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Acknowledgements
A big thank you to all the volunteers who have had the kindness to answer the questionnaire, without
their answers this report would have been impossible. We would particularly like to thank Lisellote
Møller, Neja Hansen, Malin Johansson, Lisa Isaksson, Filip Standaert, Roman Broszeit, Céline Decloedt,
Mary Cinnamond, Alexandra Sutherland, Nick Hamer, Arndt Schmolke, Nirvta Banghar, Elena Vicentini,
Raffaele Fabrizi, Jorge Pinto and Alexandra Leitão, for having agreed to meet with us and for telling us
so much about themselves.
For further information on this study please contact Luís Amorim (Project Manager) at: SOS for EVS Rue des Drapiers 35 B-1050 Brussels Tel. +32-2-549 55 90 Fax +32-2-549 55 99 e-mail: [email protected]
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Foreword
he European Voluntary Service offers a unique opportunity to all the young people of Europe
to learn what it means to be a citizen of Europe and that they as individuals have and are an
important part of this process of citizenship and common understanding. Since it was born as
a Pilot Action in 1996 over five thousand young people have had the opportunity to participate in the
European Voluntary Service and many have cited it as the most important experience in their lives.
Feedback received from volunteers was rich and varied and it is clearly a source that cannot be
ignored in the evaluation of the programme. Therefore, the Structure for Operational Support (SOS)
took the initiative to investigate the impact of the European Voluntary Service on its participants. The
aims were to measure the impact in terms of educational, professional and personal development and
to ask volunteers their opinion of the programme.
The result of the investigation is this report, which provides a hitherto unseen perspective of the EVS.
Besides an in-depth analysis of the returned questionnaires and a summary of the outcomes of this
analysis, the report illustrates the experiences of the volunteers in graphic form and relates their
experiences in their own words. The results have been enlightening in that they have pointed out
some weaknesses and strengths of the programme and they have been positive in terms of the
volunteers’ evaluation of their experience – in fact, 95% of all the volunteers said it was either good or
very good.
This report on the impact of the European Voluntary Service on the volunteers is part of a series of
reports currently being prepared by the SOS team. An assessment is being made of the hosting
projects’ experience of the EVS and in particular the procedures of the programme and a study is also
planned on the perception of the programme from the point of view of sending projects. This group of
documents should give an interesting picture of the EVS from the perspective of the three partners in
a project.
T
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INDEX
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 4
THE EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE (EVS)................................................................... 4
q PILOT ACTION 1996/97..................................................................................................... 4 q THE PROGRAMME 1998/99................................ ................................ ................................ 4 q EVS IN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER EUROPEAN UNION PROGRAMMES...................................... 4 q EVS ADMINISTRATION..................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ........................................................................................... 4 ⇒ THE STRUCTURE FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT ................................................................... 4 ⇒ THE NATIONAL STRUCTURES................................ ................................ ............................ 4
THE STUDY FRAMEWORK..................................................................................................... 4
q THE TWO FUNDAMENTAL P RINCIPLES OF THE EVS PROGRAMME ......................................... 4 q THE OTHER DIMENSIONS................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ OPERATIONAL DIMENSIONS .............................................................................................. 4 ⇒ SOCIOLOGICAL DIMENSION S............................................................................................. 4 ⇒ PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSI ONS .......................................................................................... 4 q OUR HYPOTHESIS............................................................................................................. 4
METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................... 4
q PRELIMINARY CONTACTS.................................................................................................. 4 q THE GROUP OF PRE -TESTING ............................................................................................. 4 THE QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................................... 4 q THE POPULATION OF OUR STUDY AND OUR SAMPLE ................................ ............................ 4 q THE PERSONAL INTERVIEW S.............................................................................................. 4 q TIME-FRAME - PLANNED VERSUS ACHIEVED ...................................................................... 4
COMMENTS ON THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE................... 4
MAILING AND RETURN ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 4 THE R ESPONDENTS ...................................................................................................................... 4 q GENDER OF THE RESPONDENTS......................................................................................... 4 q AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS ............................................................................................... 4 q EDUCATION AND WORKING SITUATION ............................................................................. 4 q NATIONALITY AND LEGAL RESIDENCE OF THE RESP ONDENTS............................................. 4 q KNOWLEDGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES BEFORE EVS .......................................................... 4 MOTIVATION TO GO ON EVS................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 4 FINDING ABOUT EVS FOR THE FIRST TIME................................................................................... 4 SENDING AND HO STING ORGANISATIONS ..................................................................................... 4 THE MAIN THEMES OF VOLUNTEERS’ PROJECTS ........................................................................... 4 DURATION OF THE EVS PROJECT................................................................................................. 4 q DURATION OF EVS PROJECTS................................ ................................ ............................ 4 q REMAINING IN THE HOST ING COUNTRY AFTER EVS................................ ............................ 4 VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT IN EVS PROJECT.............................................................................. 4
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FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES AFTER EVS ............................................................... 4 q FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES ................................ ................................ ........ 4 q EVALUATION OF FOLLOW-UP & EVALUATION ACTIVITIES ................................................... 4 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND RE- INTEGRATION BACK HOME................................................. 4 q COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT............................................................................................. 4 q RE-INTEGRATION BACK HOME........................................................................................... 4 PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS ................................................................................... 4 q PERSONAL CHARACTERIST ICS ........................................................................................... 4 q PERSONAL SKILLS................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 4 EDUCATION AND WORK AFTER EVS................................ ................................ ............................ 4 q EDUCATION..................................................................................................................... 4 q WORKING LIFE................................................................................................................. 4 EXPECTATIONS FULFILLED .......................................................................................................... 4 OVER ALL EVALUATION OF TH E EXPERIENCE............................................................................... 4
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................... 4
BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................... 4
ANNEXE 1 – STATISTICAL TABLES - 245 VOLUNTEERS ................................................... 4
SEC TION A................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION B................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION C................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION D................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION E................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION F ................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION G................................................................................................................................... 4
ANNEXE 2 – STATISTICAL TABLES – DECENTRALISED STRAND - 152 VOLUNTEERS 4
SEC TION A................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION B................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION C................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION D................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION E................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION F ................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION G................................................................................................................................... 4
ANNEXE 3 - STATISTICAL TABLES - MULTILATERAL ACTION - 59 VOLUNTEERS..... 4
SEC TION A................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION B................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION C................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION D................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION E................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION F ................................................................................................................................... 4 SEC TION G................................................................................................................................... 4
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ANNEXE 4- ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (VOLUNTEERS’ COMMENTS)............................. 4
DECENTRALISED & C ENTRALISED STRANDS ................................ ................................ ................ 4 1. SUMMARY OF POSITIVE COMMENTS .................................................................................. 4 2. SUMMARY OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS................................................................................. 4 3. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................... 4 4. SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................. 4 ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (COMMENTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS) – DECENTRALISED STRAND ............ 4 ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (COMMENTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS) – CENTRALISED STRAND ................ 4
ANNEXE 5 – SECTION H – FULL COMMENTS ...................................................................... 4
DECENTRALISED STRAND............................................................................................................. 4 q AUSTRIA....................................................................................................................... 4 q BELGIUM ...................................................................................................................... 4 q DENMARK..................................................................................................................... 4 q GERMANY..................................................................................................................... 4 q FINLAND....................................................................................................................... 4 q FRANCE......................................................................................................................... 4 q IRELAND....................................................................................................................... 4 q ITALY................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 4 q LUXEMBOURG ............................................................................................................. 4 q NETHERLANDS ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 4 q PORTUGAL................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 4 q SPAIN............................................................................................................................. 4 q UNITED KINGDOM....................................................................................................... 4
ANNEXE 6 – SECTION H – FULL COMMENTS..................................................................... 4
CENTRALISED STRAND................................................................................................................. 4 Ø MULTILATERAL ........................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ BELGIUM......................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ GERMANY ....................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ FINLAND ......................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ FRANCE ........................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ NETHERLANDS................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ SPAIN .............................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ SWEDEN .......................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ UNITED KINGDOM ........................................................................................................... 4 Ø FLAGSHIPS................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 4 ⇒ AU STRIA ......................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ FRANCE ........................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ GERMANY ....................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ GREECE ........................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ IRELAND ......................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ NETHERLANDS................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ PORTUGAL ...................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ SPAIN .............................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ UNITED KINGDOM ........................................................................................................... 4 Ø THIRD COUNTRIES ....................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ BELGIUM......................................................................................................................... 4
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⇒ FRANCE ........................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ ITALY.............................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ SWEDEN .......................................................................................................................... 4 Ø SPECIAL EVENT (WORLD CUP)...................................................................................... 4 ⇒ DENMARK ....................................................................................................................... 4 ⇒ SPAIN .............................................................................................................................. 4 ⇒ UNITED KINGDOM ........................................................................................................... 4
ANNEXE 7 – TESTER GROUP- TREATMENT OF DATA ...................................................... 4
ANNEXE 8 – LIST OF INTERVIEWS AND INTERVIEW GUIDE........................................... 4
INTERVIEW GUIDE.................................................................................................................. 4
ANNEXE 9 - QUESTIONNAIRE................................ ................................ ................................ 4
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INTRODUCTION
ollowing the implementation of the European Voluntary Service (EVS) Pilot Action, the
Structure of Operational Support for the EVS (SOS) based in Brussels, made an evaluation of
the experience of the volunteers who took part in the programme, at the request of the
Directorate General XXII (DGXXII – Education, Training and Youth) of the European Commission.
The following chapters contain general information about the EVS, a description of the study’s
framework and methodology, as well as an analysis of the main statistical results of the 245
questionnaires received at the SOS. A conclusion and some recommendations for future studies of
this kind are made at the end of this report.
A useful bibliography containing a list of titles relevant for the EVS and volunteering in general can
also be found at the end of the report before the chapter containing the specific and general annexes.
The bibliography is followed by a group of nine annexes where readers can find a full list of the
statistical tables resulting from the questionnaires’ analysis, and amongst others a full account of the
volunteers personal comments when responding to Section H of our questionnaire (open comments).
A copy of the original questionnaire sent to the volunteers can be found in the last annexe of this
report.
This study is based on the personal perceptions of the volunteers, and should not be understood as
an evaluation of the programme. The questionnaires have allowed us to collect the volunteers’ opinion
on what had been the impact of EVS in their lives and how they rated the overall experience in terms
of negative versus positive outcomes.
The study took place from October 1998 to September 1999 and should be looked at in the context of
other relevant studies developed by the SOS, namely the one on the Hosting projects’ perspective on
EVS (concluded) and the one on the Sending projects’ perspective (under implementation).
F
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THE EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE (EVS)1
he European Voluntary Service is a programme developed by the Directorate General XXII of
the European Commission. The programme is open to all young people between the ages of
eighteen to twenty-five who are residents or nationals of a Member State of the European
Union, Iceland or Norway, and asks for no qualifications beyond their motivation and enthusiasm. The
programme is not a replacement of military service or a substitution for existing or potential paid jobs.
In a project that they should help define young people can learn about taking responsibility and being
involved in a team. The programme hopes that as their skills develop and they confront the
challenges of living in a different culture, their self-confidence and independence also increases.
This non -formal education is seen as a means for motivating young people to develop their skills not
only on a personal and social level but on a professional level as well. As a result, the voluntary
service wishes to provide a complement to an individual’s formal education and training allowing
him/her to take a more active role in determining his/her future integration into the labour market and
society.
Projects with strong local roots provide the best opportunities for integrating young volunteers into the
host community. The EVS represents an important opportunity for local projects. A volunteer should
be seen as an extra resource, allowing her/him to develop innovative ideas responding to local needs.
With the broad range of non-profit making activities, which may be offered to EVS in the social,
cultural and environmental fields, there is plenty of scope for developing existing projects or to create
new ones. The objective of the EVS is to spread the benefits and responsibilities of the projects
between the actors. A successful voluntary service project should enable a youngster to gain
experience and broaden his/her horizons as a European citizen serving a local community.
q Pilot Action 1996/97
The first possibility to participate in the European Voluntary Service was offered to young people in
1996, thanks to a “pilot action” which was launched by the European Commission on the basis of a
budget line of 25 million Euro established by the European Parliament. In a relatively short period of
time, this pilot action helped to create a new dynamic in the field of international voluntary service. It
provided a solid basis for the further development of this kind of activity, even in countries which had
little or no previous experience in this field. It also provided an opportunity to test a completely new
approach to the implementation of voluntary service activities in a European context, based on a
partnership between the European Commission, national governments, local and regional authorities
and a wide range of actors from the voluntary and non-governmental sectors.
1 Information based on the EVS User’s guide for 1998.
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In total, approximately 2500 young people from all European Union countries, Iceland and Norway
have been able to take part in the pilot action of the European Voluntary Service. Over 1000 local
organisations have been involved in hosting young volunteers for periods of 6 to 12 months. One of
the keys to the positive implementation of the pilot action was the establishment of a network of
National Structures in each participating country. These National Structures are an important source of
information and advice for young people and potential sending and hosting organisations. They also
play a central role in the selection and funding of projects, as well as the organisation of preparation
and training activities for volunteers and support persons.
The Commission has also supported special projects involving partners in several Member States
during the course of the pilot action. These have included “multilateral actions” and “flagship projects”
which have been focused on a particular target group or issue.
Some experimental projects with countries outside of the European Union have been supported
through the pilot action. More than 200 young people have taken part in these projects, which have
taken place in Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, Latin America and Africa.
These projects are also known as “Third Country” projects.
Finally a special project, under the title of “Special Event”, has also been supported by the European
Commission in the framework of the Football World Cup in France, allowing for the participation of 72
young volunteers.
q The Programme 1998/99
Building on the successful results of the pilot action, a European Voluntary Service programme was
established in July 1998 with a budget of 47,5 million Euro. The adoption of this programme by the
European Parliament and the Council of Ministers bears witness to the growing political support and
recognition across the European Union for this initiative.
With a significantly increased budget the bi-annual European Voluntary Service programme supported
so far an estimate of 3 000 young people2. During the next seven months a similar total is expected,
raising the number of participants for these 19 months to 6 000 (initial estimates fores aw a minimum of
8 000 volunteers for 24 months). The Pilot Action provided a basis from which the feasibility of the
programme activities was determined. As a result, the programme offers nowadays a broader range
of activities, which should help to match the individual needs and expectations of young people.
Therefore financial support was made available for the following:
⇒ Long-term EVS activities (6-12 months)
2 Estimate contributed by the SOS.
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⇒ Short-term EVS activities (3 weeks – 3 months)3
⇒ Future Capital grants (post-EVS activities)
⇒ Third Country projects (projects outside the EU, Iceland and Norway)
⇒ Training and support activities
⇒ Special Event projects (multilateral projects of particular relevance)
⇒ Information, studies and evaluation activities
⇒ Seminars and conferences.
Furthermore the programme is divided into two main strands, Centralised and Decentralised. The
former refers to all the multilateral projects, third country projects, special events, and particularly big
support measures, that are selected and managed by the European Commission in Brussels. The
latter refers to the bulk of the programme and to all the bilateral projects approved and managed at
national level by the National Structures.
The European Voluntary Service programme also paved the way for the adoption of a new integrated
Community youth programme in July 1999, for the period of 2000 to 2004 with a budget of 350 million
Euro. This programme is built on the experience of both the European Voluntary Service and Youth for
Europe programmes. Its main action lines include:
⇒ Youth for Europe (intra-community exchanges for young people; Third Country exchanges)
⇒ European Voluntary Service (intra-community service; Third Country service)
⇒ Youth Initiatives (individual projects developed by young people; post-EVS individual projects)
⇒ Joint Actions (projects integrating different areas of competence, such as youth and education)
⇒ Support measures (training and co -operation in relation to those involved in youth policy;
information for young people and youth studies).
q EVS in the context of other European Union programmes
The European Voluntary Service is not an isolated initiative of the European Commission, together
with Youth for Europe, Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci, it is one of several programmes aimed at
creating a E uropean space for education – formal and non-formal – and vocational training. As in the
case of the European Voluntary Service, they are all addressed mainly, although sometimes indirectly,
to young people.
Youth for Europe and the European Voluntary Service both have the same general objectives and
methods: both try to promote young people’s active citizenship and social and occupational integration
through activities which involve practical intercultural learning and in which they are the main actors.
3 These activities are directed mainly at local projects willing to host young people facing special difficulties or having special needs.
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Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci are the major European Union programmes in the areas of education
and vocational training respectively. Thanks to these programmes, students, trainees, teachers and
other professionals can build a strong European component into their curricula, their training or their
careers.
All of these programmes are run by Directorate General XXII of the European Commission and after
January 2000 the political intention is to have a much more integrated approach to all the different
actions dealing with education, training and youth.
q EVS Administration
⇒ The European Commission
The European Commission initiated the pilot action of the EVS and is responsible for the bi -annual
programme. It oversees the implementation, follow-up and evaluation of the programme at European
level. The Commission maintains overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the National Structures,
co-operates with them closely and oversees their activities. While the primary sources of information
are the National Structures and the Structure of Operational Support (SOS), the Commission may also
be contacted for information or for the purpose of appealing decisions made at the national level. The
Commission is also responsible for the co-ordination of the international selection committee that
decides on hosting projects’ participation in the programme, with the help of the SOS.
⇒ The Structure for Operational Support
The SOS is part of a Belgian non -profit making association (Service pour la transformation,
l’innovation et le changement social – STICS), which is active in the social and educational sectors.
The SOS has been appointed by the European Commission in August 1996 to provide the necessary
support to implement the EVS. This small task force (8 people in September 1999) guarantees a
stable and accessible contact point and provides immediate assistance when problems arise. The
principal role of the SOS is to inform and assist the National Structures, existing and potential projects
and volunteers. More specifically, its tasks include helping in the analysis and selection of hosting
organisations, updating the centralised database of hosting organisations, creating a basis for the
matchmaking of organisations and volunteers, monitoring of projects, sup porting the interface with
National Structures, evaluation and information activities concerning the EVS.
⇒ The National Structures
In order to ensure that activities carried out by the volunteers are as close as possible to the
motivations of applicants and the needs of the host communities, effective co -ordination between all
Page 13 of 1
the partners is essential. Therefore, a National Structure exists in each programme country to assist
with the implementation of the programme at the national level. The national authorities responsible
for youth affairs in each programme country identified these National Structures. They have
experience with European programmes for young people and are familiar with the relevant issues and
organisations. The Commission contributes to the financing of National Structures on the basis of an
annual work plan giving a detailed overview of the strategy and activities planned by each National
Structure for implementation of the EVS programme in the national context.
Each National Struc ture acts as an interface between the European Commission, project promoters at
national, regional and local level and the volunteers themselves and is a key contact point. They are
responsible for distributing of general information about EVS, encouraging the establishment of
hosting and sending organisations, assessing projects, advising project promoters, assisting contacts
and co-ordination between sending and hosting organisations, providing information and advice, co-
ordinating preparatory activities for young volunteers and those responsible for them in the hosting
organisation, monitoring projects and volunteers’ activities and supporting volunteers and project
leaders in case of difficulties.
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THE STUDY FRAMEWORK
lthough many of the visits that the SOS made to different hosting projects had provided
relevant information on the volunteers’ situation, there had not been any systematic attempt to
know what they actually thought of the programme, as well as what their perception about the
impact of the programme in their lives was. The SOS saw the development of a specific study on the
volunteers’ perceptions as a chance of tackling this latter aspect of the programme’s evaluation. Thus,
the current study was developed and implemented by the SOS as part of its overall monitoring
responsibilities and we were asked by the SOS to carry it out. We decided to ask the volunteers what
their perception on EVS was, not only how they evaluated the programme in terms of being good or
bad, but their feeling about the changes it had brought about to their personality, skills and life in
general.
q The two fundamental principles of the EVS programme4
⇒ To provide a new kind of intercultural learning experience for young people, encouraging their
social and occupational integration5;
⇒ To give a helping hand for the development of local communities;
Our study concentrated on the second half (underlined) of the first of these two principles. It was
therefore our wish to know if the participants in the EVS programme thought that it had helped them to
know better what they wanted to do concretely after their voluntary service, both academically and
professionally.
To be more precise, we wished to find out if the young volunteers in question had, for example,
decided to do further studies after their voluntary service, or had started a new area of studies directly
related to their EVS experience. It was also our wish to see if any of the volunteers had found a job
after their voluntary service, and if this job was directly related to their experience. We also wanted to
know what their future plans were as far as finding a job is concerned.
Another of our aims was to know if the participants in the programme felt that it gave them a number
of skills that we consider to be necessary to face up to their future academic and professional
integration.
4 These two principles are enumerated by the European Commission in its official description of the programme.
A
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q The other dimensions6
There were also other relevant dimensions that we wanted to study and that we considered to be
important success criteria to evaluate the impact of the programme from the participants’ point of view,
even though these were not directly linked to the second half of the EVS principle mentioned above.
We have separated these dimensions in three different categories: operational dimensions (related to
the rules and core activities of the programme); sociological dimensions (socialisation aspects of the
programme); psychological dimensions (related to the evolution of self-perception amongst the
participants).
⇒ Operational dimensions
We wanted to know where the young volunteers had found out about the EVS programme for the first
time; what type of organisations had served as sending and hosting projects; the main themes of their
activities; the average duration of the volunteers’ stay; what type of activities had been organised after
their return home to help them reintegrate; if these activities had been satisfactory or not, together with
many other aspects related to this particular dimension.
⇒ Sociological dimensions
As already said before, we wanted to know how much having taken part in the EVS programme had
influenced the volunteers’ future initiatives and decisions, both academically and professionally, but
we also wanted to know what was their academic and professional situation before going on EVS. On
the other hand, it was important for us to know if they thought the programme had had any impact on
the development of their informal skills, such as their capacity for teamwork, personal communication,
leadership, etc. It was also important for us to know if any of the volunteers had initiated volunteering
activities after EVS and if their expectations had been fulfilled. We also wished to know if their re-
integration back home had been easy or not. Finally, we wanted to know what was their overall
evaluation of the programme.
5 Underlined by us. 6 Please note that these dimensions must be considered only in the particular context of our questionnaire.
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⇒ Psychological dimensions
We wanted to know if the EVS programme had had any impact on the young people’s personality
perception. In fact, we wanted to know if their personal perceptions/descriptions had changed, or not,
in comparison to their personal characteristics before participating in EVS. We wanted to know if they
considered the programme as having had a decisive influence on a positive evolution of their
personality features. On the other hand, we were also interested in knowing their motivation to take
part in this programme.
q Our Hypothesis
The following is the list of hypothesis that we considered before getting the results of the questionnaire
and treating them statistically. Whenever a particular hypothesis is relevant to a sub -chapter of the
main chapter “Comments on the statistical analysis of the questionnaire”, this will appear on top of the
page designated by the symbol H .
Though most of our hypothesis appear to be frankly positive, and therefore might lead one to think of a
slight bias, the truth is that our contact with volunteers, sending and hosting organisations, as well as
National Structures, for almost two years at the date of this study, had made us believe that the effects
of the programme on its participants were more positive than negative in the majority of the cases.
In the beginning we had thought of adding to the psychological dimensions in our questionnaire a
group of questions related to the volunteers self-esteem. However, time constraints have made it
impossible to prepare the necessary scales of attitude to obtain specific data for this purpose.
Therefore, hypothesis number VII was not tested in any way and cannot be commented upon. We
would recommend future studies to take this into account, since we believe it to be an extremely
accurate indicator of the programme’s success. A lot of studies have been made on people’s self-
esteem and the use of stand ard scales would provide objective data that would go beyond the
volunteers’ perceptions.
I. We expect that in most cases young people having participated in EVS have learned about it
through local and national publications, as well as through direct contact with the National
Structures that are responsible for the implementation of the programme in the member
states.
II. We expect that the majority of the participants have had formal activities of follow-up and
evaluation after their voluntary service, which in most cases were not more than a short-term
group session.
Page 17 of 1
III. We expect that young people’s participation in EVS had very positive consequences on their
educational and professional integration possibilities. We also expect that in the majority of the
cases having taken part in EVS has stimulated them to continue their studies and look for a
job directly or indirectly related to their experiences abroad.
IV. We expect that having been EVS volunteers has motivated the majority of these young people
to look for volunteering opportunities after their return home, and that in the majority of the
cases this activities are similar to those developed while they were on EVS.
V. We expect that most participants have decided to go on EVS due to their wish to get more
working experience and become more independent in life.
VI. We expect the majority of the participants to have fulfilled their expectations, vis-à-vis the
programme, in particular as far as their wishes to become more independent and to be
capable of better understanding other cultures and ways of life are concerned.
VII. We expect the majority of the volunteers to have had a positive evolution of their self-esteem,
and that this may be a direct result of their participation in EVS.
VIII. We expect the majority of the participants to make a positive evaluation of the programme.
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METHODOLOGY
ur study was composed of four main phases: 1) Preparation of the study, consisting of
relevant preliminary contacts and the drafting of a first questionnaire; 2) Creation of a group
of pre-testing and mailing of a draft questionnaire to a small group of volunteers (pre-testing
group composed of returned EVS volunteers), as well as analysis of responses; 3) Mailing of the final
questionnaire to all relevant returned volunteers, accompa nied by a number of personal interviews
with a small group of returned volunteers 4) Writing of the study’s report.
q Preliminary contacts
We have used the different mission reports written by the project managers of the SOS since 1996
(visits to hosting projects in Europe), focusing on those that contained personal descriptions of the
experience by volunteers as a first tool to structure our study. Several discussions with the SOS head
of office (Clare Fitzsimons), the rest of the project managers of the SOS (Sara Adams and Géraldine
Libreau), and several officials from DGXXII have also helped us in our first attempts to plan our study.
We have also exchanged communication with Mr. Eliot Stern from the Tavistock Institute in London
due to his involvement in the ex-ante and on-going evaluation of the European Voluntary Service for
the European Commission. We have also based our first project of the study on the many personal
contacts that we had been able to have with the volunteers participating in the programme. Important
was also the study that we had concluded in 1998 entitled “Un phare pour les jeunes en difficulté – le
projet phare du Forum Jeunesse dans le cadre de l’action pilote du SVE pour les jeunes”. This study
gave us the possibility to talk extensively with many volunteers during one year, and their comments
and concerns proved very helpful in designing, for instance, our questionnaire.
We have also relied on the results and conclusions of previous studies conducted by AFS Intercultural
Programs and Youth for Understanding (YFU) during the 1980’s on the impact of long-term student
exchanges on their participants. We have also consulted extensive documentation on EVS since its
beginning, namely European Commission reports and small-scale studies on volunteering in Europe
produced since 1990 until today, (please see the bibliography at the end of this report for the full
listings).
O
Page 19 of 1
q The group of pre -testing
We have created a small group of volunteers with the help of six National Structures - Belgium
(Flanders), Austria, Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy and Portugal 7 - by asking them to select two
names amongst their participants in the programme for us to contact about our study. We have also
contacted for the same purpose an international non-governmental organisation that participated in
the Pilot Action of the programme under the Multilateral action (Experiment in Europe), and an
international network of local projects having participated in the Flagship action of the Pilot Action
(ŒIL-ENVOL). Our objective was to have a balanced group of sixteen individuals, including both
participants from the decentralised strand (directly supported by the member states) and centralised
strand (directly supported by the European Commission). Our aim was to test the draft version of the
questionnaire produced on August 18, 1998 with the help of young people who had already done their
EVS and returned home.
We received a total of 12 replies to our mailing from the pre-testing group and their input and
recommendations, as well as their answers, were extremely fruitful and helped us in improving the
final version of the questionnaire. We have produced a small document on the results of the pre-
testing group in September 1998, which can be consulted in annexe 5 at the end of this report.
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
A first version of the questionnaire to be used with our sample of returned volunteers was written
between June and July 1998 and circulated amongst the project managers of the SOS and different
officials of DGXXII (Unit C.2 8) for comments and suggestions. This first version of the questionnaire
was also sent to Mr. Elliot Stern from the Tavistock Institute of London for a more scientific approach,
comments and corrections. A first draft of the final questionnaire was concluded on August 18, 1998,
incorporating the different suggestions made by the all the relevant people that we have contacted.
Our final questionnaire was divided into eight different sections, from A to H, each of them
corresponding more or less to the operational, sociological or psychological dimensions present in our
study. The two first dimensions occupy a greater part of the questionnaire (only two questions, A-8
and D-1, are directly related to the psychological dimension of the study).
To build the different sections and questions we used many of the sources already mentioned before.
Some complementary insight was obtained from the results of the study based on the Youth Forum’s
EVS Flagship where some of the questions present in our questionnaire had also been used. We have
also used concrete opportunities for meeting with volunteers staying in the United Kingdom (June
7 This choice of countries was based on previous samples used for the evaluation of other European youth programmes, such as Youth for Europe and EVS itself. 8 Unit responsible for the European Voluntary Service programme.
Page 20 of 212
1998) and Greece (July and September 1998) to change and include new questions in the final
questionnaire, in accordance to their opinions.
Sections A, B, and C were based on the general rules of the programme and their character is mainly
operational, although question A-8 (motivation) has to do with the sociological and psychological
dimensions of the study.
Section D-1 of the questionnaire was built using a number of mixed sources. This semantic scale of
personal description/perception was based on many of the expressions that volunteers have used
during our personal contacts with them to describe the changes that ha d occurred in their personalities
after EVS. However, we have introduced some of the words in the scale ourselves, as part of our own
experience of the changes taking place in volunteers’ personalities after EVS. These were the result
not only of our work as EVS project manager for the SOS, but they also resulted from the many
discussions we have had with our colleagues working on EVS both at National and European levels.
To avoid different interpretations from different people and countries we built an operational glossary
of terms as an annex to section D -1 of the questionnaire, which was also mailed to the volunteers (List
of meanings).
The majority of the questions were “closed” with room being given for the respondents to add
alternative answers to most of them. Section H was left completely “open” at the end of the
questionnaire to give the respondents the possibility of telling us anything else that they might
consider important to mention and that we had not asked. This gave the volunteers the possibility of
making a more personal/expressive evaluation of the impact of EVS in their lives (telling us about an
important episode that happened during their stay, for instance), or to make specific recommendations
for the future of the programme.
The questionnaires were sent only in English due to both time and financial constraints. We would
have liked to have sent it in all of the 11 official languages of the European Union, as well as in
Icelandic9, however this would have been costly and would not have allowed us to send the
questionnaires within the planned date. We have chosen English based on the fact that
Eurobarometre’s statistics on young people in the European Union for 1997 pointed to the fact that
54% of the population between 15 and 25 years of age spoke English as their second language. We
thought that English would therefore give us more chances of having a reasonable return of completed
questionnaires. We tried to simplify the language of the questionnaire and give as many opportunities
for pre-arranged answers (closed format) as possible to facilitate the process for those volunteers less
fluent in English. We have also informed the volunteers that if they wished to do so they could make
all additional comments in their own language. Some of the comments in Section H of the
questionnaire were made in the volunteers’ mother tongue and not in English.
9 At this time we had no data concerning Norwegian volunteers.
Page 21 of 1
Now that the questionnaire has been used and its statistical analysis completed, we are capable of
realising some shortcomings that in a future study of this kind should be avoided. The expressions that
we have used were not always easy to understand by the volunteers. Expressions such as “direct
invitation by the organisers” under question B.1 proved to be irrelevant because they did not tell us
who the organisers were. We have the impression for instance, that many of the respondents did not
know the difference between the expression “sending organisation” and “National Structure”,
mentioned in question B.2. However as a starting point we think that our questionnaire was a good
tool to obtain information on the volunteers’ perception of the programme’s impact.
The questionnaire was sent on October 22, 1998. Volunteers were asked to return it till December 31,
1998. Our expected percentage of return was 30%. For a full copy of the questionnaire sent to the
volunteers, please see annexe 7 at the end of this report.
q The population of our study and our sample
The population of our study was composed of all the volunteers having participated in the EVS
programme during the Pilot Action. Our sample was composed of all volunteers who returned between
September 17, 1996 (the first returnees) and August 15, 1998 (three months before the mailing of the
questionnaire), i.e. a total of 890 volunteers10. We wanted to give an interval of at least 3 months
between the mailing of our questionnaire and the last date of return of the volunteers in our sample to
make sure that our respondents had had some time back in their home countries to think about the
impact of the experience and what it had meant to them concretely. From the total of 890 volunteers
we have only sent 742 questionnaires, due to the fact that some of the data encoded at National level
did not include the complete addresses of the volunteers. No data were available at the time for the
mailing of Greek and Norwegian volunteers from the decentralised strand.
q The personal interviews
Parallel to the questionnaire we have also personally interviewed the volunteers of the pre-testing
group as part of a more qualitative collection of data. In a few cases however, we had to ask the
National Structures to provide us with new names due to people’s lack of availability, or lack of
reaction to our pre-testing mailing. All of these interviews have taken place between October 1998 and
January 1999. We have conducted a total of 16 interviews, each with an average duration of 3 hours.
We have interviewed volunteers from Belgium (2), Denmark (2), Germany (2), Italy (2), Portugal (2),
Sweden (2) and the United Kingdom (4). One of the interviews in the group was made via the
telephone. The reason for having interviewed two more volunteers from the United Kingdom had to do
with the fact that they took the initiate to contact us directly and asked to be interviewed. Since we
10 This number was based on the information encoded by the EVS National Structures in the common database of projects.
Page 22 of 212
were in the vicinity of their homes at the time we agreed to it. Originally we had also planned to
interview two volunteers from Austria, however after trying to contact different volunteers we did not
obtain any replies and since time was becoming quite tight for us to finalise the study, we abandoned
this possibility.
The personal interviews with the volunteers allowed us to fill in some of the gaps in our statistical data
or to complement it. They provided some interesting “histoires de vie” that shed some more light on
the more complex social and personal processes behind people’s participation in EVS, sometimes
difficult to remark through the questionnaires. The results of the in-depth interviews have not been
treated systematically. Unfortunately this was something quite above our availability in terms of human
resources. A full report on what the volunteers have told us would be indeed very interesting to read
and distribute amongst all those involved in EVS. Nevertheless, the richness of their comments was
registered on tape and these are available for consultation at the SOS.
A list of these interviews, with names and additional information can be found in annexe 6 at the end
of this report. The guide of the interview can also be read in the same annexe.
q Time-Frame - planned versus achieved
June-July 98 August 98 SEPTEMBER 98 OCTOBER 98 November 98 December 98 January 99 April-May 99 Elaboration of first
research framework
and objectives
Exploratory
Measures
(preliminary
contacts,
consultation of
reports, exchange
of ideas with
relevant people)
Construction of first
drafts of the
questionnaire
Finalising of first
draft of the
questionnaire
Mailing to the
pre-testing group
Analysis of pre -
testing results
Construction of
final version of
the questionnaire
Consultation with
relevant parties
about research
instruments and
objectives (re -
orientation)
Mailing of the
final
questionnaire to
742 volunteers
Interviews with
volunteers from
Denmark,
Sweden and
Belgium
Interviews with
volunteers from
Germany and
United kingdom
First treatment
of data for 50
questionnaires
(only selected
questions)
Interviews with
volunteers from
Italy
Deadline for
receiving all
questionnaires
at SOS
Interviews with
volunteers from
Portugal and
Austria
Systematic
treatment of
data begins
Systematic
treatment of
interviews
begins
Results of the
study are
made
available
Calendar of foreseen activities
We were able to keep our activities according to plan until January 1999, after that the encoding of the
questionnaires and the subsequent statistical treatment and interpretation of the answers took us a lot
longer than expected. We had some regular help with the encoding of the questionnaires during the
months of January and February 1999, but we had to finish this ourselves and at the same time start
treating and analysing our data. The treatment of the volunteers’ comments from Section H of the
Page 23 of 1
questionnaire was also an aspect of our study that proved to be morose and required frequent re-
consideration, in terms of format and interpretation. All these facts have lead to the conclusion of our
analysis and study report 4 months after what we had planned in our calendar.
Page 24 of 212
“I have not only had easy moments, far from that, I
almost gave up, but today I am stronger. I have acquired life
values in accordance with who I am even if they are different
from those I have been educated to have”
Belgian volunteer
COMMENTS ON THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE
MAILING AND RETURN
s previous ly said (see chapter on methodology) the questionnaire was sent to all EVS
volunteers who took part in the Pilot Action of the EVS programme, i.e. between 1996 and 1998.
To be more precise, the questionnaire was mailed to all volunteers having returned to their
home countries after EVS between September 17, 1996 and August 15, 1998 the rule being that
they had to have returned to their countries at least three months before the mailing date of our
questionnaire. September 17, 1996 refers in this case also to the date of the first returns home of
volunteers.
The questionnaire was sent on 22 October, 1998 to 742 volunteers, although the number of returnees
at the time within the above-mentioned criteria was 890 (approximately 50% of all the volunteers
registered in the SOS’s database of projects at that time - 1796 volunteers). Unfortunately not all of
the volunteers had their addresses complete in the SOS’s database of projects, which explains the
reason why only 742 were sent our questionnaire. The first questionnaires started to arrive at the SOS
at the beginning of November 1998, although the majority came during the months of December 1998
and January 1999. The two last questionnaires were received as late as June 1999.
Mailing and % of feedback
All volunteers
(database 01/10/98)
Returnees
(database 01/10/98)
Mailing
(22/10/98)
Feedback % All
volunteers
% Returnees % Mailing
1796 890 742 245 13,6 27,5 33,0
Tableau I
We have received at the SOS 245 complete questionnaires, whi ch
corresponds to 33% of our mailing, a percentage slightly above our
expectations (30%). We think that more questionnaires would have
been returned, if the former had been sent in the volunteers’
different mother tongues and not only as it happened in English.
This fact was actually mentioned by two respondents in section H of
the questionnaire (see annexe 2 - Analysis of section H). Although
aware of this circumstance, financial constraints made it impossible for us to do it otherwise.
Nevertheless, the number of returned questionnaires was significant enough for us to draw some
major trends and conclusions in the following pages. It must be pointed out that the percentage of
returned questionnaires corresponds to 27.5% of the total number of volunteers within our mailing
A
Page 25 of 1
“I really do feel that as a volunteer I started to be more open to new people (and new ideas!), more able to feel and show tolerance and empathy”
German volunteer
criteria (890), which is again a reasonable level of feedback and therefore representative enough of
our general population of returnees.
Only a small percentage of questionnaires came back returned by the postal services, due to
insufficient address information (3%). An even smaller percentage of returned questionnaires (1%)
was annulled by us due to the fact that the questionnaires were too incomplete or ineligible for correct
encoding.
Feedback to the questionnaire
33%3%
1%
63%
answered queries
unanswered queries
anulled queries
unreturned queries
Graphic 1
As it had been mentioned before, the EVS programme is divided into
two main strands, Decentralised and Centralised, each of these with
different characteristics when it comes to its management and
implementation. For this reason we have sent our questionnaire
separately, in order to be capable of surveying any relevant
differences in the responses of the two groups of volunteers. In terms of feedback, those volunteers
who participated in the decentralised strand of EVS were more responsive (63%) than their colleagues
from the centralised strand (37%). This difference between the two groups is more significant if we
take into account the fact that within the 742 returnees that constituted our initial pool of respondents,
the distribution was roughly the same for each of the two strands (centralised 43%, and decentralised
57%). However, it is also important to underline the fact that out of 2500 volunteers who took part in
the Pilot Action of the programme approximately 70% of the volunteers participated in the
decentralised strand, and only 30% in the centralised one.
Page 26 of 212
Answers distribution per strand
63%
37%
decentralised
centralised
Graphic 2
Taking into account the individual contacts that we have had with volunteers from the centralised
strand, who participated in EVS during the Pilot Action, it became clea r to us that many of them were
not aware of being part of the EVS contingent, or for that matter of the existence of this programme of
the European Union. They often identified more with the umbrella organisation co-ordinating their
exchange, and therefore with their own volunteering project, than with the general framework of EVS.
