GEN Z and new generation of European volunteers

What is this activity about?

It can’t go unnoticed that even though the world has changed much for last 20 years, the shape of volunteering activities (EVS, E+ volunteering, European Solidarity Corps) remains almost the same.

We are witnessing a dynamic shift with the new generation of volunteers, who bring a fresh perspective, unique demands and diverse aspirations. This evolution prompts us to question: does our programme align with their current needs and future expectations? How do young Europeans wish to contribute and engage in today's rapidly changing world? In what ways can a programme that supports volunteering abroad evolve to better serve the needs of young Europeans and the future of Europe?

GEN Z   and new generation of European volunteers is a transnational Networking activity under the European Solidairty Corps, as a part of the LTA  (SNAC) “Volunteering”, which aims to gather  former  ESC participants from all Programme Countries to explore the changing generations of volunteers, their motivation to join a volunteering  project  as well as to reflect on their needs on which the support system should be based on in order to enhance the Volunteering opportunities within the ESC.

This activity will provide the space to ex- volunteers to evaluate and share their perceptions towards the impact of the activities that they participated to, the challenges they face during their projects, discuss on new trends on volunteering projects while showcase the ideal scheme of a volunteering project.

What are the specific objectives of the activity?

The creative event for young participants will help us to look into future of volunteering with a focus on exploring the needs of young people (GEN Z and next generation of European volunteers).

During the activity, we will discuss the new trends in volunteering, look at the needs of young people and assess how the European Solidarity Corps programme may serve them.

The activity aims to:

• Deepen the understanding towards the needs of young people when it comes to volunteering: how do they engage? Why? What are the important topics and challenges they can relate to (at European and Global level)? Who are their role models when it comes to social engagement?
• Identify the new trends in the European Volunteering landscape
• Provide insights in how the ESC programme and the needs and new trends can relate
• Evaluate and share ex- volunteers perceptions towards the impact of the activities  that they participated to
• Work on the challenges they face during their projects
• Explore and discuss on new trends on volunteering projects
• Showcase the ideal scheme of a volunteering project.

Participants’ profile
The event is addressing about 30 young people with a diverse background, former ESC/EVS volunteers, who can be active as ambassadors, multipliers, members of EuroPeers network, and willing to share their view on the current shape of the programme.

The participants will be hosted in a hotel in a central location in Thessaloniki in double rooms.
Accommodation and boarding (three meals per day) during the activity dates will be covered by the organisers in the venue. Travel expenses and eventual visa costs will be covered by the sending National Agencies.