Cuardaigh

After carrying out a comparative analysis of the main laws on non-profit organizations in force in some selected European countries, the Study discusses a potential legislative initiative of the European Union on the subject, presenting the different options available and concluding that the European Union should introduce a European status not limited to non-profit organizations but aimed, more generally, at including related organizations such as those of the third sector and the social economy ...

The European Solidarity Corps is included under Heading 5, 'Promoting our European way of life', of the European Commission's priorities for the current mandate. Initially, the programme suffered from unsuccessful branding and communication as it competed with other long-standing programmes that carried out similar activities. With the current proposed regulation, the programme will become a single one-stop shop for all solidarity and humanitarian volunteering opportunities for young people. The ...

The Commission launched the European Solidarity Corps in a December 2016 communication, and the present proposal for a regulation would set its legal basis, define the budgetary and implementation arrangements, specify objectives and define key terms. The Corps would have a volunteering strand on the one hand and a smaller occupational strand (traineeships and jobs) on the other. All placements focus on solidarity actions and will last between 2 to 12 months. The proposal set a target of 100 000 ...

This study provides an assessment of the legislative proposal for the establishment of the European Solidarity Corps. It focuses on the added value of the ESC; challenges linking EU programmes; and the complementarity to paid employment. It concludes that in principle the initiative is welcome; however, many issues in the proposal (and supporting documentation) are not sufficiently made clear. The most important concerns are: 1) level of engagement of stakeholders in the ESC framework; 2) feasibility ...

Volunteering is a core expression of civic participation. Over the last 20 years, some 100 000 young people have taken part in international volunteering through the European Voluntary Service, thus contributing to sectors as varied and diverse as education, youth, culture, sport, environment, health, social care, consumer protection, humanitarian aid, development policy, research, equal opportunities and external relations.

The study examines the legal, administrative and other barriers to cross-border volunteering which prevent it from achieving its full potential. Those barriers include uncertainty and the risk of forfeiting social security benefits, the unclear framework for obtaining residence permits in some host countries, the lack of clear procedures for the recognition of the skills and competences gained through volunteering, the lack of positive action and information on volunteering opportunities, and insufficient ...

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently described civil society organisations as 'indispensable partners of the state' in providing social services and building a modern economy. However, Russian NGOs lack public support; in addition, their independence is being steadily undermined by repressive new laws and growing state control.

Social impact bonds are a results-based form of social impact investment. Private investors provide capital to launch or expand innovative social services that provide a public good. The European Parliament has called for greater use of innovative financing for social benefit and for more specific proposals from the European Commission.

The European Commission's proposal for the setting up of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC) is aimed at encouraging young Europeans to contribute to EU humanitarian aid operations and make them more visible. With pilot volunteers already on the ground, adoption of the proposed regulation will ensure the initiative maximises its contribution to EU aid objectives.

This note gives an overview of the current situation faced by women in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Europe and the prerequisites for improved gender mainstreaming. It presents and discusses the available data on female employment in the sector, the problems faced by women’s fisheries organisations and their future prospects. The note also proposes that the impact of the EFF on the promotion of gender equality should be evaluated, and outlines the expectations vested in the EMFF.