SPORT & VOLUNTEERING: THE “EUROPEAN SKILLS PASSPORT “

03 October 2011

Brussels, 3rd October - In the context of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a communication "EU Policies and Volunteering: Recognizing and Promoting Cross-border Voluntary Activities in the EU".

Sport is defined as the biggest area for volunteering, followed by social care, welfare and health. Additionally, the EU recognizes the role of volunteering as a creator of human and social capital.

Consequently, the EU proposed the creation of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, which is currently being set up, and the development of a "European Skills Passport". The proposed "European Skills Passport" shall acknowledge the skills and

competences acquired through voluntary activities.

In a number of EU funding programmes like Youth in action, Lifelong learning or Europe for citizens, volunteer projects can be supported. the EY has made it their goal to improve access to these programmes for volunteers.

This should allow the volunteering sector to fully exploit the European funding opportunities.

Further information:

http://europa.eu/volunteering/en