GEC Long-term volunteering

The programme is now finished

"Eco-Volunteering in the Mediterranean" Programme
General conditions and registration

Applications are closed since november 15th. nevertheless for your information, below you will find the conditions for participation in the "Eco-Volunteering around the Mediterranean" programme as well as the application procedure.

Conditions for participation in the European Voluntary Service

1°- You are 18 to 25 years.

2°- You are a legal resident of any of the participating country in the European Union or the Mediterranean region, regardless of nationality.

Being an exchange programme between Europe and North Africa, the "Eco-Volunteering around the Mediterranean" programme has also the following requirement:
- For projects in France, Italy or Greece, participants must be legal residents of Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria.
- For projects in Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria, participants must be legal residents in France, Italy or Greece.

3°- You are willing to serve in a local project in a foreign country for between six and twelve months.

Travel and accomodation

Travel expenses between the country of residence and the host country are reimbursed by the GEC on production of original proof of travel (bills and validated travel tickets).
You will benefit from health insurance cover, including accident and repatriation costs, provided by the European Commission for the duration of your service.
Housing costs, food and local transport linked to the project will be covered by the host organisation.
Each month you will receive a stipend (pocket money) indexed by the European Commission according to the standard of living in the host country.
Schedules and hours of work, as well as days off (2.5 days per month), will be decided by the host organisation.

Supervision

Throughout your service, at least one representative of the host organisation will be in charge of providing you with teaching and personal support.

The host organisation and various local collaborators will assist you as you discover your area of study and the culture of the country.
You will benefit from language courses in the language of your host country according to your level and needs. Please note: in certain cases a minimal knowledge of English and/or French may be required as these are often used as the common language of communication.
You will also benefit, at a distance, from support provided by the GEC. This will cover technical questions, regular updates and support to deal with the questions, worries or difficulties that you may encounter. You will also be linked into a network of other young volunteers in the Eco-Volunteering programme and benefit from a certain level of administrative comfort (a good deal of paperwork is done for you and all your expenses directly linked to the EVS are covered in advance or reimbursed).
The GEC also provides assistance in preparing for your assignment.

The international office of the GEC: Laura DE FRANCHIS, Eco-volunteering programme coordinator, Matthieu GUARY, Pascale REDER.

Your commitments

1°- Be a volunteer for between six and twelve months.

2°- Accept, along with your host organisation, the "Eco-volunteering charter" (formerly "RIVE charter") which defines principles for co-operation and lays out the expected common approach and attitude.

3°- Conform to the rules fixed by the host organisation, by the GEC, and operational in the host country, whilst working to achieve the aims of your EVS project.

4°- Regularly inform the host organisation and the GEC of your project’s progress and of any possible problems, notably by sending a monthly information sheet.

5°- Provide the host organisation with all the necessary elements for an intermediary report and a final project report. Also provide the GEC with a final voluntary service report and original travel tickets between the country of residence and the host country, within the required delays.

What is the EVS is not

An EVS project is not a training course and cannot be considered as a salaried activity. It may, however, contribute to your integration in professional life on your return to your home country as you will receive a European Certificate which will validate your participation.