European Voluntary Service and Erasmus+
Yesterday I spoke about the Bulgarian Youth Forum, the organisation I collaborate with through the European Voluntary Service. But what is exactly the European Voluntary Service or EVS?
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s Programme for education, training, youth and sport. It provides opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain experience, and volunteer abroad.
The European Voluntary System, or EVS, is part of the Erasmus+ Project.
It’s for people aged 18 to 30 years old who want to live in another country. It can last between 2 weeks and 12 months. Destinations are all across Europe, and sometimes even in other continents.
There are many different kinds of possible projects in different fields such: • environment and nature •arts and culture • activities with children • youth • elderly • sports and leisure activities.
The EVS is organised by an NGO who seeks cooperation from partner NGOs from other countries. The European Union pays most of the costs (flight, accommodation, insurance) and also provides pocket money to every volunteer.
By being a volunteer you can help the organisation you volunteer in different ways, something always adapted to your possibilities, but you also help yourself.
The EVS experience provides you a chance to grow up, become independent, learn a new language, meet new people, get in touch with different cultures and explore a new country for almost no cost.
The EVS is no formal education, a chance to study outside the classical institutions, such schools or universities. Not only you gain life experience, but you can also learn new languages and practical skills that will be later useful in your life.
EVS is a great once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for every European citizen. You should take it before you’re too old, as you’ll never have this chance again.
