The Centre for European Volunteering

Brussels

Belgium

The Centre for European Volunteering

 

The Centre for European Volunteering (CEV, previously known as the European Volunteer Centre) was established in 1992 and has become a European network of over 60 organisations which are dedicated to the promotion of, and support to, volunteers and volunteering in Europe at European, national, regional and local levels. Through its network, CEV aims to be the leading voice in the values-based volunteering debate in Europe, influencing and sharing the current trends and challenges, as well as those predicted for the future, developing and providing policy advice and expertise for European policy-makers so that volunteering policies and programmes developed at the European level are effective and fit for purpose.

Network members are also encouraged to further their own objectives at national, regional and European level by protecting and supporting a free and enabling civil society space, by advocating for suitable European funding schemes and by developing supportive policy statements at the European level on pertinent volunteering issues, thus reaching out to the many thousands of volunteers and volunteer organisations in Europe as a source of continuous support in bringing the European dimension in their work. CEV channels the collective priorities and concerns of its member organisations to the institutions of the European Union and the Council of Europe. Together with other stakeholders it exchanges policies, practices and information in order to attain the outcomes envisioned in the Blueprint for European Volunteering 2030 (BEV2030). CEV’s vision envisages a Europe in which volunteers are central in building a cohesive, sustainable and inclusive society based on solidarity and active citizenship.

Together with its member organisations, CEV works to achieve four strategic priorities:

  1. Understanding, supporting and celebrating the value of volunteering as one of the most visible expressions of European values
  2. Promoting policies and programmes which inspire, encourage and support volunteering at the European level
  3. Allowing individuals and organisations involved in volunteering and civil society to share their experiences and learn from each other
  4. Ensuring that CEV continues to be a well-run, goal-oriented and effective organisation

 

Networking activity

Ireland • Belgium • Denmark • Germany • Croatia • Slovenia 

  2023