::AVSO::Association of Voluntary Service Organisations::

	research
AVSO considers that long-term voluntary service in Europe remains inadequately researched and documented. We therefore encourage new research, disseminate research results and exchange of views on specific topics. Current and recent projects include: Conference in the European Parliament "Shaping Policy for Voluntary Service through Research" This short video features an extract from the AVSO Conference held in the European Parliament on the 13th July 2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “The impact of long-term voluntary service in Europe” This research project is carried out by Promente Social research, lead by researcher Steve Powell. One of the main milestones of the research was the seminar in Portugal in December 2006. proMENTE is a consultancy providing social research solutions both to businesses and non-profits. proMENTE operates internationally and is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is financed by: - one of our member organisations AGDF. AGDF is an association of 34 peace organisations. As a registered non-profit organisation the AGDF represent their members' concerns such as reconciliation and international co-operation, support and encouragement for initiatives working for justice, for social security and for environmental concerns. Voluntary service through the AGDF is open to everyone. - the Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft (Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future”) The Foundation has a long-term mandate to support international projects that foster relations between Germany and those countries subjected to particular suffering under National Socialism and which promote cooperation in a spirit of partnership. For this purpose, the “Remembrance and Future” Fund was established with start capital of EUR 358 million. From the revenues this generates, the Foundation provides around EUR 8 million each year primarily for international programmes and projects in the following focus areas: A critical examination of history, Working for democracy and human rights, Humanitarian assistance for survivors of National Socialist dictatorship. - the Global Service Institute (GSI) operated by the Center for Social Development (CSD) of the Washington University in St. Louis. Funded through a multi-year grant from the Ford Foundation, GSI was founded as a long-term project to study, inform, and assist in the development of civic service worldwide. GSI is committed to increasing the understanding of service by supporting and disseminating research and information, assisting governments and nonprofit organizations around the world to design and implement innovative service programs and policies based on best practices, and building a global information network. - AVSO. Purpose of review Short-term give AVSO’s member organisations detailed knowledge about the value of voluntary service make immediate policy-related recommendations to link to hot topics of current EU policy interest improve recognition for and image of volunteers and volunteering Long-term understanding of possibilities and limitations of voluntary service development of policies and programmes Review outcomes Chapter 0. (context, related milestones, plans of other organisations) Chapter 1. Broad focus: review of main studies on the effects of voluntarism in general and VS in particular, especially from outside Europe Chapter 2. To identify how impact has been measured Chapter 3. Main focus: overview of impact of long-term voluntary service for youth in Europe – overall and disaggregate Chapter 4: Conclusions Chapter 5: Recommendations --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Youth Civic Service in Europe AVSO considers that long-term voluntary service in Europe remains inadequately researched and documented. We therefore encourage new research, disseminate research results and exchange of views on specific topics. Current and recent projects include the research study "Youth Civic Service in Europe", edited by AVSO, 2005, Edizioni PLUS - Pisa University Press. The main topics of this study are: The development of national voluntary service in particular in those countries where obligatory military service is being (or has recently been) phased out. Policies & Programmes in France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland & at European level (elaborated 2003 - 2004) Youth Civic Service in Europe The study looks at the legal, financial and administrative frameworks for youth voluntary and civic service in France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland. The development of programmes and policies at European level also explores the special status of the European Voluntary Service Programme (EVS) of the European Union in these countries and its impact on their national youth civic service policies. The research study can be ordered from Edizioni Plus or from the Brussel office.

research

Conference in the European Parliament "Shaping Policy for Voluntary Service through Research"

This short video features an extract from the AVSO Conference held in the European Parliament on the 13th July 2007.

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“The impact of long-term voluntary service in Europe”

This research project is carried out by Promente Social research, lead by researcher Steve Powell.

One of the main milestones of the research was the seminar in Portugal in December 2006.

proMENTE is a consultancy providing social research solutions both to businesses and non-profits. proMENTE operates internationally and is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is financed by:

- one of our member organisations AGDF.

AGDF is an association of 34 peace organisations. As a registered non-profit organisation the AGDF represent their members' concerns such as reconciliation and international co-operation, support and encouragement for initiatives working for justice, for social security and for environmental concerns. Voluntary service through the AGDF is open to everyone.

- the Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft (Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future”)
The Foundation has a long-term mandate to support international projects that foster relations between Germany and those countries subjected to particular suffering under National Socialism and which promote cooperation in a spirit of partnership. For this purpose, the “Remembrance and Future” Fund was established with start capital of EUR 358 million. From the revenues this generates, the Foundation provides around EUR 8 million each year primarily for international programmes and projects in the following focus areas: A critical examination of history, Working for democracy and human rights, Humanitarian assistance for survivors of National Socialist dictatorship.

- the Global Service Institute (GSI) operated by the Center for Social Development (CSD) of the Washington University in St. Louis. Funded through a multi-year grant from the Ford Foundation, GSI was founded as a long-term project to study, inform, and assist in the development of civic service worldwide. GSI is committed to increasing the understanding of service by supporting and disseminating research and information, assisting governments and nonprofit organizations around the world to design and implement innovative service programs and policies based on best practices, and building a global information network.

- AVSO.

Purpose of review

Short-term

give AVSO’s member organisations detailed knowledge about the value of voluntary service
make immediate policy-related recommendations
to link to hot topics of current EU policy interest
improve recognition for and image of volunteers and volunteering

Long-term

understanding of possibilities and limitations of voluntary service
development of policies and programmes

Review outcomes

Chapter 0. (context, related milestones, plans of other organisations)
Chapter 1. Broad focus: review of main studies on the effects of voluntarism in general and VS in particular, especially from outside Europe
Chapter 2. To identify how impact has been measured
Chapter 3. Main focus: overview of impact of long-term voluntary service for youth in Europe – overall and disaggregate
Chapter 4: Conclusions
Chapter 5: Recommendations

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Youth Civic Service in Europe

AVSO considers that long-term voluntary service in Europe remains inadequately researched and documented. We therefore encourage new research, disseminate research results and exchange of views on specific topics. Current and recent projects include the research study "Youth Civic Service in Europe", edited by AVSO, 2005, Edizioni PLUS - Pisa University Press. The main topics of this study are:

The development of national voluntary service in particular in those countries where obligatory military service is being (or has recently been) phased out.
Policies & Programmes in France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland & at European level (elaborated 2003 - 2004) Youth Civic Service in Europe

The study looks at the legal, financial and administrative frameworks for youth voluntary and civic service in France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland. The development of programmes and policies at European level also explores the special status of the European Voluntary Service Programme (EVS) of the European Union in these countries and its impact on their national youth civic service policies.

The research study can be ordered from Edizioni Plus or from the Brussel office.

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Purpose of review

Short-term

Long-term

Review outcomes

Chapter 5: Recommendations

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