DG"  ECHO  (Humanitarian 
Aid and Civil Protection) remains directly responsible for setting up the Network of the EU 
Aid  Volunteers, 
to  be  developed  during  2015  and 
communications. The modalities and procedures of interaction are governed by Memoranda 
of Understanding between DG ECHO and EACEA. 

the  central  online  platform 

V. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED IN 2014 

An open call for tenders for insurance was published on 31 December 2014 aiming to ensure 
that  the  volunteers  participating  in  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  are  covered  by  a 
complete  insurance  plan  specifically  designed  to  protect  them  during  the  entire  duration  of 
their deployment (Action 3 under Annual Work Programme 2014).  

All necessary actions have been implemented to ensure the publication of Call for proposals 
for technical assistance for sending organisations and capacity building for humanitarian aid 
of hosting organisations (Action 1) and Call for applications for the certification of sending 
and  hosting  organisations  wishing  to  participate  in  the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative 
(Action 2) in early 20159.  

7 Commission Implementing Decision C(2014)3872 of 16.6.2014 concerning the adoption of the 2014 work programme and the financing 
for the implementation of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. 
8 Commission Decision C(2013)9189 of 18.12.2013 delegating powers to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency with 
view  to  performance  of  tasks  linked  to  the  implementation  of  Union  programmes  in  the  field  of  education,  audiovisual  and  culture 
comprising,  in  particular,  implementation  of  appropriations  entered  in  the  general  budget  of  the  Union  and  of  the  EDF  allocations  (as 
amended by Commission Decision C(2015)658 of 12.2.2015). 
9 http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/eu-aid-volunteers_en  

4 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
The  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  provides  an  additional  opportunity  to  highlight  the  value 
and impact of volunteering and show EU solidarity with communities in countries affected by 
disaster  in  action.  Support  measures  for  networking  and  communication  (Action  4)  aim  to 
raise  awareness,  encourage  participation,  create  new  opportunities  to  take  part  and  support 
networking  between  participants.  In  2014  Commission  services  and  EACEA  also  prepared 
the Info and Networking Day that took place in January 2015. The aim of this public event 
was to explain to the future partners - implementing organisations the opportunities available 
under the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and to launch the first activities of the initiative (the 
call for proposals for technical assistance and capacity building and the call for applications 
for the certification of sending and hosting organisations). 

The web page for EU Aid Volunteers on the website of DG ECHO10 will continue to publish 
information  on  the  initiative  and  communication  products  such  as  blogs  from  volunteers, 
articles  and  videos.  A  platform  on  the  initiative  will  provide  additional  information  for 
volunteers  and  participating  organisations,  a  space  for  mentoring  of  volunteers,  online 
volunteering  activities  and  networking  opportunities  for  both  volunteers  and  organisations. 
Specific  activities  foreseen  for  2015  include  a  conference  to  build  experiences  of  the  pilot 
phase into the next phases of the initiative, development of the platform and a launch event. 

The results of these activities under the Annual Work Program actions will be presented in 
the next annual report. 

VI. CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD 

2014 was a very important year for the European Aid Volunteers initiative as the legal basis 
was adopted and administrative and organisational activities have followed creating the solid 
foundation and the favourable conditions for the initiative to be established and to grow up. 
Due  to  the  need  to  adopt  implementing  and  delegated  acts,  2014  was  mainly  a  year  of 
legislative and preparatory measures. 2014 also marked the implementation of the final year 
of the Pilot action providing the key lessons already integrated into the general actions of the 
legislation. 

The  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative  is  on  course  to  meet  its  multiannual  objectives.  All  the 
actions have been prepared so as to kick-off in 2015 following the above mentioned adoption 
of the legal acts: certification of sending and hosting organisations wishing to participate in 
the  EU  Aid  Volunteers  initiative;  capacity  building  of  hosting  organisations  and  technical 
assistance  to  sending  organisations;  a  comprehensive  insurance  scheme  for  the  volunteers; 
the  pre-deployment  training  for  all  volunteers;  deployment  of  volunteers  by  certified 
organisations. The first vacancies for volunteers will become available by early 2016. 

The Commission will continue to promote the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and to invest in 
fruitful communication in order to raise awareness and to gather lessons learnt. A number of 

10 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian-aid/eu-aid-volunteers_en  

5 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
activities  are  planned  to  take  place  among  which  a  conference  to  mark  the  closure  of  the 
preparatory actions with the return of the volunteers from the final phase pilot projects and a 
high visibility event to launch the deployment phase of the volunteers. 

More information on EU Aid Volunteers initiative can be found at the following address:  

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian-aid/eu-aid-volunteers_en  

6