On 2 December 2010, the European Commission officially launched the communication campaign and tour for the European Year of Volunteering 2011.  

Under the slogan: "Volunteer! Make a difference", the Year aims to highlight volunteers’ work, encourage others to join in and address the challenges they face. In particular, the 2011 European Year of Volunteering has four main objectives:  

• Lowering obstacles to volunteering in the EU;
• Empowering volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering;
• Rewarding and recognise volunteering activities;
• Raising awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.

To meet these goals, the Commission will:

• Encourage the exchange of good practices between Member States' authorities and volunteering organisations. The focus will be on training volunteers, accreditation and quality assurance, and efficient and effective match-making between potential volunteers and volunteering opportunities.
• Encourage new Europe-wide networking initiatives to encourage cross-border exchanges and synergies among volunteer organisations and other sectors, especially with businesses.  

How to get involved!

There will be a lot of activities at European and national level to highlight and promote volunteering.  

At EU level:

• EYV2011 Tour: EU countries will be toured over a one-year period. Each stage of the tour in each Member State will last for approximately ten days, and will provide volunteers with an opportunity to exhibit their work, meet one another, engage with policy-makers and the general public, convey their energy and enthusiasm, and discuss key issues for the future of their work.To know more about the Tour and when it will go to your country, check here  
• EYV Relay: 27 “Relay” volunteer reporters will follow the work of 54 volunteering organisations and produce audio, video and written reports to be broadcast by the media. At the end of the year, the combined reports will be compiled to form a broadcast-quality documentary about the European Year and its tour. Read more ·   
• Four thematic conferences in 2011 to highlight key issues related to volunteering: 
• 8 January in Budapest: Recognition of Volunteering
• May/June: Celebrating volunteers and their valuable contribution
• October:  Empowering volunteering organisations
• December: Closing conference on future challenges

At national level:

Activities will take place both at national level, regional and local level involving civil society, local and regional authorities. They will include exchange of experience and good practices, studies and research, conferences and events, and information and promotion campaigns to disseminate key messages. A ‘national coordinating body’ has been appointed in each country for coordinating the activities. Check the activities in your country 

Tell us about your interest and activities in relation to the European Year!

We would like to invite you to contact EFC secretariat at eu@efc.be if:

• You are already undertaking and/or planning to undertake activities in the areas of volunteering and active citizenship and/or in relation to the European Year (organising your own activities, working with the National Implementing Bodies or with other stakeholders, etc.).
• You would like to provide input and ideas on activities the EFC could undertake in the context of the Year to raise awareness and promote foundations' action in the fields covered by the Year.
• You are interested to be informed about the developments related to the European Year and/or be involved in the activities to be organised by the EFC, EU institutions and other stakeholders.

You can find further information on the European Year in EFC dedicated webpage