How to best prepare to host an IVY volunteer:

• Identify the person within the organisation who will mentor the volunteer during their stay;
• Identify which activities of your project/programme are relevant to the Interreg Volunteer Youth initiative and involve the volunteers in these, making sure they understands the value of solidarity underpinning them;
• Give a clear description of the tasks that the volunteer will carry out. Make sure that the volunteer receives detailed information about the assignments they are asked to carry out, and that they fully understands them. The content of the task description should, as far as possible, be developed and agreed upon together by the host organisation and the volunteer and, if needed, should be updated during the volunteering activity;
• Develop and implement quality standards that ensure preparation and briefing, offer personal guidance, assistance and monitoring throughout the entire process, clear evaluation mechanisms and full support in the realisation of the required follow-up activities;
• (Pre-) select and recruit participants in compliance with the principles of equal treatment, equal opportunities and non-discrimination;
• Select volunteers according to their mission and vision, and the specific skills and profile of volunteers if certain volunteering activities require them;
• Seek to empower participants by valuing their skills and experience while engaging them in their activities, fostering their personal, socio-educational and professional development;
• Ensure that the environment and conditions in which the activities are performed are safe and decent;
• Provide adequate training or support to help participants fulfil their tasks;
• Offer support and feedback throughout the volunteering activity, including preparation of the activity, personal guidance and assistance during the implementation of the activity, proper evaluation and debriefing following the activity, and full support in the realisation of the required follow-up activities;
• Provide the possibility to participate in the decision-making process regarding the volunteering activity at the most appropriate level;
• Process personal data of participants in full compliance with European and national legislation on data protection;
• Ensure that the support to the organisation’s activities by the volunteer is adequately made visible and recognised;
• Take into account the linguistic and cultural background of the volunteer and put in place measures that facilitate his/her integration into the local community;
• Provide the selected volunteer with information on how to find accommodation and information to comply with administrative issues in the host country.

The start date depends on the collaboration of all actors involved. Usually, it takes about 1 to 2 months for the volunteer to start, once the AEBR team receives the application documents.

AEBR commits to replying and giving feedback within 3 days after having received the application documents, and to send candidate profiles within two weeks after approval of the application documents. About three weeks are needed to finalise the match once the volunteer has been identified by AEBR to prepare the agreement, finalise the insurance policy, prepare the payment for the volunteer and organise an introductory call with the volunteer.

Programmes can host a maximum of two volunteers per year – either simultaneously or one after the other, depending on the needs of the host organisation. In 2024, all programmes involved in the post-2027 consultation on the future of Interreg are eligible to host an extra volunteer to support the consultation process, for a total of three volunteers per year.

Project beneficiaries can host one volunteer every year. A potential extension of the project does not count: volunteers cannot be hosted during the months of the extension unless an exception has been agreed upon.

Yes, if the organisation/small project has the sufficient capacity to host a volunteer.

No, this is not possible: IVY is focused on volunteering, and the personal experience of the environment of the host organisation as well as the local dimension of programmes and projects are essential. Meeting with partners and beneficiaries is a relevant aspect of the initiative, which we want volunteers to experience.

Volunteering is not only about fulfilling tasks, which can be achieved remotely, but rather the personal experience that the volunteer gains in collaborating with the host organisation and partners is essential to being deployed as an IVY volunteer in order to grasp the beneficial impact of Interreg in the local community. For these reasons, we do not accept requests to host volunteers remotely.

Exceptions are made if restrictions to travel and gatherings apply.