Some volunteers in the section H of our questionnaire also pointed this out. Five of the volunteers
from the centralised strand have stated that they were not sure if what they had done was actually the
EVS programme (see annexe 2 Analysis of section H). This could explain why some of the volunteers
who received our questionnaire did not answer it, they simply did not identity the programme in
question and may therefore have dismissed the questionnaire completely, or feel less motivated to
answer it.
Page 27 of 1
THE RESPONDENTS
q Gender of the respondents
n terms of gender, female volunteers constituted the overwhelming majority of our respondents
(75%) in relation to male volunteers (25%). Although it is true that the gender distribution of
volunteers amongst our general population of 890 volunteers at the time of the mailing was 64% for
female and 36% for male participants - percentages that are corroborated by the final statistics of
the Pilot Action (65% of female participants and 35% of male participants)11- the difference in our
return between the two groups is too significant to be only attributed to the fact that more women than
men participate in general in EVS. Our data does not allow us to put forward any plausible explanation
for this significant difference but to remark it.
Gender distribution - EVS vols.
25%
75%
Male
Female
Graphic 3
q Age of the respondents
The average age of the respondents was 21 years old, slightly inferior to the average age for all of the
volunteers who participated in the Pilot Action (22 years old)12. The biggest concentration of
participants was in the 18-20 age-bracket (47%). If we look separately at the volunteers who have
taken part in the centralised strand of the program me, under the Multilateral action this percentage is
significantly higher, with 66% of the volunteers in the 18-20 age-bracket. This is partially explained by
the fact that a high number of the respondents in both the decentralised and centralised strands were
German volunteers whose ages were quite younger in relation to the other nationalities. In the case of
the German volunteers of the decentralised action, and as a mere example, 81% of the volunteers had
ages comprised between 18 and 20 years of age.
11 SOS, Statistical compilation - percentage of volunteers by gender, European Voluntary Service, SOS, June 1999 12 SOS, Statistical compilation - average age of volunteers, European Voluntary Service, SOS, June 1999.
I
Gender distribution Total %
Male 61 24,9
Female 184 75,1
Total 245 100
Table I
Page 28 of 212
“My EVS project has been a good transition for me between
my studies and my professional life. My experience
has helped me to find a job (social work) which I like. Then
it gave me the ambition to continue my studies on
Education”
French volunteer
We should also take into account the fact that for many volunteers the programme is seen as a break
between their secondary school studies and university. This was stated by several of the volunteers
that we have interviewed and is also corroborated by many of the youth workers with whom we have
talked during our study. This is furthermore consolidated by the fact that half of the respondents (50%)
had just finished secondary school before participating in EVS. Taking into account that in most
European Union countries secondary school is finished around 17-18 years of age, this is one more
reason that may help explaining this high percentage around the 18-20 age-bracket.
116
75
53
10
20
40
60
80
100
120
18-20 21-23 24-26 27-28
Age distribution - EVS vols.
Graphic 4
Many volunteers have told us in numerous occasions that taking one year off after secondary school
allowed them to choose what they wanted to do next in life, both professionally and academically,
giving them the chance to take a break from everyday life and concentrate on their choices, their
decisions and their plans for the future. In fact, in section H of our questionnaire two volunteers voiced
their ideas on this matter, saying that EVS is more beneficial to younger volunteers, those between the
ages of 18 and 19, because it allows for a greater impa ct in their lives, helping them to choose the
right kind of studies and mature personally too. This is an idea that
we have also encountered amongst many of the youth workers that
promote the programme at local level, who feel that younger
volunteers may b enefit more from the programme because they are
at a stage in their lives where positive changes in their environment,
such as an intercultural experience, may have more consequences
on the development of their personalities13.
13 As a matter of curiosity, this discussion was quite important for the participants in the seminar “Maximising Inclusion”, organised by the SOS in partnership with the European Commission and the EVS National Structures, (Lisbon, 8-13 June 1999). A significant number of sending projects’ representatives stressed the importance of opening the programme to younger participants than 18, to allow for disadvantaged young people to be brought “on board” at an earlier stage in their lives. This would prevent them from being already too far down the line of exclusion and to be “recovered” by an exchange programme.
Page 29 of 1
Eliot Stern (1996) is also of the opinion that “in order to strengthen both civil society and to reduce
certain kinds of marginalisation, it can be argued that introducing voluntary service at a young age
(e.g. from 14 to 16) would be advantageous”14. He even goes to the point of recommending school
aged children to be included in some way within EVS. Indeed, some international youth exchange
organisations, such as AFS Intercultural Programs and Youth for Understanding, to mention but a few,
open their long-term exchange programmes to younger participants (16-17 years old upwards) using
the same argument15. Although they also agree with the fact that the support framework to be put in
place to manage long-term exchanges with minors can be rather cumbersome and financially
prohibitive.
Although the age limit for participation in EVS is 25 years of age, 11 respondents were older than that
at the time of participation in the programme (corresponding to 4% of the total). In fact, the rules of the
programme allow for such exceptions when the volunteers in question are particularly disadvantaged
(socially, economically, physically, etc.). This is seen as a compensatory measure to increase access
to the programme. Each case is thoroughly assessed by both the National Structures and the
European Commission, upon which the final approval for participation depends. There are indeed
cases where otherwise very committed young people would not be able to participate in such a
programme if it were not for the flexibility shown in terms of age limits. This is the case for instance of
disabled young people who generally encounter a lot more difficulties in their social integration than
non disabled youth.
q Education and Working situation
Not surprisingly, since this was the impression we got from most of the volunteers and youth workers
we had the chance to meet personally, as well as from reading Ann O’Sullivan’s study on the
participation of disadvantaged young people in EVS 16, most of the volunteers (50%) had finished
secondary school before EVS 17, or College/University (28%). A still significant percentage of the
respondents (13%) were still at College/University when they decided to participate in EVS. We are
therefore in presence of a largely student population, with a high number of respondents having
finished compulsory education and or having gone on into higher education.
14 Stern, E., The ex-ante evaluation of the pluri -annual European Voluntary Service – programme for young people, The
Tavistock Institute, London, October 1996 15 Youth for Europe, another programme of the European Union for young people, allows participants from the age of 15 to take part in short -term international exchanges. 16 O’Sullivan, A., EVS, Strategies for including socially excluded young people, SOS-DGXXII, May 1998. 17 This percentage is consistent with that given by hosting organisations questioned by the SOS about the type of participants they usually hosted – 40% amongst them stated that they hosted young people who had just finished secondary school - in SOS, The Hosting projects’ perspective – results of the questionnaire sent to all EVS hosting projects, SOS, Brussels, September 1999.
Page 30 of 212
“After working with people which have
difficulties in social life I was completely sure
that I want to be a social worker”
German volunteer
Education - situation before EVS
68
122
12 10
31
2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
had finishedCollege/University
had finished school had leftCollege/University
unfinished
had left schoolunfinished
were still atCollege/University
were still at school
Graphic 5
It is important to point out that 4% of the respondents had left compulsory education unfinished at the
time they decided to participate in EVS, but we can only state for one of the volunteers, whom we
talked to personally, that this was a case of school failure due to particularly difficult personal and
social troubles. We would be inclined to think that volunteers in this category would have had a similar
experience, but our data does not allow us to draw any definite conclusions.
On the working side it is consistent with the previous results to see that
54% of the volunteers were unemployed at the time of deciding to
participate in EVS, something we may suggest having more to do with the
fact that the big majority of the volunteers were primarily students and
therefore not perceiving themselves as part of the labour market. They may
have ticked this answer because from a formal point of view that is what
they were. Still a reasonable percentage of the volunteers (30%) were involved in some kind of
professional activity before going on EVS (18% were employed and 12% were doing an
apprenticeship, training or a stage). This is an interesting as pect to consider because it may imply that
the EVS programme is appealing enough to make young people leave their previous jobs, or job
related activities. It may well be that young people perceive the programme as a possibility to improve
concretely their professional lives and therefore worth the risk of leaving behind something as “secure”
as a job usually is, in order perhaps to find a better one18.
18 When we consider that youth unemployment is double that of all unemployment in the European Union countries (i.e. approximately 21% for 1997, according to Eurostat, 1998 publication), the decision to leave when one is employed makes this fact still more significant.
Page 31 of 1
The 16% of the respondents who were looking for their first job when they applied to go on EVS make
us inclined to believe that they were certainly part of the group of volunteers who were motivated by
EVS in order to get working experience or learn new skills, as we will see as we go further in our
analysis.
Work - situation before EVS
43
2938
135
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
were employed were doing anapprenticeship/training/stage
were looking for your first job were unemployed
Graphic 6
q Nationality and Legal Residence of the respondents
The questionnaire was mailed to volunteers from all of the European Union countries, together with
Iceland and Norway (programme countries). There were two exceptions though, that of Norwegian
and Greek volunteers sent through the decentralised strand of the programme, for whom we had no
data in the projects’ database and therefore no available addresses. We have however received
responses from Greek volunteers who had participated under the centralised strand of the
programme. We did not receive any answers from Icelandic volunteers, although they were mailed
under both programme strands.
Only one of the volunteers in our group of respondents did not have European nationality, this
volunteer had Angolan nationality, was a legal resident in Portugal and had been sent by the latter
within EVS. One of the volunteers from the German group of respondents had both German and
Turkish nationality. Although there are no specific statistics to come in their support, it is the
impression of some of the youth workers with whom we have talked, that the programme as it exists
nowadays still has difficulties to motivate non-European legal residents in Europe to participate. Most
Page 32 of 212
of these young people belong to “ethnic minority groups” and may even have a refugee status in the
country where they legally reside. This “social handicap” comes in many cases associated with a
number of other difficulties and prevents them from participating19.
As it was to be expected the majority of the respondents have German (31%), Italian (13%) and
French (13%) nationality. After all these were also the three biggest senders of volunteers during the
Pilot Action, with 24%, 12% and 12% respectively of the total volunteers sent during this period of time
(2500 volunteers), the United Kingdom (10%) and Belgium (8%) coming just behind them20, something
that is also slightly reflected in our responses.
Nationality Total %
Austria 11 4,5
Belgium 17 6,9
Denmark 5 2,0
Finland 9 3,7
France 31 12,7
Germany 77 31,4
Greece 2 0,8
Iceland 0 -
Ireland 2 0,8
Italy 32 13,1
Luxembourg 1 0,4
Netherlands 7 2,9
Norway 0 -
Portugal 2 0,8
Spain 22 9,0
Sweden 5 2,0
UK 20 8,2
OTHER
Angola 1 0,4
German/Turkish 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Table III
Although our treatment of data does not allow us to tell the percentage of volunteers that change their
country of residence after EVS, namely by staying in their hosting country, it is nevertheless
interesting to look at the statistics in table IV and realise that in most cases the number of volunteers
with legal residence in one country does not correspond exactly to the number of volunteers with that
country’s nationality. The two most flagrant cases are those of Denmark and Finland. Denmark has
two times more volunteers with legal residence in this country than with its nationality and Finland lost
19 Only 3% of the hosting organisations questioned by the SOS said that they had hosted volunteers from ethnic minority groups, and only 4% were thinking or targeting these in the near future; in SOS, The Hosting projects’ perspective – results of the questionnaire sent to all EVS hosting projects, SOS, Brussels, September 1999. 20 SOS, Statistical compilation - general figures, European Voluntary Service, June 1999.
Legal Residence Total %
Austria 12 4,9
Belgium 15 6,1
Denmark 10 4,1
Finland 3 1,2
France 32 13,1
Germany 75 30,6
Greece 2 0,8
Iceland 0 -
Ireland 2 0,8
Italy 33 13,5
Luxembourg 2 0,8
Netherlands 6 2,4
Norway 0 -
Portugal 3 1,2
Spain 23 9,4
Sweden 5 2,0
UK 20 8,2
OTHER
New Zealand 1 0,4
Switzerland 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Table II
Page 33 of 1
more than half of its contingent in the opposite direction. On the other hand, two non -programme
countries are added to the list, New Zealand and Switzerland, when it comes to the legal residence of
volunteers21.
Although it could well be that many of the respondents in question had already a different nationality
and legal residence before their departure with EVS, the truth is that we have received several letters
from the respondents accompanying their questionnaires letting us know that they were not living in
their home countries anymore, and if it had not been for their parents they would have never received
our questionnaire. This leaves room for further inves tigation on the impact of EVS in volunteers’ lives,
as it would be interesting to know how many volunteers start living abroad after their EVS and how
much the programme influenced them to do so.
q Knowledge of foreign languages before EVS
An overwhelming majority of those who answered our questionnaire spoke a foreign language before
participating in EVS (92%), only 8% did not know any other language, apart from their mother tongue,
before participation. This is quite exceptional, since as it is mentioned by the last Eurobarometer
survey (1997) on young people in the European Union, 29% of young Europeans do not speak any
foreign language apart from their own mother tongue, a percentage much higher than the one in our
results22. Nevertheless it is also true that 28% of the respondents answered that one of their
motivations to go on EVS was to learn a new language. Of course, this could also mean that they
wanted to add one more foreign language to the one(s) they knew before, and not necessarily to learn
a foreign language for the very first time.
Language knowledge before EVS
92%8% Yes
No
Graphic 7
21 Although the programme is only destined at European Union, Icelandic and Norwegian citizens and those with legal residence within its borders, we have come across two volunteers who had E.U citizenship although they lived outside it. For the purpose of participating in EVS, they applied through their respective National Structure in the member state of their nationality. 22 Eurobarometer 47.2, The Young Europeans, European Commission, DGXXII, 1998 (a survey of 9 400 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the European Union).
Page 34 of 212
“I don’t know if you know the magical sensation that it is
when somebody like me, who doesn’t speak another
language except his own, can speak with other foreigners. I
say it again it’s something like MAGIC.”
French volunteer
Eliot Stern (1996) states that “interest in living or working in another country is also associated with
educational attainment – including language abilities (…)”23. It is a fact that our group of respondents
is quite above the average when it comes to linguistic capacities and educational attainment (with
many having concluded College and or University). This is something that confirms previous findings
and once again reinforces the perception that the programme is not yet totally successful in attracting
less mainstream groups of participants.
The same Eurobarometer survey of 1997 shows that the three top foreign languages spoken by young
people in Europe (E.U countries only) are English (54%), French (20%) and German (11%),
something that seems to be true also for our respondents, with percentages for each language
significantly higher. English was signalled by 83% of the respondents, followed by French (48%) and
German (22%), Spanish is the fourth most spoken foreign language amongst the group of volunteers
with 9% of them having signalled it, something that is also in conformity with the data from the
Eurobarometer for European youth in general. The predominance of the three languages mentioned
above is understandable for both historical as well as for academic reasons. They are not only
languages that belong to important nations from a cultural, economic and political point of view, being
therefore more “internationally exposed”, but they are also the foreign
languages mostly taught at secondary school level in Europe. If we
consider once more that 50% of the respondents had finished
secondary education, and that 28% had finished College or University
before participating in EVS it is less difficult to understand the
percentage of those who spoke foreign languages before the
programme, as well as the type of languages they spoke.
23 Stern, E., The ex-ante evaluation of the pluri -annual European Voluntary Service – programme for young people, The
Tavistock Institute, London, October 1996
Page 35 of 1
203
118
54
-
50
100
150
200
250
English French German
Most spoken EU languages
Graphic 8
English, having become today’s lingua franca with the adven t of the Internet (where 85% to 90% of all
communications take place in English24) and the widespread of North-American cultural production
(namely the film industry), comes comfortably on top of any of the other foreign languages mentioned
by the volunteers.
1
3
1 1
14
1
-
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
num
ber
of v
olun
teer
s
Breton Catalan IrishGaellic
Romanian Russian Takitaki(Guyennefrançaise)
Other non-EU languages
Graphic 9
24Blankert, H., et al., Building the European Information society for us all - final policy report of the high-level expert group, Employment & Social affairs, European Commission, April 1997
Page 36 of 212
As far as non-European languages are concerned, the highest percentage is registered for Russian,
spoken by 6% of the volunteers, something for which the German respondents contributed entirely
and although we do not have any specific data to support the following remark, we would be inclined
to say that most of the volunteers who signalled Russian as one of their other foreign languages came
from the former East Germany where for historical and political reasons, Russian was also taught at
school.
Page 37 of 1
“I thi nk that the main quality of EVS is democracy. It gives the
opportunity for any person to do it no matter your social class or the skills you have, so very different
kinds of people can meet”
French volunteer
MOTIVATION TO GO ON EVS
H Our hypothesis was “that most participants have decided to go on EVS due to their wish to get
more working experience and become more independent in life”.
nderstanding why young people decide to go on EVS is important because it can help us to
understand our target group better. Eventually it can provide decision-makers and youth
workers alike the possibility to more easily get the message across when talking about EVS
to potential new candidates, and dispel the wrong expectations.
Two main dimensions are perceivable when looking at the results
of the questionnaire, a first one related to the personal benefits
volunteers see in their participation, and a second one related to
more idealistic, social benefits deriving from the programme.
Getting working experience would be part of the first dimension
and this seems to be indeed the main motivation to go on EVS,
with 31% of the volunteers pointing it out as their main reason to participate. If to that we add the
percentage of volunteers who go on EVS to learn new skills (13%), and that of volunteers who
participate because they were unemployed (4%), we can easily say that approximately half of the
respondents see EVS as a way of improving their professional integration. This is furthermore
corroborated by the fact that 67% of the volunteers expected EVS to teach them important skills for
their future job, although only 26% state that they have fulfilled this expectation completely. It is also
true that 55% of the volunteers were unemployed before starting EVS 25, and that 16% were actively
looking for their first job, something that may also explain why EVS was seen by so many as a
possibility to increase one’s professional potential 26.
The Central Team of the Evaluation of EVS (1999) thinks that it is amongst older volunteers that the
motivation to participate due to the “vocational” aspects of EVS is stronger. According to them “most
EVS volunteers who are younger do not appear to see the scheme as a vocational opportunity. Their
main motivations are to ‘leave home and live independently’, ‘spend time in another European country’
and ‘improve language skills’”27. Our data do not allow us to confirm this statement but it is again
25 Although we also suppose that a significant number of those respondents who signalled being unemployed before EVS were only technically so, having finished secondary school and not really interested in finding a job or worried by the prospect of being jobless at that particular moment in life. 26 Although voluntary the programme is about work and its activities are comparable in a number of cases to those of any paid job. It is clear that EVS tries to avoid at all cost any type of job substitution, but this does not mean that volunteers are supposed to develop meaningless activities, quite the opposite, they are supposed to be responsible for carrying out and helping to manage sometimes very complex projects. The difference with a paid job lays on the type of support that they receive and on the reduced schedule they have, together with the complementary social and cultural activities that fill their days. 27 Stern, E, et al., Continuous assessment of the European Voluntary Service:- report from the evaluation of the Pilot Action
1997/1998, The Central Evaluation Team, European Commission, DGXXII, January 1999
U
Page 38 of 212
something that would be interesting to verify in future researches of this kind, since it may be
important to know how different age groups react to the appeal of the programme.
A significant number of the volunteers (28%) have mentioned “the possibility to find out about myself”
as their motivation to participate in EVS, something that in our interviews with different volunteers did
come up as one of the important reasons for going abroad for a long period of time. EVS is perceived
by many as something that allows one to be confronted with new ideas and re-evaluate previous ones,
a possibility to grow up as a person and find out more about one’s personality, priorities in life,
personal interests and talents. All of these were mentioned also by volunteers when responding to
section H of our questionnaire (see annexe 2 - Analysis of section H). Furthermore it must be
underlined that 92% of the respondents have said that they expected EVS to help them in “finding out
about myself” and “what I want to do in life”, and for more than half of the respondents (53%) this was
fulfilled. This is in conformity with the ideas expressed by the Central Team of the Evaluation of EVS
when they say that “the core of what young people report is about personal development and the
transition into an adult world that is associated with late adolescence and early adulthood” 28.
Motivation to go on EVS Total %
Because I was unemployed 9 3,7
Because other friends did it 1 0,4
for the adventure 42 17,1
it was a cheap way of going abroad 14 5,7
to become more independent 26 10,6
to complement my studies 18 7,3
to find out about myself 69 28,2
to get away from home 9 3,7
to get working experience 75 30,6
to give myself a fresh start 30 12,2
To help in the development of Europe 6 2,4
To help other people 57 23,3
To learn a new language 68 27,8
To learn new skills 31 12,7
To make new friends 6 2,4
OTHER -
obligatory military service 1 0,4
to give ideas to hosting project 1 0,4
to know what to do with my future 1 0,4
to learn about other cultures 15 6,1
Total resp ondents 245 -
Table IV
28 Stern, E, et al., Continuous assessment of the European Voluntary Service:- report from the evaluation of the Pilot Actions 1997/1998, The Central Evaluation Team, European Commission, DGXXII, January 1999
Page 39 of 1
Nevertheless, becoming independent does not seem to be the main motivation to go on EVS, after all
only 11% of the respondents mentioned it as such. On the other hand, it must be said that 79% of the
respondents expected this to happen through participation in EVS and 61% amongst them have totally
fulfilled it, with 17% having done partly so (only 1% did not fulfil this expectation). Therefore, although
independence does not seem to be the main reason why these volunteers decided to apply for EVS,
becoming more independent plays a role that should not be underestimated neither.
Although the personal dimension seems to dominate the set of reasons to go abroad, volunteers
participate in EVS also to help other people (23%), to learn about other cultures (6%) and to help in
the development of Europe (2%). This implies that there is amongst the respondents a reasonable
amount of idealism and altruism and that they see EVS as an experience that goes beyond their
personal interests, and may also have an impact on others and the world at large.
Page 40 of 212
“EVS scheme was exactly the correct step to take after
complementing a Masters in sociology. I was able to learn
more practical things related to the field I would like to be
involved in”
Irish volunteer
FINDING ABOUT EVS FOR THE FIRST TIME
H Our hypothesis was “that in most cases young people having participated in EVS have learned
about it through local and national publications, as well as through direct contact with the National
Structures that are responsible for the implementation of the programme in the member states”.
nowing where volunteers have access to information on
EVS for the first time is important in order to better
direct the latter and eventually adapt it to the
characteristics of the “emissary”. After all, those who inform
volunteers about EVS are also an important group to take into
account when giving out information on the programme. They
work as mediators between the European Commission, the
National Structures and even the SOS, although the two latter institutions usually have a direct contact
with volunteers. The role of youth organisations, job centres, universities, etc. as interfaces between
the decision-makers and the managers of the programme makes them particularly relevant, therefore
their profile, needs and working methods should be better known so that their efforts can also be more
productive.
Apart from the fact that there seem to be as many sources of information as there are volunteers, with
“Other” sources being well represented in our questionnaire (10% of the responses), the youth sector
appears as the main source of information on EVS (16% for youth organisations and 15% for youth
information centres). This is understandable taking into account the fact that the programme is part of
the youth policy initiatives of the European Union and is therefore principally advertised as a youth
programme. The third main source of information on EVS is “a friend” (14%), which shows the
potential for peer to peer exchange of information and the importance of having young people who
have taken part in the programme being made aware of their active role in letting know about EVS’s
existence to other young people. In our encounters with volunteers their wish to serve as facilitators in
bringing information about EVS to other young people was constant, and in section H of the
questionnaire 7 volunteers mentioned their availability to help the institutional powers to do so
whenever necessary.
Only 4% of the respondents had access to EVS through some sort of publication (travel book,
newspaper, etc.) showing that inter-personal means of communication (through friends, peers or
significant adults) are sti ll the most efficient ways of passing information.
K
Page 41 of 1
Learning about EVS - 1st time Total %
a friend 35 14,3
a local information centre for young people 36 14,7
a National newspaper 13 5,3
a previous pa rticipant 3 1,2
direct invitation by the organisers 26 10,6
the radio 2 0,8
the T.V 8 3,3
your EVS National Structure 24 9,8
your local authority 3 1,2
your local newspaper 11 4,5
your school/University 20 8,2
your youth organisation 39 15,9
OTHER
by chance when asking for information on exchanges 2 0,8
family member 4 1,6
Internet 1 0,4
Language Exhibit 1 0,4
Library 1 0,4
local job centre 2 0,8
Ministry of Youth and Education 2 0,8
newspaper on voluntary work 2 0,8
travel book 4 1,6
Unknown 2 0,8
Work/Study abroad book 4 1,6
Total 245 100,0
Table V
Considering the fact that many of the participants stated that one of their main motivations to
participate in EVS was to get working experience and that very few of the respondents received
information on the programme through local job centres (1%), it could be important to target these
more often when thinking of general information campaigns. Although EVS should not be seen as a
vocational programme, its potential in terms of allowing young people to gain practical experience and
develop their personal skills should be stressed namely amongst those looking for their first job, for
instance.
Page 42 of 212
“I think that EVS is a very good initiative, one that makes
Europe smaller”
Belgian volunteer
SENDING AND HOSTING ORGANISATIONS
s far as the sending of volunteers is concerned it is clear
that youth organisations both at European and
national/local level were the main senders of volunteers.
European youth organisations come at the top of the list with 27%
of the volunteers signalling them as their sending organisation
immediately followed by national and local youth organisations with 20%. Together they amount to
47% of the total. This is consis tent with the fact that most volunteers received information on EVS from
a youth organisation or centre. On the other hand youth organisations have perceived the programme
as being naturally “theirs”, since EVS is a youth programme and shares in that respe ct many of the
objectives and features that the majority of youth organisations have. This is the more so in the case
of those organisations, namely at European level, which were already working at the time with
international exchange projects directed at young people. They saw in EVS the possibility to extend
their activities or open up to new areas of expertise more specifically related to international
volunteering. However, both National Structures and religious organisations appear to be important
senders of volunteers, with 16% of the respondents signalling them in both cases.
Sending organisation Total %
a European youth organisation 53 21,6
a job centre 3 1,2
a local municipality 5 2,0
a national/local youth organisation 48 19,6
a religious organisation 39 15,9
a sports organisation 1 0,4
a youth centre 11 4,5
an environmental organisation 6 2,4
an EVS National Structure 40 16,3
OTHER
community centre 1 0,4
cultural centre 1 0,4
development NGO 6 2,4
European NGO 4 1,6
exchange society 1 0,4
local community organisation 5 2,0
school/university 5 2,0
social work organisation 9 3,7
Theatre 1 0,4
Unknown 6 2,4
Total 245 100,0
Table VI
A
Page 43 of 1
The fact that National Structures played an important role as sending organisations during the Pilot
Action of the programme is easily justifiable if we consider the fact that the programme was still new
and unknown for the most part, and National Structures were sometimes the first contact that
volunteers had with EVS (10% of the respondents got information on the programme through their
National Structures). On the other hand in the beginning of the programme it was not always easy for
National Structures to find sending organisations in their countries fit to send volunteers having to play
that role themselves to allow young people to participate in the programme.
In the second case, that of religious organisations, it must be said that this is applicable mostly to the
German volunteers who have participated in the decentralised strand of the programme. In their
particular case the percentage of respondents having been sent by religious organisations raises to
30% of the total. At centralised level, for those volunteers having taken part in the Multilateral action, it
is also clear that religious organisations played an important role as senders with 32% of the
respondents having been sent by them. Nevertheless, it must be said that in both cases presented
above, youth organisations appear at the top of the list (with 41% and 44% respectively).
As far as their hosting organisations are concerned, most volunteers were hosted by social work and
youth organisations (32% and 19% respectively). If we add to social work organisations, the amount of
volunteers having worked in an old people’s home, the social sector percentage raises to 36%. This is
consistent with the results related to the main themes of the EVS projects developed by volunteers,
where again the social and the youth sectors are signalled by the large majority of the respondents.
Hosting organisation Total %
a development organisation 17 6,9
a local community centre 17 6,9
a local municipality 12 4,9
a national/local youth organisation 47 19,2
a religious organisation 26 10,6
a social work organisation 78 31,8
an environmental organisation 10 4,1
an old people's home 9 3,7
OTHER
documentation centre 1 0,4
health organisation/services 9 3,7
International Foundation 1 0,4
International NGO 4 1,6
school/university 5 2,0
sports organisation 3 1,2
Theatre 4 1,6
Unknown 2 0,8
Total 245 100,0
Table VII
Page 44 of 212
In fact, in many countries during the Pilot Action it was clear that social work organisations in general
were those that could more easily host young volunteers and whose activities could more rapidly be
adapted to the criteria of EVS. They usually had experience, namely at local and national level, of
voluntary work and were organised in international networks of likeminded organisations. With the
development of the programme after 1998 other organisations became more and more involved too,
although the former were the main “clients” of EVS during its launching phase, and today still play an
important role.
Page 45 of 1
THE MAIN THEMES OF VO LUNTEERS’ PROJECTS
t is clear from the respondents’ answers that most of them were placed in projects with a strong
social assistance component, although individually support to youth and children is the theme that
is most signalled by the volunteers (33%). Although volunteers could signal up to two different
themes to describe their hosting projects it is possible to realise that if taken together themes such as
support to disabled, elderly, homeless, migrants, unemployed, drug users, to name only a few, make
the majority of the themes signalled by the respondents. This is consistent with the global results for
the Pilot Action (decentralised strand), where 23% of the hosting projects were related to youth and
children, and approximately 32% dealt with social integration/assistance issues29.
Main theme of EVS project Total %
anti-racism/xenophobia 9 3,7
art and culture 20 8,2
Environmental work 37 15,1
equal opportunities 17 6,9
European issues 5 2,0
health promotion 18 7,3
media/communications 5 2,0
Protection of historical monuments 2 0,8
rural development 15 6,1
sports/leisure time 17 6,9
support to disabled 65 26,5
support to elderly 28 11,4
support to homeless 14 5,7
support to migrants 11 4,5
support to unemployed 13 5,3
support to youth/children 81 33,1
urban development 5 2,0
youth information 14 5,7
OTHER
adult education 1 0,4
civil protection 1 0,4
conflict resolution 1 0,4
Development aid 1 0,4
Ecumenical work 2 0,8
Support to drug users 5 2,0
Tourism 1 0,4
No answer 1 0,4
Total respondents 245 -
Table VIII
29 SOS, Statistical compilation - decentralised strand, number of projects per theme, European Voluntary Service, SOS, June 1999.
I
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Environmental work comes third in the list of themes, with 15% of the volunteers signalling it, an area
of work that is certainly popular amongst current candidates, if we are to consider the many calls
received by the National Structures and the SOS in that sense30.
30 In order to appeal to a greater number of young people, the European Commission has been recently asking the National Structures to recruit more hosting organisations from more varied areas of work, to reduce the concentration of projects in the social and youth field and widen the offer. One of the areas in which the European Commission has been investing the most is that of sports and related activities.
Page 47 of 1
“The whole experience, living abroad and working in the
project, allowed me to distinguish what my priorities
in life really are”
German volunteer
DURATION OF THE EVS PROJECT
q Duration of EVS projects
he average duration of an EVS project in the case of our respondents was approximately 8
months, which was influenced by the fact that in 5% of the cases volunteers stayed in their
projects for more than 12 months, going beyond the maximum limit imposed by the European
Commission. How this has happened it is hard for us to say, although we presume it was not with the
knowledge of the National Structures or the European Commission. This percentage is once again
influenced by those volunteers who participated in the Multilateral action of the centralised strand of
EVS, for whom 20% of the projects lasted more than 12 months. Otherwise it is clear that for the
majority of our respondents their projects lasted a maximum of 6 months with 45% of the volunteers
having signalled this duration31.
Duration of EVS project Total %
<=3 months 12 4,9
4-5 months 7 2,9
6 months 111 45,3
7-9 months 39 15,9
10-11 months 36 14,7
12 months 26 10,6
>12 months 13 5,3
No answer 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Table IX
q Remaining in the hosting country after EVS
Most of the volunteers in our pool of respondents went back home
after their EVS was finished (58%), but 42% stayed for a certain
period of time in their hosting countries after the end of their project.
This period varied between a few weeks to several months. Within
this group it is clear that the majority of the volunteers stayed up to 3
weeks (48%). As many have told us, they use these extra weeks to spend a few days of vacations
with their new friends and to visit more the country in which they were hosted.
31 6 months is also the minimum duration of a project within the long-term strand of the programme, being the one that most volunteers choose because in terms of personal commitment it usually requires less from them. Some volunteers ask for a prolongation to the six months when their integration in the host country and project is particularly successful.
T
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It is nevertheless important to underline that 13% of the volunteers have remained in their host
countries after the end of EVS for a total of 7 or more months, this contingent corresponding to those
volunteers who usually decide to stay “permanently” in their host countries, either to continue their
studies or work. This percentage may actually be a lot higher in reality than shown by our
questionnaire, taking into account the fact that our mailing did not reach many of the returnees exactly
because they had chosen to stay in their host countries and were not forwarded our letter by friends or
relatives. This is indeed something that would require further investigation, as it can be quite an
accurate indicator for the capacity of EVS to promote long-term youth mobility in Europe and help in
building a more intercultural European society.
Remaining in host country after EVS
17
32
36
5
13
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
<=1 week
2-3 weeks
1-3 months
4-6 months
>=7 months
volunteers
Graphic 10
Page 49 of 1
“A very good thing was knowing the responsible
person for EVS in Germany. She came and visited many
volunteers in order to be sure that everything was O.K”
Italian volunteer
VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT IN EVS PROJECT
any of the volunteers, who have talked to us during our personal visits to their hosting
projects, have expressed their wish to be more directly involved in the choice and planning
of their EVS projects. In fact, three of the volunteers from the decentralised strand who
added their comments to section H of our questionnaire have referred to the fact that they regretted
not having been given the chance of choosing their hosting projects. However, looking at the general
statistical results of our questionnaire it is obvious that more than half of the respondents had the
chance both to choose (67%) and to participate in the planning of their EVS activities (56%).
Ability to choose project
67%
33%Yes
No
Planning EVS project
56%
44%
Yes
No
Graphic 11 Graphic 12
Nevertheless, still a high number of volunteers remained without having had the chance to choose
their EVS projects (33% of the respondents)32 and an even higher number without being actively
involved in the planning of their activities (45%). If the latter case seems to have less nefarious
consequences – many volunteers do not wish to plan their projects, nor do they feel ready to do so –
in the case of choice of projects a strong effort needs to be done if volunteers are to feel content with
their activities. Once again we must point out the fact that these values
refer to volunteers who participated in the Pilot Action of the
programme, during which not every ideal procedure was already in
place. This may explain why still so many volunteers could not choose
their projects. It would be interesting to compare these values with a
pool of respondents from the actual Programme phase, started in
August 1998.
32 A percentage that raises to 41% in the case of the volunteers who participated in the Multilateral action of the centralised strand of EVS. A reality that can be partly explained by the fact that in this case volunteers were sent by big umbrella organisations, with a set of pre-defined projects that allowed for little choice in terms both of project theme and country.
M
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Consultation of Project Database
24%
76%
Yes
No
Graphic 13
If there is indeed anything that should be considered for improvement in the future, is the volunteers’
access to the international database of hosting projects, since a large percentage of the volunteers in
our sample have mentioned not having been able to consult this database (75%), something they
should have been able to, in principle and in practice. This last percentage is once more higher for the
volunteers who participated in the Multilateral action of the centralised strand (88%), a fact that is
reinforced by the comments made by one volunteer in section H of the questionnaire, complaining for
not having been able to use the database in question to choose a relevant hosting project. Even for
the volunteers who participated in the decentralised strand of the programme, this percentage is
relatively high, with 68% of the respondents saying that they have not had access to the database of
hosting projects. Considering that for this strand of the programme the National Structures in the
Member States had a more direct control and responsibility for the management and use of this
database, the results are poor indeed. With the access of the database through Internet the number of
sending projects which allow their volunteers to consult it before choosing a project must have
increased, but this is again something that would need to be checked in future studies.
Page 51 of 1
“I was frustrated by my inability to get any long-term chance to gain experience within this
world. As an EVS volunteer with Jesuit Volunteer Community, I was placed in a very
small adult learning centre in a disadvantaged area of Dublin. It opened up doors to a whole
thriving world of community work; and particularly community education that was a real
boost and gave me a real sense of where it is I can and want to make a difference”
British volunteer
FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES AFTER EVS
H Our hypothesis was “that the majority of he participants have had formal activities of follow-up and
evaluation after their voluntary service, which in most cases were not more than a short-term
group session”.
q Follow-up and evaluation activities
he majority of the respondents (65%) participated in a follow-up & evaluation activity after their
EVS project. Although this represents more than half of the respondents, a still significant
number of volunteers did not take part in any of these activities (35%), meaning that they
ended their EVS project without having had the chance to reflect upon it in a structured way, either
with the help of a youth worker or with other volunteers. It is never too much to underline the
importance of giving the volunteers the opportunity to talk about their experience in a formal way,
since this makes it possible to realise both the successes and the failures of their stay and prepare for
their re-integration back home. All volunteers should have the possibility to evaluate their project after
its end and both their hosting and sending projects, as well as the National Structures , should be
made aware of the important role they have to play in this matter.
Participation in follow-up/evaluation activities
65%
35%
Yes No
Graphic 14
For those who had the chance to participate in a
follow-up & evaluation activity after the end of their
project, 73% had this organised by their sending
organisations upon return and 26% by their National
Structures. It seems that sending projects in this case
were well aware of their responsibility in guaranteeing
that their intervention is done not only at the time of
departure and during the stay of the volunteers abroad, but also upon their return. Although only one
volunteer signalled having had an evaluation activity conducted by the hosting project we believe this
T
Page 52 of 212
to be an important example to have in mind, since it can be most beneficial in preparing volunteers for
the cultural shock that awaits many of them when returning back to their home countries. An Italian
volunteer whom we have interviewed suggested that all volunteers should have a pre-departure
orientation before leaving th eir hosting countries, to help them with the re-integration in their home
countries. In his case this proved to be extremely helpful.
In most cases the follow-up & evaluation activities were conducted in the format of a big seminar with
the participation of several volunteers (52%), or a small workshop with other fellow volunteers (32%).
It is important to highlight the fact that 20% of the respondents stated that this activity took the form of
an individual interview with a youth worker. This latter type of follow-up & evaluation was highly
commended by many of the volunteers with whom we talked since it allowed them to ask more
personal questions and get guidance more related to their specific needs and background.
Unfortunately, from the projects’ point of view this is one of the most time consuming and expensive
forms of post-return counselling and one that many sending projects cannot afford doing due to lack of
both financial and human resources (both things go hand in hand most of the time).
Duration of follow-up/evaluation activities Total %
half a day 27 17,0
1 full day 19 11,9
2-3 days 96 60,4
>3 days 17 10,7
Total 159 100,0
Table X
Consistent with the format of the sessions is the fact that most of the respondents (60%) have
participated in an activity that lasted between 2 and 3 days, which is understandable when you bring
together a large group of volunteers. Still, a reasonable number of volunteers (29%) have not had
more than half or a full day session during which to discuss their experience and what they might wish
to do when they are back. From the comments that we have heard from volunteers we have
interviewed this can be very frustrating because, to put it in their own words, “you cannot talk about
such an important year in your life in a couple of hours”. Volunteers seem to value interaction with
other volunteers very much, but also the chance to voice their thoughts and feelings over a period of
time that does not give them the impression that they are rushing over the matter.
