The Spirit of EVS: Communication and learning within the European Voluntary Service

Have you faced any of these challenges within the last years? • A difficult communication and flow of information between the many different actors involved in EVS (such as: HOs, SOs, COs, mentors, volunteers, NAs, accreditors, trainers) or • Little awareness of the different needs, roles and responsibilities within EVS • Little shared understanding of the concept of EVS as a learning programme We particularly want to focus on these three areas: Information: Too often there is a lack of information or not fully functioning flow of information between the different actors (e.g. HO <-> mentors, HO <-> SO, HO <-> Volunteers, NA <-> volunteers, etc.…) and we want to make sure that during the course all the actors get the information they need (such as rights and responsibilities, EVS concept and what they mean in practice etc.) Communication: To have all the information one needs is often not enough to have an enriching EVS experience for all the actors involved. The quality of the relationships between the actors is crucial and communication an important element. We want to strengthen participants’ communication skills by offering concrete tools and methods to help them be able to communicate well and efficiently, covering the aspects described above. Spirit of EVS: When talking to organisations and volunteers we often hear: ”EVS is more than a programme” and we want to emphasise this aspect. It is about gaining and growing from a shared experience that is beneficial for all actors (HOs, SOs, COs, mentors, volunteers, NAs, accreditors, trainers) and recognise the learning journey that it involves. Aims • Provide information and knowledge on the concept of EVS including rights and responsibilities, learning in EVS, intercultural learning, involvement of the local community. • Create understanding for the different needs and realities of all the actors involved in EVS. • Support the communication and problem solving between the different actors through methods such as NVC (Non-violent communication), the Way of Council and Mediation. • Raise awareness and deepen the understanding of the spirit of EVS (EVS as a learning programme for all the actors involved) • Support the transfer of what is learned within the course to the reality of participants back home Approach and methods In order to really understand EVS as a whole we want to have all the different actors (at least the following: HOs, SOs, COs, mentors, volunteers, NAs, accreditors, trainers) and their perspectives present. This means we want to work together with the Sending National Agencies to select different roles for the available places, if possible. What is important here, however, is deepening the understanding of the spirit of EVS and what this means for all the actors involved. Only then can EVS become an experience that involves learning and benefit for everyone.