Policy and campaigns > EU policy

Written Declaration on Announcing 2011 as the European Year on Volunteering
[30/2008]
European Parliament
Proponents: Marian Harkin, Gisela Kallenbach, Emmanouil Angelakas, Mieczyslaw Janowski and Joel Hasse Ferreira

Council Resolution on Voluntary Activities of Young People [14427/07]
Council of the European Union

Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion [COM (2007) 273]
Commission of the European Communities

[E.g. recognises the value of human capital in economic and social cohesion; instigates the creation of partnernships between public and private sector]

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Voluntary Activity: its role in European Society and its Impact
[2006/C 325/13]

Decision of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the Programme “Europe for Citizens” to promote active European Citizenship for the period 2007 – 2013 [Decision No 1904/2006/EC]

[The programme is open to all stakeholders promoting active European citizenship, including civil society organisations (e.g. educational institutions and organisations active in the field of voluntary work). The Community measures take the form of grants]

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the “Youth in Action” programme for the period 2007 – 2013 [Decision No 1719/2006/EC]

[The programme aims to develop cooperation in the field of youth in the EU. One of the general objectives is to develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to reinforce social cohesion in the EU (e.g. giving young people the opportunity to express their personal commitment through voluntary activities at European and international level)]

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Action Programme in the field of Lifelong Learning [Decision No 1720/2006/EC]

[Lifelong learning means all general education, vocational education and training, non-formal education and informal learning undertaken throughout life, resulting in an improvement in knowledge, skills and competences within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective. Examples of sub-programmes: Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig]

Resolution of the Council on the recognition of the value of non-formal and informal learning within the European youth field [2006/C 168/01]

[It acknowledges the added value of non-formal and informal learning, and it considers volunteering as a form of non-formal/inforaml learning enabling youngsters the acquisition of additional knowledge]

Resolution of the Council on addressing the concerns of young people in Europe – implementing the European Pact for Youth and promoting Active Citizenship [2005/C 292/03]

[The Pact focuses on three areas: employment, integration and social advancement; education, training and mobility; reconciliation of working life and family life]

Communication from the Commission on the Social Agenda [COM (2005) 33 final]

[The Agenda develops a two-pronged strategy: (1) it emphasises its role in strengthening citizens’ confidence; (2) it presents key measures under two major headings (employment; equal opportunities and inclusion)]

Council Directive on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service [2004/114/EC]

Resolution of the Council on Common Objectives for Voluntary Activities of Young People [13996/04]

European Commission White Paper on services of general interest [COM (2004) 374 final]

[It sets out the Commission’s approach in developing a positive role for the EU in fostering the development of high-quality services of general interest and presents the main elements of a strategy aimed at ensuring that all citizens and enterprises in the Union have access to high-quality and affordable services]

Council Decision establishing a Community Action Programme to promote Active European Citizenship (civic participation) [2004/100/EC]

[It establishes an action programme to support bodies working in the field of active European citizenship and to promote actions in this field. The support takes the form of grants]

Report on the follow-up to the Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within the Community of students, persons undergoing training, volunteers, teachers and trainers [COM(2004)21 final]