The big majority of the follow-up & evaluation activities were geared towards the general evaluation of
the EVS experience (93%), although in 34% of the cases they were specifically aimed at helping the
volunteers with their re-integration back home. In more than half of the cases the activities combined
both objectives. The percentage of respondents that informed other potential volunteers about EVS
(15%) during their follow -up and evaluation sessions is also remarkable. Although this is a positive
aspect in itself – many volunteers in the section H of the questionnaire stated their willingness to
inform others about the programme – when done in isolation, as the only type of activity volunteers are
Page 53 of 1
“Now I am able to use my new skills, to develop my personality and I found a job in the host country related to my voluntary
work”
Spanish volunteer
given after the end of their project, the consequences may well be more negative than positive. Many
volunteers who have gone through an evaluation activity where the sole purpose of their presence
was to talk about EVS to other volunteers, felt that they were not being given attention and nobody
cared about what they had gone through. Some youth workers have also underlined the fact that using
previous volunteers to talk to new candidates without having run an evaluation session with them, can
be counterproductive in many ways, not the least because the volunteers have not had any help in
structuring their experience, namely the difficult parts. Sometimes this can scare more than motivate
young people to participate.
Main focus of the follow -up/evaluation Total %
Evaluation of the EVS experience 148 93,1
Giving career guidance 9 5,7
Helping with re-integration back home 54 34,0
Informing about educational opportunities 13 8,2
OTHER
Discussing about future improvements 1 0,6
Helping hosted volunteers to integrate 2 1,3
Informing other young people about EVS 24 15,1
Unknown 2 1,3
Total respondents 159 -
Table XI
Only 14% of the respondents have signalled some sort of career or educational guidance during their
follow-up & evaluation activities, something we would suggest as being more and more important for
the success of the re-integration period of the volunteers, or even in those cases where they decide to
stay in their hosting countries after EVS. We will have the chance to discuss more in detail the post-
EVS difficulties of volunteers, but it is important to say that after EVS many of them have been
exposed to a number of new ideas and possibilities that require someone more experienced and
mature to help them focus on. Taking into account that most volunteers either look for a job or
continue their studies after EVS, being able to provide them with information on how to go about it can
be crucial to the overall success of their experience.
q Evaluation of follow-up & evaluation activities
More than half of the volunteers found these activities to be either
satisfactory (31%) or good (33%), and 23% found them to be very
good. We could therefore say that the vast majority of the
respondents were happy with the type of activities they were given,
when this was the case. Only 14% of the volunteers in our sample
qualified these activities has having been negative (11% bad and 3% very bad). But in this case we
could see a marked difference between the volunteers who took part in the decentralised strand of the
Page 54 of 212
programme, and those who participated in the Multilateral action of the centralised strand. In the first
case 19% of the volunteers stated that their follow-up & evaluation activities were either bad or very
bad, and in the second case only 3% of the volunteers stated that these had been bad (none qualified
them as very bad).
17
5249
5
36
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
bad good satisfactory very bad very good
Evaluation of Follow-up/Evaluation
Graphic 15
We think that this difference could be explained by the fact that the organisations that developed most
of the Multilateral action projects were experienced volunteering NGO’s that had already done similar
activities in the past and had the necessary resources to make it work. These organisations have in
most cases used the format of a 3 days seminar with the participation of many of their volunteers and
youth work experts, providing volunteers with both formal and informal activities upon their return. On
the other hand, small local sending projects were confronted often for the first time in their lives with
the need of running evaluation activities with volunteers. They did not always have the expertise nor
the experience to make it function well. As their participation in the programme evolves we believe that
they will be providing more and more good evaluation activities to their volunteers, something that is
again worth checking in future studies.
Page 55 of 1
“I started my EVS experience for fun. After my second month as a volunteer in England I
realised I was changing and growing”
Italian volunteer
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND RE-INTEGRATION BACK HOME
H Our hypothesis was “that having been EVS volunteers has motivated the majority of these young
people to look for volunteering opportunities after their return home, and that in the majority of the
cases these activities are similar to those developed while they were on EVS”.
q Community involvement
lthough most of the respondents said that after their EVS project
they did not get involved in any community or voluntary work
activity (57%), a significant number of volunteers (43%) started
doing some sort of community or voluntary work after that33. What is
more important is that in 58% of these cases they did so in relation to
what they had done during their EVS. Although more studies would be
necessary to say that EVS has a direct impact on young people’s social involvement and participation,
we can say that this is true at least for a reasonable number of the respondents in our sample.
Volunteers who docommunity/voluntary work after EVS
43%
57%yes
no
Relation to EVS project
58%
42%
Yes
No
Graphic 16 Graphic 17
This is extremely relevant and deserves to be underlined because it definitely meets one of the
objectives of EVS, which is to promote local development through volunteering. If EVS were to have
the same multiplier effect for all those who participated in it during the Pilot Action, we would be talking
of approximately 624 volunteers (out of 2500) who would have come back to their home countries and
get involved in community or voluntary work directly related to what they did in their EVS projects. Of
33 Cultural work, ecumenical work, environmental work, football coach, political militant, social/community work, youth work (see annexe 1 containing all tables at the end of this report for specific percentages).
A
Page 56 of 212
course we cannot verify this, it is a mere anecdotal hypothesis drawn from our statistical results.
However, we should not forget that Arnold Love (1996) states in his findings for North America that
habits of voluntary service acquired at a young age tend to be carried forward into adult life 34. The
answers of our group of volunteers seem to show that there is indeed an important relationship
between participating in EVS and wishing to be involved in some type or another of community or
voluntary work afterwards. It would be interesting to investigate in future studies how long this wish for
involvement stays with the volunteers after participation, and if indeed it is carried forward into their
adult lives.
Plans to become involved in the future
26%
14%60%
Yes
No
Maybe
Graphic 18
Of those who did not become involved in any type of community or voluntary work only one fourth
(26%) stated that they are planning to do so in the future. The majority of the respondents said
“maybe” (60%), in our view a polite way of saying “no” (14% answered directly like this).
q Re-integration back home
Percentages are very split when it comes to the respondents’ re-integration back home. It is indeed a
case of almost 50-50 as far as the difficulties/easiness of their re-integration is concerned. If 52% of
the volunteers have had a positive re-integration, 48% have had a negative one. In the first case 43%
of the volunteers said to have had an easy re-integration back home, while 9% stated to have had a
very easy one. In the second case, the division between the two “groups” is also quite similar to that,
with 38% of the volunteers qualifying their re-integration as having been difficult, and 10% as very
difficult. It is nevertheless important to say that in the case of the respondents who participated in the
34 in Stern, E., The ex-ante evaluation of the pluri-annual European Voluntary Service – programme for young people, The
Tavistock Institute, London, October 1996
Page 57 of 1
“I think that EVS gives you a nice possibility to go out of your country and open up your mind while you are
working for a fairer Europe”
Spanish volunteer
decentralised strand of the programme – they correspond to 62% of the total answers to our
questionnaire – 45% of the volunteers have had a difficult re-integration back home, and 10% a very
difficult one, totalling 55% of the respondents with a negative feeling about their return home.
23
106
92
24
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
very easy easy difficult very difficult
Re-integration after EVS
Graphic 19
Seven volunteers who answered to section H of the questionnaire
have mentioned their difficulties with friends and family after their
return, and Although a few of the volunteers have asked for more
institutional support when they come back (to find a job, to pursue new
study areas, to put in place their creative ideas, etc.), it seems to us
that most problems are of a more personal nature. In fact, the interviews that we have conducted have
helped us to understand some of the reasons that may be behind the difficulties in settling back in
one’s home country. Many volunteers said that they felt lost after their return, that they had gone
through a lot of changes while abroad and suddenly there were too many open doors in front of them
and no one to help them choose. Others said that they had come back a new kind of person, with new
ways of doing and thinking to soon find out that they did not have anything more in common with their
family, but mainly with their friends. Some of the volunteers would go as far as saying that their friends
did not understand anything of what having been a volunteer abroad means, as if an insurmountable
barrier had been put between them, making all communication impossible. For other volunteers,
coming back was an anti-climax. After having spent the best year of their lives abroad they were
confronted once more with their everyday life routine and they soon felt disenchanted. After a fast
pace reality and all the novelty they could not face back the dim and unattractive life they had left
behind for a while. This was more so for those volunteers who had normally to face up to adversity in
their home countries - unemployment, lack of proper housing, few friends, problems with their parents,
Page 58 of 212
“After you’re back you must have some conflict with yourself, but I think only with a conflict you
can grow up”
Italian volunteer
low self-esteem, etc. - for them EVS was like an interval in all this, a chance to access a different kind
of life, but not a permanent one.
What became apparent to us when talking with these volunteers about their difficult re-integration was
the lack of a significant adult or a peer that would listen and value what they had done. In comparison
with other volunteers who had similar life stories but an easy re-integration, these were youngsters
who had nobody in their circle of relatives or friends who thought that what they had done was special.
Instead of finding the support they expected they were often criticised by their friends for not having
stayed home like everybody else. They also had not had any contact with their sending projects after
returning and had not felt at ease to drop by uninvited.
To draw any consistent conclusions on such an important topic would
require not only more but also more diverse data, we can therefore
advance only but some hints for future investigation. However, we feel
that it is very important to alert sending projects to the possibility of one of
their returned volunteers being in this last group. We have felt while
talking to the young people, that being able to voice out their worries and talk about their experience
was a great deal of what they really wanted. Sending projects should be strongly reminded at all times
that their responsibility for the volunteers does not end after their departure, but that EVS is a cycle
that is not complete until the volunteer successfully re-integrates in his/her home country.
Page 59 of 1
“EVS has helped me on the way to mature adulthood, and it has given
me so many opportunities and vision. I would enthusiastically encourage anyone to take the
opportunities EVS has to offer and just do it”
British volunteer
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS
q Personal characteristics
t is important to remind the readers that the following
comments are based on the volunteers’ perceptions and
they do not mean that EVS as such contributes to make
young people more independent, or mature, to give a few of the
examples in our list. The statistical results should be read as the
way that young people themselves have perceived the changes
brought about by EVS into their personalities. It is therefore their
subjective point of view that is being evaluated. If one of the respondents says that after EVS s/he
became more independent, it is her/his own evaluation of the situation and we do not possess any
external comparative data that would allow us to assess if it is true or not that this particular volunteer
became more independent after the programme. It would have required the use of specific standard
personality scales to be able to evaluate this and other personal dimensions of the volunteers’
personality in an objective manner. Nevertheless, the volunteers’ perceptions are indicative of what
may lay beneath EVS and give us an idea of what they feel as having been the contribution of the
programme to their ways of being. We will only comment on some of the personal characteristics and
skills in our list, therefore for a full report we advise you to consult annexe 1 with the complete list of
tables at the end of this report.
Assertive - Communicative - Tolerant
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
much less less the same more much more
Assertive Communicative Tolerant
Graphic 20
I
Page 60 of 212
When looking at the different personal characteristics that the volunteers considered to have evolved
due to EVS it is striking to see how many of the respondents have felt that EVS had a positive or very
positive impact in their capacity to be assertive, communicative and tolerant, just to mention a few
examples. A large majority of the respondents felt that EVS had made them more or much more
assertive (54% and 14% respectively), a very similar distribution for being communicative (50% more
and 18% much more), showing how much EVS has apparently improved their capacity to interact with
other people and be sure about their opinions and decisions. This trend is again corroborated by the
fact that 48% of the volunteers felt more open to people after EVS and 18% much more open. The
respondents also stated having become more socially aware and caring after EVS (44% and 40%
respectively). Still within these two personal characteristics it is worth to notice that 25% said having
become much more socially aware and 12% much more caring. A trend that is confirmed by the fact
that 48% of the respondents felt more socially involved after EVS and 10% much more so. Tolerance
comes also high in the list of personal characteristics on which EVS has made an impact, 45% said
having become more tolerant and 21% much more tolerant.
European - Mature - Independent
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
much less less the same more much more
European Mature Independent
Graphic 21
European, Mature and Independent are the three characteristics that the overwhelming majority of the
volunteers (approximately three fourths) have considered to having been more positively influenced by
EVS. In this sense, 40% of the respondents have said that after EVS they have felt more European,
while 34% have felt much more European. As far as being mature and independent is concerned,
51% and 45% felt respectively that EVS made them become more so, and 25% and 32% (again
respectively) have felt it much more. Furthermore 61% of the respondents felt that their expectation of
becoming more independent had been totally fulfilled with EVS, and 17% thought that this had partially
happened. All this is in accordance with the comments that we have been able to read from
Page 61 of 1
“I can assure you, without EVS I would not be the same person. I would not have these wonderful
memories to think about over and over again. And to know that I can solve my problems and difficul ties by myself really
makes me stronger than I was before”
Finnish volunteer
respondents in section H of the questionnaire, where 11 volunteers have said that EVS promoted a
European feeling and sense of citizenship. It was also clear from their comments that the personal
dimension of EVS and its contribution to the development of their personality and character was a very
important aspect of their experience. Twenty four of the respondents commented on how important
EVS had been in developing their personal character and knowing more about themselves, while 10 of
them pointed out that EVS had made them more independent. Six of the respondents commented that
EVS had helped them to grow up. In our interviews with the volunteers, independence, maturity and a
feeling of being European were also the three most recurrent things in their discourse when talking
about EVS.
The Central Team of the Evaluation of EVS (1999) had found in
their study less evidence of the European dimension than what
they had expected35. According to them it would be easier for a
volunteer to learn about his/her own citizenship while on the
programme, than about Europe as a whole. In principle it was their
impression that volunteers involved in multilateral types of
exchanges – EVS is mainly a bilateral programme – would have
more opportunities to develop a feeling of European citizenship. However, in our study volunteers
participating in the decentralised strand of the programme (bilateral exchanges) have signalled more
often having developed a European feeling than those who took part in the multilateral action of the
centralised strand. In the decentralised strand 40% of the respondents said having become more
European after EVS, and 38% much more European. In the multilateral action of the centralised
strand 44% have said that they became more European after the programme, and only 26% much
more so.
Overall speaking it is true, as it had also been mentioned by the Central Team of the Evaluation of
EVS, that “much of what volunteers report as positive learning outcomes are contextual rather than
intrinsic to voluntary service” 36. Becoming more independent, mature, assertive, communicative,
socially aware, etc. has not to do so much with the content of their voluntary work but more so with the
experience as a whole. But as we will see later, it must also be pointed out that many volunteers saw
in EVS an opportunity to develop many skills that are more content related that contextual.
On the more negative side it must be said that 13% of the volunteers have felt either more lonely
(11%) or much more lonely (2%) than before EVS. This can be explained, as we have already done so
before, by the fact that some volunteers have re-integration problems with their families and friends,
developing many times a feeling of isolation, of lack of understanding from their peers, that may well
make them feel more lonely than they used to be. This is again another aspect of the experience that
35 Stern, E, et al., Continuous assessment of the European Voluntary Service:- report from the evaluation of the Pilot Actions
1997/1998, The Central Evaluation Team, European Commission, DGXXII, January 1999 36 idem
Page 62 of 212
“I did things in my project that I never thought was
capable of, e.g. performed a speech in French in front of
about 80 people”
British volunteer
needs to be taken into account by all youth workers involved, namely those who in the sending
projects should be involved in giving post-return help to the volunteers.
q Personal skills
Both the White Paper “Teaching and Learning – towards the learning
society” and the Report “Accomplishing Europe through education and
training” , published by DGXXII of the European Commission in 1995
and 1997 respectively have stressed the importance for educational
systems to give young people the possibility to develop an aptitude to
find a job (the famous notion of employability). Organisations such as the European Round Table of
industrialists (ERT) have also underlined the importance for educational systems to develop a new
approach where young people are given not only academic knowledge, but also a number of “soft”
competencies and skills, such as the capacity for critical thinking, the capacity to communicate, and to
work in a team 37. NGO’s such as the European Youth Forum have also stressed in their campaign for
the recognition of non-formal education the importance of such skills, to which they have added things
such as conflict solution, problem solving, and the capacity for leadership and of initiative, amongst
many others, for the development of young people’s employability38. There seems to be a consensus
amongst different decision-makers and social agents, that being employable today is not only a
question of possessing a degree or a diploma, but a combination of capacities that are not necessarily
taught at school, and for which programmes such as EVS may contribute.
37 Dillemans, R., Investir dans la connaissance – l’intégration de la technologie dans l’éducation européenne, ERT, Bruxelles, 1997 & De Woot, P., Education for Europeans – towards de learning society, E RT, Brussels, 1994 38 Amorim, L., The Recognition of Non-formal education – a priority for the youth movement, leaflet, European Youth Forum, 1998
Page 63 of 1
“I have to admit that this service helped me to grow up, to know how it is to live alone in a big country, to make my
own decisions. Now that I am in London I realise how important
it was to live once in Berlin, without parents, relatives and to be an independent person”
Greek volunteer
Personal skills
103 106
143
111 11088
114
106 92
70
113 109127
97
24 3520 24 29 25
211 00109111
1411 11
16
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
I integrate ingroups and
teams
I take personalresponsibilityfor organising
activities
I plan my time I solve practicalproblems/find
solutions
I can helpsolving
conflicts
I cancommunicate a
personalidea/message
I can take aleading role
much less less the same more much more
Graphic 22
Slightly more than half of the respondents have felt that after EVS they were more or much more
capable of putting into practice a number of personal skills that in many cases are relevant for finding
a job. The majority of the respondents have said that after EVS their capacity to integrate in groups
and teams increased more (43%) or much more (10%), and this is true for six out of the seven
different skills listed in our table (based on volunteers’ own comments while we were preparing the
questionnaire).
In fact, 38% of the respondents felt that with EVS they were more
capable of taking responsibili ty for organising activities and 14%
felt much more so. This is accompanied by the fact that 40% of
the respondents felt more capable of taking a leading role and
10% much more capable of doing so. Similar results were
obtained for the volunteers’ percepti ons when it comes to solving
practical problems and finding solutions, as well as helping to
solve conflicts. Where percentages are higher is when it comes to communicating a personal
message or idea, with 52% of the volunteers finding themselves more capable of doing it after EVS,
and 12% much more capable of it. It seems therefore clear that from the volunteers’ point of view EVS
has provided them with a number of skills, that we may well call inter-personal and communication
skills, that are indeed important for creating an aptitude to find a job. This is certainly true in today’s
world where Services play a very important role in our economies and where the latter skills are
Page 64 of 212
considered to be an essential asset for any professional activity in this area. If we add to this the fact
that 66% of the respondents said that their expectation to learn a new language had been fulfilled and
20% partly fulfilled, we could easily say that most volunteers in our sample ended EVS with a package
of very useful skills in making them ready for potential jobs in the future. After all, language knowledge
is also one of the basic skills most employers ask for in a world that becomes increasingly more
global.
As far as the skills of the volunteers are concerned it would be important to study with more care the
annexes to the certificates that currently hosting projects are asked to fill in after the end of a young
person’s voluntary service. In their new format since October 1998 these forms ask a number of
questions about both the linguistic, technical and social skills developed by volunteers during their stay
abroad and this could be another important indicator to see in which degree volunteers’ acquire these
skills and what they consist of.
Page 65 of 1
“I had left school at the age of 15 and I had no job. Now I’m
back in College doing my Diploma in Youth & Community work and I’m also working full
time. I hope to go on and do my degree and one day be fluent in
speaking French”
Irish volunteer
EDUCATION AND WORK AFTER EVS
H Our hypothesis was “that young people’s participation in EVS has very positive consequences on
their educational and professional integration possibilities, and that in the majority of the cases
having taken part in EVS has stimulated them to continue their studies and look for a job directly
or indirectly related to their experiences abroad”.
q Education
rying to know what possible impact EVS has had in the
respondents’ lives was also important as far as their
academic and professional future was concerned. Although
most volunteers have stated that after EVS they decided to finish
their previous studies as planned (29%) – something that we can
easily understand if we consider the percentage of volunteers that
had just finished secondary education before EVS (50%) – a
significant number of respondents (26%) have also said that they decided to change or start a new
area of studies in accordance to what they had done during EVS. On the other hand, 25% of the
respondents stated that after their return they had decided to study the language of their hosting
country in depth.
Education - Plans for the future Total %
I decided to go back to school to complete my unfinished education 15 6,1
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies in accordance with what I had done during EVS 64 26,1
I decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not) 14 5,7
I decided not to finish my studies (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 5 2,0
I decided not to have anything to do with traditional education 13 5,3
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies unrelated with my EVS experience 41 16,7
I decided to do vocational training/more practical studies 24 9,8
I decided to finish my previous studies as planned (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 70 28,6
I decided to study the language of my hosting country in depth 60 24,5
OTHER
applied to university but failed the tests 1 0,4
I decided to do another EVS 1 0,4
I decided to go abroad to study 1 0,4
I decided to travel abroad to find more about myself 8 3,3
military service 2 0,8
Total respondents 245 -
Table XII
T
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Although some of these results are juxtaposed – since the volunteers could have signalled up to two
answers for this question – they are nevertheless interesting and show that up to a certain point what
volunteers do while on EVS has a direct influence on their academic decisions for the future. This may
sound obvious but it is important to have volunteers saying it themselves. As 5 volunteers have
commented at the end of the questionnaire in section H, EVS has made them discover their talents
and interests, and this may well explain the numbers of volunteers who decide to change or start a
new area of studies after their projects.
q Working life
In the case of our respondents 7% of those who had been employed before EVS (18%) went back to
their previous jobs after the programme. We do not have any data that would allow us to know if they
went back also to their previous employer (this was not made clear by our question either). Most of the
volunteers had third sector (Services) oriented jobs, with the majority in this category having gone
back to office jobs (29%). Quite significantly 16% of the respondents stated that they had found a job
related to what they had done during EVS. This is somehow consistent with the fact that 27% of the
respondents stated having fulfilled their expectation of learning important skills for their future jobs with
EVS, with 32% having partly fulfilled it. Considering the predominance of both social and youth work
amongst the themes of their projects it is not surprising that amongst this group those that initiated
social and youth work jobs account for almost half of the volunteers (48%). For a full account of the
different types of jobs that volunteers have found, please consult the corresponding tables in annexe 1
at the end of this report.
Work - Plans for the future Total %
I went back to my previous job. 17 6,9
I found a job related to the activities that I had developed while on EVS 39 15,9
I found a job but unrelated to the activities that I have developed while on EVS 42 17,1
I have been having lots of small and unrelated jobs since then 20 8,2
I decided to start looking for different jobs but have not found anything yet 24 9,8
I decided to start looking for different jobs but only when related to my EVS experience 7 2,9
I decided to look for a job outside my home country 32 13,1
I have been turned down by all the jobs I applied to for lack of qualifications/experience 4 1,6
I decided to create my own business/enterprise 5 2,0
I decided that I was not interested in looking for a job 87 35,5
Total respondents 245 -
Table XIII
Although not the most important percentage of the list, it is interesting to realise that 13% of the
respondents have showed a wish for finding a job outside their home country (87% signalled Europe
as their choice), and although we have no specific data that would allow us to say that EVS influenced
them in wishing so, we could point out the fact that in some of the comments made by volunteers in
Page 67 of 1
“I had the opportunity to teach for one year which
would have been impossible if I didn’t have this year”
Swedish volunteer
section H of the questionnaire, and also during the interviews that we have conducted, it was
sometimes mentioned by them that EVS had made them realise that they could live outside their
home country and work anywhere they wished to. EVS had showed to them that they were adaptable
people and in many cases dispelled their fears of the unknown.
We could not help noticing that the majority of the respondents (36%) signalled not being interested in
looking for a job after EVS. This percentage can be partly explained by the fact that a large majority of
the volunteers decided to continue their studies at University after EVS, and also by the fact that some
of the volunteers who answered back our questionnaire had not yet been home long enough to really
know what they wished to do after EVS. Nevertheless, if we add the percentage of volunteers who
went back to their jobs, found a job (both related and unrelated to EVS, both regular and irregular), we
can say that 48% of the respondents started working after their participation in EVS, which is a rather
positive fact to take into account. Still, 10% of the respondents had not
found any job yet since their return home and 2% had been turned
down successively by employers due to their lack of qualifications or
working experience. In future studies it would be interesting to look at
these results in relation to the volunteers’ educational background.
Page 68 of 212
EXPECTATIONS FULFILLED
H Our hypothesis was that “the majority of the participants have fulfilled their expectations vis-à-vis
the programme, in particular as far as their wishes to become more independent and to be
capable of better understanding other cultures and ways of life are concerned”.
Expectations before EVS Fulfilled % Partly
Fulfilled
% Not
Fulfilled
% Not
Expected
% Total
I expected to get a lot of preparation
before my departure
47 19,2 63 25,7 52 21,2 83 33,9 245
I expected to be given a lot of choice
of different projects
56 22,9 60 24,5 43 17,6 86 35,1 245
I expected to be given a lot of training
(technical and linguistic) upon my
arrival to the hosting country
41 16,7 82 33,5 60 24,5 62 25,3 245
I expected to have a lot of moral
support during my stay
82 33,5 78 31,8 33 13,5 52 21,2 245
I expected to be given a good
amount of pocket money per month
99 40,4 39 15,9 16 6,5 91 37,1 245
I expected to learn a new language 162 66,1 48 19,6 6 2,4 29 11,8 245
I expected to find more about myself
and what I want to do in life
129 52,7 88 35,9 9 3,7 19 7,8 245
I expected to make lots of good
friends
144 58,8 67 27,3 8 3,3 26 10,6 245
I expected to learn important skills for
my future job
65 26,5 79 32,2 20 8,2 81 33,1 245
I expected to become more
independent
149 60,8 41 16,7 3 1,2 52 21,2 245
I expected to get more knowledge
about other cultures and ways of life
206 84,1 29 11,8 0 - 10 4,1 245
I expected to leave my past behind
and become a new person
20 8,2 43 17,6 12 4,9 170 69,4 245
I expected to find a
boyfriend/girlfriend
16 6,5 10 4,1 17 6,9 202 82,4 245
I expected to learn more about the
world
133 54,3 74 30,2 2 0,8 36 14,7 245
I expected to become stronger to
overcome life’s difficulties
107 43,7 87 35,5 3 1,2 48 19,6 245
Table XIV
Although a significant percentage of volunteers (34%) did not expect to get a lot of preparation before
going on EVS – which in itself is not a positive sign – for 66% of the respondents this was an important
expectation. Only a minority of them (19%) felt that this had been fulfilled with 26% saying that their
expectation was partly fulfilled and 21% not fulfilled at all. As the programme evolves a thorough
Page 69 of 1
preparation before departure has been proven to be an important instrument of success for the
volunteers’ stay abroad. This is even more so when we talk about disadvantaged volunteers, as
projects such as the pilots of both the Youth Forum (Fighting against social exclusion) and the
European Induction Programme (“Step by Step”) have showed. In the comments done in section H of
the questionnaire 9 of the volunteers stressed the importance of having better preparation before
departure, both linguistic and intercultural. Amongst youth workers there is also a consensus about the
relevance of giving young people a good introduction to what may lay ahead of them and making sure
that they are prepared as best as possible for some of the problems in the future hosting country. This
however clashes many times against the young people’s eagerness to leave. We have had several
cases of volunteers complaining to the SOS because they do not want to wait too long to leave, some
going to the extreme of wishing to make the inscription in the beginning of the week and leave at the
end of the same week. Youth workers in sending projects pointed out to us that it is sometimes very
difficult to convince older and more educated volunteers that they may need longer preparation than
what they imagine. The fact that many of them already speak other languages and have been abroad
makes th em feel over-confident and reject the need for any sort of induction taking more than a couple
of days.
Expectations on EVS
47 56 41
82
63 60 82
7852 43
60
33
83 8662 52
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
I expected a lot ofpreparation before
departure
I expected a lot of choiceof projects
I expected a lot oftraining upon my arrival
I expected a lot of moralsupport during my stay
Fulfilled Partly Fulfilled Not Fulfilled Not Expected
Graphic 23
Again a significant number of volunteers (35%) did not expect to be given a lot of choice of hosting
projects, although the remaining 65% had this as one of their expectations. Only 23% felt that this had
been fulfilled, with 24% signalling partly fulfilled and 18% not fulfilled. Considering that a large majority
of the volunteers was not given the possibility to consult the hosting projects database it is not totally
surprising that so many did not think that they had had enough choice of projects to go to.
Page 70 of 212
“My life, my points of view changed after my
experience in Austria. I think that at the moment I
am more open minded, more independent. I see
things from another point of view. I can stand my
problems and I think always in a positive way. I am
happy!!”
Spanish volunteer
Significant training during the volunteers’ stay (whether technical or linguistic) was expected by 75% of
the volunteers, an understandable percentage considering how so many amongst them were
motivated to participate in the programme to gain some kind of practical experience, and learn
important skills for their future job. This is indeed a very important elemen t of the volunteers’
experience because it is in many ways what a hosting project is all about, a number of activities that
must be carried out and for which training is necessary. Only 17% of the respondents felt that their
expectation had been fulfilled, with 33% saying that it was partly fulfilled and 24% not fulfilled at all.
This is coherent with many of the complaints we have heard from volunteers we have interviewed,
who felt that their hosting projects were not ready to take on board the responsibility of giving them the
training required for the accomplishment of their tasks. Of course, it is important to say it once more,
these results correspond to the volunteers’ perception of the situation. Many of the youth workers we
have spoken to have also m entioned the fact that many times
volunteers have too high expectations - unrealistic in fact - and that no
matter how much training they receive they always feel unsatisfied. This
was actually referred to by two of the respondents in section H of the
questionnaire, as being detrimental – high expectations that is – to the
volunteers’ integration and adaptation to the new living and working
conditions abroad. On the other hand, it must be underlined that 18% of
the volunteers who withdraw from the programme during the Pilot Action
did so due to false expectations39.
Most volunteers fulfilled either completely or only partially their expectation for a lot of moral support
during their stay (34% and 32% respectively). We were told by many of the volunteers tha t this was
most of the time the most important kind of support that they could get, compensating for many of the
difficulties with the lack of training, language knowledge and repetitive activities. A good relation with
the hosting project’s tutor or co -worker seems to be in many cases at the basis of an otherwise not so
nice experience. Many volunteers have told us that even though they had interesting activities to
develop, the lack of communication between them and their tutors, or the animosity between them,
was sufficient to make them want to change or leave the project for good. In fact 25% of the
volunteers who withdraw from their projects during the Pilot Action did so due to disputes with the
hosting project40.
The monthly pocket money provided to volunteers was for most of them according to their
expectations, with 40% of the volunteers saying that they received a good amount of pocket money
during their stay and 16% saying that this was partly achieved. Quite a lot of the respondents (37%)
did not even expect anything on this level, something many of the volunteers who had been sent to
hosting projects of a charitable nature have confirmed to us. Their main motivation was to help other
people and they had not considered for a single moment being paid for that. However, for the majority
of the volunteers money is an important aspect of their stay (after all 63% of the respondents signalled
39 SOS, The occurrence of early returns in the Pilot Action of the European Voluntary Service, SOS, Brussels, June 1999
Page 71 of 1
a good amount of pocket money as one of their expectations), with two of the respondents in section
H even stating that volunteers should be actually given more pocket money (although this does not
seem to be the opinion of most volunteers with whom we have met and certainly not that of our group
of respondents).
The inter-personal aspects of EVS seem to have been a big success amongst our group of volunteers,
with 59% of them saying that their expectation to make lots of good friends with EVS was fulfilled.
Only 11% did not expect this to happen, and some of these have written on the side of the
questionnaire that although not expected it had happened to them anyway. Although the
overwhelming majority of the respondents (82%) said that finding a partner was not part of their
expectations, it is nevertheless interesting to see that 18% of the volunteers had this expectation when
participating in EVS. In fact, 4 of the respondents have mentioned the fact that they found their best
friend or partner through EVS when writing in section H of the questionnaire. Although this is not one
of the formal objectives of the programme, this human component – making friends, finding partners –
is of significance in a programme that deals with people and has as one of its aims bringing people
together in a multicultural context.
It must also be mentioned that 31% of the respondents saw in EVS the possibility to leave their past
behind them and become a new person (although 69% did not expect this at all). This is somehow a
disturbing value because it may imply that a significant number of volunteers see EVS as an escape
and the truth is that most of the time it is hard to leave one’s past behind, because it will follow us
wherever we are (as stated by some volunteers themselves). With a few of the volunteers with whom
we have talked this expectation was described as being the result of a difficult situation at home, either
with friends or family, a notion of not having achieved anything worthwhile until then, or even a sense
of shame for something they were eager to forget. These volunteers often thought that going away
would succeed in making them forget what was that troubled them. More often than not they would be
confronted with their past while in the programme, sometimes meaning that they would be forced to
withdraw. If we look at the percentages of volunteers who withdraw from EVS during the Pilot Action,
we see that 16% of these volunteers did so due to integration problems, namely because the
experience was just too difficult to cope with41. This relates not only to lack of preparation, but
eventually to finding out that it is not easy to become a “brand new person” by leaving one’s country
and home behind. This makes the question of moral support during the stay of he volunteers ever so
more important. In fact, support issues constitute 54% of all recommendations made by volunteers in
section H of the questionnaire.
40 SOS, The occurrence of early returns in the Pilot Action of the European Voluntary Service, SOS, Brussels, June 1999 41 SOS, The occurrence of early returns in the Pilot Action of the European Voluntary Service, SOS, Brussels, June 1999
Page 72 of 212
Expectations on EVS
206
133
74
29 20
3610
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
I expected to get more knowledge aboutother cultures and ways of life
I expected to learn more about the world
Fulfilled Partly Fulfilled Not Fulfilled Not Expected
Graphic 24
The intercultural dimension of EVS seems to have been one of those expectations that the
overwhelming majority of the volunteers had, and one that a great number of the respondents felt to
have been achieved (84% in the case of learning more about other cultures and ways of life and 54%
in the case of learning more about the world). Although this would seem obvious due to the intrinsic
nature of the programme – it is after all an international exchange programme – it is nevertheless
important to know that volunteers feel that their participation in it has helped them to widen their
cultural horizon and have a better grasp of what is happening around them.
Page 73 of 1
“In my opinion the EVS programme is a very good opportunity for
young people to gain experience and develop their personal skills
and character”
Austrian volunteer
OVERALL EVALUATION OF THE EXPERIENCE
H Our hypothesis was that “the majority of the participants make a positive evaluation of the
programme”.
n impressive majority of the volunteers who answered back to our questionnaire considered
EVS to have been either a good (32%) or a very good
experience (57%). If we put these two percentages
together we can say that 89% of the respondents felt that EVS
had been an experience above the average. If to this we add the
9% who found it satisfactory, we have 98% of our pool thinking
of EVS as a positive experience.
1 5
22
78
139
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
very bad bad satisfactory good very good
Evaluation of EVS
Graphic 25
Although these results should be a reason for rejoicing for all those that in one way or another work for
EVS, we should not forget that behind the small 2.4% of dissatisfied volunteers with a bad or very bad
experience, are 6 young people whose lives may have been negatively influenced by EVS. Although it
is unrealistic to expect that all volunteers have a positive experience that should be nevertheless the
goal of all those involved in the programme.
A
Page 74 of 212
The type of comments that volunteers have made in section H of the questionnaire, with 62% of the
overall comments being positive ones, consistently confirms this overwhelmingly positive evaluation of
the programme. Furthermore if we consider only both positive and negative comments – leaving out
recommendations – the percentage of positive comments raises to 71% of all comments, showing
how many more volunteers were happy rather than unhappy with their stays. After all, out of 172
volunteers who wrote their comments in section H of the questionnaire, 107 (i.e. 62%) stated that EVS
had been the best and most important experience in their lives.
Comments - Summary Female % of F com. male % of M com. total % of total com.
A) Positive comments 388 65,4 77 50,0 465 62,2
B) Negative comments 145 24,5 45 29,2 190 25,4
C) Recommendations 60 10,1 32 20,8 92 12,3
Total comments/themes 593 100 154 100 747 100
Table XV
We recommend readers to look carefully at annexes 3 and 4 where the full comments of the
volunteers both from the decentralised and centralised strands are included for a thorough realisation
of the impact of EVS in the respondents’ own words.
Page 75 of 1
CONCLUSION
t is clear from the results of our study that the majority of the volunteers did feel that EVS had a
positive influence in their lives. It made them more self-confident, independent, capable of dealing
with life difficulties and aware of what is happening around them in the world. It provided them with
signifi cant skills to find a job and it made them realise in many cases what their priorities were in life.
They have felt in most cases more European after EVS, something that strikes a positive cord when
we think of the need for a more united Europe. They have overwhelmingly evaluated their experience
as being a very positive one and this should serve as a proof of the programme’s value and the need
to continue to make it possible for all young people.
The personal dimension of EVS should not be underestimated, it should make us happy to realise that
through EVS participants felt more in touch with themselves and more optimistic about life. To help
volunteers with their personal development as human beings is also one of the important objectives of
the programme, and the fact that our respondents felt to have achieved some degree of maturity after
EVS should make us all rejoice. To know that EVS helped many of them to make the transition from
“adolescence” to “adulthood” is as important as knowing that they have learned “how to plan for my
time”.
Although the personal, social and intercultural aspects are those that most of the respondents report
as having been more positively influenced by EVS, we should also stress the many personal skills of a
more “technical nature” that EVS allowed them to obtain. The capacity for leadership, for taking
initiative to organise activities, to integrate and work in teams and to communicate a personal
message, were all mentioned by the majority of the volunteers as having improved after participation.
It is also true that in many cases the volunteers with whom we have met did not perceive these skills
as being helpful to find a job in today’s world, which makes the need for advertising their potential the
more urgent. Sending and hosting projects can play a particularly important role in teaching the
volunteers how to inform others about these skills, assisting them in structuring their learning
experience and making them aware of it. This is very important when volunteers apply for a job, a
study or a training programme, because often these skills remain hidden to those outside the youth
and voluntary sectors.
Although a few of the volunteers found a job directly related to what they had done after their projects,
and almost half of the respondents started working after that, we cannot say that EVS leads to
employment. But what we can say is that EVS seems to promote a number of inter-personal, social
and cultural skills that constitute an important package in helping young peopl e to integrate in life,
socially and professionally. This capacity needs to be better promoted amongst the decision-makers at
European level, and amongst those that manage the programme at national and local levels.
However, this must be done with caution to avoid creating the expectation amongst candidates to the
I
Page 76 of 212
programme that EVS will make them find a job, since in reality it is only their potential to find one that
seems to increase. In those cases where volunteers have chosen career and study paths that lead to
professions in the social and youth sectors – dominant amongst the hosting projects – it may be that
the content of their EVS activities will be of relevance and considered as equivalent to working
experience by future employers. Other sectors represented in the programme could also provide the
same benefit.
We are aware that outside the youth and voluntary world this potential needs to become more
acknowledged and parallel to information about the benefits of the programme it would be interesting
to develop a research project where current employers of previous volunteers would be questioned
about their own perceptions. It would be interesting to know if they found the programme an asset in
the ex-volunteers’ job application, and if they have noticed any special benefits brought by the
volunteers to their organisation or business due to their previous involvement with EVS.
What happens to the volunteers after their return home is still an area where more work needs to be
done by all those involved in the programme, and particularly by sending projects and National
Structures. One third of the volunteers did not have the possibility to participate in any follow -up or
evaluation activities after the end of the voluntary service and half of them had both a difficult and a
very difficult re-integration process. These results lead us to the conclusion that this period of the
volunteering experience is still too neglected by the different agents who are responsible for the
programme’s implementation. The re-integration process of the volunteers needs to be given more
attention if voluntary service is to be a comprehensive experience in the lives of the young people that
choose to participate.
Studies such as the one that we have conducted should be done on a regular basis, and now that the
Programme Action (1998-1999) reaches its end it would be very valuable to compare results with the
ones of the Pilot Action (1996-1997). In the future, the volunteers’ perception about the gains that EVS
has brought them, personally as well as professionally, should constitute an essential part of any on-
going general evaluation exercise. Knowing what our core “clients” think of their experiences is a
fundamental tool to keep the programme in the right track, or to change it where it is needed. Together
with other indicators, such as those that involve the work of the National Structures, the hosting and
sending projects and the European Commission, the study of the volunteers’ perception on EVS can
be a reliable source of information about the programme’s capacity to achieve its aims.
