The EU has designated 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering, in recognition of the important role voluntary work plays in European society.
At Comhlámh, we are excited to join millions of individual volunteers and organisations all across Europe in the celebration.
Working together, the European Year of Volunteering hopes to:
- Work towards 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.
Comhlámh is a member of the National Steering Committee for the celebration of the European Year of the Volunteer in Ireland. We will be working in particular on supporting the achievement of objective two listed above, through our work on monitoring and building capacity among volunteer sending organisations to implement good practice standards outlined in our Code.
As always, Comhlamh's Volunteering Options will continue to promote responsible, responsive international volunteering among potential volunteers and together with other volunteer sending organisations will seek to highlight the contribution of international volunteers to development and to awareness raising and action within Ireland on development issues.
Please check back for the latest updates and events. Visit the EYV Ireland website for information on other activities taking place around the country during 2011.