Inspiration to Develop the Quality of your EVS Projects

Various tools offering practical and conceptual learning support, food for reflection and hands-on-strategies and tips have been developed during the Youth in Action and Erasmus+ Programmes. The address different target groups involved in EVS: mentors, trainers, EVS volunteers etc.

We have listed some publications in English language below. If you know of an inspiring tool that could be added, let us know ()!

Handbooks

Be the Hero, be an EVS Mentor! (NA Latvia, 2013) This guide is an outcome of a training „Baltic TC for EVS Mentors”, which was carried out in 2012 in Latvia.The guide provides an easy-to-read everyday manual for any EVS mentor responsible for coaching a foreign volunteer living in a different cultural context.

Conflict – What an opportunity! (NA Czech Republic, 2009) is a practical booklet and training course appendix aiming to encourage the readers to learn more about the topic of conflict related to voluntary service. It illustrates the concepts and practice used in the COME training courses, focusing on EVS management, conflict management and intercultural learning.

Mentor's Guide (NA Hungary), published under the Youth in Action programme, this guide directly targets EVS mentors, taking a throrough look at the mentor's possible role and tasks linked to the various potential fields and ways of action, while addressing related possible benefits and advantages as well as risks and disadvantages.

The T-kits are a series of handbooks for use in training and seminars published by the Partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of youth. 12 T-kits addressing different topics of relevance for international youth work have been published to date, including: 

• T-kit Intercultural learning (2000)
• T-kit International Voluntary Service (2002)

Understanding You(th) (SALTO Cultural Diversity, 2010) explores identity and its role in international youth work. It is a practical tool for youth workers to respond to the growing challenges of the concept of identity in youth work.

Use your hands to move ahead (SALTO Inclusion, 2009 update) promotes and stimulates an innovative educational approach to use Short Term EVS as a personal pathway for the youngster with fewer opportunities.

How to develop an EVS project in EuroMed region (SALTO EuroMed) is a practical guide offering essential basic knowledge about how to develop an EVS project in/with EuroMed countries under the EuroMed and Youth in Action programmes.

How to be mentor in EuroMed EVS projects (SALTO EuroMed, 2015) provides mentors involved in EVS projects with practical tools, tips and guidelines helping them to offer support to volunteers involved in EVS in Euromed cooperation. This guide was inspired by the training for mentors and responsible of projects run in Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine in 2014 within the EVS accreditation process.

EVS Adventure Travel Book (SALTO EuroMed 2015) is designed as a companion for EVS volunteers within the EuroMed cooperation, offering learning support and relevant information.

Learning and recognition of learning in EVS, Youthpass

The Youthpass Guide provides background and support material to implement Youthpass in your projects.

European Voluntary Service projects. Pre-departure and on-arrival trainings, mid-term evaluation and the final evaluation provide perfect places and moments for volunteers to interrupt, to pause for a moment and to reflect on experiences made in the EVS project. Youthpass in EVS training cycle (SALTO Training and Cooperation, 2010) invites EVS trainers and other people accompanying EVS volunteers to look during these moments through learning-process glasses and use the potential for fur ther learning.

Youthpass Unfolded (SALTO Training and Cooperation, JUGEND für Europa, SALTO Inclusion, 2012) offers practical tips and hands-on methods to make the most of the Youthpass process. The handbook targets all those who are involved in facilitating the learning process of young people in Youth in Action projects: mentors, youth workers/leaders, coaches, trainers.

EVS Training Opportunities

International activities are announced in the European Training Calender.

For information about training offered at national level:

Contact the National Agency in your country.

If you are living in a neighbouring partner country of the Erasmus+ Programme in either the Eastern Europe and Caucasus, Russian Federation or EuroMed region, contact the SALTO EECA or SALTO EuroMed Resource Centre to check national level training offers.

If you live in a partner country of the Programme in the Western Balkans, check upcoming training opportunities with the Contact Point for Erasmus+: Youth in Action in your country.