European Year of Volunteering gets EU green light

Hailing the adoption of the report, UK Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin, the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) group's rapporteur on the file, said "volunteers are often unsung heroes" who make "an immeasurable impact in their communities and on people's lives". 

"In tough economic times like these, volunteering becomes all the more important and that is why I and others brought this report forward," McClarkin said. 

"We passed the first hurdle today thanks to the significant support of the members of the European Parliament, and I am sure that this will make speedy progress through the Commission and Council before coming back here again," she added. 

More than one million people in Europe engage in active citizenship through volunteering […] strengthening their social and professional skills. Lowering administrative barriers helps individuals and organisations to focus on their core activities, making a more effective impact and contribution to European societies," said Dutch MEP Marietje Schaake, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group's shadow rapporteur on the dossier. 

"Volunteers foster participation within European societies as well as engagement with third countries, thus contributing to Europe's position in the world and the fight against poverty. The European Parliament encourages participation by all individuals including refugees and asylum seekers," Schaake added. 

"This European Year of Volunteering is an opportunity to be seized to promote better exchange of experiences and best practice. In addition to its social role, volunteering presents an economic value and it contributes notably to the economy. It was also agreed to promote the recognition of time given up by volunteers to be considered as co-financing of European projects," said Irish ALDE MEP Marian Harkin. 

"It is for this purpose that we have given it a budget of 10 million euros and clarified the rules of co-financing by member states," Harkin added. 

"The message sent by the EU in designating 2011 as the year that celebrates active citizenship through volunteering will be enormously powerful," said Tamara Flanagan, director of European and statutory funding at Community Service Volunteers, the UK's leading volunteering and training charity. 

"We are overjoyed that the year will recognise the efforts of ordinary people across Europe giving time in their communities and involving more people in helping others," Flanagan said. 

"We look forward to working with the UK government and at EU level to ensure that 2011 is successful, meaningful and leaves a lasting legacy," she added.