European Voluntary Service (EVS) is an opportunity for young people between 18-30 years old to spend 2-12 months abroad and to gain new skills, competencies and experiences from a different culture. An EVS project can focus on a variety of areas such as culture, youth, sports, social care, cultural heritage, arts, environment, development cooperation etc.

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity since a volunteer can take part in only one EVS project. There is one exception though- volunteers who have carried out an EVS lasting less than 2 months can take part in an additional EVS project, but the total duration of the services can not exceed 12 months.

The scheme is funded by European Union in order to make volunteering as accessible as possible with the aim to develop solidarity and promote active citizenship and mutual understanding among young people. There is no salary for volunteering, but everything else is covered- volunteers are provided with accommodation, food, insurance, pocket money and they only pay 10% of their travel costs.

Steps to follow…
1. Think about what interests and motivates you, choose an area you would like to work with.
2. Contact a sending organization in your home country.
3. Contact a hosting organisation abroad to discuss about starting a project. 

If you want to become a volunteer abroad KEAN can be your sending or hosting organisation!