HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"EN
22.1.2010 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
17/43
IV
(Acts adopted before 1 December 2009 under the EC Treaty, the EU Treaty and the Euratom Treaty)
COUNCIL DECISION
of 27 November 2009
on the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship (2011)
(2010/37/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Voluntary activities have the potential to contribute to
the well-being of individuals and the harmonious devel
opment of European societies.
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof,
(5)
Having due regard to the particularities of the situation in
each Member State and all forms of volunteering, the
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
term ‘voluntary activities’ refers to all types of
voluntary activity, whether formal, non-formal or
informal which are undertaken of a person’s own free
will, choice and motivation, and is without concern for
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ( 1 ),
financial gain. They benefit the individual volunteer,
communities and society as a whole. They are also a
vehicle for individuals and associations to address
human, social, intergenerational or environmental needs
Whereas:
and concerns, and are often carried out in support of a
non-profit organisation or community-based initiative.
Voluntary activities do not replace professional, paid
(1) The
Treaty
establishes
citizenship
of
the
European
Union
employment opportunities but add value to society.
(EU), which complements national citizenship of the
respective Member States and is an important element
in strengthening and safeguarding the process of
European integration.
(6) In
fast-changing
societies
there
is
a
need
to
ensure
effective support measures for voluntary activities to
allow more people to engage in voluntary activities. It
(2) Encouraging
active
citizenship
is
a
key
element
in
is therefore important to support peer learning and the
strengthening cohesion and the development of
exchange and development of good practices at local,
democracy.
regional, national and Community levels.
(3) The
European
Year
of
Voluntary
Activities
promoting
active citizenship will contribute to showing that volun
(7) The
1997 Intergovernmental
Conference
adopted
teering is one of the key dimensions of active citizenship
Declaration 38 on voluntary activities, which was
and democracy, putting European values such as soli
attached to the Final Act of the Treaty of Amsterdam
darity and non-discrimination into action and as such
and recognises the important contribution made by
contributing to the harmonious development of
voluntary service activities to developing social solidarity.
European societies.
(4) Voluntary
activities
constitute
a
rich
learning
experience, (8) In
its
Communication
of
June
1997
on
promoting
the
enable the development of social skills and competences
role of voluntary organisations and foundations in
and contribute to solidarity. Actions carried out by
Europe, the Commission emphasised three aspects of
volunteers of all ages are crucial to the development of
voluntary organisations and foundations: the economic
democracy, one of the founding principles of the EU.
aspect of creating jobs; the social aspect of helping to
define social policies and thereby contributing to social
( 1 ) Opinion of the European Parliament of 26 November 2009 (not yet
progress; and the political aspect, fostering democracy,
published in the Official Journal).
citizenship and civic participation.

