I want to become a
volunteer
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERING
For those who wish to gain work experience abroad
Profile:
18 to 28 years old and be of French nationality or a national of a country of the European Economic Area.
Duration:
From 6 to 24 months
Remuneration:
760,57€/month + bonus according to certain missions or certain countries
FRANCE VOLUNTEERS
The different programs on offer :
International civic service:
From 6 to 12 months, from 16 to 25 years old
Jeunesse Solidarité Internationale and Ville Vie Vacances / Solidarité Internationale programs:
2 to 3 weeks, 15 to 25 years old
International work camps :
2 to 4 weeks, 16 years and over
Franco-German Youth Office
French-German voluntary service:
The French-German voluntary service (FGVS) is a social and personal commitment that enables you to accomplish tasks of general interest within an association, a school or higher education establishment, or a local authority.
The FGVS follows a very specific framework:
• You have dual status and are recognized as a volunteer by the Agence du service civique on the French side and the IJFD on the German side.
• Volunteering begins in September and lasts between 10 and 12 months.
• The maximum workload is 35 hours a week
• You are entitled to 2 days vacation per month
• You receive an allowance from L'Agence du Service Civique (558.17 euros/month on 16/01/2024) as well as an additional monthly allowance provided by your host organization (114.85 euros min. on 16/01/2024);
• You benefit from 25 days of training, divided into 4 intercultural and pedagogical support seminars. Transportation costs are covered.
The benefits of FGV:
• Spend between 10 and 12 months in Germany
• Have the opportunity to improve their language and intercultural skills
• Acquire professional skills
• Discover a new culture
• Commit to society
To be able to do a Franco-German Volunteer, you must:
• Be between 18 and 25 years old (some associations accept people under 18)
• Live in France permanently
• Have a level of German equivalent to A2/B1.
International volunteering in business or administration
The VIE is a professional assignment carried out abroad.
The missions entrusted concern the following fields in particular:
• Culture
• Environment
• Humanitarian
You can carry out a VIE with one of the following companies or organizations:
• French company abroad
• Foreign company linked to a French company by a partnership agreement
• A foreign organization involved in cooperation with France. In this case, the VIE must be an economic cooperation assignment.
You can volunteer if you meet the following 5 conditions:
• Be between 18 and 28 years old on the date of registration. Departure for a mission is no later than the day of the 29th anniversary. Beyond that, no waiver is granted.
• Be French or a national of a country of the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Be in good standing with national service obligations (defence and citizenship day)
• Enjoy your civil rights (right to vote and no criminal record)
• Meet the physical fitness requirements for persons carrying out similar activities in the host organization
The VIE lasts between 6 and 24 months, you receive a fixed monthly allowance of € 760.57.
This allowance is exempt from income tax. You also receive a monthly supplementary allowance, the amount of which depends on the country of the mission.
The European Solidarity Corps
The European Solidarity Corps brings together young people motivated to build a more inclusive society, by helping the most vulnerable and tackling societal challenges. It offers young volunteers a positive and enriching experience, where they can help, learn and grow.
Support and host organizations :
2 organizations are involved if you choose individual volunteering:
• the support organization in your home country, which will help you prepare for your experience abroad
• the host organization, which will receive and help you in your destination country.
You can search for a support organization in the accredited/quality-labeled database.
Please note: You do not need a support organization if you are volunteering as part of a team.
Who can participate?
European Solidarity Corps volunteering activities are open to people between the ages of 18 and 30 living in countries participating in the program and in partner countries.
What is covered?
• You are covered by complementary insurance.
• You have access to a range of support services such as language support and training.
• Your basic expenses are covered (round-trip travel, accommodation and food).
• You also receive a small allowance for personal expenses (from 3 to 6 euros per day, depending on the country).
• Expenses related to any special needs (e.g. disability) may also be covered.
Individual volunteering :
• can last from 2 to 12 months
• full-time (between 30 and 38 hours a week)
• enables participation in the day-to-day work of an organization benefiting the local community
• generally “cross-border”, i.e. it takes place in a country other than the one in which you live (but it can also take place in your own country, in which case we speak of “national” projects)
• in some cases, the period can be shorter (from 2 weeks to 2 months), for example for disadvantaged or disabled participants
Team volunteering :
If you can't make a long-term commitment, but would still like to help out, consider team volunteering:
• can last between 2 weeks and 2 months
• is full-time (between 30 and 38 hours a week)
• you'll be working with people from at least 2 different countries
• the group will comprise between 10 and 40 volunteers, including disadvantaged people
• usually takes place abroad, but can also take place in your home country
France Volunteers
The Youth for International Solidarity (YIS) and City Life Vacations / International Solidarity (VVV/SI) programs:
Objectives:
• Enable young people from France and partner countries to meet, exchange ideas and work together.
• Promote collective, solidarity-based and sustainable activities.
• Encourage action by youth organizations in favor of peace, social cohesion, youth involvement in local life and the democratization of societies.
• Young people aged 18 to 25 (up to the day before their 26th birthday), extended to 30 for disabled young people;
• Without condition of diploma, professional experience or previous training;
• French nationals or foreigners residing in France (check the list of residence permits on the Agence du service civique website);
• Europeans or nationals of countries welcoming French volunteers, to carry out their mission in France, on a reciprocal basis.
Which projects?
Collective exchange and solidarity projects run by young people and supported by a French association, in partnership with a foreign association.
Who are they for?
A group of 4 to 16 young people aged 15 to 25 hosted by a group of young people from the partner country.
Who?
Young French people must be accompanied by an association. They are accompanied by a sponsor association approved by Fonjep.
International civic service:
This is a mission of general interest with an association, local authority or public institution.
How long does the commitment last?
From a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 12 months, all or part of which (minimum 3 months) can be spent abroad.
How long does it last?
The project should last around 15 days, with a minimum of 10 days devoted to international solidarity work.
Where can I go?
In France or in a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA).
International construction sites :
This is a short-to-medium-term (2 to 4 weeks), voluntary, group-based commitment to solidarity for people aged 16 and over. It can take place in France or anywhere in the world, on a wide variety of themes. A work camp is not just about construction or restoration, it can also be cultural, artistic or educational.
Volunteer workcamps play a fundamental role in the popular education movement. They are part of a collective approach and the realization of a concrete work & useful to the community, through the autonomous learning of the management of a life in group. Workcamps are also a forum for intercultural exchange, involving people from different social, cultural and geographical backgrounds.
