GEYC: Search results for youth participation

We are excited to announce that under the call ESC-HUMAID-2021-QUAL-LABEL, the European Commission through EACEA granted GEYC the Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering within the European Solidarity Corps programme for the following 48 months.
The Quality Label for Humanitarian Aid Volunteering certifies that an organisation is able to carry out high quality solidarity activities in compliance with the principles, objectives and requirements of the action ‘European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps’. Obtaining this Quality Label is a precondition for participation in volunteering activities in support of humanitarian aid operations.

We, at the Group of the European Youth for Change (GEYC), a Romanian NGO since 2013 with experience in sending and receiving volunteers within the ESC programme, seek to leverage the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Humanitarian Aid Volunteering programme by fostering solidarity and community engagement through international youth volunteering missions.

Our experience within the ESC Quality Label is valuable and we aim at expanding the impact by sending volunteers on Humanitarian Aid missions. GEYC has a proven track record of successful and scalable volunteering activities, such as Eco-Echo Clubs, Activism Collectors and Community Days, successfully empowering youth while addressing local and global challenges. We prioritise continuous improvement by developing and constantly improving our procedures on participant safety and risk management in humanitarian settings and volunteering activities. Our objectives resonate with the core aims of the ESC programme including prioritising youth with fewer opportunities, using automation data base for selection purposes and communication, promoting cultural diversity and inclusion through volunteering and engaging youth through various media channels.

Thus, we aim to integrate Humanitarian Aid principles into existing activities and increase community awareness of humanitarian actions demonstrating our commitment through partnerships and capacity building initiatives in line with our ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (granted in 2023). To sum up, GEYC's established youth engagement strategies, dedication to inclusivity, and commitment to humanitarian principles are meant to consolidate our involvement into the ESC Humanitarian Aid Volunteering program.

Equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Volunteers are to be selected in a fair, transparent and objective way, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political opinion or disability. No previous qualifications, educational level, specific experience or language knowledge must be required. A more specific profile of the volunteer might be drawn up if justified by the nature of the tasks of the activity or by the project context. In order to promote inclusion, participation in volunteering activities must be free of charge for the volunteer, with the exception of possible contributions to travel costs (if the grant does not fully cover these costs). The activities should respect the principles set out in Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Avoidance of job substitution. Volunteering activities must not substitute traineeships or jobs, so that any adverse effect on potential or existing paid employment is avoided. The involvement of volunteers should complement the work of paid staff. They should not replace paid staff or undercut their pay and conditions of service.
Avoidance of harmful activities. Security and safety of the participants, participating organisations and target groups must be ensured. Such security and safety should include appropriate clearance requirements for participants working with vulnerable groups in accordance with applicable national law. Volunteering activities should be implemented with due consideration for the impact of unforeseen circumstances such as environmental crises, conflicts or pandemics. The activities should respect the principles set out in the EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child.
Provision of high quality, easily accessible and inclusive activities. The volunteering tasks should enable participants to develop skills and competencies for personal, social and civic development. Particular attention will be given to the capacity of hosting organisations in third countries and the need to embed the activities of volunteers within the local context and to facilitate volunteers’ interaction with local humanitarian actors, the hosting community and civil society. The value and benefits of European Solidarity Corps volunteering should be recognised for volunteers, through validation of learning outcomes.
Adequate training, working and volunteering arrangements. Safe and decent living and working conditions must be ensured for participants. The young people and the organisations must sign a volunteering agreement that will outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties and will include a well-defined set of volunteering tasks.
“no profit”. In accordance with the Financial Regulation, beneficiaries must not derive any profit from the activities funded by the grants awarded. Furthermore, volunteering should cover the participants’ expenditure arising from participation in such solidarity activities but should not provide them with salaries or an economic benefit.