---

L 17/44
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
22.1.2010
(9)
In the Resolutions of the Council and the Representatives
(15) The
potential
of
voluntary
activities
is
still
not
fully
of the Governments of the Member States meeting
realised. A European Year of Voluntary activities
within the Council of 27 June 2002 and of
promoting active citizenship will provide the opportunity
16 November 2007 and in the Recommendation of
to demonstrate in a European context that voluntary
20 November 2008, the Council and the Member
activities increase civic participation and can help foster
States recognised voluntary activities as a key aspect in
a sense of belonging and commitment of citizens to their
the field of youth and agreed on common objectives for
society at all levels — local, regional, national and
voluntary activities of young people as well as on the
European.
mobility of young people across the EU.
(16) The
Year
of
Voluntary
activities
promoting
active
citi
zenship could also contribute to addressing gender
inequalities in the voluntary sector, for example
(10) In
its
Opinion
of
13
December
2006
‘Voluntary
activity:
regarding the sectors and activities in which men and
its role in European society and its impact’ ( 1 ), the
women participate or concerning representation in
European Economic and Social Committee asked the
voluntary leadership positions.
Commission to announce a Year of Volunteers, and to
publish a White Paper on voluntary activity and active
citizenship in Europe at the earliest opportunity.
(17) The
year
2011
will
be
the
tenth
anniversary
of
the
2001
International Year of Volunteers of the United Nations.
(18) This
Decision
establishes
a
financial
envelope,
which
is
to
(11) In
March
2008, the
European
Parliament
adopted
a
constitute the prime reference for the budgetary authority
report on the ‘Role of voluntary activities in contributing
within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional
to economic and social cohesion’ which encouraged
Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European
Member States and regional and local authorities to
Parliament, the Council and the Commission on
recognise the value of voluntary activities in promoting
budgetary discipline and sound financial management ( 5 ).
social and economic cohesion.
(19) The
objectives
of
the
proposed
European
Year
cannot
be
fully achieved at Member State level due to the need for
transnational exchange of information and the
(12) In
July
2008
the
European
Parliament
adopted
a
written
Community-wide dissemination of good practice, and
Declaration calling for a European Year of Volunteering
can therefore, by reason of the scale of the proposed
in 2011.
action, be better achieved at Community level. In
accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set
out in Article 5 of the Treaty, this Decision does not go
beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives,
(13) Voluntary
activities
are
targeted
by
several
community
programmes and networks that focus, inter alia, on
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
mobility in voluntary activities for people of all ages,
such as the Lifelong Learning Programme
( 2 ), the
programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ (
Article 1

3 ) and the European
Voluntary Service of the Youth in Action Programme ( 4 ).
Subject
The year 2011 shall be designated as the European Year of
Voluntary activities promoting active citizenship (hereinafter
referred to as ‘the European Year’).
(14) There exists a large variety of voluntary activities
throughout Europe which should be preserved and
developed further.
Article 2
Objectives
( 1 ) OJ C 325, 30.12.2006, p. 46.
( 2 ) Decision No 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
The overall purpose of the European Year shall be to encourage
Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an action programme in
and support — notably through the exchange of experience and
the field of lifelong learning (OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 45).
good practices — the efforts of the Community, the Member
( 3 ) Decision No 1904/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 12 December 2006 establishing for the period 2007 to
States, local and regional authorities to create the conditions for
2013 the programme Europe for Citizens to promote active
civil society conducive to volunteering in the European Union
European citizenship (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 32).
(EU) and to increase the visibility of voluntary activities in the
( 4 ) Decision No 1719/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
EU.
Council of 15 November 2006 establishing the Youth in Action
Programme for the period 2007 to 2013 (OJ L 327, 24.11.2006,
p. 30).
( 5 ) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