In the future it would be recommendable to go more in -depth into the statistical analysis of this type of
questionnaire, establishing co -relations between the different variables and therefore being able to
draw more sound conclusions from the data.
We also think that it would be very interesting and important to invest on a longitudinal type of
research that would allow us to accompany a pre -selected group of volunteers from different member
Page 77 of 1
states, before departure, during voluntary service, after return, and one or two years later in time. This
would give us a thorough view of the micro-sociological aspects involved in their experience and
would constitute a qualitative means of analysing the impact of the programme in their lives. This
would be particularly interesting with a group of volunteers facing special personal and social
difficulties, and could be easily integrated in the more general work that is being done at European
level to increase the accessibility of EVS to “disadvantaged” target groups. A group of 10 to 20
volunteers could be followed throughout a period of two to three years to assess the impact of the
programme in their lives. Qualitative interviews with the volunteers spaced by an average period of 3-4
months would provide the necessary data to conclude on their evolution during the two years.
In any case, it is important that an evaluation exercise such as the one that we have developed does
not remain as a single experience and that more follow in the future.
Page 78 of 212
B IBLIOGRAPHY
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1998), Rapport, Forum Jeunesse, 1998
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Page 81 of 1
ANNEXE 1 – STATISTICAL TABLES - 245 VOLUNTEERS
SECTION A
Gender distribution Total %
Male 61 24,9
Female 184 75,1
Total 245 100
Age distribution Total %
18-20 116 47,3
21-23 75 30,6
24-26 53 21,6
27-28 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Average age
ages total
17 0 0
18 25 450
19 61 1159
20 30 600
21 36 756
22 15 330
23 23 529
24 22 528
25 21 525
26 10 260
27 0 0
28 1 28
Total 244 5165
average age 21,2
Nationality Total %
Austria 11 4,5
Belgium 17 6,9
Denmark 5 2,0
Finland 9 3,7
France 31 12,7
Germany 77 31,4
Greece 2 0,8
Iceland 0 -
Ireland 2 0,8
Italy 32 13,1
Page 82 of 212
Luxembourg 1 0,4
Netherlands 7 2,9
Norway 0 -
Portugal 2 0,8
Spain 22 9,0
Sweden 5 2,0
UK 20 8,2
OTHER
Angola 1 0,4
German/Turkish 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Legal Residence Total %
Austria 12 4,9
Belgium 15 6,1
Denmark 10 4,1
Finland 3 1,2
France 32 13,1
Germany 75 30,6
Greece 2 0,8
Iceland 0 -
Ireland 2 0,8
Italy 33 13,5
Luxembourg 2 0,8
Netherlands 6 2,4
Norway 0 -
Portugal 3 1,2
Spain 23 9,4
Sweden 5 2,0
UK 20 8,2
OTHER
New Zealand 1 0,4
Switzerland 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Hosting Country Total %
Austria 8 3,3
Belgium 4 1,6
Denmark 6 2,4
Finland 5 2,0
France 47 19,2
Germany 23 9,4
Greece 3 1,2
Iceland 1 0,4
Ireland 10 4,1
Italy 26 10,6
Luxembourg 0 -
Page 83 of 1
Netherlands 5 2,0
Norway 3 1,2
Portugal 3 1,2
Spain 13 5,3
Sweden 14 5,7
UK 63 25,7
OTHER
Benin 2 0,8
Bosnia 1 0,4
Burkina Faso 1 0,4
Dominican Republic 1 0,4
Hungary 1 0,4
Mozambique 2 0,8
South Africa 3 1,2
Total 245 100
knowledge of languages before EVS Total %
Yes 225 91,8
No 20 8,2
Total 245 100
Languages known before EVS Total %
Dutch 2 0,8
English 203 82,9
French 118 48,2
German 54 22,0
Italian 11 4,5
Portuguese 1 0,4
Spanish 22 9,0
Swedish 9 3,7
OTHER
Breton 1 0,4
Catalan 3 1,2
Irish Gaelic 1 0,4
Romanian 1 0,4
Russian 14 5,7
Takitaki (Guyenne française) 1 0,4
Turkish 1 0,4
Total respondents 245 -
Motivation to go on EVS Total %
because I was unemployed 9 3,7
because other friends did it 1 0,4
for the adventure 42 17,1
it was a cheap way of going abroad 14 5,7
to become more independent 26 10,6
Page 84 of 212
to complement my studies 18 7,3
to find out about myself 69 28,2
to get away from home 9 3,7
to get working experience 75 30,6
to give myself a fresh start 30 12,2
to help in the development of Europe 6 2,4
to help other people 57 23,3
to learn a new language 68 27,8
to learn new skills 31 12,7
to make new friends 6 2,4
OTHER -
obligatory military service 1 0,4
to give ideas to hosting project 1 0,4
to know what to do with my future 1 0,4
to learn about other cultures 15 6,1
Total respondents 245 -
Page 85 of 1
SECTION B
Learning about EVS - 1st time Total %
a friend 35 14,3
a local information centre for young people 36 14,7
a National newspaper 13 5,3
a previous participant 3 1,2
direct invitation by the organisers 26 10,6
the radio 2 0,8
the T.V 8 3,3
your EVS National Structure 24 9,8
your local authority 3 1,2
your local newspaper 11 4,5
your school/University 20 8,2
your youth organisation 39 15,9
OTHER
by chance when asking for information on exchanges 2 0,8
family member 4 1,6
Internet 1 0,4
Language Exhibit 1 0,4
Library 1 0,4
local job centre 2 0,8
Ministry of Youth and Education 2 0,8
newspaper on voluntary work 2 0,8
travel book 4 1,6
Unknown 2 0,8
Work/Study abroad book 4 1,6
Total 245 100
Sending organisation Total %
a European youth organisation 53 21,6
a job centre 3 1,2
a local municipality 5 2,0
a national/local youth organisation 48 19,6
a religious organisation 39 15,9
a sports organisation 1 0,4
a youth centre 11 4,5
an environmental organisation 6 2,4
an EVS National Structure 40 16,3
OTHER
community centre 1 0,4
cultural centre 1 0,4
development NGO 6 2,4
European NGO 4 1,6
exchange society 1 0,4
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local community organisation 5 2,0
school/university 5 2,0
social work organisation 9 3,7
Theatre 1 0,4
Unknown 6 2,4
Total 245 100
Hosting organisation Total %
a development organisation 17 6,9
a local community centre 17 6,9
a local municipality 12 4,9
a national/local youth organisation 47 19,2
a religious organisation 26 10,6
a social work organisation 78 31,8
an environmental organisation 10 4,1
an old people's home 9 3,7
OTHER
documentation centre 1 0,4
health organisation/services 9 3,7
International Foundation 1 0,4
International NGO 4 1,6
school/university 5 2,0
sports organisation 3 1,2
Theatre 4 1,6
Unknown 2 0,8
Total 245 100
Duration of EVS project Total %
<=3 months 12 4,9
4-5 months 7 2,9
6 months 111 45,3
7-9 months 39 15,9
10-11 months 36 14,7
12 months 26 10,6
>12 months 13 5,3
No answer 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Average duration
months total
3 12 36
4 3 12
5 4 20
6 111 666
7 2 14
8 15 120
9 22 198
Page 87 of 1
10 29 290
11 7 77
12 25 300
13 13 169
0 1 N/A
Total 244 1902
average duration 7,8
Remaining in hosting country after EVS Total %
Yes 103 42,0
<=1 week 17 16,5
2-3 weeks 32 31,1
1-3 months 36 35,0
4-6 months 5 4,9
>=7 months 13 12,6
No 141 57,6
No answer 1 0,4
Total respondents 245 -
Main theme of EVS project Total %
anti-racism/xenophobia 9 3,7
art and culture 20 8,2
environmental work 37 15,1
equal opportunities 17 6,9
European issues 5 2,0
health promotion 18 7,3
media/communications 5 2,0
protection of historical monuments 2 0,8
rural development 15 6,1
sports/leisure time 17 6,9
support to disabled 65 26,5
support to elderly 28 11,4
support to homeless 14 5,7
support to migrants 11 4,5
support to unemployed 13 5,3
support to youth/children 81 33,1
urban development 5 2,0
youth information 14 5,7
OTHER
adult education 1 0,4
civil protection 1 0,4
conflict resolution 1 0,4
development aid 1 0,4
ecumenical work 2 0,8
support to drug users 5 2,0
Tourism 1 0,4
No answer 1 0,4
Page 88 of 212
Total respondents 245 -
Ability to choose EVS project Total %
Yes 163 66,5
No 81 33,1
No answer 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Consulting Project's Database Total %
Yes 60 24,5
No 184 75,1
No answer 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Participating in planning of project Total %
Yes 135 55,1
No 109 44,5
No answer 1 0,4
Total 245 100
Page 89 of 1
SECTION C
Participation in follow-up/evaluation Total %
Yes 159 64,9
No 86 35,1
Total 245 100
Organiser of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Sending organisation 116 73,0
Sending National Structure 41 25,8
Other
Hosting organisation 1 0,6
Myself 1 0,6
Total 159 100
Type of follow-up/evaluation Total %
A big seminar with other volunteers 82 51,6
A training session with other volunteers 18 11,3
A small workshop with other volunteers 51 32,1
An individual interview with a youth worker 29 19,6
OTHER
private meetings 1 0,6
Questionnaire 5 3,1
Total respondents 159 -
Main focus of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Evaluation of the EVS experience 148 93,1
Giving career guidance 9 5,7
Helping with re-integration back home 54 34,0
Informing about educational opportunities 13 8,2
OTHER
Discussing about future improvements 1 0,6
Helping hosted volunteers to integrate 2 1,3
Informing other young people about EVS 24 15,1
Unknown 2 1,3
Total respondents 159 -
Page 90 of 212
Duration of follow-up/evaluation activities Total %
half a day 27 17,0
1 full day 19 11,9
2-3 days 96 60,4
>3 days 17 10,7
Total 159 100
How long after EVS were they organised Total %
<1 month after 47 29,6
1-3 months after 73 45,9
4-5 months after 26 16,4
OTHER
2 months before end of project 1 0,6
6 months after 3 1,9
7 months after 3 1,9
8 months after 3 1,9
10 months after 2 1,3
15 months after 1 0,6
Total 159 100
Overall evaluation of follow-up/evaluation Total %
bad 17 10,7
good 52 32,7
satisfactory 49 30,8
very bad 5 3,1
very good 36 22,6
Total 159 100
Involvement in community/voluntary work after EVS Total %
Yes : 105 42,9
cultural work 3 2,9
ecumenical work 3 2,9
environmental work 1 1,0
football coach 2 1,9
political militant 2 1,9
social/community work 32 30,5
unknown 1 1,0
youth work 61 58,1
No 140 57,1
Total respondents 245 -
Page 91 of 1
Relation to EVS project Total %
Yes 61 58,1
No 44 41,9
Total 105 100
Plans to become involved Total %
Yes 36 25,7
No 20 14,3
Maybe 84 60,0
Total 140 100
Re-integration back home Total %
very easy 23 9,4
easy 106 43,3
difficult 92 37,6
very difficult 24 9,8
Total 245 100
Page 92 of 212
SECTION D
Characteristics much less % less % the same % more % much more % Total
Assertive 0 - 2 0,8 77 31,4 133 54,3 33 13,5 245
Communicative 0 - 5 2,0 74 30,2 123 50,2 43 17,6 245
European 1 0,4 5 2,0 57 23,3 98 40,0 84 34,3 245
Outgoing 0 - 8 3,3 113 46,1 91 37,1 33 13,5 245
Progressive 1 0,4 3 1,2 89 36,3 110 44,9 42 17,1 245
Hard-working 1 0,4 10 4,1 142 58,0 67 27,3 25 10,2 245
Spontaneous 1 0,4 15 6,1 122 49,8 80 32,7 27 11,0 245
Talkative 2 0,8 4 1,6 124 50,6 97 39,6 18 7,3 245
Conservative 46 18,8 110 44,9 82 33,5 7 2,9 0 - 245
Socially aware 1 0,4 1 0,4 74 30,2 108 44,1 61 24,9 245
Caring 0 - 3 1,2 112 45,7 99 40,4 31 12,7 245
Open to people 1 0,4 5 2,0 79 32,2 117 47,8 43 17,6 245
Shy 66 26,9 91 37,1 78 31,8 9 3,7 1 0,4 245
Tolerant 0 - 2 0,8 80 32,7 111 45,3 52 21,2 245
Involved 1 0,4 11 4,5 91 37,1 118 48,2 24 9,8 245
Indifferent 57 23,3 87 35,5 94 38,4 4 1,6 3 1,2 245
Mature 1 0,4 0 - 58 23,7 125 51,0 61 24,9 245
Independent 1 0,4 3 1,2 51 20,8 111 45,3 79 32,2 245
Organised 2 0,8 24 9,8 109 44,5 84 34,3 26 10,6 245
Optimistic 2 0,8 17 6,9 108 44,1 86 35,1 32 13,1 245
Money oriented 47 19,2 57 23,3 125 51,0 10 4,1 6 2,4 245
Sociable 0 - 10 4,1 101 41,2 90 36,7 44 18,0 245
Lonely 49 20,0 53 21,6 110 44,9 27 11,0 6 2,4 245
OTHER
egocentric 1 0,4 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 245
flexible 1 0,4 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 245
part of the world 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,4 0 - 245
reliable 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,4 245
stressed 1 0,4 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 245
Thoughtful 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,4 0 - 245
Page 93 of 1
SECTION E
Skills much less % less % the same % more % much
more
% Total
I integrate in groups and teams 1 0,4 11 4,5 103 42,0 106 43,3 24 9,8 245
I take personal responsibility for
organising activities
1 0,4 11 4,5 106 43,3 92 37,6 35 14,3 245
I plan my time 2 0,8 14 5,7 143 58,4 70 28,6 16 6,5 245
I solve practical problems/find solutions 0 - 1 0,4 111 45,3 113 46,1 20 8,2 245
I can help solving conflicts 1 0,4 1 0,4 110 44,9 109 44,5 24 9,8 245
I can communicate a personal
idea/message
0 - 1 0,4 88 35,9 127 51,8 29 11,8 245
I can take a leading role 0 - 9 3,7 114 46,5 97 39,6 25 10,2 245
OTHER
expressing my opinions in writing 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,4 245
Page 94 of 212
SECTION F
Education - Situation before EVS Total %
had finished College/University 68 27,8
had finished school 122 49,8
had left College/University unfinished 12 4,9
had left school unfinished 10 4,1
were still at College/University 31 12,7
were still at school 2 0,8
Total 245 100
Education - Plans for the future Total %
I decided to go back to school to complete my unfinished education 15 6,1
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies in accordance with what I had done during EVS 64 26,1
I decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not) 14 5,7
I decided not to finish my studies (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 5 2,0
I decided not to have anything to do with traditional education 13 5,3
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies unrelated with my EVS experience 41 16,7
I decided to do vocational training/more practical studies 24 9,8
I decided to finish my previous studies as planned (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 70 28,6
I decided to study the language of my hosting country in depth 60 24,5
OTHER
applied to university but failed the tests 1 0,4
I decided to do another EVS 1 0,4
I decided to go abroad to study 1 0,4
I decided to travel abroad to find more about myself 8 3,3
military service 2 0,8
Total respondents 245 -
Work - Situation before EVS Total %
were employed 43 17,6
were doing an apprenticeship/training/stage 29 11,8
were looking for your first job 38 15,5
were unemployed 135 55,1
Total 245 100
Work - Plans for the future Total %
I went back to my previous job. Please tell us what: 17 6,9
bartender/waiter 2 11,8
cleaning worker 1 5,9
development worker 1 5,9
environmental worker 1 5,9
food technology assistant 1 5,9
office assistant 5 29,4
Page 95 of 1
part-time at airport 1 5,9
shop assistant 1 5,9
teacher 2 11,8
unknown job 1 5,9
youth worker 1 5,9
I found a job related to the activities that I had developed while on EVS. Please tell us what: 39 15,9
craftsman 2 5,1
cultural assistant 1 2,6
dance company manager 1 2,6
hostess 1 2,6
kindergarten teacher 2 5,1
media worker 1 2,6
nurse 1 2,6
researcher at waste management consultancy 1 2,6
secretary in a Roman TV channel 1 2,6
social worker 8 20,5
statistician 1 2,6
support to disabled people 2 5,1
support to people with learning disabilities 1 2,6
teacher 2 5,1
telemarketing in bilingual agency (English/Italian) 1 2,6
theatre work 1 2,6
tourist guide 1 2,6
unknown job 3 7,7
worker in my hosting project 1 2,6
youth worker 7 17,9
I found a job but unrelated to the activities that I have developed while on EVS. Please tell us
what:
42 17,1
air hostess in local airline 1 2,4
bartender/waiter 5 11,9
camping assistant 1 2,4
clinical data manager 1 2,4
commercial job 1 2,4
factory worker 3 7,1
farm worker 1 2,4
insurance company operator 1 2,4
IT analyst 1 2,4
journalist 1 2,4
kindergarten teacher 1 2,4
kitchen chef/assistant 2 4,8
librarian 1 2,4
nurse 1 2,4
office worker 8 19,0
postman 1 2,4
psychologist 1 2,4
secretarial work 1 2,4
sports worker 1 2,4
summer job 3 7,1
Page 96 of 212
support to disabled people 2 4,8
tax inspector 1 2,4
travel agent 1 2,4
University teacher of Spanish 1 2,4
unknown job 1 2,4
I have been having lots of small and unrelated jobs since then 20 8,2
I decided to start looking for different jobs but have not found anything yet 24 9,8
I decided to start looking for different jobs but only when related to my EVS experience 7 2,9
I decided to look for a job outside my home country. Please tell us what and where:* 32 13,1
anything 4 12,5
agronomy work 1 3,1
arts & music work 2 6,3
camping reception 2 6,3
catering assistant 1 3,1
development aid 1 3,1
environmental work 1 3,1
international air hostess 1 3,1
international office 2 6,3
international youth work 1 3,1
IT manager 1 3,1
kindergarten work 1 3,1
language teacher 1 3,1
media work 1 3,1
refugee camp monitor 1 3,1
secretarial work 1 3,1
ski instructor 1 3,1
social assistant/worker 4 12,5
summer job 3 9,4
tourism work 1 3,1
warehouse worker 1 3,1
I have been turned down by all the jobs I applied to for lack of qualifications/experience 4 1,6
I decided to create my own business/enterprise. Please tell us wha t: 5 2,0
environmental architecture 1 20,0
football club 1 20,0
renting video screens and AV equipment 1 20,0
voluntary service training office 2 40,0
I decided that I was not interested in looking for a job 87 35,5
Total respondents 245 -
*Countries total %
Africa 2 6,3
All of Europe 8 25,0
Austria 2 6,3
Denmark 1 3,1
Dubai 1 3,1
France 5 15,6
Germany 2 6,3
Page 97 of 1
Netherlands 1 3,1
Syria 1 3,1
Southern Europe 1 3,1
Spain 1 3,1
Sweden 1 3,1
Switzerland 1 3,1
UK 5 15,6
Page 98 of 212
SECTION G
Expectations before EVS Fulfilled % Partly
Fulfilled
% Not
Fulfilled
% Not
Expected
% Total
I expected to get a lot of preparation before
my departure
47 19,2 63 25,7 52 21,2 83 33,9 245
I expected to be given a lot of choice of
different projects
56 22,9 60 24,5 43 17,6 86 35,1 245
I expected to be given a lot of training
(technical and linguistic) upon my arrival to the
hosting country
41 16,7 82 33,5 60 24,5 62 25,3 245
I expected to have a lot of moral support
during my stay
82 33,5 78 31,8 33 13,5 52 21,2 245
I expected to be given a good amount of
pocket money per month
99 40,4 39 15,9 16 6,5 91 37,1 245
I expected to learn a new language 162 66,1 48 19,6 6 2,4 29 11,8 245
I expected to find more about myself and what
I want to do in life
129 52,7 88 35,9 9 3,7 19 7,8 245
I expected to make lots of good friends 144 58,8 67 27,3 8 3,3 26 10,6 245
I expected to learn important skills for my
future job
65 26,5 79 32,2 20 8,2 81 33,1 245
I expected to become more independent 149 60,8 41 16,7 3 1,2 52 21,2 245
I expected to get more knowledge about other
cultures and ways of life
206 84,1 29 11,8 0 - 10 4,1 245
I expected to leave my past behind and
become a new person
20 8,2 43 17,6 12 4,9 170 69,4 245
I expected to find a boyfriend/girlfriend 16 6,5 10 4,1 17 6,9 202 82,4 245
I expected to learn more about the world 133 54,3 74 30,2 2 0,8 36 14,7 245
I expected to become stronger to overcome
life’s difficulties
107 43,7 87 35,5 3 1,2 48 19,6 245
OTHER
deeper spirituality 1 0,4 0 - 0 - 0 - 245
expected to travel a lot in hosting country 1 0,4 0 - 0 - 0 - 245
to be useful 1 0,4 0 - 1 0,4 0 - 245
to have a good time/fun 2 0,8 0 - 1 0,4 0 - 245
Evaluation of EVS Total %
bad 5 2,0
good 78 31,8
satisfactory 22 9,0
very bad 1 0,4
very good 139 56,7
Total 245 100
Page 99 of 1
ANNEXE 2 – STATISTICAL TABLES – DECENTRALISED STRAND - 152 VOLUNTEERS
SECTION A
Gender distribution Total %
Male 38 25,0
Female 114 75,0
Total 152 100
Age distribution Total %
<=17 0 -
18-20 68 44,7
21-23 50 32,9
24-26 33 21,7
27-28 1 0,7
>=29 0 -
Total 152 100
Average age
ages total
17 0 0
18 17 306
19 35 665
20 16 320
21 21 441
22 11 242
23 18 414
24 15 360
25 16 400
26 2 52
27 0 0
28 1 28
Total 152 3228
average age 21,2
Decentralised Strand
Age distribution - German volunteers Total %
<=17 0 -
18-20 30 81,1
21-23 6 16,2
24-26 1 2,7
27-28 0 -
>=29 0 -
Total 37 100
Nationality Total %
Austria 9 5,9
Belgium 9 5,9
Denmark 3 2,0
Page 100 of 212
Finland 6 3,9
France 18 11,8
Germany 37 24,3
Greece 0 -
Ireland 1 0,7
Italy 30 19,7
Luxembourg 1 0,7
Netherlands 1 0,7
Norway 0 -
Portugal 0 -
Spain 17 11,2
Sweden 2 1,3
UK 17 11,2
OTHER
Angola 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Legal Residence Total %
Austria 10 6,6
Belgium 9 5,9
Denmark 8 5,3
Finland 0 -
France 16 10,5
Germany 36 23,7
Greece 0 -
Ireland 1 0,7
Italy 31 20,4
Luxembourg 2 1,3
Netherlands 1 0,7
Norway 0 -
Portugal 1 0,7
Spain 17 11,2
Sweden 1 0,7
UK 18 11,8
OTHER
Switzerland 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Hosting Country Total %
Austria 6 3,9
Belgium 2 1,3
Denmark 4 2,6
Finland 5 3,3
France 26 17,1
Germany 15 9,9
Greece 3 2,0
Ireland 9 5,9
Italy 23 15,1
Luxembourg 0 -
Netherlands 2 1,3
Page 101 of 1
Norway 1 0,7
Portugal 3 2,0
Spain 6 3,9
Sweden 12 7,9
UK 35 23,0
Total 152 100
knowledge of languages before EVS Total %
Yes 135 88,8
No 17 11,2
Total 152 100
Languages known before EVS Total %
Dutch 2 1,3
English 118 77,6
French 67 44,1
German 38 25,0
Italian 8 5,3
Portuguese 1 0,7
Spanish 9 5,9
Swedish 6 3,9
OTHER
Breton 1 0,7
Catalan 3 2,0
Irish Gaellic 1 0,7
Romanian 1 0,7
Russian 8 5,3
Takitaki (Guyenne française) 1 0,7
Total respondents 152 -
Page 102 of 212
SECTION B
Learning about EVS - 1st time Total %
a friend 22 14,5
a local information centre for young people 27 17,8
a National newspaper 6 3,9
a previous participant 1 0,7
direct invitation by the organisers 11 7,2
the radio 2 1,3
the T.V 8 5,3
your EVS National Structure 10 6,6
your local authority 3 2,0
your local newspaper 10 6,6
your school/University 15 9,9
your youth organisation 19 12,5
OTHER
by chance when asking for Aurpair information 1 0,7
family member 4 2,6
Internet 1 0,7
Language Exhibit 1 0,7
local job centre 2 1,3
Ministry of Youth and Education 2 1,3
newspaper on voluntary work 1 0,7
travel book 1 0,7
unknown 2 1,3
Work/Study abroad book 3 2,0
Total 152 100
Sending organisation Total %
a European youth organisation 31 20,4
a job centre 2 1,3
a local municipality 5 3,3
a national/local youth organisation 35 23,0
a religious organisation 20 13,2
a sports organisation 1 0,7
a youth centre 10 6,6
an environmental organisation 5 3,3
an EVS National Structure 22 14,5
OTHER
development organisation 3 2,0
exchange society 1 0,7
local community organisation 5 3,3
school/university 4 2,6
social work organisation 4 2,6
theatre 1 0,7
unknown 3 2,0
Total 152 100
Page 103 of 1
Hosting organisation Total %
a development organisation 7 4,6
a local community centre 10 6,6
a local municipality 11 7,2
a national/local youth organisation 31 20,4
a religious organisation 16 10,5
a social work organisation 54 35,5
an environmental organisation 6 3,9
an old people's home 2 1,3
OTHER
health organisation 2 1,3
International NGO 4 2,6
school/university 5 3,3
theatre 2 1,3
unknown 2 1,3
Total 152 100
Duration of EVS project Total %
<=3 months 1 0,7
4-5 months 4 2,6
6 months 82 53,9
7-9 months 27 17,8
10-11 months 20 13,2
12 months 16 10,5
>12 months 1 0,7
No answer 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Average duration
months total
3 1 3
4 1 4
5 3 15
6 82 492
7 2 14
8 11 88
9 14 126
10 19 190
11 1 11
12 16 192
13 1 13
0 1 N/A
Total 152 1148
average duration 7,6
Remaining in hosting country after EVS Total %
Yes 64 42,1
<=1 week 13 20,3
2-3 weeks 24 37,5
1-3 months 17 26,6
Page 104 of 212
4-6 months 2 3,1
>=7 months 8 12,5
No 87 57,2
No answer 1 0,7
Total respondents 152 -
Main theme of EVS project Total %
anti-racism/xenophobia 6 3,9
art and culture 9 5,9
environmental work 30 19,7
equal opportunities 11 7,2
european issues 4 2,6
health promotion 9 5,9
media/communications 3 2,0
protection of historical monuments 1 0,7
rural development 8 5,3
sports/leisure time 10 6,6
support to disabled 36 23,7
support to elderly 14 9,2
support to homeless 8 5,3
support to migrants 10 6,6
support to unemployed 11 7,2
support to youth/children 53 34,9
urban development 2 1,3
youth information 11 7,2
OTHER
adult education 1 0,7
civil protection 1 0,7
conflict resolution 1 0,7
ecumenical work 2 1,3
support to drug users 2 1,3
tourism 1 0,7
No answer 1 0,7
Total respondents 152 -
Ability to choose EVS project Total %
Yes 105 69,1
No 46 30,3
No answer 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Consulting Project's Database Total %
Yes 47 30,9
No 104 68,4
No answer 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Participating in planning of project Total % Yes 89 58,6
No 62 40,8
Page 105 of 1
No answer 1 0,7
Total 152 100
Page 106 of 212
SECTION C
Participation in follow-up/evaluation Total %
Yes 95 62,5
No 57 37,5
Total 152 100,0
Organiser of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Sending organisation 64 67,4
Sending National Structure 30 31,6
Other
Hosting organisation 1 1,1
Total 95 100,0
Type of follow-up/evaluation Total %
A big seminar with other volunteers 42 44,2
A training session with other volunteers 13 13,7
A small workshop with other volunteers 32 33,7
An individual interview with a youth worker 21 23,3
Other
questionnaire 3 3,2
Total respondants 95 -
Main focus of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Evaluation of the EVS experience 90 94,7
Giving career guidance 6 6,3
Helping with re-integration back home 22 23,2
Informing about educational opportunities 8 8,4
Other
Discussing about future improvements 1 1,1
Helping hosted volunteers to integrate 2 2,1
Informing other young people about EVS 18 18,9
unknown 2 2,1
Total respondants 95 -
Duration of follow -up/evaluation activities Total %
half a day 22 23,2
1 full day 8 8,4
2-3 days 60 63,2
>3 days 5 5,3
Total 95 100,0
How long after EVS were they organised Total %
<1 month after 27 28,4
1-3 months after 47 49,5
4-5 months after 12 12,6
Other
2 months before end of project 1 1,1
6 months after 2 2,1
Page 107 of 1
7 months after 3 3,2
8 months after 1 1,1
10 months after 2 2,1
Total 95 100
Overall evaluation of follow -up/evaluation Total %
bad 15 15,8
good 25 26,3
satisfactory 27 28,4
very bad 3 3,2
very good 25 26,3
Total 95 100
Involvement in community/voluntary work after EVS Total %
Yes 64 42,1
ecumenical work 3 4,7
cultural work 3 4,7
social/community work 20 31,3
youth work 38 59,4
No 88 57,9
Total respondents 152 -
Relation to EVS project Total %
Yes 37 57,8
No 27 42,2
Total 64 100
Plans to become involved Total %
Yes 20 22,7
No 15 17,0
Maybe 53 60,2
Total 88 100,0
Re-integration back home Total %
very easy 11 7,2
easy 57 37,5
difficult 69 45,4
very difficult 15 9,9
Total 152 100,0
Page 108 of 212
SECTION D
Characteristics much less % less % the same % more % much more % Total
Assertive 0 - 1 0,7 45 29,6 88 57,9 18 11,8 152
Communicative 0 - 2 1,3 46 30,3 74 48,7 30 19,7 152
European 1 0,7 2 1,3 32 21,1 60 39,5 57 37,5 152
Outgoing 0 - 4 2,6 67 44,1 59 38,8 22 14,5 152
Progressive 1 0,7 0 - 58 38,2 62 40,8 31 20,4 152
Hard-working 1 0,7 6 3,9 88 57,9 42 27,6 15 9,9 152
Spontaneous 1 0,7 8 5,3 76 50,0 50 32,9 17 11,2 152
Talkative 2 1,3 2 1,3 74 48,7 60 39,5 14 9,2 152
Conservative 33 21,7 68 44,7 46 30,3 5 3,3 0 - 152
Socially aware 1 0,7 1 0,7 45 29,6 69 45,4 36 23,7 152
Caring 0 - 2 1,3 72 47,4 55 36,2 23 15,1 152
Open to people 0 - 4 2,6 49 32,2 71 46,7 28 18,4 152
Shy 39 25,7 60 39,5 45 29,6 7 4,6 1 0,7 152
Tolerant 0 - 1 0,7 51 33,6 69 45,4 31 20,4 152
Involved 1 0,7 7 4,6 51 33,6 78 51,3 15 9,9 152
Indifferent 33 21,7 58 38,2 58 38,2 1 0,7 2 1,3 152
Mature 1 0,7 0 - 34 22,4 78 51,3 39 25,7 152
Independent 1 0,7 2 1,3 32 21,1 68 44,7 49 32,2 152
Organised 2 1,3 17 11,2 70 46,1 46 30,3 17 11,2 152
Optimistic 2 1,3 10 6,6 67 44,1 56 36,8 17 11,2 152
Money oriented 29 19,1 30 19,7 81 53,3 8 5,3 4 2,6 152
Sociable 0 - 8 5,3 60 39,5 51 33,6 33 21,7 152
Lonely 33 21,7 34 22,4 67 44,1 15 9,9 3 2,0 152
OTHER
egocentric 1 0,7 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 152
flexible 1 0,7 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 152
part of the world 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,7 0 - 152
reliable 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,7 152
stressed 1 0,7 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 152
thoughtful 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,7 0 - 152
Page 109 of 1
SECTION E
Skills much
less % less % the same % more % much
more % Total
I integrate in groups and teams 0 - 8 5,3 62 40,8 66 43,4 16 10,5 152
I take personal responsibility for organising activities
0 - 6 3,9 72 47,4 50 32,9 24 15,8 152
I plan my time 2 1,3 8 5,3 88 57,9 43 28,3 11 7,2 152
I solve practical problems/find solutions 0 - 1 0,7 67 44,1 71 46,7 13 8,6 152
I can help solving conflicts 1 0,7 1 0,7 67 44,1 68 44,7 15 9,9 152
I can communicate a personal idea/message
0 - 0 - 54 35,5 77 50,7 21 13,8 152
I can take a leading role 0 - 8 5,3 70 46,1 61 40,1 13 8,6 152
OTHER
Expressing my opinions in writing 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 0,7 151
Page 110 of 212
SECTION F
Education - Situation before EVS Total %
had finished College/University 43 28,3
had finished school 66 43,4
had left College/University unfinished 11 7,2
had left school unfinished 6 3,9
were still at College/University 26 17,1
were still at school 0 -
Total 152 100,0
Plans for the future Total %
I decided to go back to school to complete my unfinished education 5 3,3
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies in accordance with what I had done during EVS 37 24,3
I decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not) 11 7,2
I decided not to finish my studies (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 4 2,6
I decided not to have anything to do with traditional education 8 5,3
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies unrelated with my EVS experience 20 13,2
I decided to do vocational training/more practical studies 15 9,9
I decided to finish my previous studies as planned (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 51 33,6
I decided to study the language of my hosting country in depth 39 25,7
OTHER
applied to university but failed the tests 1 0,7
military service 2 1,3
Total respondents 152 -
Working Life - Situation before EVS Total %
were employed 27 17,8
were doing an apprenticeship/training/stage 17 11,2
were looking for your first job 22 14,5
were unemployed 86 56,6
Total 152 100,0
Plans for the future Total %
I went back to my previous job. Please tell us what: 10 6,6
Cleaning worker 1 10,0
Development worker 1 10,0
Environmental worker 1 10,0
Office assistant 4 40,0
Part-time at airport 1 10,0
Teacher 1 10,0
Youth worker 1 10,0
I found a job related to the activities that I had developed while on EVS. Please tell us what: 23 15,1
Craftsman 1 4,3
Cultural assistant 1 4,3
Dance company manager 1 4,3
Kindergarten teacher 1 4,3
Researcher at waste management consultancy 1 4,3
Secretary in a Roman TV channel 1 4,3
Page 111 of 1
Social worker 5 21,7
Statistician 1 4,3
Support to disabled people 2 8,7
Support to people with learning disabilities 1 4,3
Telemarketing in bilingual agency (English/Italian) 1 4,3
Theatre work 1 4,3
Unknown job 1 4,3
Worker in my hosting project 1 4,3
Youth worker 4 17,4
I found a job but unrelated to the activities that I have developed while on EVS. Please tell us what:
27 17,8
Air hostess in local airline 1 3,7
Bartender/waiter 4 14,8
Camping assistant 1 3,7
Commercial job 1 3,7
Factory worker 2 7,4
Farm worker 1 3,7
Insurance company operator 1 3,7
Journalist 1 3,7
Kitchen chef/assi stant 2 7,4
Librarian 1 3,7
Office worker 5 18,5
Secretarial work 1 3,7
summer job 2 7,4
support to disabled people 2 7,4
tax inspector 1 3,7
University teacher of Spanish 1 3,7
I have been having lots of small and unrelated jobs since then 9 5,9
I decided to start looking for different jobs but have not found anything yet 21 13,8
I decided to start looking for different jobs but only when related to my EVS experience 5 3,3
I decided to look for a job outside my home country. Please tell us what and where: 21 13,8
acrobatics trainer 1 4,8
anything 1 4,8
camping reception 2 9,5
catering assistant 1 4,8
international air hostess 1 4,8
international office 2 9,5
international youth work 1 4,8
IT manager 1 4,8
language teacher 1 4,8
refugee camp monitor 1 4,8
secretarial work 1 4,8
social assistant/worker 4 19,0
summer job 3 14,3
tourism work 1 4,8
I have been turned down by all the jobs I applied to for lack of qualifications/experience 3 2,0
I decided to create my own business/enterprise. Please tell us what: 4 2,6
environmental architecture 1 25,0
renting video screens and AV equipment 1 25,0
voluntary service training office 2 50,0
Page 112 of 212
I decided that I was not interested in looking for a job 45 29,6
Total respondents 152 -
countries total %
All of Europe 6 28,6
Austria 1 4,8
Denmark 1 4,8
Dubai 1 4,8
France 4 19,0
Germany 1 4,8
Netherlands 1 4,8
Switzerland 1 4,8
UK 4 19,0
Page 113 of 1
SECTION G
Expectations before EVS Fulfille
d % Partly
Fulfilled % Not
Fulfilled % Not
Expected % Total
I expected to get a lot of preparation before my departure
29 19,1 39 25,7 31 20,4 53 34,9 152
I expected to be given a lot of choice of different projects
43 28,3 34 22,4 26 17,1 49 32,2 152
I expected to be given a lot of training (technical and linguistic) upon my arrival to the hosting country
25 16,4 49 32,2 43 28,3 35 23,0 152
I expected to have a lot of moral support during my stay
52 34,2 49 32,2 18 11,8 33 21,7 152
I expected to be given a good amount of pocket money per month
68 44,7 24 15,8 10 6,6 50 32,9 152
I expected to learn a new language 101 66,4 30 19,7 4 2,6 17 11,2 152
I expected to find more about myself and what I want to do in life
81 53,3 52 34,2 6 3,9 13 8,6 152
I expected to make lots of good friends 103 67,8 32 21,1 4 2,6 13 8,6 152
I expected to learn important skills for my future job
49 32,2 42 27,6 15 9,9 46 30,3 152
I expected to become more independent 91 59,9 24 15,8 3 2,0 34 22,4 152
I expected to get more knowledge about other cultures and ways of life
132 86,8 14 9,2 0 - 6 3,9 152
I expected to leave my past behind and become a new person
13 8,6 28 18,4 7 4,6 104 68,4 152
I expected to find a boyfriend/girlfriend 13 8,6 7 4,6 10 6,6 122 80,3 152
I expected to learn more about the world 89 58,6 44 28,9 0 - 19 12,5 152
I expected to become stronger to overcome life’s difficulties
73 48,0 51 33,6 2 1,3 26 17,1 152
OTHER
Deeper spirituality 1 0,7 0 - 0 - 0 - 152
Expected to travel a lot in hosting country 1 0,7 0 - 0 - 0 - 152
To be useful 1 0,7 0 - 1 0,7 0 - 152
To have a good time/fun 2 1,3 0 - 1 0,7 0 - 152
Evaluation of EVS Total %
bad 3 2,0
good 50 32,9
satisfactory 13 8,6
very bad 1 0,7
very good 85 55,9
Total 152 100,0
Page 114 of 212
ANNEXE 3 - STATISTICAL TABLES - MULTILATERAL ACTION - 59 VOLUNTEERS
Please note that these tables refer only to the answers of those volunteers who participated in the
Multilateral action and not to all of the respondents from the Centralised strand.
