EYF grants acknowledge volunteers’ contribution to projects
When applying for European Youth Foundation grants, youth organisations will now be able to take into account the time spent by their volunteers as a contribution to the co-funding of a project. The European Youth Foundation is a fund supporting European youth activities serving the promotion of peace, understanding and cooperation in a spirit of respect for the Council of Europe's fundamental values such as human rights, democracy, tolerance and solidarity.
The European Youth Forum welcomes this announcement of the inclusion of volunteer time recognition (VTR) in European Youth Foundation grants. The European Youth Foundation is now the first European structure of its kind to practically acknowledge the work of thousands of youth work volunteers.
A volunteer invests time and energy in (youth) activities organised by a not-for-profit (youth) organisation without financial or in-kind retribution for it. The recognition of the contribution that such time and service brings to a project, in this case as a source of co-funding, is part of recognition of volunteering itself, which benefits both the society and the volunteer. This recognition is an important step towards volunteering organisations becoming more sustainable and increasing quality volunteering opportunities.
A value will be put on volunteer time contribution for work plans and international activities from 1st April 2014 in grant applications. The Secretariat of the European Youth Foundation has stated that this is only a two-year trial period and its renewal will depend on the results and experience gained.
Read more:
Council of Europe: EYF includes volunteer time in grants
Related articles & publications
Beyond a single capital: how Tromsø is building a community across Northern Norway
In Honningsvåg, Norway’s northernmost city, the local rock band Hekla Stålspiker takes the stage. A crowd of young people gathers, marking the start of European Youth Capital 2026 far from Tromsø itself. This is just one out of 14 opening ceremonies organised across Northern Norway.
More ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted a Resolution laying down its negotiating position on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028 to 2034, following the proposals by the European Commission from last year. Read our statement to find out why the Resolution offers more ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+.
European Youth Capital 2029: we know the 5 finalist cities
2026 belongs to Tromsø, it's the year where Northern Norway puts youth participation and creativity in centre stage. The spotlight will then move south to Parma in 2027, before landing in Podgorica in 2028. But what about 2029? The shortlisted cities are in and the race is officially on.