---

EN
22.1.2010 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
17/45
The objectives of the European Year shall be to:
(d) concrete initiatives in the Member States aimed at
promoting the objectives of the European Year; at least
25 % of the total budget of the year will be used for this
purpose;
1. work towards an enabling environment for volunteering in the EU
in order to anchor volunteering as part of promoting civic
participation and people-to-people activities in an EU context
and address existing obstacles to voluntary activities, where
(e) information and promotion campaigns to disseminate key
appropriate and necessary;
messages.
Details of the measures referred to in the first subparagraph are
2. empower organisers of voluntary activities to improve the quality of
set out in the Annex.
voluntary activities in order to facilitate voluntary activities and
help organisers to implement new types of voluntary
activities and to encourage networking, mobility, coop
eration and synergies within civil society and between civil
2. Community
funding
for
projects
may
be
given
through
society and other sectors in an EU context;
existing Community programmes.
3. recognise voluntary activities in order to encourage appropriate
Article 4
incentives for individuals, companies and volunteer-devel
opment organisations and gain recognition for volunteering
Cooperation with the Member States
at EU level and in the Member States by policymakers, civil
By 28 February 2010 each Member State shall designate a body
society organisations, public institutions, the formal and
responsible for organising its participation in the European Year
non-formal education sector and employers for skills and
(hereinafter referred to as ‘the national coordinating body’) and
competences developed through volunteering;
shall inform the Commission of that designation.
4. raise awareness of the value and importance of volunteering in
In carrying out its actions, in particular when drawing up the
order to raise general awareness of the importance of volun
national programme, the national coordinating body shall
teering as an expression of civic participation which
closely consult and cooperate with a wide range of relevant
contributes to issues which are of common concern of all
stakeholders, including civil society organisations and where
Member States, such as a harmonious societal development
appropriate the national agencies or contact points of relevant
and social cohesion.
Community programmes.
The national programme and priorities of the European Year
Article 3
shall be set out in accordance with the objectives listed in
Article 2 and the details of measures set out in the Annex.
Initiatives involved
1. The measures to be taken to achieve the objectives set out
in Article 2 may include the following initiatives organised at
Community, national, regional or local level linked to the
Article 5
objectives of the European Year:
Coordination at Community level and implementation
The Commission shall convene meetings of the national coor
dinating bodies to coordinate implementation of the European
(a) exchange of experience and good practices;
Year and to exchange information on implementation at
national level.
(b) undertaking of studies and research as well as dissemination
The Commission shall also convene meetings of representatives
of their results;
of European organisations or bodies active in the field of volun
teering and stakeholders to assist the Commission in imple
menting the European Year at Community level.
(c) conferences and events to promote debate and raise
awareness of the importance and value of voluntary
activities stimulating the engagement of citizens and to
The Commission shall implement the European Year at
celebrate the efforts of volunteers and their organisations;
Community level.

---

L 17/46
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
22.1.2010
The Member States, the European Parliament, the European
Article 10
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Regions shall be associated in the activities.
Protection of Community financial interests
1. The
Commission
shall
ensure
that,
when
actions
financed
under this Decision are implemented, the financial interests of
the Community are protected by the application of preventive
Article 6
measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal
activities, by effective checks and by the recovery of the
Financial provisions
amounts unduly paid and, if irregularities are detected, by
effective, proportional and dissuasive penalties, in accordance
1. Measures
which
are
Community-wide
in
nature,
referred with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of
to in Part A of the Annex, shall give rise to a procurement
18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Commu
contract or the award of grants financed from the general
nities financial interests ( 1 ), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC)
budget of the European Communities.
No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning the on-the-
spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission
in order to protect the European Communities' financial
interests against fraud and other irregularities ( 2 ), and with Regu
2. Measures
which
are
Community-wide
in
nature,
referred lation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of
to in Part B of the Annex, may be co-financed from the general
the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations
budget of the European Communities.
conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) ( 3 ).
3. The
Commission
shall
give
a
grant
to
each
national
coor
dinating body in accordance with the procedure set out in Part
C of the Annex.
2. With
regard
to
the
Community
actions
financed
under
this Decision, the notion of irregularity referred to in
Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 shall
mean any infringement of a provision of Community law or
any infringement of a contractual obligation resulting from an
Article 7
act or omission by an economic operator which has, or would
Budget
have, the effect of prejudicing the general budget of the
Communities, or budgets managed by them, by an unjustified
1. The
financial
envelope
for
the
implementation
of
this item of expenditure.
Decision for the period from 1 January 2011 to
31 December 2011 shall be EUR 8 000 000.
2. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the 3. The
Commission
shall
reduce,
suspend
or
recover
the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial
amount of financial assistance granted for an action if it finds
framework.
irregularities, particularly non-compliance with the provisions of
this Decision or of the individual decision or contract granting
the financial support in question, or in the event that, without
Commission approval having being sought, the action has
Article 8
undergone significant change that conflicts with its nature or
with its implementing conditions.
International cooperation
For the purpose of the European Year, the Commission may
cooperate with relevant international organisations, in particular
with the United Nations and the Council of Europe, while
ensuring the visibility of the EU’s participation.
4. If
the
time-limits
have
not
been
observed
or
if
only
part
of
the allocated financial assistance is justified by the progress
made with implementing an action, the Commission shall
Article 9
request the beneficiary to submit observations within a
specified period. If the beneficiary does not give a satisfactory
Consistency and complementarity
answer, the Commission may cancel the remaining financial
assistance and demand repayment of amounts already paid.
The Commission together with the Member States shall ensure
that the measures provided for in this Decision are consistent
( 1 ) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
with other Community, national and regional schemes and
( 2 ) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
initiatives that help attain the objectives of the European Year.
( 3 ) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