SECTION A
Gender distribution Total %
Male 14 23,7
Female 45 76,3
Total 59 100,0
Age distribution Total %
<=17 0 -
18-20 39 66,1
21-23 12 20,3
24-26 8 13,6
27-28 0 -
>=29 0 -
Total 59 100,0
Average age
ages total
17 0 0
18 4 72
19 24 456
20 11 220
21 10 210
22 1 22
23 1 23
24 5 120
25 0 0
26 3 78
27 0 0
28 0 0
Total 59 1201
average age 20,4
Nationality Total %
Austria 0 -
Belgium 5 8,5
Denmark 1 1,7
Finland 1 1,7
France 8 13,6
Germany 36 61,0
Greece 0 -
Iceland 0 -
Page 115 of 1
Ireland 0 -
Italy 0 -
Luxembourg 0 -
Netherlands 2 3,4
Norway 0 -
Portugal 0 -
Spain 2 3,4
Sweden 2 3,4
UK 1 1,7
OTHER
German/Turkish 1 1,7
Total 59 100,0
Legal Residence Total %
Austria 0 -
Belgium 3 5,1
Denmark 1 1,7
Finland 1 1,7
France 12 20,3
Germany 34 57,6
Greece 0 -
Iceland 0 -
Ireland 0 -
Italy 0 -
Luxembourg 0 -
Netherlands 2 3,4
Norway 0 -
Portugal 0 -
Spain 3 5,1
Sweden 2 3,4
UK 0 -
OTHER
New Zealand 1 1,7
Total 59 100,00
Hosting Country Total %
Austria 0 -
Belgium 2 3,4
Denmark 2 3,4
Finland 0 -
France 13 22,0
Germany 3 5,1
Greece 0 -
Iceland 1 1,7
Ireland 0 -
Italy 3 5,1
Luxembourg 0 -
Netherlands 3 5,1
Norway 2 3,4
Page 116 of 212
Portugal 0 -
Spain 4 6,8
Sweden 1 1,7
UK 25 42,4
OTHER
Total 59 100,0
knowledge of languages before EVS Total %
Yes 58 98,3
No 1 1,7
Total 59 100,0
Languages known before EVS Total %
English 54 91,5
French 33 55,9
German 7 11,9
Italian 1 1,7
Spanish 8 13,6
Swedish 1 1,7
OTHER
Russian 5 8,5
Turkish 1 1,7
Total respondents 59 -
Motivation to go on EVS Total %
because I was unemployed 1 1,7
because other friends did it 0 -
for the adventure 11 18,6
it was a cheap way of going abroad 4 6,8
to become more independent 8 13,6
to complement my studies 4 6,8
to find out about myself 18 30,5
to get away from home 5 8,5
to get working experience 11 18,6
to give myself a fresh start 7 11,9
to help in the development of Europe 1 1,7
to help other people 16 27,1
to learn a new language 17 28,8
to learn new skills 6 10,2
to make new friends 0 -
OTHER
obligatory military service 1 1,7
to learn about other cultures 6 10,2
Total respondents 59 -
Page 117 of 1
SECTION B
Learning about EVS - 1st time Total %
a friend 8 13,6
a local information centre for young people 6 10,2
a National newspaper 3 5,1
a previous participant 2 3,4
direct invitation by the organisers 7 11,9
the radio 0 -
the T.V 0 -
your EVS National Structure 9 15,3
your local authority 0 -
your local newspaper 1 1,7
your school/University 2 3,4
your youth organisation 15 25,4
OTHER
by chance when asking for information on Exchanges 1 1,7
newspaper on voluntary work 1 1,7
travel book 3 5,1
Work/Study abroad book 1 1,7
Total 59 100,0
Sending organisation Total %
a European youth organisation 19 32,2
a job centre 0 -
a local municipality 0 -
a national/local youth organisation 7 11,9
a religious organisation 19 32,2
a sports organisation 0 -
a youth centre 0 -
an environmental organisation 0 -
an EVS National Structure 10 16,9
OTHER
social work organisation 4 6,8
Total 59 100,0
Hosting organisation Total %
a development organisation 3 5,1
a local community centre 5 8,5
a local municipality 0 -
a national/local youth organisation 11 18,6
a religious organisation 10 16,9
a social work organisation 15 25,4
an environmental organisation 0 -
an old people's home 6 10,2
OTHER
Documentation Centre 1 1,7
Health Services 6 10,2
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International Foundation 1 1,7
theatre 1 1,7
Total 59 100,0
Duration of EVS project Total %
<=3 months 2 3,4
4-5 months 1 1,7
6 months 15 25,4
7-9 months 8 13,6
10-11 months 15 25,4
12 months 6 10,2
>12 months 12 20,3
Total 59 100,0
Average duration
months total
3 2 6
4 0 0
5 1 5
6 15 90
7 0 0
8 2 16
9 6 54
10 10 100
11 5 55
12 6 72
13 12 156
Total 59 554
average duration 9,4
Remaining in hosting country after EVS Total %
Yes 33 55,9
<=1 week 4 12,1
2-3 weeks 6 18,2
1-3 months 17 51,5
4-6 months 2 6,1
>=7 months 4 12,1
No 26 44,1
Total respondents 59 100,0
Main theme of EVS project Total % anti-racism /xenophobia 1 1,7
art and culture 3 5,1
environmental work 3 5,1
equal opportunities 5 8,5
european issues 0 -
health promotion 8 13,6
media/communications 0 -
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protection of historical monuments 1 1,7
rural development 1 1,7
sports/leisure time 2 3,4
support to disabled 24 40,7
support to elderly 12 20,3
support to homeless 4 6,8
support to migrants 1 1,7
support to unemployed 2 3,4
support to youth/children 18 30,5
urban development 0 -
youth information 3 5,1
OTHER
development aid 1 1,7
support to drug users 1 1,7
Total respondents 59 -
Ability to choose EVS project Total %
Yes 35 59,3
No 24 40,7
Total 59 100,0
Consulting Project's Database Total %
Yes 7 11,9
No 52 88,1
Total 59 100,0
Participating in planning of project Total %
Yes 31 52,5
No 28 47,5
Total 59 100,0
Page 120 of 212
SECTION C
Participation in follow-up/evaluation Total % Yes 39 66,1
No 20 33,9
Total 59 100,0
Organiser of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Sending organisation 33 84,6
Sending National Structure 5 12,8
Other
myself 1 2,6
Total 39 100,0
Type of follow-up/evaluation Total %
A big seminar with other volunteers 25 64,1
A training session with other volunteers 4 10,3
A small workshop with other volunteers 11 28,2
An individual interview with a youth worker 4 11,8
Other
private meetings 1 2,6
Total respondants 39 -
Main focus of the follow-up/evaluation Total %
Evaluation of the EVS experience 34 87,2
Giving career guidance 1 2,6
Helping with re-integration back home 25 64,1
Informing about educational opportunities 1 2,6
Other
Informing other young people about EVS 5 12,8
Total respondants 39 -
Duration of follow -up/evaluation activities Total %
half a day 3 7,7
1 full day 5 12,8
2-3 days 26 66,7
>3 days 5 12,8
Total 39 100,0
How long after EVS were they organised Total %
<1 month after 6 15,4
1-3 months after 21 53,8
4-5 months after 9 23,1
Other
6 months after 1 2,6
8 months after 1 2,6
15 months after 1 2,6
Page 121 of 1
Total 39 100,0
Overall evaluation of follow -up/evaluation Total %
bad 1 2,6
good 17 43,6
satisfactory 14 35,9
very bad 0 -
very good 7 17,9
Total 39 100,0
Involvement in community/voluntary work after EVS Total %
Yes 26 44,1
political activism 2 7,7
social/community work 5 19,2
youth work 19 73,1
No 33 55,9
Total respondents 59 -
Relation to EVS project Total %
Yes 14 53,8
No 12 46,2
Total 26 100,0
Plans to become involved Total %
Yes 10 30,3
No 1 3,0
Maybe 22 66,7
Total 33 100,0
Re-integration back home Total %
very easy 4 6,8
easy 31 52,5
difficult 17 28,8
very difficult 7 11,9
Total 59 100,0
Page 122 of 212
SECTION D
Characteristics much less % less % the same % more % much more % Total
Assertive 0 - 1 1,7 18 30,5 29 49,2 11 18,6 59
Communicative 0 - 3 5,1 17 28,8 32 54,2 7 11,9 59
European 0 - 3 5,1 15 25,4 26 44,1 15 25,4 59
Outgoing 0 - 3 5,1 25 42,4 22 37,3 9 15,3 59
Progressive 0 - 1 1,7 18 30,5 31 52,5 9 15,3 59
Hard-working 0 - 1 1,7 32 54,2 19 32,2 7 11,9 59
Spontaneous 0 - 4 6,8 25 42,4 24 40,7 6 10,2 59
Talkative 0 - 2 3,4 30 50,8 24 40,7 3 5,1 59
Conservative 10 16,9 28 47,5 20 33,9 1 1,7 0 - 59
Socially aware 0 - 0 - 17 28,8 24 40,7 18 30,5 59
Caring 0 - 0 - 23 39,0 31 52,5 5 8,5 59
Open to people 1 1,7 0 - 17 28,8 29 49,2 12 20,3 59
Shy 20 33,9 18 30,5 19 32,2 2 3,4 0 - 59
Tolerant 0 - 1 1,7 15 25,4 28 47,5 15 25,4 59
Involved 0 - 4 6,8 22 37,3 27 45,8 6 10,2 59
Indifferent 15 25,4 19 32,2 24 40,7 1 1,7 0 - 59
Mature 0 - 0 - 14 23,7 26 44,1 19 32,2 59
Independent 0 - 1 1,7 9 15,3 26 44,1 23 39,0 59
Organised 0 - 5 8,5 22 37,3 27 45,8 5 8,5 59
Optimistic 0 - 3 5,1 27 45,8 17 28,8 12 20,3 59
Money oriented 15 25,4 21 35,6 22 37,3 0 - 1 1,7 59
Sociable 0 - 1 1,7 23 39,0 28 47,5 7 11,9 59
Lonely 11 18,6 12 20,3 22 37,3 11 18,6 3 5,1 59
OTHER
bitter 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 1,7 59
distrustful 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 1,7 0 - 59
self-confident 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 3,4 0 - 59
Page 123 of 1
SECTION E
Skills much less
% less % the same
% more % much more
% Total
I integrate in groups and teams 1 1,7 2 3,4 24 40,7 27 45,8 5 8,5 59
I take personal responsibility for organising activities
1 1,7 4 6,8 17 28,8 27 45,8 10 16,9 59
I plan my time 0 - 6 10,2 34 57,6 16 27,1 3 5,1 59
I solve practical problems/find solutions
0 - 0 - 25 42,4 27 45,8 7 11,9 59
I can help solving conflicts 0 - 0 - 25 42,4 26 44,1 8 13,6 59
I can communicate a personal idea/message
0 - 1 1,7 20 33,9 31 52,5 7 11,9 59
I can take a leading role 0 - 1 1,7 24 40,7 25 42,4 9 15,3 59
Page 124 of 212
SECTION F
Education - Situation before EVS Total %
had finished College/University 9 15,3
had finished school 44 74,6
had left College/University unfinished 0 -
had left school unfinished 2 3,4
were still at College/University 2 3,4
were still at school 2 3,4
Total 59 100,0
Plans for the future Total %
I decided to go back to school to complete my unfinished education 2 3,4
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies in accordance with what I had done during EVS 18 30,5
I decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not) 3 5,1
I decided not to finish my studies (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 1 1,7
I decided not to have anything to do with traditional education 1 1,7
I decided to change to/start a new area of studies unrelated with my EVS experience 16 27,1
I decided to do vocational training/more practical studies 4 6,8
I decided to finish my previous studies as planned (school, college, university, training course, etc.) 18 30,5
I decided to study the language of my hosting country in depth 14 23,7
OTHER
I decided to travel abroad to find more about myself 5 8,5
Total respondents 59 -
Work - Situation before EVS Total %
were employed 7 11,9
were doing an apprenticeship/training/stage 7 11,9
were looking for first job 9 15,3
were unemployed 36 61,0
Total 59 100,0
Plans for the future Total %
I went back to my previous job. Please tell us what: 4 6,8
Bartender 1 25,0
Restaurant waiter 1 25,0
Shop assistant 1 25,0
Unknown job 1 25,0
I found a job related to the activities that I had de veloped while on EVS. Please tell us what: 8 13,6
Craftsman 1 12,5
Social worker 1 12,5
Teacher 2 25,0
Tourist Guide 1 12,5
Unknown job 1 12,5
Youth worker 2 25,0
I found a job but unrelated to the activities that I have developed while on EVS. Please tell us what:
6 10,2
Kindergarden teacher 1 16,7
Page 125 of 1
Nurse 1 16,7
Office worker 1 16,7
Psychologist 1 16,7
Summer job 1 16,7
Travel agent 1 16,7
I have been having lots of small and unrelated jobs since then 6 10,2
I decided to start looking for different jobs but have not found anything yet 3 5,1
I decided to start looking for different jobs but only when related to my EVS experience 2 3,4
I decided to look for a job outside my home country. Please tell us what and where: 5 8,5
Anything 3 60,0
Arts and Music work 1 20,0
Warehouse worker 1 20,0
I have been turned down by all the jobs I applied to for lack of qualifications/experience 0 -
I decided to create my own business/enterprise. Please tell us what: 0 -
I decided that I was not interested in looking for a job 32 54,2
Total respondents 59 -
countries total %
All of Europe 1 20,0
France 1 20,0
Germany 1 20,0
Spain 1 20,0
UK 1 20,0
Page 126 of 212
SECTION G
Expectations before EVS Fulfilled
% Partly Fulfilled
% Not Fulfilled
% Not Expected
% Total
I expected to get a lot of preparation before my departure
16 27,1 15 25,4 10 16,9 18 30,5 59
I expected to be given a lot of choice of different projects
10 16,9 17 28,8 9 15,3 23 39,0 59
I expected to be given a lot of training (technical and linguistic) upon my arrival to the hosting country
11 18,6 19 32,2 12 20,3 17 28,8 59
I expected to have a lot of moral support during my stay
22 37,3 19 32,2 8 13,6 10 16,9 59
I expected to be given a good amount of pocket money per month
21 35,6 11 18,6 3 5,1 24 40,7 59
I expected to learn a new language 42 71,2 9 15,3 1 1,7 7 11,9 59
I expected to find more about myself and what I want to do in life
29 49,2 23 39,0 3 5,1 4 6,8 59
I expected to make lots of good friends 25 42,4 22 37,3 2 3,4 10 16,9 59
I expected to learn important skills for my future job
12 20,3 20 33,9 5 8,5 22 37,3 59
I expected to become more independent 43 72,9 7 11,9 0 - 9 15,3 59
I expected to get more knowledge about other cultures and ways of life
43 72,9 12 20,3 0 - 4 6,8 59
I expected to leave my past behind and become a new person
4 6,8 9 15,3 3 5,1 43 72,9 59
I expected to find a boyfriend/girlfriend 1 1,7 3 5,1 5 8,5 50 84,7 59
I expected to learn more about the world 28 47,5 16 27,1 2 3,4 13 22,0 59
I expected to become stronger to overcome life’s difficulties
23 39,0 21 35,6 1 1,7 14 23,7 59
Evaluation of EVS Total %
bad 1 1,7
good 12 20,3
satisfactory 7 11,9
very bad 0 -
very good 39 66,1
Total 59 100,0
Page 127 of 1
ANNEXE 4- ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (VOLUNTEERS’ COMMENTS)
DECENTRALISED & CENTRALISED STRANDS
General statistics on section H total % % of total F (184)
Female respondents 127 73,8 69,0
% of total M (61)
Male respondents 45 26,2 73,8
% of total (245)
Total respondents 172 100 70,2
1. Summary o f Positive Comments A) Positive Comments female % of F com. male % of M com. total % of total com.
1) General positive remarks 121 31,2 28 36,4 149 32,0
2) Personal Dimension 184 47,4 23 29,9 207 44,5
3) Social Dimension 68 17,5 19 24,7 87 18,7
4) Misc ellaneous 15 3,9 7 9,1 22 4,7
Total comments/themes 388 100 77 100 465 100
2. Summary of Negative Comments B) Negative Comments female % of F com. male % of M com. total % of total com.
1) Personal difficulties 34 23,4 7 15,6 41 21,6
2) Programme managem ent/criteria 105 72,4 38 84,4 143 75,3
3) About the current questionnaire 6 4,1 0 0,0 6 3,2
Total comments/themes 145 100 45 100 190 100
3. Summary of Recommendations C) Recommendations female % of F com. male % of M com. total % of total com.
1) Support issues 32 53,3 18 56,3 50 54,3
2) Programme management/criteria 28 46,7 14 43,8 42 45,7
Total comments/themes 60 100 32 100 92 100
4. Summary table Comments female % of F com. male % of M com. Total % of total com.
Comments female % of F com. male % of M com. Total % of total com.
A) Positive comments 388 65,4 77 50,0 465 62,2
B) Negative comments 145 24,5 45 29,2 190 25,4
C) Recommendations 60 10,1 32 20,8 92 12,3
Total comments/themes 593 100 154 100 747 100
Page 128 of 212
ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (COMMENTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS) – DECENTRALISED STRAND
A) Positive comments female % of total F
resp.
Male % of total M
resp.
Total
Com.
% of total
resp.
1) General positive remarks 83 19 102
Best time of my life/wonderful/very important/very positive
experience
59 72,8 13 44,8 72 65,5
Thank you for this opportunity 24 29,6 6 20,7 30 27,3
2) Personal Dimension 97 9 106
becoming independent 4 4,9 0 0,0 4 3,6
becoming more idealistic 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
becoming more self-confident 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
being able to travel abroad for little money/for free 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
being open to new ideas/open-minded 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
developing personal character/knowing more about yourself 15 18,5 0 0,0 15 13,6
developing personal skills 4 4,9 0 0,0 4 3,6
discovering how much you like to socialise 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
discovering your talents and interests 3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
distinguishing your real priorities in life 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
escaping unemployment 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
finding a job/a career 10 12,3 1 3,4 11 10,0
finding the right kind of studies 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
finding your best friend/partner 3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
gaining experience about life 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
gaining practical experience 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
growing up 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
improving/learning a language 6 7,4 1 3,4 7 6,4
learning about people 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
learning about your own culture 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
learning how to cope with problems 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
learning how to manage your money 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
learning to accept frustration 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
learning to get up early 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
living in a multicultural context 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
making lots of friends/meeting different people 19 23,5 2 6,9 21 19,1
re-evaluating your ideas/opinions 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
showing tolerance and empathy 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
3) Social Dimension 40 11 51
all young people should do EVS/be able to benefit from it 18 22,2 4 13,8 22 20,0
EVS allows you to learn about new cultures/promotes
interculturalism
9 11,1 3 10,3 12 10,9
EVS brings together people from all walks of life 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS helps developing a more humane world 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS promotes a European feeling/citizenship 5 6,2 3 10,3 8 7,3
EVS promotes democracy 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS promotes volunteering 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS promotes young people's social integration 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Page 129 of 1
possibility of helping other people 4 4,9 0 0,0 4 3,6
4) Miscellaneous 5 5 10
Thank you for caring about us even after EVS 4 4,9 3 10,3 7 6,4
We are willing to help you to promote the programme 1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
Page 130 of 212
B) Negative Comments female % of total F
resp.
male % of total M
resp.
total % of total
resp.
1) Personal difficulties 24 6 30
Alcohol addiction by one fellow volunteer 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Couldn't learn a new language with EVS 3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
EVS activities were not beneficial/did not help in finding a job 8 9,9 1 3,4 9 8,2
Hosting project was not interesting 2 2,5 1 3,4 3 2,7
Lack of language skills put performance at stake 4 4,9 1 3,4 5 4,5
Lack of support to develop new ideas after return 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Personal difficulties with integration in hosting country 3 3,7 1 3,4 4 3,6
Racial discrimination 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Re-integration difficulties (with friends and family) 3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
2) Programme management/criteria 58 24 82
Barriers to mobility inside Europe 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Disparity between job description and actual activities 5 6,2 3 10,3 8 7,3
European Commission decided wrongly about termination of
good EVS organisation
0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
EVS certificate was not signed by an EU official 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS excludes non -Europeans (lack of reciprocity) 1 1,2 1 3,4 2 1,8
EVS is a waste of money for the EU/Hosting projects cheat
with their budgets
1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
EVS is too bureaucratic 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Job substitution/feeling exploited 4 4,9 2 6,9 6 5,5
Lack of communication between sending and hosting
projects
2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
Lack of information before departure 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Lack of organisation/no real project/bad management of
pocket money
17 21,0 2 6,9 19 17,3
Lack of respect for volunteers 3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
Lack of status for volunteers 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Lack of support from Hosting/Sending project/National
Structure
11 13,6 6 20,7 17 15,5
Mismatch between hosting project and volunteer's
expectations
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
No formal support for volunteers who decide to remain in
their hosting countries
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
No possibility to change from hosting project 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
No possibility to choose hosting project 2 2,5 1 3,4 3 2,7
No possibility to evaluate the experience 1 1,2 1 3,4 2 1,8
Report of Evaluation Seminar never came 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Volunteers do not get their certificates on time 1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
Volunteers from different countries are treated unequally by
EVS
3 3,7 0 0,0 3 2,7
3) About the current questionnaire 3 0 3
The questionnaire should be in the volunteers' mother tongue 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
Bored with too many evaluations (including this
questionnaire)
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Page 131 of 1
C) Recommendations female % of total F
resp.
male % of total M
resp.
total % of total
resp.
1. Support issues 23 18 41
1.1 Before EVS
Volunteers should be given the right kind of motivation to go abroad 1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
There needs to be clear information on EVS 0 0,0 2 6,9 2 1,8
Volunteers need better preparation to participate (introductory and language
courses, etc.)
5 6,2 3 10,3 8 7,3
Volunteers should not be mislead by too many high expectations on EVS 1 1,2 1 3,4 2 1,8
1.2 During EVS
Ex-volunteers should be asked to share their knowledge with new volunteers 1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
Group projects need more support 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Integration in the hosting country is facilitated if volunteers are not alone in the
project
1 1,2 2 6,9 3 2,7
More support is necessary from sending/hosting projects 1 1,2 3 10,3 4 3,6
National Structures should give more support to hosting and sending projects 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
There should be at least one advisor per country to give practical advise to
volunteers
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
There should be more meetings amongst volunteers for sharing of experiences 3 3,7 3 10,3 6 5,5
Volunteers should have at least one mid-term evaluation 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
1.3 After EVS
European Union should help the volunteers to find a job after EVS 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Ex-volunteers who remain in their hosting country after EVS should get formal
support
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
National Structures should give ex-volunteers the chance to do EVS twice 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
National Structures should help ex-volunteers to find a job 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
National Structures should help ex-volunteers to find studies in conformity with
EVS
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
2. Programme management/criteria 13 12 25
Europe needs a programme like EVS to build its future 2 2,5 0 0,0 2 1,8
EVS needs to be more open to young people without skills or with social/physical
problems
0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
EVS needs less bureaucracy/forms must be made simpler 0 0,0 2 6,9 2 1,8
EVS should be directed more at 18-19 year olds to help them choose their
studies
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS should be open to people of all ages 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
EVS should promote the participation of volunteers from poor/difficult European
regions
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
EVS recruiters in different countries should be funded by the European
Commission
0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Group projects should be more carefully selected 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Hosting projects should have enough activities for the volunteers 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Hosting projects need stricter rules and more control 2 2,5 3 10,3 5 4,5
Hosting projects should involve more the local community in the project 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Networks of projects need redefining 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Schedule of volunteers should be more flexible to avoid job substitution 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Selection of volunteers needs to be better done 0 0,0 2 6,9 2 1,8
Page 132 of 212
There needs to be more freedom of movement for non-European volunteers 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
There should be more choice of countries the volunteers would like to go to 1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Transfer of money to hosting projects should be made before arrival of the
volunteers
1 1,2 0 0,0 1 0,9
Volunteers should be given more pocket money 0 0,0 1 3,4 1 0,9
Page 133 of 1
ANALYSIS OF SECTION H (COMMENTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS ) – CENTRALISED STRAND
A) Positive comments female % of total F
resp.
male % of total M
resp.
Total Com. % of total
resp.
1) General positive remarks 38 9 47
Best time of my life/wonderful/very important/very
positive experience
30 65,2 5 31,3 35 56,5
Thank you for this opportunity 8 17,4 4 25,0 12 19,4
2) Personal Dimension 87 14 101
becoming independent 6 13,0 0 0,0 6 9,7
becoming more extrovert 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
becoming more idealistic 0 0,0 1 6,3 1 1,6
becoming more optimistic 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
becoming more self-confident 2 4,3 1 6,3 3 4,8
becoming more talkative 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
being able to travel abroad for little money/for free 3 6,5 0 0,0 3 4,8
being open to new ideas/open-minded 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
dealing with your social disadvantage 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
developing personal character/knowing more about
yourself
8 17,4 1 6,3 9 14,5
developing personal skills 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
discovering your talents and interests 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
distinguishing your real priorities in life 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
escaping unemployment 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
finding a job/a career 7 15,2 0 0,0 7 11,3
finding the right kind of studies 6 13,0 1 6,3 7 11,3
finding your best friend/partner 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
gaining experience about life 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
gaining practical experience 3 6,5 2 12,5 5 8,1
growing up 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
improving/learning a language 4 8,7 1 6,3 5 8,1
learning about people 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
learning about your own culture 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
learning how to cope with problems 6 13,0 0 0,0 6 9,7
living in a multicultural context 4 8,7 1 6,3 5 8,1
making lots of friends/meeting different people 12 26,1 2 12,5 14 22,6
re-evaluating your ideas/opinions 7 15,2 1 6,3 8 12,9
showing tolerance and empathy 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
3) Social Dimension 28 8 36
all young people should do EVS/be able to benefit
from it
8 17,4 3 18,8 11 17,7
EVS allows you to learn about new
cultures/promotes interculturalism
10 21,7 3 18,8 13 21,0
EVS brings together people from all walks of life 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
EVS helps developing a more humane world 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
EVS promotes a European feeling/citizenship 2 4,3 1 6,3 3 4,8
EVS promotes democracy 0 0,0 0 0,0 0 0,0
Page 134 of 212
EVS promotes involvement at local level 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
EVS promotes volunteering 0 0,0 1 6,3 1 1,6
EVS promotes young people's social integration 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
possibility of helping other people 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
4) Miscellaneous 10 2 12
Hosting project was very interesting/helpful 5 10,9 0 0,0 5 8,1
Thank you for caring about us even after EVS 2 4,3 1 6,3 3 4,8
We are willing to help you to promote the programme 3 6,5 1 6,3 4 6,5
Page 135 of 1
B) Negative Comments female % of total F
resp.
male % of total M
resp.
Total
Com.
% of total
resp.
1) Personal difficulties 10 1 11
EVS activities were not beneficial/did not help in finding a
job
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Feeling isolated in hosting project 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Feeling lost and confused after EVS 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
Feeling too controlled by hosting project 0 0,0 1 6,3 1 1,6
Hosting project was not interesting 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Personal difficulties with integration in hosting country 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Re-integration difficulties (with friends and family) 4 8,7 0 0,0 4 6,5
2) Programme management/criteria 47 14 65
EVS is a waste of money for the EU/Hosting projects cheat
with their budgets
1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
EVS is too abstract 0 0,0 1 6,3 1 1,6
EVS is too bureaucratic 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Hosting project asked for participation fee 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Hosting project was too religious 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
Insurance cover did not work 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
Job substitution/feeling exploited 3 6,5 0 0,0 3 4,8
Lack of communication between sending and hosting
projects
1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
Lack of information before departure 7 15,2 1 6,3 8 12,9
Lack of organisation/no real project/bad management of
pocket money
5 10,9 2 12,5 7 11,3
Lack of respect for volunteers 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
Lack of support from Hosting/Sending project/National
Structure
8 17,4 3 18,8 11 17,7
Mismatch between hosting project and volunteer's
expectations
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Mismatch between hosting project and volunteer's skills 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
No access to hosting projects' database 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
No formal support for volunteers who decide to remain in
their hosting countries
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
No possibility to do EVS twice 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
No possibility to evaluate the experience 3 6,5 0 0,0 3 4,8
No possibility to help in informing other young people about
EVS
2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
No recognition of EVS at national level 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Volunteers did not know they were participating in EVS 3 6,5 2 12,5 5 8,1
Volunteers do not get their certificates on time 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Volunteers from different countries are treated unequally by
EVS
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
3) About the current questionnaire 3 0 3
Some of the dimensions in the questionnaire were too
general
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
The questionnaire does not give enough room for personal
comments
2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
Page 136 of 212
C) Recommendations female % of total F
resp.
male % of total M
resp.
Total
Com.
% of total
resp.
1. Support issues 9 0 9
1.1 Before EVS
There needs to be clear/more information on EVS 2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
Volunteers need better preparation to participate
(introductory and language courses, etc.)
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
1.2 During EVS
More support is necessary from sending/hosting projects 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
There should be more meetings amongst volunteers for
sharing of experiences
2 4,3 0 0,0 2 3,2
Volunteers need to be formally told what their tasks are 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Volunteers should be trained for their return home 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 6,3
1.3 After EVS
Former volunteers should be asked to help with the re-
integration of returnees
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
2. Programme management/criteria 15 2 10
EVS needs less bureaucracy/forms must be made simpler 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
EVS should avoid the harmonisation of hosting projects in
different countries
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Hosting projects need stricter rules and more control 4 8,7 0 0,0 4 6,5
National Structures should be more controlled 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
The hosting projects' database should include comments
from previous volunteers
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
There is a need for an i nternational volunteers' association 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
There needs to be a recognised status for volunteers 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
There needs to be more freedom of movement for non-
European volunteers
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
There should be more choice of countries the volunteers
would like to go to
1 1,6 0 0,0 1 1,6
Volunteers should all receive a monthly Newsletter 1 2,2 1 6,3 2 3,2
Volunteers should be given free transportation in hosting
country
1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Volunteers should be given more pocket money 0 0,0 1 6,3 1 1,6
Younger volunteers can benefit more from EVS 1 2,2 0 0,0 1 1,6
Page 137 of 1
ANNEXE 5 – SECTION H – FULL COMMENTS
DECENTRALISED STRAND
Editing: We have made very little editing of the volunteers’ comments. We have corrected the
orthography in all cases but we have only corrected their grammar when relevant to the overall sense
of the sentence. With this we wanted to change as little as possible the meaning and the way in which
volunteers express themselves, taking also into account the fact that only a small minority of the
respondents have English as their mother tongue.
Code: each comment has been coded in order to be easily tracked back to its respective
questionnaire, for each comment you have a code composed of Decentralised (DC), country name
(AT-UK), Female (F) or Male (M), Comment (COM), and number (1-…). This code is only relevant for
the questionnaire in question and for its section H.
Categories: This list contains already a preliminary treatment of the comments with them having been
divided into Positive, Negative and Recommendations. In each case the code allows you to trace the
links between the different split texts.
q AUSTRIA
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCATFCOM1. I’d just like to say that
this half year with the EVS in Spain was
a very important experience for me, and
I was glad to have the possibility to go
to a foreign country without paying
money because I couldn’t have afforded
it. Thank you!!
And with the EVS it’s possible for
everybody because it doesn’t depend
on money.
DCATFCOM2. Although I would have wanted
to choose the definitive programme myself.
DCATFCOM1. I really hope that this project
is lasting because in the Europe of the
future it’s definitely necessary to have the
experience of living in a foreign country.
DCATFCOM2. In my opinion the EVS
programme is a very good opportunity
for young people to gain experience and
develop their personal skills and
character. I’m glad to having
participated in it.
Please keep it up and give all young
DCATFCOM5. Although I didn’t have much
choice of different projects (because I wanted
to go to Ireland and nowhere else).
Page 138 of 212
Europeans the same chance that I
luckily had.
DCATFCOM3. It was a wonderful year
and I’d like to do it twice!
DCATFCOM4. Thank you for giving me
the opportunity to spend such an
extraordinary time abroad.
DCATCOM5. I’m grateful I got this
chance to go abroad. Thank you!
I got a wonderful hosting project.
q BELGIUM
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCBEFCOM1. Afterwards I was glad that I
stayed, because new EVS people came and I
didn’t feel lonely anymore (until now one of
them is my boyfriend, though I wasn’t looking
for one). At the end I really liked it and stayed
for 2 more months. Until now I still keep in
touch with the people of the home! I have a lot
of respect for the people who are working with
handicapped people, because it takes a lot of
energy.
Now, I find it a good experience.
I want to thank everyone who makes it possible
to have such an experience.
DCBEFCOM1. But the first 3 months (after the
language training of 1 month) it was very hard time, I
didn’t get the support from my sending organisation I
was expecting. I realise that I was one of the first
volunteers (March 1997) in Belgium, but therefore I
was expecting even more support.
When I asked to change (during my stay) they said
No, that was something that disappointed me very
deeply.
DCBEFCOM2. Overall feeling about my
exchange is positive. DCBEFCOM2. but I expected more work (was bored
now and then), more experiences (didn’t learn too
many new things). Above all I expected that my
experiences would help me to find a job in Belgium,
but till now it didn’t help me a lot. It’s not seen as a
professional experience (but I’m only 4 months at
home…).
The situation in Belgium for volunteers, or returning
volunteers, is very poor (no status, no allowance, etc.).
DCBEFCOM3. I think EVS is a very good
initiative that makes Europe “smaller”. I wish
good luck and good continuation to everybody
involved!
DCBEFCOM4. I expected a good organised project
and respected volunteers Rights (a project, language
lessons, clear budget, support). If not realised, I
expected support and possibility of more help to
change project.
DCBEFCOM5. It has been great to meet all DCBEFCOM5. A lot of problems could have been
Page 139 of 1
those different people. I have over 200 pictures
of my 9 months, which are a very good
memory.
More people should get this chance like EVS.
avoided because of administration and financial
problems.
I never heard anything from the National Structures in
my hosting country, only for a short 15m mid-
evaluation conversation.
DCBEFCOM6. It was difficult to adapt in my home
country. I had difficulties to have a good relationship
with friends from home. I felt that I was different, had
changed, didn’t really know how to handle my
experiences…
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCBEMCOM1. To end I want to say
that my project, my experience was
very good. Thanks!
(joke) Just one remark: I’m
disappointed that when intercultural
learning and meeting succeeds (I met
my girlfriend in Italy) afterwards the
difficulties are not on the shoulders of
the European community (it costs me
a lot of money to travel to Italy, to
meet my girl! It would be helpful if
Europe paid a part of my ticket for
this intercultural meeting…
DCBEMCOM2. It is important to notice that
I was one of the first volunteers to join
EVS. In that respect the project itself still
suffered from “child diseases” and the
scenario I had to follow was an
experimental draft. This made it even more
“challenging” for me, so it’s not at all a
complaint. There was however no
preliminary database available nor was
there a fixed standard procedure or
previous experience to obtain feedback
from. Consequently the project is not
exemplary for or comparative with the more
recent EVS initiatives.
DCBEMCOM1. Very important: back up
not only from hosting project but also
contact from and with the sending
project; hosting where there is much
possibility to interact with other people;
clear information!
Not having always backup, language
training, clear information does not mean
necessarily a bad project, but you have
to be prepared for it and take the things
in your hands. If you don’t expect this,
when you have the wrong information,
this can be hard!
Necessary to prepare the volunteer for
the worst and to give solutions if so. It is
important to say that the EVS experience
depends on/is made of the volunteer
himself and the sending project and the
SOS can only be a support.
Contact between volunteers can be very
helpful.
Remark: two sorts of expectations I
learned on an evaluation weekend; to
learn about anew culture is impossible in
an international group; to meet other
people from different countries is
impossible on your own in a project. Very
important to point out clearly if a project
has only one or two or many international
volunteers.
Page 140 of 212
DCBEMCOM2. It may help to clarify
for you that I combined my EVS
project with my final year of studies at
the University of Gent. They were
paralleled activities. Since I only had
to write my thesis I didn’t need to
attend any classes, which made it
suitable for me to leave for a foreign
experience. After my return to
Belgium I spent two months on
finishing my thesis, succeeded and
started looking for a job. For this
reason I filled out both studies and
working life on your questionnaire,
since these followed my voluntary
service period in very close
succession.
q DENMARK
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCDKFCOM1. I can’t give other
“negative” things because everything
else in my stay was for an A+, I really
loved it and enjoyed it. Thank you for
all help. Keep up that good work!
DCDKFCOM1. A friend of mine (don’t
know if he was even in the EVS
programme!) went to a place where they
weren’t really aware of the job behind, he
didn’t get enough tasks. I know it’s a very
individual thing, but I just thought that you
need to be aware!
DCDKFCOM1. I think that it is very
important that you make sure that all the
volunteers participate in at least 1 intro-
course and 1 term-course! It’s really a
good way to share expectations and
experience, preparing and evaluating the
stay! (I went on a YMCA intro/mid-course
+ EVS mid-term).
It’s also important that the hosting place
have enough to do for the volunteer! ( I
don’t know if that’s your responsibility).
DCDKFCOM2. I was interested in an
evaluation but the one I knew about took
place in Brussels and was unfortunately
cancelled.
DCDKFCOM2. I would however very
much like to participate in general
evaluations of EVS. I have Thought a lot
about how EVS could be improved and
how young people could be better
prepared before their departure. If you
are better prepared before you leave, you
gain so much from your stay. An insight
in the culture, the language, etc…But
most important an insight in how it might
be. Ex. other volunteers telling you about
their stay . I now have insight knowledge
about Portugal I wish to share with other
Page 141 of 1
people.
q GERMANY
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCDEFCOM1. Living in a community
with other volunteers of the
programme was a very good
experience and is highly
recommendable.
Thanks for the programme and this
evaluation. It seems you are really
putting an effort into making the EVS
as helpful for people as possible.
That’s great, thanks.
DCDEFCOM2. Whereas some of the EVS
participants we met at the seminar felt
sometimes a bit lost.
DCDEFCOM. 1 Among EVS volunteers I
got to know there was no one from a
poor country or a European trouble spot
– what’s the reason? Is there nobody
who’s interested? Is EVS not advertised?
Is money a problem? I suppose the
participation of people from these
countries in the programme would be a
great benefit for everyone concerned.
DCDEFCOM2. I did not only take part in
the EVS scheme, but was at the same
time a German Red Cross volunteer and I
feel we (20 German R ed Cross girls)
lived in a very clear structure and
experienced a lot of moral support. I
liked the idea and the chance to meet not
only German and British people but
volunteers from all over Europe.
And I am glad we had to write our
reports because I wo uldn’t have done
it for myself but I think it is good to
have to sit down and think and write
about yourself and now a few months
later it’s nice to read my report to
remind me of my year in England.
DCDEFCOM3. Of course there have been
some problems duri ng my EVS. For
example with the pocket money and the
money for living. I got less than the half of
the money for living then another volunteer
living in the same country (he also lived on
his own in a student hall). There should be
better restrictions for the money so that
volunteers in one country get almost the
same.
DCDEFCOM3. But I think if somebody is
going abroad with EVS, the person
should be open to the new country and
open to problems and difficulties.
DCDEFCOM3. That’s why I haven’t
expected so much and I was
wondering how good EVS functioned.
Thank you for the great time in
Finland.
DCDEFCOM5. Another point was that we
liked the European idea but couldn’t really
find a reason to exclude non-Europeans
(probably the administration knows, but in
reality there was a Czech girl, some
Moroccans + Turkish…)
DCDEFCOM7. I had nearly no
expectations concerning the project and
the work of EVS and I would really
recommend to the new volunteers not to
have too many expectations of whatever
they want to do. No one can tell someone
else exactly how something will be.
Wherever you go you will expect and live
through a situation completely different
as somebody else, because I loved my
work other may still have many difficulties
with for example the client group. What I
Page 142 of 212
tried to say was that too much
information could put someone into a
very strong expectation and because of
this to be disappointed. Less is
sometimes more.
