
With the European Voluntary Service, organisations make it possible for young people (adolescents or young adults) to do a voluntary service stint from between two weeks and twelve months, which is of public benefit and gives participants a personal learning experience.
Young people who do European Voluntary Service live in another country for a period and work there, individually or in groups, in a non-profit-making project of benefit to the public. In this way, they gain valuable experience abroad and can further their personal development on many levels. The receiving organisations are given active support. Both sides benefit from the intercultural exchange.
The possible fields of activity for an EVS are very varied: cultural, social and health sphere, child, youth and community work, environmental protection, etc. The tasks of the volunteers should reflect their interests and their profile as far as possible. Working hours are between 30 and 38 hours a week. Voluntary service must not, under any circumstances, replace a paid job. An EVS is not a traineeship. Rather, its purpose is to help young adults to develop and flourish. The EVS is open to everyone and no professional or vocational knowledge or particular training are required.
During the EVS, the volunteers take part in Support Seminars organised by Movetia. The purpose of these is to reflect on the experiences and to support the volunteers in their learning process.
*** Please note that no new participating organisations will be accredited in 2021.***
In an EVS project, a distinction is drawn among three different functions that the participating organisations can assume. For all three functions, an accreditation is necessary so that the quality of the voluntary service can be ensured in accordance with the EVS Charter.
The function of the coordinating organisation can be assumed both by the receiving organisation or sending organisation and by a third organisation.
Interested organisations complete the Accreditation Application (DE). The form is submitted to Movetia by email. After that, two discussions are held with two different experts for EVS. Following the successful accreditation, the project proposal for the planned EVS stints is submitted to Movetia by the coordinating organisation. All participating organisations must be accredited for EVS in their country.
You can find more information in the accreditation manual for EVS organisations (DE).
Ideally, EVS receiving organisations in Switzerland find participants through sending organisations in other countries. However, they can also announce EVS opportunities with the help of their network and their communication channels.
Interested people aged between 17 and 30 can contact an EVS-accredited sending organisation in Switzerland. After clarifying interests and options, the latter arrange suitable EVS places within the framework of EVS. Movetia does not arrange any EVS places.
Please see the qualitative funding criteria on the page submit an application.
For the detailed list and explanation of the contributions, please see the Overview of Grants.