6.4.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 152/19
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Volunteers — Citizens building the future of Europe’ (own-initiative opinion) (2022/C 152/04)
Rapporteur: Krzysztof PATER
Plenary Assembly decision
25.3.2021
Legal basis
Rule 32(2) of the Rules of Procedure Own-initiative opinion
Section responsible
Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship
Adopted in section
24.11.2021
Adopted at plenary
8.12.2021
Plenary session No
565
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
214/3/4
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
EESC notes that in the debate on the future of Europe policy-makers must be aware that Europe’s future will be shaped not only by politicians and institutions, including civil society organisations, but also by millions of citizens — volunteers who spend their time and energy every day acting in solidarity for the common good within and outside civil society organisations.
1.2.
Volunteering involves millions of citizens in the European Union acting, out of solidarity for others, individually or within organised structures (both informal and formal).
This movement requires systematic and thoughtful support, at both EU and Member State level, because its impact on social development is many times greater than the potential cost.
The EESC would like to see positive qualitative changes in this support in the coming years that better reflect the value of volunteers for the future of Europe.
1.3.
The EESC calls on the European Commission to take action to declare 2025 the European Year of Volunteers, considering that this would be:
— a way of paying tribute to the millions of volunteers who have demonstrated their significant social role, especially in recent months through their work to combat the effects of the pandemic,
— a way of further promoting the idea of volunteering in the societies of the Member States, encouraging more people to volunteer and showing that this is an inclusive, universal activity that involves people from all groups and backgrounds regardless of their age and place in society,
— an opportunity to exchange experiences and know-how between the authorities of the Member States on legal and political instruments to support the activities of volunteers,
— inspiration for the European Commission to expand and create new programmes addressing volunteers of all ages,
— a way to promote understanding of critical projects for the future of Europe and its citizens, providing objective data and facts and combating fake and biased information.