GEC

The European Voluntary Service (EVS)
Created in 1996 by the European Commission, the European Voluntary Service for young people is based on two simple ideas:
- It allows young people between 18 and 25 years of age to invest their capacities, on a voluntary basis, in a local project of social, cultural or environmental significance. The project in itself constitutes a formative experience, validated by a certificate delivered by the European Community, which may facilitate the participants’ integration in social and professional life.
- It provides young people with the opportunity to discover another country and, through their active participation, reinforces solidarity between different European countries and the Mediterranean, around a collective project of social or humanitarian interest.

The "Eco-Volunteering around the Mediterranean" programme
The "Eco-Volunteering around the Mediterranean" programme is an initiative of the Grouping of European Campuses, supported and financed by the European Commission as part of the European Voluntary Service programme for young people (EVS) — General Directorate for Education and Culture — and by the local administration of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (France).
This programme gathers organisations in 6 Euro-Mediterranean countries — Algeria, France, Italy, Greece, Morocco and Tunisia — around projects related to the environment, heritage preservation and local development.

In line with the guiding principles of the European Voluntary Service, the "Eco-Volunteering around the Mediterranean" programme aims to:
- support local initiatives for development in Europe and the Mediterranean, encouraging new partnerships and the exchange of experience and good working practises between all those whose work and interests are centred on heritage and the environment.
- make international volunteers available to host organisations. They will be willing to invest their skills and energy in a local project benefiting the environment, heritage or local development, and supporting principles of sustainable development.
- allow young people to discover another country and its culture which, thanks to their active involvement as volunteers, will constitute a cross-culture learning experience which should facilitate their social and professional integration whilst being a gesture of solidarity towards other peoples and cultures.

Practical aspects
This programme is open to all young people aged between 18 and 25 years, providing they are legal residents in one of the participating countries.
An EVS project lasts between six and twelve months and always takes place abroad, in a country other than the country of residence. As the Eco-volunteering programme is an exchange programme between Europe and North Africa, to participate in a project in Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia, one must be resident in France, Italia or Greece, and vice versa.
Volunteers are lodged and fed by the host organisation and travel fees are covered. They benefit from health and repatriation insurance as well as a stipend (pocket money). Lastly, throughout the time of service, support is provided by a member of the host organisation, responsible for training, advice and personal support.