France Volontaires is the French platform for international volunteering, exchange and solidarity.

 

An operator of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, recognized as one of the players in France's public development aid, France Volontaires is the result of a shared construction that brings together the State, local authorities and associations around a mission of general interest: the development and promotion of international exchange and solidarity volunteering (VIES).

 

The platform is based on a presence in France and on a network of Volunteer Spaces in Africa, Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania.

 

Volunteering

 

France Volontaires and its members share a vision of volunteering, defined by the Charter of International Volunteering for Exchange and Solidarity (VIES), and based on strong principles:

 

• International solidarity commitment is a response to the challenges of our society and the world

• It is part of the perspective of volunteering open to all, locally and internationally, throughout life. It is based on human relations, intercultural exchanges, partnership and the principle of reciprocity.

• It is part of a path that is both civic and professional in acquiring new knowledge, skills and know-how.

 

The diversity of international exchange and solidarity volunteering

 

The international volunteering experience translates into a great diversity of realities, which allows everyone to be a volunteer according to their profile:

 

• Initiation and exchange volunteering concerns young people and people who are getting involved in international solidarity for the first time for a short period, particularly through solidarity projects

• Exchange and skills volunteering brings together people in employment or retirement who mobilize for expert missions over relatively short periods, such as, for example, solidarity leave, senior volunteering

• Volunteering for cooperation and development support, and in particular international solidarity volunteering (VSI), allows you to commit for a long period to a mission in the field of development cooperation. In addition, civic service, in its international dimension, also allows young people aged 16 to 25, and up to 30 years old with disabilities, to engage in international volunteering projects.