DCDEFCOM4. though it sounds a bit
stupid I think it is true to say that the
EVS changed my life. For the first, I
really do feel that, as a volunteer, I
started to be more open to new people
(and new ideas!), more able to feel and
show tolerance and empathy. My
different approach lead to positive
experiences and as I was also living on
my own (or, rather with a roommate) for
the first time (and did quite OK, I think) I
became more self-confident and
independent.
The practical work I did within my
project also suited my (beforehand
“hidden”) interests and talents.
The whole experience, living abroad
and working in the project, allowed
me to distinguish what my priorities in
life really are. I am thankful that I had
the opportunity of passing such a
wonderful and useful time abroad.
DCDEFCOM6. though I didn’t like my job
and it didn’t give me any new skills as far
as I can see.
DCDEFCOM9. The organisation of the
projects themselves, quite often the
frame should be more strict, more
organised.
DCDEFCOM5. The most important
experience of my EVS was that I
discovered how much I like to
socialise and how easy it seems from
time to time, and how difficult it might
get under some circumstances. I
loved the time I had.
DCDEFCOM7. But that doesn’t mean that
there haven’t been any problems. For
example, did nobody at work really know
what I was allowed to do and what not,
when I had to come, etc. something they
should have been informed of by the EVS
organisation of Great Britain.
DCDEFCOM10. In my EVS time in
France I participated (half time) in a
group project. We were 8 young people
from all over Europe: living, washing and
forced to solve all problems together. We
were so different in age (from 17-24),
mentality and expectations that I would
suggest to be very careful with future
group projects!
You need as a group very competent
support and a concept or pedagogical
method in the background.
If such an intensive exchange and
experience shall succeed (that means in
my opinion: you can look back with a
good, satisfied feeling and integrate this
in your life) a very good preparation has
to be done.
Page 143 of 1
DCDEFCOM6. I had a very good
time.
But staying abroad, living
independently, experiencing such a
lot of new things and making friends
was great. I’d return to Great Britain
at any time. Thanks for this
opportunity and all the support.
DCDEFCOM8. Even if I took part in the
pilot project EVS which sometimes gave
me the feeling that I was “used” as a
guinea pig, because partly the organisation
of the programme was quite chaotic.
Maybe not everything was perfect.
DCDEFCOM11. Please integrate the
Swedish Church volunteers better in EVS
seminars, that means: they should be
invited to every seminar… otherwise it is
not possible to become integrated in the
group of other volunteers.
DCDEFCOM7. I would like to say that
it was a great experience to live and
work in my project and with all the
lovely people of the Royal Howard
yARD HOSPITAL IN CARDIFF, WALES.
I got on very well with the other
volunteers, the people of the hospital,
my client group, my work.
DCDEFCOM9. Even if there are still lots of
points quite unorganised, such as: the
pocket money (not regularly, rather late…).
DCDEFCOM13. I think they give you so
much (these experiences) – but for the
future volunteers that should be made
clear before their departure: that they
have to expect a wonderful, adventurous
time on the one hand, but also be
confronted with various difficulties that
could be very hard to solve, to live with.
DCDEFCOM8. I never wished to have
missed all this experience. I gained more
“life relevant” experiences, I got to know
more about my own personality and I
made many new “very good” friends as
ever before in my life -time!
Thanks to all the people who made
this possible for me!
DCDEFCOM14. The first thing I’d like to
criticise is that my sending organisation
(IJGD) didn’t care for me during my stay in
England. It was just possible to get along
because of my English hosting
organisation. Even to get in touch with
IJGD was very hard, if not impossible.
From my point of view the organisation
didn’t calculate at all, which made it
impossible for me to stay another half year.
I also couldn’t improve my English as much
as I hoped because I had a flat with
another German girl. I would have rather
preferred to live with someone from
another country.
DCDEFCOM9. It is one of the great
experiences one can make in her/his life.
I had a great time – thank you!
Go on with EVS! It’s a great idea!
DCDEFCOM15. The last question I
answered with a 3, this is only concerning
the project itself and not the country.
DCDEFCOM10. All in all it’s a great
idea! Go on!
DCDEFCOM18. In my last month in
Finland I made a big mistake. I have
reproached my friends with
misunderstanding. I asked them quite often
why they couldn’t understand me. The
answer of my friends was very sad. And so
I was thinking again about me, my life and
my friends. I realise that they couldn’t know
what I Thought, felt and what kind of
experiences I have done in 6 months. They
weren’t in Finland or in any other country.
Page 144 of 212
Because of this I have drawn a line under
these 6 months. When I arrived home I
didn’t want to speak about my EVS with my
family, because I have learned that they
wouldn’t understand me. And I was right.
They can’t understand that I’m happy when
I see a little part of blue sky or when I see
just a little bird. Because they haven’t had
the same experiences or impressions like
me or the other volunteers. It was the same
with my old friends. I haven’t told them
about my time in Finland.
Coming back to Germany wasn’t so easy
for me. I missed my new friends and this
easy/relaxed living, this lead on easy life. I
missed the blue sky, the lakes and the
forests. In Germany was a grey sky, when I
came back. And it was always raining. It
was strange and also maybe also awful to
hear the German language everywhere.
On the airport in Germany everybody was
staring at me.
Actually I would say it was very good to
draw a line after this special time. So there
wasn’t the possibility to disappoint me
again.
DCDEFCOM12. It was the best year
in my life (till now).
DCDEFCOM13. I think that it’s hard
to evaluate the EVS experience in
general as very poor/very good. I
mean that I for myself made so many
different experiences (excellent as
well as horrible ones) which I’m still
thinking about, try to interpret them,
etc. But all in all these experiences
were so rich that I am so glad that I
made them and I wish that other
young people will be able to make
them as well.
In any case: thank you for everything!
DCDEFCOM14. Besides this was
really a great experience and I don’t
regret one minute of my stay abroad.
DCDEFCOM15. Italy is a wonderful
place to live in. I would do it again!!
DCDEFCOM16. I would always do it
Page 145 of 1
again! I loved it! It was excellent!
DCDEFCOM17. My experience
during my volunteer service was very
rich concerning my personal
development. I learned to cope with
problems I never had before (e.g.
deal with old people, pain during
illness) and to make ends meet with
daily troubles.
I enjoyed my way of life Although it
was fairly hard sometimes to get up
early and to carry on when my ideas
weren’t successful.
DCDEFCOM18. I only said that it was
great and that I want to go back to
Finland. This is my greatest dream.
In October was my seminar.
Organised by my sending project. I
met there a lot of other volunteers.
Some of them I know a little bit longer
than others. I haven’t chat so much
with unknown people before. Mostly
we talked about EVS, the integration
and the future. It was so interesting to
hear the experiences from the other
volunteers and to see similarities
between all our experiences. This
seminar was very great.
During my EVS I met 3 other German
volunteers. With one of them I stay
very close. She is like a new sister for
me. She helped me so much in
difficult times during the EVS.
And it is great to give the youth of
Europe the chance to go to a foreign
country: for a better understanding;
for making new friends all over the
world; for making special
experiences; and so on. Now I would
say that we – the volunteers –must
say Thank You!, to all who have
given us this chance. Thank you very
much!!
Page 146 of 212
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative
comments
Recommendations
DCDEMCOM1. It was really a good experience in my life. I’ll never forget this big
time. And I wish I could do much more to give the chance back to other youths. If
I have the chance to do it again I would say yes of course.
To meet guys from all over the world is crazy and funny, now I know that it could
be easy to live in Europe or anywhere in the world. I give big kisses on them who
made it possible for me. Thanks a lot.
DCDEMCOM2. My EVS was a great experience for me. I liked it very much. I
think everybody should do an EVS.
DCDEMCOM3. First thank you very much for your interest.
The answer to question number 8 is not correct anymore. Since last weekend I
participated in a Future Capital project. We started to create an international EVS
homepage. Then it would be possible for all those who want to do EVS in the
future to get information of volunteers returned to their home country. Our next
meeting will be in January, then we will have contacted many volunteers and add
their individual reports to our homepage.
q FINLAND
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCFIFCOM1. In any case, for me it was
quite easy. I got a job, because of my
working experience in EVS I find an
apartment and survive all this
bureaucracy. I’m good integrated to
Austria. I have lot of friends, I’m
working voluntary when I have time, like
a mentor for new volunteers in Vienna
and in some other social organisations.
And the best is that I get lots work offers
from Finland and from Austria just
because of my EVS project. I’m sure
that because of EVS, I could work like a
social worker (which is my education)
everywhere in the world, not just in
Europe.
Thanks for the beautiful programme!
DCFIFCOM1. Dear Mr. Amorim § co!
I’m little disappointed that you, like
everybody else, forgot us the volunteers
who are staying after EVS in the hosting
country. There is every month more and
more ex-volunteers who try to make their
life in new home country, after EVS,
without support.
There is so much support / evaluation / follow-
up for volunteers but we get nothing, EVS is
perfect system: we learn a new job, get new
friends, learn to survive with foreign language ,
fall in love to the beautiful hosting country.
Then we decide to stay. Next day after our EVS
project, we are staying here without nothing; no
work, no apartment, no money, no social
insurance… that is a shock, what never
happened in normal life.
DCFIFCOM1. I think that in every EVS
country there should be at least one
person who could give some advises.
What should I do with my health
insurance? Who to do work application?
Where to look for an apartment?
Please, try to remember that there is lot
of volunteers who use EVS like a jumping
board to live in new country. Say that we
are here, give us a little support!
Page 147 of 1
We have to work hard to organise this
everything. Sometimes I Thought that I’m
doing something wrong, a good volunteer
goes back….
DCFIFCOM2. I have travelled before
and lived some months in the United
States and Wales. I already am
independent and all those things that
living abroad makes you. If you
would have asked me after U. S.A.
and Wales , the answers would have
been extreme in very positive way.
But other ways, the experience was
great, a lot of new friends all around
the world (best part of travelling) and
great jobs( at least on paper). You
wouldn’t get a chance like this in any
other way. Helped me to get a job in
kindergarten.
But the opportunity was great!
DCFIFCOM2. Of course the language
made it difficult to work in the museum, I
couldn’t do the job I was supposed to and
the job turned quite boring .
DCFIFCOM3. I just have to say that
the two first weeks of my stay in
England was great! We were a group
of volunteers in Worchester preparing
for our work and learning more
English! The teachers were superb!
Especially Andy & Ann Bevan.
DCFIFCOM4. I’m just a bit bored of these
“couple pages evaluation
forms/(applications)” . I have filled in 3
(about 8- 15 pages each) different ones….
OK - for different organisations, but…
DCFIFCOM4. I enjoyed my time in
Ireland (EVS) very much and after
those experiences I decided to
change my career. I applied and got
a place in the college what I wanted
(Degree programme in social
welfare). I feel I’m in the right place –
finally!
DCFIFCOM5. although we had many
problems in organising my EVS
DCFIFCOM5. It was probably the
best year of my life and I wouldn’t
want to change a thing!! I was just on
the phone to England, to my ex-
roommate for 45m…
I wish more people could be able to
take part to EVS and get the same
experience that I did. At least I know
something good comes from
European Union …please go on
giving young people chances to go
abroad , to see and feel!!
Page 148 of 212
q FRANCE
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCFRFCOM1. My EVS was (in the
beginning) a job like any other. I
worked with wonderful people, who
helped me to learn about the culture,
the language (but I also paid myself
for a language course). The job was
very good, my home too, and the
money enough.
Interesting questionnaire.
DCFRFCOM1. But I saw a lot of
differences between volunteers and what
we had to do, how much money we had
per month, where we lived (for me a big
apartment that I chose, for others a Hotel
and they didn’t have any choice!).
DCFRFCOM1. I think that for a European
project so good the responsible has to
take care of the project. Many
organisations need EVS because without
it they just may have to stop the good
work, but many are doing it just because
of the money from Europe. You have to
be careful to see who gets the money!!
Another good example of this is the on-
arrival seminar! I hope EVS will look at
the misuse of money more carefully in
the future.
DCFRFCOM2. First, thank you for
your interest even if we are back
home. It was a pleasure to answer
this questionnaire.
Nevertheless, my EVS was one of
the best experiences I had in my
whole life.
DCFRFCOM2. I think I have already given
my point of view to Géraldine Libreau
during an interview just after my EVS
project, especially concerning the not well-
organised project I participated in the
Netherlands.
DCFRFCOM2. I just remark one thing.
When I found the information of the
existence of the EVS through a small
article extracted from a College
magazine, the reason why I decided to
do it was to help a local community
outside France. But, today this idea has
changed. In fact, all the media promote
that fantastic programme, I mean, not in
a good and consequently the young
people see a good way to escape instead
of being really motivated.
DCFRFCOM3. In the end, it allowed
me to meet people who
accommodated me and became
friends. For me they were the
material and moral support that I
needed (accommodation, evenings
out…).
DCFRFCOM3. I only received very little
moral support from my hosting project. My
tutor could only speak her mother tongue,
which made communication rather difficult
(as I didn’t speak German when I arrived).
As for the structure that sent me, they only
cared about my problems when I had
solved them!
DCFRFCOM4. It’s a pity that there aren’t
a lot of meetings between the volunteers,
for example in the same area to know if
there are other volunteers…
DCFRFCOM4. I spent a very good
EVS in Italy. I learnt a language and
culture.
Thank you.
DCFRFCOM7. I only regret not to have an
experience that I would have used in
France.
Because such an experience cannot help
to find a real job
My experience was not what I expected at
all.
DCFRFCOM7. I would advise very young
people (around 18-19).
But it’s OK for teenagers who don’t really
know what studies to choose.
DCFRFCOM5. In a nutshell the EVS
experience is a righteous human
experience, but it doesn’t change us
in one year, so just an advice: The
DCFRFCOM8. First as regards my EVS
experience: I think the hosting organisation
had not expected could be the
expectations of EVS volunteers. There was
DCFRFCOM8. Anyway it‘s in the interest
of European builders because the young
generation is tomorrow’s Europe.
Page 149 of 1
EVS makes us stronger and weaker
at the same time. I’ve become more
idealistic, but realities are different,
more materialistic. It means that a
“good” return lasts more than 1
month (maybe years) so that as
some friends (who had been in other
countries) said to me: “oh, that was
like a dream”. In face of nobody I
could say that was a dream. That
was a reality, more friendly, more
social, more respectful to anyone and
that could exist for us if we, if I try to
fight for these values.
a clash between the two expectations. All
was a bit improvised. Particularly they had
not expected our demand for sense. We
wanted to do something that could make
sense, something useful with the means to
realise it.
DCFRFCOM6. EVS is great
memories! Activities were difficult
sometimes (because of weather), but
very profitable. I met very nice people
and now I have so many friends in
Greece (more than in France!). It’s a
good experience!
UNFORGETTABLE!!!
Thank you very, very much.
DCFRFCOM7. As a volunteer I
learned a lot about human beings
through the bad moments.
But I really encourage young people
to participate in the programme.
DCFRFCOM8. But in other fields,
(culture, landscape, nature , travel,
friendship) we experienced
marvellous things.
As regards EVS in general: I think
the main quality is democracy. It
gives the opportunity for any person
to realise it no matter the social class
your are in, no matter the skills you
have (I don’t know what is the
situation in facts) so very different
kinds of people can meet. It gives
also the opportunity to discover a
European country, an unknown way
of life and maybe (even if
unconsciously) to develop a
European feeling. So for all those
reasons (and others): long life to
EVS! (even if it costs a big amount of
Page 150 of 212
money!). Good luck with the
conclusions of the questionnaire! I’m
interested in the conclusions.
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCFRMCOM1. Thanks to the EVS
for my stay. I have plenty of
unforgettable souvenirs.
DCFRMCOM1. Unfortunately my project
was not very interesting. I was not very
useful there. It is really a shame.
DCFRMCOM2. The EVS programme
really deserves to expand. It needs to be
more open to young people without skills
or with social/physical problems.
There is a big need of decentralised
information, of a physical/virtual place
where EVS would become a key point. I
think that only us as volunteers, with our
own experience, are able to create such
a network and I am ready to take part in
it.
DCFRMCOM2. I now work at the
Information Point Europe of the
Modena City Hall. I launched the
Infobus of the European Citizens
project, financed by DGX (6500
ECU). We will tour Italy in 28 stages,
give information on the Treaty of
Amsterdam and on the EVS
programme. All cities that host us will
organise a special event through their
IPE/carrefour in schools, in squares.
We live on Monday 23rd of
November 1998 from Milan.
DCFRFCOM3. About my job, Ok it was
sometimes strange, but I was so surprised
that one country (Denmark!) tells the
European Commission that one of its
associations is strange and that the
Commission decides not to give the new
EVS anymore to this organisation. I think
this organisation was a very good
experience for the EVS programme, but for
a project like this we need a special
preparation.
DCFRMCOM4. More organisation and
serious work is necessary for projects in
Southern countries.
DCFRMCOM3. If I wanted to put
anything else it will be that EVS
programme should have started a
long time ago, because it’s very
important for all people.
I don’t know if you know the magical
sensation that it is when somebody
like me who doesn’t speak another
language expect his own can speak
with other foreigners. I say it again it’s
something like MAGIC. And to live in
an international milieu is something
very interesting.
Except this, I hope and wish that the
EVS programme will live a very long
time, because the more people know
DCFRMCOM4. I hope that people who will
do an EVS project where I went will be less
disappointed. I hope things will change
because it’s a waste of money for the
European Community.
I hope I will receive something that proves
that EVS really exists and not just this
questionnaire .
Page 151 of 1
each other, the more people
understand each other.
DCFRMCOM5. Very enriching
experience with lots of contact
amongst young people. Very
beneficial seminars, Although short.
DCFRMCOM5. There was a slight lack of
information before my departure.
DCFRMCOM6. I am very happy with
my EVS. I have worked in Norway in
clubs for disadvantaged young
people. I am happy with the
experience that I have obtained
during my stay.
Your questionnaire is very well made
and I hope that my answers will help
you in helping other EVS volunteers.
Thank you for your questions.
My sending organisation is now
hosting a Norwegian volunteer with
EVS for six months.
q IRELAND
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative
comments
Recommendations
DCIEFCOM1. EVS scheme was exactly the correct step to take after completing
a Masters in Sociology. I was able to learn more practical things related to the
field I would like to be involved in. I was able to start to, gain practical knowledge
after obtaining the theoretical side.
I met many wonderful people. And all of my opinions and ideas were challenged
in a safe and supportive environment. Thus allowing me to re-evaluate many
things.
q ITALY
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCITFCOM1. My experience has
been quite satisfactory.
DCITFCOM1. Even if I was not able of using
this project to find a job in the social sector or
enter the school for Social Work that exists in
DCITFCOM1. To avoid situations like
job substitution the hosting
organisations should not oblige
Page 152 of 212
However, I continue my studies in the
faculty of Sociology.
my town.
The main problems that I found during my
EVS were: homesickness in spite of having
around me other volunteer going through the
same. The fact that I did not speak well the
language of my hosting country made it
difficult for me to express my feelings and the
evaluation seminar that we had did not touch
upon this topic very much. People can have
all sorts of problems during EVS, you must
know that a volunteer girl in my group almost
became addicted to alcohol.
I also did job substitution. My work was
similar to that of any paid staff member. This
upset me taking into account the fact that this
is not what volunteering is supposed to be. I
can understand that it is difficult for an
organisation to avoid the temptation of
exploiting the work of a volunteer.
volunteers to have always the same
schedule, they should be more flexible.
I would like to keep updated on the
development of EVS and I am willing to
provide you with more practical
information about my experience. I
have a lot to say.
DCITFCOM2. I think that being
involved in daily life with people of
other countries and cultures in a very
good way to learn thinking in different
ways, looking at the same things from
perspectives, to get a more open
mind and, of course, learn or improve
a foreign language. All this is, in my
opinion, what makes EVS
programme a very good idea!
DCITFCOM3. Unluckily, as much as you
enjoy your experience, as much you feel
sadness and homeless when you come
back, for example now in Italy, I don't feel
very satisfaction even if I'm studying and
doing something I want to do. I feel I have a
gap inside to me, that's my independence
,the way I was there living my life as deeply
as it's possible I don't think I am better than
other people. But after this time, in England, I
have some problem to find interesting people
here , I have some problem in my
communication with others. Before , I was
curious for the life of others , now no much
more , because they don't have anything
here, to tell you ( or just they don't want to tell
you….), so I reckon due to this experience
you might feel yourself one of the most lucky
person in the world but one of the most sad
too.
DCITFCOM2. However, I think the
sending organisation should be more
present during the experience ,
especially at its beginning and after the
arrival back to the volunteers' home
country. This will allow the volunteer to
feel safer and supported.
DCITFCOM3. This experience has
been one of the best I've ever done. I
am absolutely sure about that and I
reckon to suggest it to anybody Due
to this experience, I could do three
things at the same time: learning a
new language , doing a voluntary
service, picking up a new culture.
Because of this I had the chance to
DCITFCOM5. I have been six months in
Germany and I haven't much learned about
language because I have never studied
German before: I have always spoken
English!!
DCITFCOM4. I would like to let you
know about my experience and return
two of my advises:
- the EVS national structure should get
involved in finding European volunteer
a local job ( not a local
community/voluntary activity without
retribution) related to what he/she did
during his/her EVS project.
Page 153 of 1
understand me more, discovering
parts of myself I didn't know before.
After you're back , you must have
some conflict with yourself, but I think
only with a conflict you can grow up,
so this experience is fantastic…
- the EVS national structure should
offer a second possibility of going on
EVS
DCITFCOM5. I haven't changed a lot
my character during my stay in
Germany but since I'm back in Italy,
I'm trying to have a different life than
the one I had before EVS.
DCITFCOM7. Now I 'm looking for a job and
in Palermo where I live it seems to be
impossible. This experience as EVS
volunteer was important for my life that but I
would like it to be significant for my working
life.
DCITFCOM5. It's important to chose
countries in which volunteers want to
go and if that's impossible, it's a good
idea to organise language course
before leaving or, at least, soon when
volunteers arrive in their projects.
DCITFCOM7. My EVS experience
was very good for me.
DCITFCOM9. Even Although I came across
some difficulties such as lack of organisation.
DCITFCOM6. I think that the European Voluntary Service could be perfect if it helped the young volunteer at the end of this project, finding for him a sort of studies, in accordance with what he had done during EVS in the hosting country or everywhere.
DCITFCOM8. As for me, it was the
best experience of my life; Although I
know it wouldn't be fair on other
young people who have never taken
part to an EVS project, I would like to
be a volunteer abroad again.
DCITFCOM10. I expected to have more
moral support : in my hosting project, I didn’t
find a real tutor.
I had some problems with the money, which
owned to my sending project with a very big
delay (my hosting project had to advance).
DCITFCOM7. European community
should do more for European
volunteers when they come back
home, giving them an opportunity of
work , but this is a problem for many
other people young people in Europe . I
hope something will change for us!
DCITFCOM9. My own experience
has been really satisfactory. I would
have liked to have been much more
involved in the office activities – once
back home, I had the chance to get a
job in my sending agency in Padua
where I deal with volunteers willing to
join in the EVS project. I strongly
believe in this project and I hope to
give a contribution from my personal
experience.
DCITFCOM11. The only problems in my
experience were the lack of contacts
between the sending and the hosting
organisations and the tutor: she was very
nice at the beginning of my project but then
she disappeared .
DCITFCOM8. I am 27 now and find
really sad I won't be able to join an EVS
project anymore because I am too old! I
wish everyone who is willing to join this
kind of project could have the chance
too, I guess it's never too late to l earn
or to give.
DCITFCOM11. A very good thing
was knowing the responsible person
for EVS in Germany. She came and
visited many volunteers in order to be
sure everything was O.K in our
projects.
It was a marvellous experience that
every young boy/girl should do!
DCITFCOM13. I didn’t have any support from
my organisation.
DCITFCOM15. I think that the hosting
organisation could do a lot to involve
the volunteers and the local
community, which could have an
important occasion to enter in contact
with people from other European
countries . Otherwise, the presence of
the volunteer cannot bring much more
than the work itself and can become
hard for the young people taking part in
the EVS.
DCITFCOM12. I started my EVS
experience for fun . After my second
DCITFCOM14. I didn’t answer some
questions because I couldn’t understand all.
Page 154 of 212
month as a volunteer in England, I
realised I was changing and growing .
I felt that my presence and my work
were becoming really important for
the staff and the residents as well.
I’ve been working in a “bail and
probation hostel” for six months; this
is a place that doesn’t exist in Italy ,
so now I know something about the
law courts in England , the social
security department , etc….I’ve been
working in a multiracial context and
(except for the problems I had owing
to the language during the first
month), the atmosphere was always
happy and friendly . We used to
make jokes about our language,
accent and traditions.
I’m still in touch with the staff of the
hostel and a couple of residents.
I hope EVS will soon develop ‘cos I
think it’s a great chance to find out
what’s the real meaning of being
European citizen. Thank you.
DCITFCOM13. Almost all of my
expectations have been fulfilled.
DCITFCOM15. I would have liked to receive
some support for my integration in my
hosting country society. It is never easy to
make up a proper social life in a foreign
country, where your (voluntary) working
place doesn’t offer you any chance to meet
people of your age, plus you live and work in
the same place.
DCITFCOM14. but one thing is
certain, I have had the chance to live
one of the most beautiful experiences
of my life. Thank you for everything!
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCITMCOM1. I was good in my
project with the people who worked in
the children garden where I was
involved.
But fortunately, I was followed by
people very nice, who worked in the
DCITMCOM1. I had some problems about
the contact with the sending project and with
the responsible in my hosting project (who
lived three hours away from the town of my
project).
DCITMCOM4. But I think that it would
be better to do a good training before
starting.
I would like to work like EVS promoter
in my city. Do you know how I can do it
if I want to have a contact with my local
Page 155 of 1
house – family where I lived.
I advise the EVS experience to other
young people to find out about
themselves too.
government? ..I think in my city the
people are not informed about that and
to know this fantastic opportunity to
have a social, working and independent
experience.
DCITMCOM2. At the end of my EVS
experience I was very satisfied and
I’m very happy to underline 5 for the
overall evaluation.
DCITMCOM2. What I regret is the lack of
responsibility of the national structure that
brought many problems to the sending
organisation. Still more I haven't received all
the money and I have many doubts to get it.
My project in Germany was to work with
social disabled children. My preparation
before the departure was to clean the floor of
the house at the sending organisation!
There's too much waste of money!!
DCITMCOM5. I always Thought that
the most important thing for the EVS
programme is that the volunteers can
show and speak about their
experiences with other young people:
I'm trying to find someone that help me
to "work" with the images I filmed
during my year in Portugal, to do a
documentary about the project. I'm
going to ask to my national structure if
it's possible that they help me in the
beginning of 1999.
DCITMCOM3. I didn't have any
problems with the hosting
organisation.
DCITMCOM3. The only problem was the
sending organisation, during my stay in
Greece it didn't demonstrate worry about my
moral and economic situation. I didn't receive
all the cost of living allowance.
DCITMCOM6. It will be better to realise
a true structure control about hosting
organisation.
DCITMCOM4. I think that the EVS is
one of the most important thing that
they can do in my city because we
have lot of young people that are
unemployed and it's very difficult for
them to start to have a normal social
life.
With the EVS you have big
possibilities to learn other languages
and to have a contact with a different
culture and with a working possibility.
DCITMCOM4. But I would like to work in the
same way than my EVS. But the problem is
that in my city it is very difficult to do
something because if you want to develop
your own ideas , you have to know some
political man . If you do not know anyone you
will always be out. I hope you will
understand what I asked you and I hope to
receive a reply as soon as you can.
And also there are lots of associations that
are doing it to get some money.
I was very unhappy when I saw that I didn't
receive any contact from my association in
Italy : that's why I decided I won't go and visit
them and showing my work. They also gave
lot of problems to my fantastic hosting
association in Madrid.
DCITMCOM7. Thank you for your
interest. I am very happy that
someone is asking me how was the
EVS experience
DCITMCOM5. Probably, I dreamt too much
about my return in Italy, because I Thought
to be able to find a way to show how many
new skills (human and professional) I learned
….the fact not to know my sending
organisation before my departure , it's now
my biggest problem , because I haven't
anything to do in this moment and my
experience isn't useful for me and for
Page 156 of 212
someone else. I'm feeling so sad.
q LUXEMBOURG
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCLUFCOM1. The EVS is an experience I
would not like to miss in my life at all. I mean
everyone of us youngsters one day in his life
needs the opportunity to get away from home,
some need to find about themselves, others
want to get an insight into a certain field of
work, and some want to escape
unemployment.
The EVS for me means an ideal programme
for personal expectations, and above all
contributes to build up Europe!
DCLUFCOM1. Even if I had too many problems with my
hosting project like:
-there didn’t really exist a project!
-the work wasn’t at all what was described initially, and
so on…
q NETHERLANDS
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative
comments
Recommendations
DCNDFCOM1. I’m really happy I did an EVS project. I really learned so much,
especially about my own culture, this is a thing I didn’t expect at the beginning.
q PORTUGAL
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCPTFCOM1. I don’t have any reason to
complain about my EVS experience,
everything turned out all right.
DCPTFCOM1. The major problem that I had (but all the
volunteers had it) was with the so-called “pocket
money” that I received only 5 months after my arrival in
Italy.
Page 157 of 1
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCPTMCOM2. Thank you also for
this wonderful experience that I had
and I wait new information about new
projects and others. Thank you for all.
DCPTMCOM1. Speaking a language that
you don’t know and is hard to learn ,the
characteristics of the people , if they are cold
, conservative, not sociable…so, you can
imagine what happens if your heart and mind
is in another place , another person…and so
is life.
I wish to get my EVS diploma or certificate
as soon as possible!
DCPTMCOM1. I think that the
volunteers should be better selected.
Some of them, have no sense of
responsibility and are quite “anti-social”
…
From my experience , I hope the
volunteer has more support in the
hosting project. Someone who knows
to hear us because we are strangers in
a strange land!
DCPTMCOM2. Important: I’m waiting yet for
reports and photos and other things about
the seminar that we made in Vienna , with all
the persons involved. It was in February
1998.
DCPTMCOM2. I think the main point in
this project is how to give continuation.
I believe two organisations have more
contact during the project will be better
for every part. It’s important , in the
beginning, the contact with the two
organisations and the voluntary.
About the language, it’s better for all if
the voluntary has already knowledge of
the foreign land. The integration will be
easy and the work will be more
productive .
Another point will be the selection . It’s
not worth to put someone working with
handicapped without any kind of skills.
DCPTANGMCOM3. I got a very bad
experience in the prison, the police asked me
my documents, when they saw I was not
European born, they asked my residence
permit. I showed them my documents from
Portugal, because I Thought now we are in
the European Community and with the
Portuguese documents I could stay in
Holland; they said no. So I went to prison 5
days because they called me illegal, but I
wasn’t.
My hosting project now wants me to go back
and work for them, but I can’t because I’m
not European-born. I live in Europe since
June 1993…
DCPTANGMCOM3. I think there are
lots of prejudices and laws that damage
foreign people completely, namely
African foreigners. I think it is
necessary to create ways to give more
freedom of movement to Africans living
in the European Community, because
there is lot of cold racism.
Page 158 of 212
q SPAIN
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCESFCOM1. I think that EVS is a
very ambitious project, that I find
very positive, because it gives us
young people the possibility to go
outside our countries, something
we not always have the chance to
do by ourselves.
I think EVS is also good because it
brings down frontiers and opens up
our minds to an intercultural
exchange, and enriches us all. To
some volunteers it can have a lot
of influence in their professional
careers, opening a lot of doors.
DCESFCOM3. Either way, I can say, the
association I was working for did the same but
the problems that I had came in part because
they weren't very professional sometimes, and
they didn't know what happened with the
volunteers who were working for them and
their situation. Sometimes the volunteers felt
like the last person and there was a pressure
over us coming from the clients on the
organisation of our association over there in
England.
DCESFCOM7. But I think that both
(volunteers and organisations –sending
and hosting) need more support and
monitor the events. I don’t know who has
to give this support, but maybe the
National Structures.
DCESFCOM2. I’d like to thank
EVS in Britain: Ann & Andy Bevan
for their support, kindness and
great job with us.
That was one of the most valuable
experiences I’ve had so far in my
life.
DCESFCOM4. I wish this study had been
written in my maternal language.
DCESFCOM3. During my project I
had bad times, and I can say that
during those bad times EIL always
was with me, ad they gave me their
support. the positive thing is that the
project made a big change in my life, I
can’t say I’m the same person, and
even with problems it is the best thing
I’ve done in all my life
Thanks to give the choice to
express what the project has been
for me, and give me the choice to
participate in EVS programme.
Cheers
DCESFCOM10. I must say that everything
could have worked and been better if it was
not for the Spanish National Structure.
Spanish volunteers couldn't have relied on
national structure’s support since they had no
assistance from Spanish National Structure.
Spanish national structure should have
supported Spanish volunteers instead of
making awkward for those to participate in the
EVS programme.
Comparing to some other volunteers from
England, France, Denmark and Austria, it's
insulting the rough treatment we have
received from our national structure compared
with that treatment which our project fellows
coming from Denmark, the UK, Austria and
France received.
We are young people who come from a poor
country, we’re not criminals. What's more, no
one has ever Thought about doing well at the
Page 159 of 1
EVS expenses. On the contrary, people from
poorer countries -with no savings will not have
the chance to take part in an European
project, such the one I've participated in
because, as I said before, Spanish National
Structure won't assist you, on the contrary,
they will put obstacles in the way of the
volunteers. It happened to me.
DCESFCOM4. This programme
has been a good experience for
me and I hope it goes on for a long
time.
DCESFCOM5. I participated in two
evaluation activities before my
return to my home country. The
first after three months, the second
one at the end of my project. Both
of them were very useful.
My sending and hosting project
organisations were the same
international organisations. I had
quite good support and training for
my first couple of weeks and during
my wonderful experience as an
EVS experience.
I would like to express my gratitude
out of this great opportunity for
young people.
DCESFCOM6. Only to say thank
you for this opportunity you gave
me , in growing up like a person ,
because I live a new experience
and also I meet people. To help the
other people, it was really nice ,that
is the way you can know
something about the other culture
and other country.
Only repeat thank you for
everything.
DCESFCOM7. I think EVS is a
good opportunity for young people
and for organisations too.
DCESFCOM8. I want to thank again
EVS for the best year of my life till
this moment. I’m sure I obtained from
this experience much more than I gave
to.
Page 160 of 212
Congratulations for this EVS
programme.
Thank you for giving me the
opportunity to learn that my
happiness is there where
somebody needs me!
DCESFCOM9. I really enjoyed my
experience as a volunteer for EVS.
It was a wonderful time of my life. I
made a lot of good friends and I
discovered a side of me that never
Thought to be there.
Now I am able to use my new
skills, to develop my personality
and I found a job in the host-
country related with my voluntary
work. It is a great idea and I hope
in a near future that more people
are able to have the chance I got.
Thanks to it , I have found my way
on life (well more or less); so
thanks a lot for making it possible.
DCESFCOM10. The EVS is in
itself a great idea.
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCESMCOM1. I think that the EVS
gives a nice possibility to go out of
your country and open your mind
(new culture, learning a new
language…) while you are working
to create a more fair Europe.
DCESMCOM2. Because there are many
hosting projects that are no more than fairy
tales, full of empty words, with no relation to
what happens in reality.
DCESMCOM2. To avoid problems for
everybody, hosting and sending
organisations, and volunteers, there
should be a way to make the transfer of
money to the projects before our arrival
there.
Hosting projects should be controlled
somehow, so that they follow what they
have described in the database.
The meetings with other volunteers are
according to me very positive and
enriching.
DCESMCOM3. Thanks for that
unforgettable year which changed
my life. Let’s carry on the hard
work and keep it up! After I finish
Page 161 of 1
my studies here in Spain and will
go back to live and work in
Sweden. I love the whole country.
q UNITED KINGDOM
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCUKFCOM1. They sent me to
language school, which was useful
and helped me a lot. I had a
wonderful time at my placement
despite this mistake.
One year after going to France, I
have now decided to go into
teaching practice. This will involve
extra training, but I believe this is
the profession for me. Thank you
very much for the opportunity of a
lifetime!!
DCUKFCOM1. Due to a misunderstanding, I
was sent to an association that expected me
to have at least 5 years of training. I had 2
years of training, 10 years ago, which wasn’t
very useful to me or them. It was extremely
embarrassing and I felt uncomfortable
throughout my stay , even Although they were
really kind and understanding.
DCUKFCOM4. Networks need refining
but I’m sure that with time the Structure
of EVS will improve with experience.
DCUKFCOM2. It opened a whole
new world up for me. I had always
had a sense that there must be
some environment, other than the
business world and academia,
where people worked out of
different values and motives. I was
frustrated by my inability to get any
long-term chance to gain
experience within this world.
As an EVS volunteer with Jesuit
Volunteer community, I was placed
in a very small adult learning
centre in a disadvantaged area of
Dublin. It opened up doors to a
whole thriving world of community
work; and particularly community
education that was a real boost
and gave me a real sense of where
it is I can and want to make a
difference. Thank you!!
DCUKFCOM4. But I feel there was not
enough support by people who had the power
to make a real difference to the problems I
encountered for example: my accommodation
was unsuitable and it took me 4,5 months for
my hosting project to find an alternative. This
was too late and ruined my stay. Also we
never heard of SOS until 4 months after
arriving and I had no idea of how to contact
you.
But the work that I did in Italy was not
particularly beneficial.
DCUKFCOM6. Extensive project
preparation in host country is a must.
Language training is essential –
intensive for the first month would be
appropriate in order for volunteers to
participate fully in their chosen project
DCUKFCOM3. It was such a
fantastic experience. However, it
has meant that I have now
returned and feel completely
unmotivated by the prospect of
DCUKFCOM5. After an initial disaster of being
sent to Rome and an unprepared project, I
was sent to Sicily.
The hosting projects were awful (no
Page 162 of 212
literary studies and job applications
to huge multinational firms for
management/financial positions!
I have realised there is so much
need for help that my time will be
better spent if I head for a career or
life with a voluntary organisation.
I’d like to become an aid worker
but realise there is much
experience to be had before that
dream can be realised. I think I will
never be very well off (!) but it’s
good to know I’ m decided as to my
future ambitions. There is so much
work to be done that to me, it
seems like a waste of a life to
aspire to work in a bank as
management consultant,
etc…there are plenty of people
who really, really want to do that - I
believe there aren’t enough people
helping to manage/sort out so
many other areas in the world
covered by voluntary work.
excursions, no moral support, no language
lessons for us).
The lack of language lessons was such a
shame, especially as this meant we couldn’t
communicate with the hosts. Also, I was sad
to return home and find there few
opportunities for jobs within the EVS scheme
(having many qualifications and a vast
experience I Thought I could have been
helpful!)
DCUKFCOM4. I have gained many
new skills.
I think that EVS is a brilliant idea
and a wonderful opportunity for
young people.
DCUKFCOM6. My host project was non-
existent, and I was given menial tasks to
complete as no direct objectives for volunteers
had been defined.
DCUKFCOM5. It was a fantastic
experience that I will never forget and
which taught me a lot. But the warmth
of the Italian people was amazing. I
stayed in the country for an extra 3
months after the project.
However, this was the best
experience of my li fe, it wasn’t all
easy and enjoyable but this made
me a better person I wish all
youngsters had this opportunity.
DCUKFCOM8. I was very disappointed with
my certificate from EVS as I was proud of my
achievements as an EVS volunteer and
wanted a certificate to be equally proud of, to
treasure ,rather than have a photocopied
sheet of paper, unsigned by any official
representative of the scheme. I apologise if
this appears too strong.
However, there was not a direct link between
the youth centre and the project and therefore
it was not clear on my part or the centre what
my particular role was. The head of the youth
service who was familiar with EVS left after a
month and a half of my being there and so I
did not have anyone to refer to, in terms of
making sure that my project was being
followed.
