European Year of Volunteering 2011

The European Year of Volunteering is being co-ordinated by the EU to:

Create an enabling and facilitating environment for volunteering in the EU
Empower volunteer organisations and improve the quality of volunteering
Reward and recognise volunteering activities
Raise awareness of the value and importance of volunteering

A Europe-wide roadshow will visit each of the European Capitals to highlight volunteering within member states.

The Roadshow will be in London during Volunteers Week: 1st – 7th June 2011

The National priorities are:

To encourage and enable individuals to make a contribution within their communities and to help solve social issues by volunteering
To promote good practice across all sectors in the development of effective employer supported volunteering programmes
To identify and share good practice and resources relating to effective volunteer management
To promote good practice in opening the door to volunteer opportunities to those traditionally less likely to volunteer

There are 5 themes:

Young People and children March – April
Environment May – June
Sport July – August
Culture and the Arts September – October
Health and Social Care November – December