Volunteering

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN ANOTHER MEMBER STATE 

The principle of transnational volunteering, regulated by the Law on Volunteering in respect of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, means that citizens of the Republic of Croatia who volunteer abroad have the same rights and obligations provided for under that Law and obligations under international law. In such cases, a volunteer organiser is obligated to arrange rights under the said Law for citizens of the Republic of Croatia volunteering abroad. However, if a volunteer volunteers as part of the EU programme that encourages volunteering and mobility in volunteering, programme rules also apply accordingly to such types of volunteering placements.
 
For many years, the European Voluntary Service (EVS), aimed at young people, has been playing an important part in the field of mobility of volunteers. The European Commission launched the EVS in 1996, and it operated until 2018, when the European Solidarity Corps programme was established, which included and built on the European Voluntary Service, focusing on the component of solidarity. The EVS enabled young people from the age of 17 to 30 to spend from two weeks up to one year volunteering in an organisation abroad; they were provided with free travel, accommodation, food, health insurance, language learning, and support for working and studying.  Since 2011, the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes  has been implementing the European Voluntary Service in the Republic of Croatia, as a full member of the Youth in Action Programme from 2007 to 2013, while for the period from 2014 to 2018 the European Voluntary Service was carried out under the Erasmus+ programme focused on education, training, youth and sport.
 
Adoption of Regulation (EU) 2018/1475 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 October 2018 laying down the legal framework of the European Solidarity Corps established the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme as a basis for achieving positive social changes by offering support to communities of individuals and entities dedicated to strengthening solidarity across Europe. The aim of the programme is to enable young people between 18 and 30 to volunteer or work in their countries or abroad on projects that benefit communities and people across Europe. Through these activities, young people have an opportunity to contribute to addressing social needs, while improving their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development.
 
The European Solidarity Corps programme contains three types of projects:
  1. Volunteering, through which young people are provided with an opportunity to volunteer for a period from 2 to 12 months, in their country or abroad
  2. Traineeships and jobs, through which young people are provided with an opportunity to get a job or traineeship in a wide range of sectors involved in activities strengthening solidarity, in their country or abroad
  3. Solidarity projects, solidarity activities and initiatives in the local community
Through implementation of the ESC programme volunteering projects, by volunteering in programme countries, young people are provided with an opportunity to respond to important social needs and contribute to strengthening communities, but also to acquire useful experience, skills and competences for their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employability.
You can find more information on the European Solidarity Corps programme, tenders, conditions and how to register, and other relevant information here, and for additional information, and assistance and support please contact the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, which is the implementing body of the European Solidarity Corps in the Republic of Croatia.
 
Competent authority and regulations
Ministry of Labour, the Pension System, Family and Social Policy
Ulica grada Vukovara 78
1000 Zagreb
+385 1 555 7343
info@mrms.hr
 
Central State Office for Demography and Youth
Trg Nevenke Topalušić 1
10000 Zagreb
+385 1 555 7111
info@demografijaimladi.hr
 
Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes
Frankopanska 26
10000 Zagreb
+ 385 1 5556 498
info@mobilnost.hr
 
Law on Volunteering (OG 58/0722/13)
The Foreigners Act (OG 133/20)
Regulation (EU) 2018/1475 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 October 2018
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018R1475&from=EN


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