DCUKFCOM7. My project was
Page 163 of 1
originally 6 months but I prolonged
it to be for a year. At the beginning
I Thought 6 months was too long ! I
did things in my project that I never
Thought I was capable of, e.g.
performed a speech in French in
front of about 80 people. I’m also
proud of myself to be able to
communicate in another language
and express myself almost as good
as in English.
This experience has made me
really appreciate what it is to be a
“foreigner” and experience certain
levels of prejudice, which has
made me a lot stronger person.
Even Although France is just next
to the United Kingdom, the
difference in culture was quite
dramatic at the beginning (can’t
imagine doing a project like India
or Africa). I’ve overcome these
cultural barriers and am living and
looking for work in France with a
“français”! DCUKFCOM8. I had a brilliant
experience and learnt a lot about
myself and other cultures as I was
placed in a very multicultural area.
I was given a choice of youth
centres to work in as there were 6
in the area which was really good.
My host family was very supportive
, particularly when I had problems
with my housing and the town hall.
I really enjoyed working with the
youth leaders who were of a similar
age and have formed strong
friendships. I widened my circle of
friends by keeping in contact with
the other EVS in the area and their
work colleagues
Page 164 of 212
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DCUKMCOM1. As a whole, I did
find EVS a positive and worthwhile
experience.
DCUKMCOM1. My main disappointment was
that my . work did not match my skills and
experience. I have a BA Honours degree and
a MSc and so was disappointed that my work
was largely clerical. (photocopying, etc…) . I
often felt that my boss saw voluntary work as
cheap labour, rather than enabling new
opportunities for both parties.
Our “regional mentors” were not available at
the “crucial time” and we did not think they
were able to give professional support.
DCUKMCOM1. I also feel it is important
to ensure that support structures are in
place at the start of a placement.
Support is vital if any vulnerable young
people are taking part.
DCUKMCOM2. Simply – this was
the best experience of my life. EVS
has helped on the way to mature
adulthood, and it has given me so
many opportunities and so much
vision. I would enthusiastically
encourage anyone to take the
opportunities EVS has to offer and
just do it. Thanks for 6 excellent
months. Keep up the good work!
DCUKMCOM4. I would like to receive the full
certification relating to my project.
There has been far too much paperwork and
documentation involved in this project.
DCUKMCOM3. More preparation ,
pocket money , language training. Make
the paperwork easier for sending/
hosting organisations . Fund posts for
dedicated EVS recruiters in regions (i.e.
Wales). Increase the age limit so I can
go again please.
DCUKMCOM6. The EVS project
has had a great impact on my life
and the way I usually think, and for
the better.
I have not returned to Scotland yet
and plan to stay until the summer
of 99. I have an extension to plans
and am currently studying at an Art
college.
DCUKMCOM5. At first, I found it quite hard to
settle but I suppose that was inevitable since it
was a totally alien environment to me i.e. I had
never worked with so severely handicapped
before and in such a close environment. It was
also quite hard to follow everything that was
being said to me in terms , for example,
instructions about the work since I was at the
time far from being fluent in German.
DCUKMCOM4. And I would like to see
the debureaucraticalization process
sped up as a matter of urgency.
DCUKMCOM5. Something which I found
to be very helpful during the year was
the seminar, of which there were five
during the course of the year, which was
organised every two months
approximately and was when every
other volunteer like me met up. It was a
good chance to compare notes, listen to
people’s inevitably differing experiences
within their differing working
environments and, perhaps most
importantly, to discuss relevant issues
and receive advice and support.
Page 165 of 1
ANNEXE 6 – SECTION H – FULL COMMENTS
CENTRALISED STRAND
Editing: We have made very little editing of the volunteers’ comments. We have corrected the
orthography in all cases but we have only corrected their grammar when relevant to the overall
sense of the sentence. With this we wanted to change as little as possible the meaning and the way
in which volunteers express themselves, taking also into account the fact that only a small minority
of the respondents have English as their mother tongue.
Code: each comment has been coded in order to be easily tracked back to its respective
questionnaire, for each comment you have a code composed of, country name (AT -UK), Centralised
strand (C), type of action: Multilateral (MUL), Flagship (FLG), Third Countries (3C), World Cup
(WC), followed by Female (F) or Male (M), Comment (COM), and number (1-…). This code is only
relevant for the questi onnaire in question and for its section H.
Categories: This list contains already a preliminary treatment of the comments with them having
been divided into Positive, Negative and Recommendations. In each case the code allows you to
trace the links between the different split texts.
Ø MULTILATERAL
⇒ Belgium
Female
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
BECMULFCOM1. About F: the job I found
relates to my EVS experience , but also to my
studies.
About G: some things were not expected, but
fulfilled. The EVS experience has a serious
impact on my life now. I met my boyfriend in my
project and my life has become more
international. At the moment, we live together in
Belgium. Maybe we’ll move to Germany later.
So, I have started to learn German.
BECMULFCOM1. About D:
characteristics. I think I didn’t change
much because of my EVS experience
. I think it may have to do something
with my age (24) .
About E: again, my skills didn’t
change so much. I think I developed
most of those skills while being a
volunteer in Belgium for different
organisations from the age of 18 till
24.
BECMULCOM1. At the age of 18, a
similar experience would have
caused more changes.
BECMULFCOM2. The impact of EVS: as you
can see from the questionnaire that I have
BECMULFCOM2. I would like to add
a few more comments to this
BECMULFCOM2. Making the new
programme a better one:
Page 166 of 212
enclosed with this letter I have a very positive
opinion on my EVS that took place in
Solidarités Jeunesses Poitou-Charentes –
Maison des Bateleurs during 9 months. I think
that in general this type of experience of
volunteering is beneficial to all young people
who are looking for their way in life, but I think
that Solidarités Jeunesses adds an extra
dimension to the programme due to its
specificity. I don’t have to explain the type of
projects developed by Solidarités Jeunesses
(the French branch of YAP) because I know
that you have already met certain EVS
volunteers that have participated in the Step by
Step project of Solidarités Jeunesses.
What EVS has taught me:
- a wish to get involved at local level, to
make things happen now. After the
different work camps that I have done in
different villages of Poitou-Charentes I
understood the importance of re-
energising the rural world. There needs to
be very little done for a village to become
active again and a more attractive place
for both young and not so young. T here
only needs to be a spark to set the fire…
and at Solidarités Jeunesses I learned
how to be that spark and to wish to be
involved at local level.
- the acquisition of an international
awareness. Solidarités Jeunesses hosts
youngsters from both classical EVS and
“in a process of integration”, non-European
volunteers, young people from the inner
city areas in France. In fact SJ is open to
all people who are looking for their way in
life. I lived on a daily basis with people
from different social and cultura l
backgrounds. This “mixture” has opened
my eyes and now I am more sensitive and
open to the world.
- To know how to listen. My EVS at SJ
helped to make the transition between a
student life and an active one. My
volunteering allowed me to learn informally
about life, changing me and making me
make other choices in my life. I have not
only had easy moments, far from that, I
almost gave up, but today I am stronger. I
evaluation since I find it always very
frustrating to be confined to a
multiple-choice questionnaire. I am
well aware that having to deal with
900 answers implies this approach
that allows you to make the
necessary statistics but on the other
hand it does not give young
volunteers the possibility to express
themselves fully, ambiguities
included.
I will be very short. Please make
sure that you pay attention to the
following risks:
- too big a harmonisation (due to
constraining rules) that may not
allow hosting projects to
develop the programme
according to their own identity;
- to allow fake projects to exist
and to put obstacles on the way
of those that are doing a really
good job.
Page 167 of 1
have acquired life values that are more in
accordance with who I am even if they are
different from those I have been educated
to have. I have the feeling that the Maison
des Bateleurs has really opened my eyes.
⇒ Germany
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DECMULFCOM1. A good idea! Could
I please get informed about the
outcome of the questionnaire?
Thanks!
DECMULFCOM3. What I would like to
know id if there’ll be any confirmation or
certificate of EVS to be able to prove after
(in interviews or applications) what we did
during the time of our EVS. I’ve got such
a confirmation only from my hosting
project and the sending organisation, but
I was told that there’ll be something “more
formal” from the European Commission.
Sometimes, especially in front of
administration offices, it was hard or even
impossible (for “children money” in
Germany) to get a valuable recognition of
my EVS.
DECMULFCOM3. That’s why I see a very
big importance in the development of the
administration of EVS. Will there be a law
that recognises it? I hope that in this point
people will also be more informed before,
during and after!, their EVS.
It would be interesting to get some
information about other organisations, to
enable people to exchange their objectives
and to know about different activities and
seminars (like in Budapest). I only got to
know people from YAP and its branches.
DECMULFCOM2. It was the best
thing I could have done: I learned
things I would never have Thought
about otherwise; I hope the talks and
discussions I had with people over
there helped them to re-evaluate
things as much as me.
I gained experience I don’t ever want
to miss!
DECMULFCOM4. After getting back to
my home country I suffered from a
depressive illness that had started
already during my EVS year and that
lasted all in all about two years. Half a
year after my return to my home country I
had to break up my studies at University
and I spent several months in psychiatric
hospitals. One should therefore consider
– concerning question D and E – that my
feelings , thinking and behaviour were
changed by my illness.
DECMULFCOM8. In general I think it is
very important to keep on reflecting about
EVS and it is important to get some
“pushes” from the outside!! I would like to
get regular information about how EVS is
developing and the possibilities to keep
active. It might be very important to
organise meetings to exchange with
people who are doing EVS at the moment,
who have done one a long time ago. So
we could exchange experiences and hear
how other people re-integrate.
The most important point to me is that you
keep on promoting EVS and work for an
international volunteer structure. Or at
least have the aim of going further than
only Europe.
DECMULFCOM3. I wanted to thank
all the people that helped me to
realise this programme. It has been
such a great experience for my life
and I’d tell anyone to do it, I’d also do
DECMULFCOM6. I would have liked to
have had more support during my stay.
Page 168 of 212
it again…
DECMULFCOM5. The time I spent in
England with the EVS programme
was so good and exciting that I hope
many young people will get the
support of the EVS to make
experiences affecting their lives!
DECMULFCOM8. I have problems to
describe myself after my experience, one
point is that I am unsure about my gains
at the moment and feel like my life is
messed up. This might be an effect of
having seen over the borders of my own
little world. How to integrate other life
concepts in your own?, and so on… this
conflict makes it difficult for me to judge
myself.
The second point is that as you say “all
characteristics that apply to you…” stands
in contrast with my own experience. I
guess if I would still be in the project I
would have ticked the way that most of
the characteristics improved positively.
But I realised that they do not apply to
me, I’m in a different situation right now
and have difficulties to fit in. Some parts
of my character seem to have stayed in
the project (in that special situation which
was given there). So I’d tend to tick a lot
of negative points.
There are parts of the explanation of the
points that are much too general and I
couldn’t identify at all. So I didn’t tick
them.
Personally, even Although I have some
difficulties right now to handle my
experience.
DECMULFCOM7. These months
have become a very important part of
my life. I would do it again and
recommend it to everybody. EVS
made me wish to learn more about
other cultures and languages. Now –
after all these experiences – I can
better understand difficulties and
problems of foreigners in my country.
It hope it’s possible to study in
another country for some time and
one day find a job where you can
work in different countries and help to
create a better understanding in this
world.
DECMULFCOM9. But I was living there in
the country and there was no bust to the
city, so it was very difficult for me to go
out. And my bosses (a priest and his
“girlfriend”) were horrible persons,
unfriendly and I had to work more every
day. I just stayed there the whole time
because I loved my group of 30 physical
disabled girls and boys.
Page 169 of 1
DECMULFCOM8. I’ll never regret
those 9 months and never want to
miss that part of my life.
DECMULFCOM11. Partner organisation,
Time for God, was too religious for
myself, I expected Christians who were
open to others instead of rejecting other
perspectives.
DECMULFCOM9. My hosting project
was a big catholic home for disabled
people and the work with them was
great. And because I made some
great friends there.
DECMULFCOM12. The sending
organisation in Germany was not really
organised. They acted a little self-
righteous and I got a lot of information
late.
DECMULFCOM10. EVS was an
extremely good experience for me
and if I’m able to support it in any way
I would like to do that. Could you
send me information about that?
DECMULFCOM13. I’ve sta rted my year
abroad through Diakonischewerk and
TFG and after half of my service I got
supported by EVS (or better, accepted),
like half of the other volunteers who
started with me. Our sending organisation
had a problem with the fact that the other
half didn’t get accepted and wanted us to
sponsor our supporting money towards
the organisation (which would have been
divided through all the participants).
But nobody really explained to me
anything about EVS and how it works (or
why I became part of it…). It was all a bit
confusing and people of my sending
organisation got a bit worn out and kind of
blamed EVS volunteers that they didn’t
give away the supporting money and so
on. I have never heard anything straight
from the European Union (EVS) at all,
only through Diakonischewerk/TFG which
were a bit stressed out with EVS (I hope
you could follow me).
DECMULFCOM11. Brilliant
opportunity to meet up with people of
foreign countries, you’ve never been
in touch with (e.g. Tammy from the
USA, lovely friend!).
DECMULFCOM15. At home it was not
that easy because my family and friends
expected the old person coming back and
some couldn’t accept the changes and
tried to push me back into the old
scheme. And I’ve realised that I’ve lost
some EVS skills because of this.
DECMULFCOM12. I am really glad
to have been in this programme. I
made relevant experiences. My host
organisation was very good and
everybody was really helpful. The
EVS programme is a very important
tool for the European integration and
a great way for young people to go
out and get working experience and a
DECMULFCOM16. Unfortunately going
back to my home country was also a step
back to everyday life at home.
Page 170 of 212
glimpse of social reality.
DECMULFCOM14. After working with
people, which have difficulties in
social life, I was completely sure that I
want to be a social worker. And I want
to do the two terms of work
experience in Norway which are part
of my studies. Maybe later I will try to
find work in Norway as well. The
plans that I had before EVS changed
completely – but I am very happy
now.
DECMULFCOM17. Despite the
overwhelming bureaucracy (both in the
EVS and in the study programme).
DECMULFCOM15. For me EVS was
the beginning for a lot of changes in
my life and personality. It was the first
time in my life to be on my own and it
was my chance to find out what kind
of person I really was. I became more
extrovert, more talkative and
independent. I’ve changed a lot. And
it was easy for me to save these
changes back home because two
months after my returning I moved to
another city to start my studies. So I
got to know a lot of people and they
got to know a new/changed person.
EVS was the best that could have
happened to me after leaving school
because this time is usually the time
you find yourself and the experience
of EVS helped a lot. I’m convinced I’ll
always be happy to think about EVS
and I’ll tell everybody about it as a
lucky and cheerful time in my life –
even to my grandchildren.
DECMULFCOM16. I was very happy
with the placement I was sent to.
Even if my first intentions were to get
an easy way to go abroad (and as an
alternative to Aupair) I soon felt that
there was more behind it than just my
own leisure. I learnt to care for others
and that was far more experience
than I hoped for.
I have never been that happy and
balanced within myself than during
that year – never before and never
after. I wish anytime I could start all
Page 171 of 1
over again: going back to my
placement and being a happy person.
DECMULFCOM17. My EVS
experiences have made me want to
have experiences in other European
countries also throughout my studies.
At the moment I am studying in Aix-
en-Provence as part of an integrated
Franco -German (Tübingen-Aix)
Masters programme (Germanic
History).
It is a great experience to be an
“ambassador” for my country and at
the same time to be a European, and
one which I would not like to miss. I
am on the right track to
understanding: Europe is a Europe of
people!
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DECMULMCOM4. Thank you for
this experience!
DECMULMCOM1. My volunteer service in
France was a lot more related to AFS, my
sending organisation, than to EVS. I fact I
didn’t get into contact with the EVS
programme very much.
DECMULMCOM2. You need more money
to participate in leisure activities (especially
in the beginning) to get to know the local
people!
A monthly reader would be good (about
experiences and activities in other towns
and countries).
DECMULMCOM5. After my stay
in Spain I was very assertive
about what to do in the future:
continuing with my studies
(medicine) I felt uncomfortable
with before; start learning about
Chinese Medicine to give my
studies a special flavour; move to
another city. The two first points I
could achieve, but unfortunately I
was not able to move to another
city (due to bureaucratic obstacles
concerning my career). So this is
a dream which is yet to be fulfilled!
What I wanted to say is that the
EVS made me a lot more
confident about my life and
decisions and was an absolutely
DECMULMCOM2. EVS is very abstract!
Page 172 of 212
great time in my life!
DECMULMCOM6. There is so
much that you can’t say with
words! I would do it again, right
now! Thank you!
DECMULFCOM3. I have never had a direct
contact with EVS. So the programme still is
more or less “under the shadow” of my
sending organisation. I did not have any
special input from EVS apart from spending
money.
DECMULMCOM7. I’d like to
participate in further organisation
or evaluation programmes or
seminars for EVS programmes.
With my volunteer’s experience I’d
like to inform other youth
organisations and individuals.
Further I’d love to get some
information about the possibility of
making some stages with an EVS
organisation or evaluation projects
in Brussels. Please contact me
with more inf ormation.
⇒ Finland
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
FICMULFCOM1. What I can say!
The experience was just great! I
am happy that nowadays there is
a possibility to go abroad for free.
I can assure you, without EVS I
would not be the same person. I
would not have these wonderful
memories to think over and over
again. And to know that I can
solve my problems and difficulties
by myself really makes me
stronger than I was before. Mine
was good anyway. Thanks.
FICMULFCOM1. Just to tell you: all the EVS projects are not good
enough. You should check them up more carefully .
⇒ France
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
FRCMULFCOM1. My EVS project
has been a good transition for me
FRCMULFCOM2. I participated in a follow-up
evaluation during EVS. I regret to have no
FRCMULFCOM3. I think it is very
important to be well integrated in the
Page 173 of 1
between my studies and my
professional life. My experience
has helped me to find a job (social
work) which I like. Then it gave me
the ambition to continue my
studies on Education. During my
experience in England I met many
different people… that was
wonderful. Also being in a foreign
country on my own was very
educational in social terms. It’s the
right moment to let you think and
find yourself… it’s like a good
sociological and psychological
therapy. Without my EVS
experience I keep thinking that my
life would have been so “rosy”…
After EVS I felt much more
optimistic… it was like a
refreshment! I would be pleased to
work/help you in doing a sort of
sensitisation among young people
in order to incite them to be
involved in such an activity…
maybe our youth would be less
depressed! Thank you again.
response to the questions that we have put
during this meeting. I had no evaluation
activity after my return. I don’t know what
evolution there is in the programme. I hope to
get some paper about this study.
working team (at least in my case, since I
was in a residential project). It is
necessary to be well aware of your tasks
right from the start for a quick integration.
When we arrive at this stage we can do
fantastic things.
It is also important to be aware that in 6
months time we are expected to return
back to our countries. It is absolutely
essential to be prepared for this, allow for
people to reflect, stimulate them to
integrate in the project but also make
them understand that one day they will
have to leave (this was at least my
personal choice).
FRCMULFCOM3. I was very
happy with the hosting place. This
project has been really beneficial
for me. The exchanges with the
other volunteers where very
helpful in reassuring me.
FRCMULFCOM4. After my first EVS I wanted
to go a second time to another country. But
this didn’t seem so easy and I’ve regretted
about it. I also wanted to take part of a
training for the future EVS but Experiment
France didn’t give any follow-up to my
request. I’m sorry about it as well.
FRCMULFCOM4. Now I am going
on with my studies and will apply
for a job with the Unions.
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
FRCMULMCOM1. Thank you for
keeping in touch.
FRCMULMCOM1. The sign Save Our Soul is maybe not such
a good idea for a European Organisation.
FRCMULMCOM2. My national co-
ordinator Andy Bevan was very nice and
reassuring.
FRCMULMCOM2. The end of my work is a very bad memory
because I realised that I was not considered at all. I had
problems with my direct co-ordinator in the hospital about my
private life and one evening I was asked to leave in 2-3 days,
like a snap, a tantrum of my co-ordinator about me.
I was in a very big organisation, to the volunteer and to the
Page 174 of 212
organisation this is bad because they don’t have any
exchange with your co-ordinator, and because of this they
can have their own ideas about you and what they want you
to do. She had absolutely nothing to say about my job for two
simple reasons: I was OK, the nurses were happy about me
and I found my place; She was interested in me doing my job
(except when she asked the police to make me leave), the
patients had more consideration and were happier to see me
than her.
I find it strange to be asked to leave by a miserable wish of a
failed co-ordinator. I know that I’m not the only volunteer who
was asked to leave like that, this co -ordinator in the
Whitchurch hospital decided it, just on her own impressions,
instead of forgetting it and being objective. If I could I would
do the same, ask her to leave.
Nobody helped me when I had a problem, and one year after
you send me this paper, it’s nice of me to answer it. It’s not
because of your organisation. It’s because I don’t want to
keep it for me, I hope the other volunteers I know, who had
problems with her will do the same.
⇒ Netherlands
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
NDCMULFCOM1. There wasn't any form of
communication with any EVS structure (except the
French)
It is only 6 months after finishing my project that I hear
where I can complain about the EVS ; like that , I think it's
not fair that I had no access to the international database.
It wasn't clear at all in the beginning how many
hours/weeks we had to work according to EVS rules.
Our host project wasn't informed at all about the
philosophy of EVS; we were seen like nice publicity and
cheap workers, they didn’t understand and we neither
what our purpose was over there.
The head of the national structure in France is a very
close friend with the head of our host project who lives in
Paris, and never comes to the centre where we stayed
during our EVS. So , they must have talked a little bit, and
decided that it would be a nice idea when his association
NDCMULFCOM1. It could be a good idea
to exchange addresses, to make a
magazine, with experiences, stories,
recipes, made by the volunteers and sent
to all EVS participants at that time. A kind
of transport –free -obligatory for the host
project that the volunteer can use
whenever he wants. I think there should be
more control for the national structure .
Page 175 of 1
should receive some nice European girls who wanted to
work like normal employees and could be a nice
advertising for his association. So, that's how we came in
a centre where they have never said "yes" to the EVS,
they didn't even know what it was. They Thought that we
came to get to know the French culture: No, exchange
work like normal employees (40 hours a week) with full
responsibility. although they did what they could they
weren't too happy with us , I think…
⇒ Spain
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ESCMULFCOM1. It was a good experience in all the ways. I opened my eyes to
a new life. At first, I Thought "this is not for me" , in the end I didn't want to leave
The most important was the people around me, My God! They were the best . I
think I am really lucky. I'll never forget all of them. I could spend hours talking
about them… Thanks a lot.
⇒ Sweden
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
SECMULFCOM1. I was a very
good experience.
SECMULFCOM1. Even Although I had to work
as hard as anyone employed in the home for
elderly people were I worked.
It didn’t change me very much because I was
pretty much formed as the person I am today. I
was independent and assertive before I left (it
wasn’t like when I went as an exchange student
when I was 17, it formed me as the person I am
today).
SECMULFCOM2. The most important
thing is information everywhere. I have
been spreading out info to all places and
people I know. But still not enough.
SECMULFCOM2. I did an
exchange year in the USA, 93/94.
But this year I did in Germany
was even better. I really learned
about the culture. I had my
Thoughts of Germany, namely
because of a close relative who
was in a concentration camp
during the 2nd World War, so it
was a challenge for me to go to
Germany. My perspectives and
Thoughts changed completely, in
Page 176 of 212
a very positive way. I am happy
for that. I really do hope this can
be something for young people. I
had the opportunity to teach for
one year (more as well, but I had
to continue to go to University, so
I had to say no) which would have
been impossible if I didn’t have
this year. I really do hope a lot
more people can have the
opportunity to do an EVS year!
⇒ United Kingdom
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
UKCMULFCOM1. My overall
experience at EVS was very good,
mainly because of my host family
and the friends I made .
UKCMULFCOM1. My actual project was not very
good, as there was little for me to do.
UKCMULFCOM1. It could be better if
projects had to describe the exact
situation and jobs the volunteer is
expected to do before they are
selected. This would prevent
volunteers from feeling useless and
not needed as I did at times.
Page 177 of 1
Ø FLAGSHIPS
⇒ Austria
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ATCFLGFCOM2. I know that
the situation of the volunteers
is better now. This project is
good.
ATCFLGFCOM2. But not good enough. This project
always sounds very good, but the organisation part
is overlooked. There are too many things, which the
leader has to do on his, own. This is the reason why
there are mistakes (big ones) in the first and the
second part which started.
Like me, the volunteers in Autumn 98 didn’t know
where they go and what they do there or they didn’t
learn enough.
The seminar in the beginning was very important for
them, but the logic, which was worked out, was
wrong. This was the reason why this seminar was
such a mistake. Everybody was disappointed!
- the volunteers because they didn’t learn
enough about their project, what they are
going to do for the next 6 months;
- the ex-volunteers because they Thought that
the leader of the seminar should use our
knowledge more and better;
- the leaders because the participants gave
them the feeling that this seminar was not a
success.
I hope the situation of the volunteers will get better.
ATCFLGFCOM1. Give more people the
possibility to participate.
Check projects better before sending
volunteers.
Create a database with reports of
former volunteers about the projects.
Ask volunteers to write a detailed report
about their project.
If places are not filled by a country let
them be filled by another country where
not all people who want to can
participate (e.g. Portugal-Austria).
⇒ France
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
FRCFLGFCOM1. I was involved with 2
associations: one was a music association and the
other one artistic. Both of them used these activities
to help people to have more self-confidence and
show their capacities. But people from the hosting
project understood my position and helped me to
find some interesting things to do that I chose. For
example, in the music association I helped some
FRCFLGFCOM1. When I went to Cardiff I didn’t
know what I would do, and about the hosting
project.
At the beginning it was a bit difficult to know what
to do, because I wasn’t an artist at all!
Page 178 of 212
music tutors who went to play guitar, percussion
with disabled people. I enjoyed a lot of this contact
with this population (I had already some
experiences with multi -handicapped teenagers,
adults with mental problems…).
I went also to a school for children with behaviour
troubles. I helped a tutor to do an artistic atelier with
them. At the last session, they’ve done a little show.
With the artistic association I learned how to cut
mosaics, I helped them to paint all the walls of a
nursery on the theme of the countryside. I
participated in the ateliers. At the end of the 6
months I decided not to carry on because my job
was more of assistant than actor and I had found a
summer job in France.
I keep a really good record of that experience and
I’m really happy to have done it. During this time I
met a lot of people from all over the world. Now I’m
still in touch with some of them. I would like to have
another experience in another country because it
brings you a lot.
FRCFLGFCOM2. I’ve found your questionnaire
interesting. Thank you for taking care about the
future volunteers.
FRCFLGFCOM2. But there is an important point
missing, which made for me some problem to
answer some questions: not every volunteer
comes back home after, there is some who tried
to begin a new life in their “new” (hosting) country.
For this reason I couldn’t answer to some of your
questions. I’m sorry.
⇒ Germany
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DECFLGFCOM1. It’s been a pleasure
to join this project! But I think this was
what made us even more independent
and self-confident as we had to do a
lot on our own – (it was great not to
pay any money as well). I feel quite
mature now, more than before, to
make decisions and live my life. I still
have a lot of contact with my Spanish
friends and I’m going to visit them next
year. And I’ll meet the new volunteer
who is working i n “my” host project –
we became friends when we met at
the preparatory seminar where I was
DECFLGFCOM1. It was quite hard sometimes to carry on
because many things weren’t organised that well…
Page 179 of 1
to share my experiences as an ex-
volunteer. So: Thank you!!!
⇒ Greece
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative
comments
Recommendations
GRCFLGFCOM1. Actually, when I finished my
EVS programme, I went back to Greece only for
a few weeks and then I left for London
(studies).
I have to admit that this service helped me to
grow up, to know how it is to live alone in a big
country, to make my own decisions. Now that I
am in London I realise how important it was to
live once in Berlin, without parents, relatives
and to be an independent person. I am very
happy and lucky that I did this.
GRCFLGFCOM2. I think that the people who take part at
the exchanges need more support during and after the
exchange.
GRCFLGFCOM2. I would like to have more
information about what’s going on and what will
happen in the future wi th these exchanges.
⇒ Ireland
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
IECFLGFCOM1. I’ve been involved with the EVS since the pilot project in 1996.
It has given me the chance to see other countries and learn about other
cultures. I’m almost speaking another language – French. I know now who I am
and where I come from. I come from a disadvantaged area in Cork City. Before I
went on EVS I Thought this was a normal place to live. But when I saw the way
other people lived and told them about my area Drugs & Crime normal life and I
saw the reactions I Thought what am I doing with myself? I had left school at the
age of 15 and I had no job. Now I’m back in College doing my Diploma in Youth
& Community and I’m also working full time. I hope to go on and do my degree
and one day be fluent in speaking French.
Page 180 of 212
⇒ Netherlands
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
NDCFLGMCOM1. My contribution in the Youth Exchange Project brought me a
lot more that I beforehand expected. Working at a Cambridge theatre, I got
introduced to fine arts, learned marketing/managing skills and improved my
English in word and writing. Moreover, I also got introduced to the organising
European cultural network, Trans-Europe Halles. Attending two cultural
meetings during the time, I got to know people from around the whole of Europe.
This gave me a genuine awareness of being European and encouraged me to
think like one. This, unexpected extra gave my exchange a huge added value.
And restlessness that denied me to stay long in Holland…
⇒ Portugal
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
PTCFLGMCOM1. The existence of some hosting organisations which main
purpose is to catch E.U funds, doesn’t make vanish the idealistic side of the
EVS?
⇒ Spain
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ESCFLGFCOM1. These 6 months in
Austria were the best in my life. I miss all
the people I met there and I am looking
forward to going and visit them. I like
German and Austria is my favourite
country, I want to know more about the
country and the language. Sometimes I
don’t know what to do because I think of
my time in Austria and I would like to go
there working but I like being also with my
friends and my family here in Spain. At
the moment I am thinking of going 3 or 4
months to a country in South-America but
I don’t know when, how… That is just an
idea.
My life, my points of view changed after
my experience in Austria. I think at the
ESCFLGFCOM1. I’m looking for a job as well but there
aren’t a lot of opportunities.
Page 181 of 1
moment I am more open minded, more
independent. I see thing from another
point of view. I can stand the problems
and I think always in a positive way. I am
happy!!
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ESCFLGMCOM1. I want to stress that
Although my general evaluation of the
programme is positive.
On the other hand I would like to give
motivate all those who made it possible for
me to live this wonderful experience, the
EVS, to keep up this fantastic humane
work.
ESCFLGMCOM1. I went through quite a hard time when I
hurt my right knee. And when I say that I went through
quite a hard time I am not referring to the physical pain,
which is obvious, but to the emotional trouble when I
realised how little my EVS project was organised as far as
my insurance in my hosting country was concerned. In fact,
the type of insurance that my EVS National Structure had
found me let me completely unprotected and I don’t even
want to think how much worse it could have been if I had
had a much more serious accident… I just wanted to write
down this for the record to avoid this from happening to
any other future volunteers.
⇒ United Kingdom
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
UKCFLGFCOM1. I found the entire experience very worthwhile. I’m intending to
spend the next 3 months in Germany, hopefully re -finding my German!
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Ø THIRD COUNTRIES
⇒ Belgium
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
BEC3CMCOM2. For me SAVSO
(Jan.97 EVS) was a great experience
that told me: that I am able to work
abroad; That I am able to work for
development; more about other
(different from European); a practical
experience (but short). All this visiting
a different country and meeting with
nice people. Thank you EVS. Then
EVS has to continue and to increase:
it’s important!
BEC3CMCOM1. I was disappointed with
the fact that the comments that we had
made 3 months after our return have not
been taken into account. The travel
organisers seem to be completely
unconcerned by the living conditions we
had, while they were comfortably installed
at the hotel… Moreover they pretend to be
very generous people, but where did the
money that was supposed to be used for
our lodging go to? Did it go under the
cornfields, or what?
BEC3CMCOM1. You should check the
NGO Chantiers d’Afrique, their motto is
“To count on Africa”. (things are not
going to change with people like them).
BEC3CMCOM3. It was an exceptional
experience to establish intercultural
contacts, a good lesson on social
interaction in a very open atmosphere
in contrast with the “cold” and isolated
Western world. It was an illustrative
example that working together
amongst different cultures is better
than building up things alone. This is a
must for all the young people who find
themselves under the influence of this
capitalist society, so that they can
confront and work out their prejudices
about other cultures.
BEC3CMCOM3; But I also saw the negative
influence of our Western world in the South.
With this I mean to say that the cars and
trunks that we export destroy the
environment also there and make life
sometimes even dangerous for the locals
(they often run over people…).
It was also the experience (Although
uncomfortable) of not being left alone in
peace, and of being observed all the time.
⇒ France
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
FRC3CFCOM1. I was very glad with
my EVS.
FRC3CFCOM1. In my case, I kept
struggling in order to find my project.
Sometimes it was a bit difficult.
FRC3CFCOM1. But I think it is very
important to be sure that the local
organisation has a REAL project for the
volunteer.
FRC3CFCOM2. I was 1 month in
South Africa with SAVSO and 20
other European volunteers (January
1997). It was a very good experience,
FRC3CFCOM2. I don’t know if what I
have done is the EVS?
But I am very sad that I have no contact
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which I will never forget. Thanks. anymore with the other European
volunteers and the other African. Perhaps
because I am very far from Europe. I
come back to France in 4 months –
perhaps at my return?
FRC3CFCOM3. I would like to have more
information about people that were
volunteers: their missions… and be able
to contact them by phone, e-mail or letter.
There is a problem with the insurance.
⇒ Italy
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ITC3CFCOM1. I’m very glad with my
experience in Mostar because of the people I
was working with (local people and other
volunteers). Concerning myself I think that the
project has had a good impact in my life and
overall it has been useful to change the way to
look at other cultures and ways of life.
ITC3CFCOM1. But I’m really unhappy towards my
sending organisation (as I wrote to you more that 1
year ago).
⇒ Sweden
Male volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
SEC3CMCOM1. I think these projects need to be organised in a better way.
The communication betwe en our country and the host country was quite bad.
Especially concerning preparations and pre -programme planning.
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Ø SPECIAL EVENT (World Cup)
⇒ Denmark
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
DKCWCFCOM1. I participated in an EVS
project concerning the World Cup in soccer
in France. I must say that the idea of
sending young people of different nations to
an event like that was really great. When I
applied for this EVS it was based on my
interest for the sport. But there was so
much more to it than that. We were 9
volunteers from all over Europe and
suddenly we had to figure out an every day
life together. We had to try to fit into the
French culture and mentality but also try to
become a group with all our different
cultures. But when I come to think of it
everything actually went extremely well and
fast. The problem was solved – which is
positive. After resettling I started working at
a leisure centre for kids, which was really
great. I could decide myself whatever I
wanted to do – no limits or demands. So the
work was actually based on personal
interest and initiative. The World Cup was
an excellent adventure and we all got
involved from the very beginning of it. In the
beginning we helped out with all kinds of
practical things – and then we were all
divided into other groups. That was okay.
And finally I got to work as a translator
which was quite an interesting job. The
conclusion of my stay in France is that it
was a great experience and something I
wish possible for others in accordance to
another major sport event. I have really
learned a lot and it’s something I will never
forget.
DKCWCFCOM1. In the beginning it was really difficult to
get use to speaking French all the time and to become
part of their culture.
And there’s just a few small things which could be better. I
don’t know if the “faults I found are cause by the fact that
my hosting country was France – but here’s what I think
about my project:
Lack of information from hosting place. I began my EVS
on a sports institution for youngsters and after 2 weeks of
introduction and language education they didn’t know
what to do with us. 3 of 9 volunteers were living at this
certain place and after 3 weeks the problem was solved
by moving us all around.
But even Although one of the 3 hosting organisations
showed a capability of solving the problem – I still think
that it was an unpleasant situation. The 3 of us living at
these institutions didn’t really feel that welcome and we
were quite surprised that nothing was arranged for us
there before the World Cup.
Except for the fact that they didn’t use all our language
skills as they could. I was placed somewhere where I was
making access passes to the stadium mostly to French
people. Others were moved to places where they could
use their language skills. 3 of us didn’t get to work
another place before we had a major argument with one
of the co-ordinators. I know that all the French volunteers
didn’t get to change jobs at all but I just think that they
should have used our language skills more than they did.
Page 185 of 1
⇒ Spain
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
ESCWCFCOM1. For me the European Voluntary Service has been the
experience of my life, it has been a great dream. This has been the first time that
I left home during a big period but it was worthwhile. I went to Paris, the most
beautiful city in the world, to work in a sports organisation until the start of the
World Cup of Football. I love football and I enjoyed very much this competition.
Everything was well and moreover the opportunity of working, living and making
relationships with other young people of Europe and of the world…Thank you for
everything that you have done for us! Thank you very much!
⇒ United Kingdom
Female volunteers
Positive comments Negative comments Recommendations
UKCWCFCOM1. I had a wonderful
six-month in France, a very enjoyable
and rewarding experience. When in
Toulouse I was given excellent
support from my host and the local
ministry. Nevertheless, given my
overall six months, I now hold the
EVS in high regard given the
opportunity it provided me, and I
hope that it will continue long into the
future as a very worthwhile and
valuable service for young people.
UKCWCFCOM1. However the support I received from the
National Structure was very disappointing, both before and
during my stay. Despite the efforts of my regional organisation to
get information beforehand from the British Council, little was
forthcoming, and I was given only 3 days notice of my departure.
But no contact from my National Structure throughout my stay.
Whilst this did not affect my experience, my anxiety before
departing was increased by lack of information and notice.
Also, I would have appreciated the opportunity to voice my
concerns in person to those concerned and talk to other British
volunteers on my arrival home, but the opportunity was not
provided.
I did not view a mail questionnaire as an adequate forum for us
to analyse our experiences.
Page 186 of 212
ANNEXE 7 – TESTER GROUP- TREATMENT OF DATA
Objectives of the tester group
As mentioned by us in our document “Framework for the Study”, we wanted to test our preliminary
questionnaire with a group of 16 volunteers, in order to learn from their suggestions and also from
their answering patterns and so improve the final version.
In fact, many of the changes that we have made to the final version of the questionnaire have been
based on their answers, but also on their specific suggestions concerning the layout and contents of
the questionnaire.
We were satisfied with the fact that 12 out of the 16 volunteers answered back. We had done a
previous analysis of these results where there had been only 10 responses to our draft questionnaire
(08/10/98) but in the meantime two more have arrived (UK volunteers).
About this document
The results presented to you in this document have no statistical value of course. They are mere
indications and our comments do try to reflect this fact. We have not tried to infer from these results
anything too definitive or to see in some of these percentages a small-scale model of the study
outcomes. This also explains why we have decided not to comment some of the tables in it,
considering that not much could be concluded from them and we did not intend to stretch reality in any
way42.
Total tester group – 16 Total respondents – 12 (75% of return) 43
Respondents per country/organisation
Country/Organisation Respondents Target
ŒIL/ENVOL44 1 2
Experiment in Europe45 2 2
Belgium-Flemish 2 2
Sweden 2 2
Italy 1 2
Portugal 1 2
42 Please note that in the tables, all the information in Italic was added by the volunteers to our pre-arranged options. 43 One of the respondents did not fill in the questionnaire for not believing in this type of data collection. This explains why in some cases the different percentages are obtained taking into account only 11 respondents in total. 44 Flagship Network. 45 Multilateral Network.
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Austria 1 2
UK 2 2
Total 12 16
Comments: We were mildly disappointed with the level of return that we have obtained. We were
expecting that at least 90% of the tester group members would have responded to our request for
comments and suggestions for improvement of the questionnaire. We thought that specific targeting
with recommendations from the National Structures, personalised letters and a clear explanation of
the purpose of our study would help us in obtaining a lot more of feedback. This made us be
particularly careful in preparing the cover letter to accompany the final version of our questionnaire.