---

EN
22.1.2010 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
17/47
5. Any
amount
unduly
paid
shall
be
repaid
to
the
Article 12
Commission. Interest shall be added to any amount not
repaid in due time under the conditions laid down in Council
Entry into force
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its
the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
European Communities ( 1 ).
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Article 11
Monitoring and evaluation
Done at Brussels, 27 November 2009.
By 31 December 2012, the Commission shall submit a report
to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
For the Council
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment
The President
of the initiatives provided for in this Decision.
L. ADELSOHN LILJEROTH
( 1 ) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

---

L 17/48
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
22.1.2010
ANNEX
Details of the measures referred to in Article 3
As a guiding principle, implementation of the European Year will build on the ownership, large-scale mobilisation and
active involvement of civil society and other stakeholders. In addition, implementation will be carried out through the
following measures:
A. DIRECT COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Financing will generally take the form of direct purchase of goods and services under existing framework contracts. It
may also take the form of grants.
1. Information and promotion campaigns including:
— high visibility events and forums for exchanging experience and good practices,
— contests with or without prizes,
— cooperation with the private sector, broadcasters and other media as partners for disseminating information on
voluntary activities and the European Year,
— the production of material and tools for media available throughout the EU to stimulate public interest,
— measures to publicise the results and raise the profile of Community programmes, schemes and initiatives
contributing to the objectives of the European Year,
— the establishment of an information website on the Europa site, including a portal for promoters of projects on
volunteering, to guide them through the various Community programmes and initiatives.
2. Other initiatives:
— surveys and studies at Community level to assess and report on the preparation, effectiveness, impact and long-
term monitoring of the European Year.
B. CO-FINANCING COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
High-visibility events on a European scale that aim to raise awareness of the objectives of the European Year, possibly
organised in cooperation with the Presidencies in office during 2011, may receive a Community grant of up to 80 %
of the total eligible cost.
C. CO-FINANCING NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Each national coordinating body shall submit a single application for Community funding. That grant application shall
describe the national coordinating body’s work programme or the action to be funded and promote the European
Year. The grant application shall be accompanied by a detailed budget setting out the total costs of the initiatives/work
programme proposed and the amount and sources of co-funding. The Community grant can cover up to 80 % of the
total eligible cost.
The Commission shall determine the indicative amounts available for grants to each national coordinating body and
the deadline for submission of the applications. The criteria should take into account the population, the cost of living
and a fixed amount per Member State to guarantee a minimum level of activities.
The final amounts awarded shall be determined on the basis of the individual grant applications submitted by the
national coordinating body. The maximum Community co-financing is set at 80 % of the total eligible cost.

---

EN
22.1.2010 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
17/49
The work programmes/actions may include:
— meetings and events connected with the objectives of the European Year, including national events to launch and
promote the European Year, create a catalyst effect and provide open space for debate on concrete initiatives,
— conferences and seminars at national, regional and local levels allowing for mutual learning and exchange of good
practices,
— information, research activities and related studies, educational and promotional campaigns at national, regional
and local levels, including the organisation of awards and competitions,
— cooperation with the media.
D. INITIATIVES NOT RECEIVING ANY COMMUNITY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Community will grant non-financial support, including written authorisation to use the logo, once developed, and
other materials associated with the European Year, to initiatives carried out by public or private organisations, in so far
as they provide assurances to the Commission that the initiatives in question are or will be carried out during 2011
and are likely to make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the European Year.

---