We hope to motivate the volunteers who will have to respond to it as much as possible. In fact, a total
return of 30-40% for the final questionnaires would be very positive, but less than 10% would be very
disappointing.
Group A) questions (personal details)
Gender of the respondents
Male 6 50%
Female 6 50%
Total 12 100%
Age of the respondents during their EVS
<=17 0 0%
18 0 0%
19 1 9%
20 2 18%
21 1 9%
22 0 0%
23 4 37%
24 1 9%
25 2 18%
26 0 0%
27 0 0%
>=28 0 0%
Total 11 100%
Comments: The perfect distribution between male and female respondents is merely a coincidence,
our global statistics and the many oral reports obtained from those working in the field, confirm that
there are more girls participating in the programme than boys. The results in the tester group are
probably very similar to what we will find in the larger pool of respondents to the questionnaire, a
concentration of participants within the age range 20-25, i.e., those who have finished school, are at
university or have finished university.
Page 188 of 212
Nationality of the respondents
Austria 1 8%
Belgian 2 17%
British 4 34%
German 1 8%
Italian 1 8%
Portuguese 1 8%
Swedish 2 17%
Total 12 100%
Comments: The higher number of British respondents is explained by the fact that both for the
Flagship and Multilateral networks one of the volunteers was from the UK, adding up to the two
respondents obtained through the UK National Structure.
Legal residence of the respondents
Austria 1 8%
Belgium 2 17%
Germany 1 8%
Italy 1 8%
Portugal 1 8%
South Africa 1 8%
Sweden 2 17%
UK 3 26%
Total 12 100%
Comments: With the exception of one of the British volunteers, whose legal residence is in South
Africa, all others have their legal residence in the country of their nationality.
Hosting Country
Austria 1 8%
France 1 8%
Germany 2 17%
Greece 1 8%
Italy 1 8%
Portugal 1 8%
Spain 2 17%
UK 3 26%
Total 12 100%
No comments
Page 189 of 1
Knowledge of foreign languages before doing EVS
Yes 7 55%
No 5 45%
Total 12 100%
Foreign languages known before doing EVS
English 6 86%
French 2 29%
German 0 0%
Spanish 1 14%
Russian 1 14%
Italian 1 14%
Total respondents 7 --------
Comments: As expected by us, most of the respondents new other languages before their EVS, and
again the best known language for those who answered Yes to the first question, was English (after all
foreign languages are part of most countries school curricula, English being at the top of the
choices)46. However, the number of those in the tester group who did not know any foreign languages
before departure is also quite high, this percentage being influenced by the fact that none of the British
volunteers spoke other languages before doing EVS. It is important to point out that after their EVS
experience, even if sent to non-English speaking countries they all learned English well enough to
have understood our request and questionnaire. Furthermore, they have all made their additional
comments in English though we have underlined in our letter that they could answer back to us in their
respective mother tongues or even the language of their hosting country. We can conclude from this
that even if not all of them knew English before EVS they all learned it while on the programme.
Motivation of the respondents to do EVS
To find out about myself 2 18%
To learn a new language 2 18%
To help other people 1 9%
To get working experience 5 45%
For the adventure 4 36%
Because I was unemployed 0 0%
To become more independent 0 0%
To give myself a fresh start 0 0%
To complement my studies 0 0%
To get away from home 0 0%
To make new friends 3 27%
To learn new skills 2 18%
It was a cheap way of going abroad 0 0%
Because other friends did it 0 0%
46 See also corroborating results of Eurobarometer for 1997.
Page 190 of 212
To help in the development of Europe 0 0%
To get to know another culture and country 2 18%
To find out about other people 1 9%
It was too good an opportunity to miss 1 9%
Total respondents 11 ------
Comments: Though not statistically relevant it is nevertheless interesting to see that the majority of
the respondents decided to participate in the programme, either because of professional “worries”
(working experience, learning new skills) or for the sense of adventure. We might think that these two
elements do not go together, but it may well be that the attractiveness of the programme resides in
this balance between “serious plans for the future” and “fun”.
Group B) questions (participation in EVS)
Main source of information about EVS
A local information centre for young people 0 0%
Your local newspaper 2 19%
Your local authority 1 9%
A previous participant 0 0%
A National Newspaper 1 9%
Your Youth organisation 1 9%
A friend 0 0%
Your school/university 0 0%
The radio 0 0%
The television 1 9%
Your EVS National Structure 1 9%
Direct invitation by the organisers 1 9%
A list of organisations for work abroad 1 9%
CJP Magazine 1 9%
Youth Work magazine 1 9%
Total respondents 11 100%
Comments: There is no clear pattern regarding the respondents’ source of information on EVS, but it
is clear that publications in general take the lead in the case of the tester group. If we take together the
percentages relating to local and national newspapers, as well as the three last ones (in italic) added
by the volunteers to our list we get 46% of all cases.
The respondents’ sending organisation
A local youth organisation 1 8%
An EVS National Structure 1 8%
An EVS National Structure 1 8%
A sports organisation 0 0%
A European youth organisation 2 17%
An environmental organisation 0 0%
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A religious organisation 0 0%
A local municipality 4 35%
A job centre 0 0%
A youth centre 1 8%
A “Foyer” 1 8%
A local development organisation 1 8%
Total respondents 12 100%
Comments: It is interesting to notice that a local municipality sent 4 of the 12 respondents on EVS. It
will be interesting to see if this conforms to the global picture and how much of it can be related to the
dimension of community development within E VS. Youth organisations play also an important role as
sending organisations in the tester group, with a total of 3 respondents (local and international
organisations added up).
The respondents’ hosting organisation
A local youth organisation 6 55%
An old people’s home 1 9%
A development organisation 0 0%
A local municipality 0 0%
An environmental organisation 0 0%
A local community centre 2 18%
A religious organisation 2 18%
Total 11 100%
Comments: The majority of the respondents was hosted by a local youth organisation, something that
may explain why in the following table the highest percentage concerns those projects working with
children and youth.
Main themes of the hosting project
Art and culture 2 18%
Rural development 0 0%
Equal opportunities 0 0%
Media & communications 1 9%
Support to disabled 2 18%
Support to youth/children 3 27%
Environmental work 1 9%
Urban development 0 0%
Health promotion 0 0%
European issues 0 0%
Support to migrants 1 9%
Support to elderly 1 9%
Protection of historical monuments 0 0%
Anti-racism & xenophobia 1 9%
Youth information 1 9%
Page 192 of 212
Sports & leisure time 0 0%
Support to homeless 0 0%
Support to unemployed 2 9%
International youth work 1 9%
Total respondents 11 ------
Comments: Though there is no theme that clearly dominates, it is nevertheless obvious that most of
the respondents were hosted by local projects, dealing with what we could call social and community
issues.
Possibility to choose their hosting project
Yes 10 91%
No 1 9%
Total 11 100%
Comments: We would have expected all the respondents to have been given the chance to choose
their hosting project, but it is possible that those who participated in a multilateral or flagship network
were constrained to accept what was available, which may explain the one respondent who could not
choose a hosting project.
Consultation of the database of hosting projects
Yes 6 55%
No 5 45%
Total 11 100%
Comments: The numbers are quite balanced, with a slightly higher percentage of volunteers having
consulted the database of hosting projects. Considering that this was the pilot phase of the
programme we did not expect that all the respondents had consulted the database to choose their
hosting projects. On the other hand, in many cases their hosting projects might have pre-selected a
number of projects in an area they were already interested in. Again it will be relevant to see the
numbers obtained with our final questionnaire (are the instruments that we have in place, such as the
database of hosting projects, accessible to the volunteers?).
Planning of activities in hosting project
Yes 6 55%
No 5 45%
Total 11 100%
Comments: A very balanced result for the tester group in terms of participation and involvement of
the volunteers in the planning of their activities. This is of course an important dimension to have into
Page 193 of 1
account, when it comes to helping young people to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility. Is
this also true for the rest of the volunteers in EVS?
Duration of EVS stay
<=3 months 0 0%
4 months 0 0%
5 months 1 9%
6 months 6 55%
7 months 1 9%
8 months 0 0%
9 months 1 9%
10 months 0 0%
11 months 1 9%
12 months 1 0%
>=13 months 0 0%
Total 11 100%
Comments: The majority of the respondents did 6 months of EVS. It will be interesting to see if this
applies to the reality of our global target group, or if instead there is more variety in the periods of the
volunteers’ stays. Our empirical data from the certification of the volunteers, tells us that a large
majority prefers the 6 months period, maybe because of its good balance between short and long
term, security and challenge.
Remaining in the host country after EVS
Yes --- --------
<1 week 0 0%
1 week 1 25%
2 weeks 3 75%
3 weeks 0 0%
>3 weeks 0 0%
1 month 0 0%
2 months 0 0%
3 months 0 0%
4 months 0 0%
5 months 0 0%
6 months 0 0%
Total respondents 4 36%
No 7 64%
Total respondents 11 100%
Comments: It is clear from looking at the numbers that the majority of the respondents of the tester
group returned home right after their EVS. Those who stayed did it for a little while, but then again, if
they had remained any longer in the hosting countries they wouldn’t have been part of our tester
group.
Page 194 of 212
Group C) questions (returning to your home country)
Participation in follow -up/evaluation activities after return
Yes 9 82%
No 2 18%
Total 11 100%
Organiser of the follow-up/evaluation activity
Sending organisation 3 33%
National Structure 6 67%
Total respondents 9 100%
Comments: The big majority of the respondents participated in a follow -up/evaluation session after
their return, but we expected that all of them would have done so. In most cases it is the National
Structure that organises this event. It will be interesting to see when analysing the data from our final
questionnaire if this is indeed always the case. This is the more important as sending projects are
expected to play an orientation role after the return of their volunteers.
Type of follow -up/evaluation activity
A big seminar with other volunteers 2 22%
A training session with other volunteers 1 11%
A small workshop with other volunteers 3 33%
An individual interview with a youth worker 2 22%
Information session with candidates to EVS 1 11%
Talking in high schools about EVS experience 1 11%
Total respondents 9 --------
Main focus of follow-up/evaluation activities
Evaluation of EVS experience 6 67%
Giving career guidance 0 0%
Helping with re-integration back home 1 11%
Informing about educational opportunities 0 0%
Telling a group of volunteers about EVS experience 1 11%
Information session with future EVS participants 1 11%
Total respondents 9 --------
Comments: The respondents participated mainly on group events for the follow-up/evaluation of their
EVS experiences. What is interesting to see is that in two cases the respondents, after their return,
have been talking about EVS to potential candidates, without this really being comparable to a follow -
up/evaluation of the experience. It is unfortunate that for none of these respondents did the follow -
up/evaluation activities had anything to do with giving them professional or educational guidance. If
this is the global trend there is definitely something to be done there.
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Duration of follow-up/evaluation activity
½ day 3 34%
1 day 3 33%
2-3 days 3 33%
> 3 days 0 0%
Total 9 100%
When the follow -up/evaluation activities took place after EVS
< 1 month after 4 44%
1-3 months after 4 44%
3-5 months after 1 12%
Total 9 100%
Comments: The respondents did not have to wait very long to have their follow -up/evaluation
activities after their return, which is definitely positive. It will be interesting to see if this is the global
picture for all of the volunteers.
Overall evaluation of follow-up/evaluation activities
Very bad 0 0%
Bad 0 0%
Satisfactory 6 67%
Good 1 11%
Very Good 0 0%
No answer 2 22%
Total 9 100%
Comments: It is not very reassuring the fact that only one of the respondents evaluates the follow -
up/evaluation activities as good. The majority finds it only satisfactory and 2 of the respondents
preferred to avoid saying anything about this. If this is the case for the majority of the volunteers, it is
again an aspect that will have to be looked at quite carefully in the future.
Involvement in community/voluntary work after return
Yes --- ---------
Youth organisation 1 25%
Sports & Environment 1 25%
Support to elderly & children 1 25%
EVS Future Capital 1 25%
Total respondents 4 36%
No 6 55%
No answer 1 9%
Total 11 100%
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Relation of voluntary/community work with EVS experience
Yes 2 50%
No 2 50%
Total respondents 4 100%
Plans to become involved in voluntary/community work
Yes 2 33%
No 0 0%
Maybe 3 50%
No answer 1 17%
Total respondents 6 100%
Comments: It is apparent, at least in the tester group, that the majority of the volunteers does not
engage themselves in voluntary or community work after their return (maybe EVS has been enough to
satisfy their more immediate wishes). Those who decide to continue doing voluntary or community
work don’t seam to be interested in doing only things related to their previous EVS experience, but
then again the data that we have does not allow us to conclude anything of relevance on this issue. If
we take the answers of those who have not done any voluntary or community work after their return,
we would say that in reality very few of the respondents are really interested in doing so in the future,
the “maybes” being most of time polite ways of saying “no”.
Group D) questions (Personal description after EVS)
Items Much less Less The same More Much more No answer Total
Assertive 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 3 (27%) 6 (55%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Communicative 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 7 (64%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
European 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 6 (55%) 4 (36%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Outgoing 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 6 (55%) 4 (36%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Modern 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 9 (82%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Hard -working 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 5 (45%) 6 (55%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Spontaneous 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 4 (36%) 7 (64%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Talkative 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 5 (45%) 5 (45%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Conservative 3 (27%) 6 (55%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Socially aware 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 8 (73%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Caring 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 5 (45%) 4 (37%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Open to people 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 7 (64%) 3 (27%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Shy 3 (27%) 5 (46%) 3 (27%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Tolerant 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 6 (55%) 3 (27%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Unorganised 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 8 (73%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Reserved 2 (18%) 4 (36%) 4 (36%) 1 (10%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Involved 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 6 (55%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Indifferent 2 (18%) 6 (55%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Intolerant 3 (27%) 5 (46%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
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Serious 0 (0%) 4 (36%) 4 (36%) 3 (28%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Independent 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 7 (64%) 4 (36%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Organised 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 8 (73%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Optimistic 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Money oriented 0 (0%) 3 (27%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Sociable 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 3 (27%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 11 (100%)
Lonely 0 (0%) 5 (45%) 2 (18%) 3 (27%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Experienced 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (11%) 0 (0%) ------------- 11 (100%)
Comments: This will be one of the tables that we will follow with particular interest when the first
answers to the questionnaire start arriving to the SOS. Without being too exhaustive as the group in
question is rather small, we could not avoid mentioning nevertheless the fact that the majority of the
respondents have experienced a positive increase in being communicative, European, socially aware,
open to people, tolerant, involved, independent, optimistic and sociable, just to mention a few. It is
also interesting to notice that for some of the volunteers in the tester group (3), having participated in
the programme has made them feel more lonely, something that as probably to do with the lack of
understanding some of them seam to meet with, when coming back and trying to communicate their
experience to relatives and peers.
Group E) questions (Personal skills after EVS)
Skills Much less Less The same More Much more No answer Total
I integrate in groups and teams 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
I take personal responsibility for organising
activities
0 (0%) 0 (0%) 4 (37%) 5 (45%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
I plan my time 0 (0%) 2 (19%) 3 (27%) 5 (45%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
I solve practical problems 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
I can help solving conflicts 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 4 (37%) 5 (45%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
I can communicate a personal idea/message 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 3 (27%) 6 (55%) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Comments: This is a very important dimension of the questionnaire and one that is directly related to
the employability potential of EVS. It is clear that the respondents in the tester group feel that they are
now readier for teamwork, solving practical problems and mediating in conflicts, as well as to pass
their ideas more clearly to others. If the majority of our global pool of volunteers corroborates these
numbers, this will definitely imply that EVS has a positive influence on the development of a number of
skills very important in today’s working environments.
Group F) questions (Future projects after EVS – Education and Work)
Educational situation before EVS
Had finished school 2 18%
Had finished College/University 6 55%
Were still at school 1 9%
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Were still at College/University 2 18%
Had left school unfinished 0 0%
Had left College/university unfinished 0 0%
Total 11 100%
Comments: The results in this table are very consistent with what we have found in the age table
before. The only “surprise” is the one volunteer who still was at school before EVS. The majority had
finished school or university (the latter is clearly the majority). This may well reflect the global situation
of EVS volunteers.
Educational plans after EVS
Decided to finish previous studies as planned 4 36%
Decided to change area of studies in accordance with EVS experience 1 9%
Decided to go back to school to complete unfinished education 0 0%
Decided to finish studies 0 0%
Decided to go to University as planned 0 0%
Decided to start a new area of studies unrelated to EVS experience 1 9%
Decided to take up further University studies unrelated to my EVS experience 1 9%
Decided to do vocational training/more practical studies 4 36%
Decided to study the language of the hosting country in depth 3 27%
Decided not to have anything to do with traditional education 1 9%
Decided to take up further University studies related to EVS experience 1 9%
I decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not) 2 18%
Total respondents 11 ------
Comments: Again we must insist that these results have no statistical relevance, but it is nevertheless
interesting to see that 2 of the respondents do not wish to have anything more to do with any type of
education after EVS, and that a significant number decided to start more practical studies after their
return. This could well be related to the fact that for many of them in the tester group the main
motivation to participate in the programme was to get working experience. On the other hand, also a
significant number of respondents in the tester group have decided to finish their studies, which makes
us think that participating in EVS can be lived as an interval in their lives, before continuing as
planned. Also a relevant number of volunteers in the tester group have decided to start studying the
language of their hosting countries.
Working situation before EVS
Were employed 6 55%
Were unemployed 2 18%
Were looking for 1s t job 2 18%
Were doing an apprenticeship/training/stage 1 9%
Total 11 100%
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Comments: We were surprised to realise that the majority of the respondents were either working or
doing professional studies before EVS, this somehow does not match with the fact that they wanted
working experience through EVS. This is something that will have to be looked at in the future more in
detail. It could also be that the job experience the volunteers had had was not consistent with their
wishes, and EVS was seen as something more related to their professional objectives.
Working plans after EVS
Found a job in the sector interested in working for Community support work
1 9%
Decided to start looking for a job but did not find anything yet 3 27%
Found a job but contract is already over/soon to be over Hotel receptionist
1 9%
Decided to create own business/enterprise Community Multimedia (through Future Capital)
1 9%
Decided not to look for a job 1 9%
Decided to go back to previous job Forestry Engineer
1 9%
Found a job related to EVS experience 1 9%
Has been having lots of unrelated jobs since EVS 2 18%
Has been turned down by all jobs for lack of qualifications/experience 0 0%
Decided to find a job related to EVS experience 6 55%
Decided to look for a job abroad Spain or South America (1) Portuguese speaking Africa (1)
2 18%
Total respondents 11 -------
Comments: Many of the respondents have started looking for jobs after their return home, and many
– the majority - have also decided to look for something directly related to their EVS experience. It is
also interesting to remark that one of the volunteers has decided to start his own business with the
possible help of Future Capital, and that another one found a job related to the EVS experience. It
would be very interesting to see if this is indeed a global trend or just a coincidence in the tester group.
Group G) questions (Expectations versus outcomes)
Expectations before going and after EVS
Expectations Fulfilled Partly
fulfilled
Not fulfilled Not
expected
No answer Total
Expected a lot of preparation before departure 2 (18%) 3 (27%) 1 (9%) 4 (37%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Expected a lot of choice of different projects 5 (46%) 2 (18%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Expected a lot of training upon arrival to host country 4 (37%) 3 (27%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 1 (9%) 11 (100%)
Expected a lot of moral support during stay 5 (46%) 3 (27%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected good amount of pocket money 5 (46%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to learn new language 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to find more about themselves and what they
wanted to do in life
5 (46%) 3 (27%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to make lots of good friends 6 (55%) 3 (27%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to learn important skills for future job 5 (46%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
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Expected to become more independent 6 (55%) 2 (18%) 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to learn more about other cultures and ways of life 9 (82%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to leave past behind and become a new person 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 7 (64%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to find a boyfriend/girlfriend 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 8 (73%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to learn more about the world 5 (46%) 4 (36%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to become stronger to overcome life’s difficulties 5 (46%) 4 (36%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18%) 11 (100%)
Expected to explore/see some of host country 0 (0%) 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) ------ 11 (100%)
Expected to be useful to other people 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) ------ 11 (100%)
Expected to have a good time 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) ------
I expected an adventure! 1 (9%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) ------
Comments: We were surprised to realise that a significant number of respondents did not expect to
receive a lot of preparation before departure (lack of information from the sending project?; trying not
to have too many expectations and get disappointed?). Almost all of them felt that their expectations to
learn a new language and to learn more about other cultures and ways of life were fulfilled. Though
the majority of the respondents did not expect to put the past behind and find a boyfriend/girlfriend
with EVS, this was important for 2 of them in the first case and 1 of them in the second case. Overall,
the volunteers in the tester group have either fulfilled or partly fulfilled their expectations with the
programme.
Overall evaluation of EVS experience
Very bad 1 8%
Bad 0 0%
Satisfactory 0 0%
Good 2 17%
Very Good 9 75%
Total 12 100%
Comments: The tester group was obviously very happy with their EVS experience. This is something
that can be explained with the fact that the members of the tester group were chosen by their
respective National Structures/Organisations, and that the latter may have only given us their success
stories. However, this was not always the case, since one of the volunteers who refused to fill in the
questionnaire also let us know that her experience had been very bad. We think that the results from
the final questionnaire will be more balanced and less extreme than these results.
Group H) questions (additional comments)
Negative comments Positive comments Recommendations
The Spanish training course was badly organise d (El
Escorial, October 1997). I sent my comments already
to the Flemish and Spanish National Structures
EVS changed my life. Thanks. Let me know if
there is anything more I can do to help other
EVS volunteers
I visited my hosting project two
months before I started working
there. It was the best way to get
informed, afterwards I really knew
that I wanted to start there. My
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motivation was higher and I was
totally convinced to go to Madrid for
such a long period
(…) when the day came that a questionnaire landed in
the post I was so disappointed. Have you lost the
ability to talk to people? What are you going to learn
by crosses made on a paper? Maybe reality is easier
to face on these bases? I will not fill in this
questionnaire because I refuse to be just a number in
statistics! I think what I've done during my six months
in France and what I've become after that should be
met by more interest and respect from your side!
All in all it has been a great possibility, I hope
a lot more young people (and many adults as
well) can participate
Give more importance to the type of
work and the responsibility of the
volunteer for that work, to avoid
naïve expectations and poor skills
I didn’t get any language training. I really wanted a
language course in the beginning because of two
reasons: get into the language, and to meet friends in
the same situation I was in
I really enjoyed my stay in Spain and I wish I
could do it again
Give more information about the
real goal of EVS to the projects
I had to be very flexible during my stay at home. I
hoped to have a quiet time but it has been very difficult
to find a job. I felt very strong abroad and immediately
after my return but this feeling is easily destroyed
My boyfriend will come to Sweden to do EVS
here
Make all the young volunteers
understand that EVS is about
voluntary service, not an easy way
to travel
It would have been good to have been able to have
had more contact with my National Agency, i.e.:
newsletter, etc., to both receive and return news.
My experience as volunteer has been really
good
You must be prepared to work hard
and not treat the EVS as a glorified
holiday
Why didn’t volunteers from different countries have the
same pocket money? Rather unfair.
EVS is great for young people who want to
learn about other cultures, traditions, habits
and languages
I feel that discussing my own project
with my hosts before going there
was definitely worthwhile
I think EVS is a very good way to make
young people aware of the European
communities, of voluntary work and an
important chance to know more about
people, the world and yourself
I think it's really important to follow-up things
like this and I was glad to be able to share my
experiences as a volunteer
I think that the seminar at the beginning of my
year was excellent – it was an ideal chance
to meet and get to know other volunteers.
Thus whilst living in my host town I knew I
was part of this community but also of a
network of volunteers in Germany – this was
good
Overall an excellent life experience wh ich I
recommend to any young person
Whoever thought of the Future Capital
scheme deserves a medal. What an excellent
opportunity to use the EVS experience. Long
may this continue!
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Comments: The additional comments made by the volunteers were very teaching, and they have
confirmed to us the importance of interviewing the tester group in depth as part of our study, for a
more qualitative approach to it (see SOS document “Framework to the Study”).
The respondents have taken this opportunity to make certain recommendations too, namely the
importance of giving volunteers the possibility to visit their hosting project beforehand so that they can
make up their minds. And surprisingly for us, the importance of giving more information to the
volunteers, and stressing more their individual responsibility towards the programme (don’t treat it like
a glorified holiday). It was also quite interesting to see that the majority of them, even if they had made
negative comments, wanted to underline once more the importance of this experience in their lives
and recommend it to other young people.
Two of the negative comments have to do with the language training provided to the volunteers.
Another of the comments, though not put directly in that way, makes us think that for some volunteers
it is very important that upon their return they are given the right kind of moral support, to avoid the
feeling of optimism from being “easily destroyed”.
One of the strongest comments came from the one volunteer who refused to fill in our questionnaire,
because of not agreeing with this method of studying the personal impact of the programme. We had
the chance to talk to this volunteer on the phone and explain more in detail the purpose of the tester
group and the aim of our study. We have also sent a letter to the volunteer acknowledging the bad
hosting experience and we have met in the meantime to talk about it, face to face, as part of our study.
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ANNEXE 8 – LIST OF INTERVIEWS AND INTERVIEW GUIDE
NAME OF VOLUNTEER GENDER + AGE
SENDING COUNTRY
HOSTING COUNTRY
DURATION OF STAY
DATE + DURATION OF THE INTERVIEW
STRAND
1. Lisellote Møller F 19
Denmark Ireland 6 months 23/10/98
2.5 hours
Centralised - Flagship
2. Neja Hansen F 19
Denmark Portugal 6 months 23/10/98
2.5 hours
Centralised - Flagship
3. Malin Johansson F 21
Sweden France 6 months 24/10/98
3 hours
Decentralised
4. Lisa Isaksson F 23
Sweden Spain 6 months 24/10/98
2 hours
Decentralised
5. Filip Standaert M 25
Belgium Spain 11 months 29/10/98
2.5 hours
Decentralised
6. Roman Broszeit M 22
Germany United Kingdom
6 months 16/11/98
2.5 hours
Centralised – Multilateral
7. Céline Decloedt F 24
Belgium Spain 9 months 26/11/98
3 hours
Decentralised
8. Mary Cinnamond F 22
United Kingdom
Spain 9 months 26/11/98
3 hours
Decentralised
9. Alexandra Sutherland F 26
United Kingdom
Austria 9 months 28/11/98
2.5 hours
Centralised - Multilateral
10. Nick Hamer M 26
United Kingdom
Austria 6 months 28/11/98
2.5 hours
Decentralised
11. Arndt Schmolke M 26
Germany Austria 10 months 28/11/98
2 hours
Decentralised
12. Nirvta Banghar F 23
United Kingdom
Italy 9 months 29/11/98
3 hours
Decentralised
13. Elena Vicentini F 21
Italy United Kingdom
5.5 months 14/12/98
3 hours
Decentralised
14. Raffaele Fabrizi M 27
Italy Ireland 6 months 15/12/98
4 hours
Decentralised
15. Jorge Pinto M 26
Portugal Italy 6 months 11/01/99
3 hours
Decentralised
16. Alexandra Leitão F 23
Portugal Italy 6 months 12/01/99
2 hours
Decentralised
Total 16 Average time (2.6 h)
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INTERVIEW GUIDE
Note: Before the interview starts, and if possible, try to chat with the volunteers about non -EVS things to establish some sort of “rapport”. Thank the volunteers for their time and interest; make them feel at ease and praise their English; explain the scope and purpose of the interview; tell them about the estimated time; explain the work of the SOS and its relation to DGXXII of the European Commission; ask permission to use the tape recorder; don’t show interview guide while talking; let them speak freely but keep them to the point; ask if they have any doubts or questions. Time: 01h 45m – 02h (give volunteer more time if possible and if you feel it necessary for him/her to express his/her ideas fully) General information: Full name Age Sending country Hosting country Project duration Main Questions: 1. How did you hear about EVS for the first time? 2. What were you doing at that time? 3. Why did you decide to participate? 4. What were your main expectations? Were they fulfilled? 5. What happened during your stay? Can you tell me about a positive and a negative event? Was
there anything special during your stay that you would like to talk about (people that you met, the tasks you had, etc.)?
6. How did you handle difficulties? Was there anyone to help? 7. Was it hard to get back to your country? Did you want to stay in your host country? Were you
anxious to get back? 8. How did you settle in during the first days/weeks after your return? 9. What was people’s reaction upon your return? Did they say that you had changed? How? 10. What did you do/are doing after your return? Does it have anything to do with your EVS
experience? In what way? 11. Do you think the participation in the EVS programme has influenced you? In what and how? 12. Do you feel different now that you have don e EVS? How different? 13. Do you ever think of going back to your hosting country or going somewhere else abroad? 14. What are you planning to do in the near and faraway future? Why are you planning to do that?
What are you doing/will do to achieve it? 15. Would you like to add something else? Have I forgotten to ask you something important?
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ANNEXE 9 - QUESTIONNAIRE
About this study… The Structure of Operational Support (SOS) for the European Voluntary Service (EVS) is conducting a small study amongst the participants of the EVS programme to learn more about their experience and its impact in their lives, namely after the conclusion of their voluntary service.
We are of course very interested in knowing your opinion and impressions on how important it was and has been the experience you have had within the EVS programme. Your answers will be an important tool to help us in realising how much the EVS programme has been achieving its objectives. We would like to thank you in advance for the time you have set out to answer our questions.
A) A FEW PERSONAL DETAILS ABOUT YOURSELF: 1. You are… male c female c 2. How old were you when you started your EVS? ………… years 3. What is your nationality? ………………………………… 4. What country do you live in? ……………………….………… 5. What country did you go to with EVS? ………………………..……….. 6. Did you speak any foreign languages before going on EVS? Yes c No c 7. What foreign languages did you speak before EVS?: English c French c German c Spanish c Other c please tell us which …………………… 8. What was your motivation to go on EVS? (tick only the 2 most relevant boxes) to find out about myself c because I was unemployed c to make new friends c to learn a new language c to become more independent c to learn new skills c to help other people c to give myself a fresh start c a cheap way of going abroad c to get working experience c to complement my studies c because other friends did it c for the adventure c to get away from home c to help developing Europe c other c please tell us what ………………………….………………………...
DC
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B) A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION IN EVS: 1. You first heard about the possibility of going on EVS, via: (tick only the most important source of information) a local information centre for young people c your school/University c your local newspaper c a National newspaper c the radio c the T.V c your local authority c your youth organisation c your EVS National Structure c a previous participant c a friend c direct invitation by the orga nisers c another source c please tell us which …………………… 2. Your sending organisation was… (tick only the one that describes it more accurately) a local youth organisation c a European youth organisation c a local municipality c an EVS National Structure c an environmental organisation c a job centre c a sports organisation c a religious organisation c a youth centre c another type of organisation c please tell us which ………………………………………… 3. Were you able to choose your hosting project? Yesc Noc 4. Did you consult the international Database of hosting projects? Yesc Noc 5. Did you participate in the planning of your activities in the hosting project? Yesc Noc 6. Your hosting organisation was… (tick only the one that describes it more accurately) a local youth organisation c a local municipality c a local community centre c an old people’s home c an environmental organisation c a religious organisation c a development organisation c a social work organisation c another type of organisation c please tell us which …………………………. 7. How long did your hosting project last? …………… months 8. Did you remain in your hosting country after the end of your project? Yesc …… weeks/months Noc 9. What was the main theme of your hosting project? (tick only the2 most relevant themes) Art and Culture c Environmental work c Protection of historical monuments c Rural Development c Urban Development c Anti-racism/xenophobia c Equal opportunities c Health promotion c Youth information c Media/Communications c European issues c Sports/Leisure time c Support to Disabled c Support to Migrants c Support to Homeless c Support to youth/children c Support to Elderly c Support to Unemployed c Other c please tell us which ……………………………………………………………
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C) A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RETURN TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY : 1. Did you participate in any follow-up/evaluation activity after your return to your home country? Yes c No c 2. If yes, who organised this activity? Your sending organisation c Your National Structure c Other c please tell us which …………………………………….. 3. What type of activity did you participate in after your return? (tick all the appropriate boxes) a big seminar with other volunteers c a small workshop with other volunteers c a training session with other volunteers c an individual interview with a youth worker c other c please tell us which ………………………………… 4. What was the main focus of this follow -up/evaluation activity? (tick only the 2 most relevant boxes)
evaluation of the EVS experience c helping with your re- integration back home c giving you career guidance c informing you about educational opportunities c other c please tell us what ……………………………………... 5. How long did this activity take? half a day c 1 full day c 2-3 days c more than 3 days c 6. How long after your arrival to your home country was this activity organised? Less than 1 month after c 1-3 months after c 3-5 months after c Other c please tell us how long after ……………… months
7. What would be your overall evaluation of this activity? (1 very poor - 5 very good)
L 1 2 3 4 5 ☺
8. After your return home did you get involved in any type of local community/voluntary activity? Yes c please tell us what type of activity ……..……………………………………………… No c 9. If your answer to question 8 was YES, is this activity in any way related to what you did during your EVS? Yes c No c 10. If your answer to question 8 was NO, are you planning to become involved in a local community/voluntary activity? Yes c No c Maybe c 11. How was your re-integration back home? Very easy c easy c difficult c very difficult c
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Characteristics - - - = + ++AssertiveCommunicativeEuropeanOutgoingProgressiveHard-workingSpontaneousTalkativeConservativeSocially awareCaringOpen to peopleShyTolerantInvolvedIndifferentMatureIndependentOrganisedOptimisticMoney orientedSociableLonelyOther:
D) DESCRIBING YOURSELF AFTER YOUR EVS EXPERIENCE: 1. Read the following list of words carefully and tick all those characteristics that apply to you after having returned to your home country (- - much less; - less; = the same; + more; + + much more, than before of your EVS experience)
E) DEVELOPING YOUR PERSO NAL SKILLS 1. Read the following list of skills carefully and tick all those that apply to you after having returned to your home country (- - much less; - less; = the same; + more; + + much more, than before of your EVS experience)
Skills -- - = + ++I integrate in groups and teamsI take personal responsibility for organising activitiesI plan my timeI solve practical problems/find solutionsI can help solving conflictsI can communicate a personal idea/messageI can take a leading roleOther (please tell us which):
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F) YOUR DECISIONS /PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE AFTER RETURNING TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY: 1. Education 1.1 Before going on EVS you…. had finished school c had finished College/University c were still at school c were still at College/University c had left school unfinished c had left College/University unfinished c 1.2 What you have done/plan to do after your return: (tick only the 2 most relevant boxes)
After getting back to my home country… XI decided to go back to school to complete my unfinished educationI decided to finish my previous studies as planned (school, college, university, trainingcourse, etc.)I decided not to finish my studies (school, college, university, training course, etc.)I decided to change/start to a new area of studies in accordance with what I had doneduring EVSI decided to change/start to a new area of studies unrelated with my EVS experienceI decided to do vocational training/more practical studiesI decided not to have anything to do with traditional educationI decided not to engage myself in any type of education (traditional or not)I decided to study the language of my hosting country in depthOther (please tell us what):
2. Working Life 2.1 Before going on EVS you… were employed c were looking for your first job c were unemployed c were doing an apprenticeship/training/stage c 2.2 What you have done/ plan to do after your return: (tick only the 2 most relevant boxes):
After getting back to my home country… XI went back to my previous job. Please tell us what:……………………………………………………………………….I found a job related to the activities that I had developed while on EVS. Please tell uswhat: ……………………………………………………………………………………I found a job but unrelated to the activities that I have developed while on EVS. Pleasetell us what: .…………………………………………………………………………….I have been having lots of small and unrelated jobs since thenI decided to start looking for different jobs but have not found anything yetI decided to start looking for different jobs but only when related to my EVS experienceI decided to look for a job outside my home country. Please tell us what and where:…….…………………………………………………………………I have been turned down by all the jobs I applied to for lack of qualifications/experienceI decided to create my own business/enterprise. Please tell us what:…………….…………………………………………………………I decided that I was not interested in looking for a jobOther (please tell us what):
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G) EXPECTATIONS AND RESULTS OF YOUR EVS EXPERIENCE (tick all the relevant boxes, for those expectations that do not apply to you tick not expected)
1. Your Expectations before going on EVS Fulfilled PartlyFulfilled
NotFulfilled
NotExpected
I expected to get a lot of preparation before mydepartureI expected to be given a lot of choice of differentprojectsI expected to be given a lot of training (technical andlinguistic) upon my arrival to the hosting countryI expected to have a lot of moral support during my stayI expected to be given a good amount of pocket moneyper monthI expected to learn a new languageI expected to find more about myself and what I want todo in lifeI expected to make lots of good friendsI expected to learn important skills for my future jobI expected to become more independentI expected to get more knowledge about other culturesand ways of lifeI expected to leave my past behind and become a newpersonI expected to find a boyfriend/girlfriendI expected to learn more about the worldI expected to become stronger to overcome life’sdifficultiesOther Expectations (please tell us which)
2. What would be your overall evaluation of your EVS experience? (1 very poor - 5 very good)
L 1 2 3 4 5 ☺
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H) ADDITIONAL COMMENTS : 1. Is there anything else you would like to let us know about your experience? If so please write your comments below and do not hesitate to add extra pages if needed.
PLEASE SEND US YOUR ANSWERS TO: OR FAX US TO: ++32-2-549 55 99 SOS for EVS c/o Luis Amorim Rue des Drapiers 35 B-1000 Brussels Belgium
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Assertive You are confident about yourself and you are capable of letting people know how you think and feel. You are capable of making your own point and getting your ideas through. Communicative You are interested in interacting with other people and sharing your thoughts and feelings with them. You talk easily to other people and you usually initiate a conversation or join in if asked. European You feel more than just a citizen of your country of origin, and you identify with a wider cultural and geographical reality: Europe. You relate to the common things that you share with other people coming from different countries in Europe. Outgoing You are open and friendly. You like being with other people and enjoying life. Progressive You are interested in new ideas and opportunities. You believe that innovation can help societies to move forward. Hard-working You are active and you put a lot of effort into what you do. You care about your work and you are persistent in achieving your aims. Spontaneous You react to people and events in a natural way. You do not hide your emotions and your impulses. Talkative You like talking to other people and you do it often. You enjoy communicating and sharing your thoughts and feelings. Conservative You prefer traditional ideas and ways of doing things. You usually tend to be cautions when approaching new things. Socially aware You are informed and interested in social issues. You understand and pay attention to the social issues around you. Caring You show interest for other people’s ideas and emotions. You are concerned with other people’s feelings and personal problems. Open to people You like to meet with people you already know and with new people. You let people come into your life. Shy You have difficulties to get in contact with other people. You usually prefer to be alone and not to come forward when in a group. Tolerant You accept behaviours and beliefs different from yours. You value the fact that people can think and behave in different ways. Involved You engage yourself in improving things around you. You like to participate in different types of activities and projects. Indifferent You are not concerned about other people and things around you. You do not care for what happens to other people and for things that do not relate to you directly. Mature You make careful and balanced judgements about life and other people in general. You are responsible and capable of making the right decisions and taking the appropriate actions. Independent You do not need other people’s opinions and ideas to tell you what to do. You can take your own initiatives and live life according to your ideas and convictions. Organised You like to do things following a specific order. You think that a set of rules is important to achieve a certain objective. Optimistic You believe that the world can become a better place. You usually expect the best possible outcome from people’s actions or events. Money oriented You wish to accumulate money. You think that money is one of the most important things in life. Sociable You enjoy the company of others very much. You like social relations, and you think that they are very important. Lonely You feel isolated from other people. You feel cut off from contacts with other people.
List of Meanings