More force to volunteer work

The European Commission has made the first step: now it’s up to the other EU institutions and EU27 to follow the same direction so as to enhance volunteer work, supporting it at national level and promoting it at Community level. This is a theme that is being addressed by the Executive, which has added other areas of interest go the customary economic and financial concerns within EU environments. Specific emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the single market, on the obstacles and on the ways to remove them.Promoting and supporting. With a communication presented by Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, in charge of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, the Commission announced plans “to further improve the recognition and promotion of volunteering in the EU”, including the creation of European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps and the development of a ‘European Skills Passport.’ This is the first time the European Commission has adopted a policy document dedicated exclusively to volunteering. It’s the first time that the EU Commission releases a programmatic document on volunteering, presented within the framework of the European Year of Volunteering 2011, whose planned initiatives encompass social solidarity, sport and the environment. “There are 100 million volunteers in the EU today, who are helping to make Europe and the world a better place. The European Year of Volunteering 2011 highlights their achievements, encourages others to join in, and helps volunteers and volunteering organisations do even better”. A clear legal framework. Volunteer activities, according to the Commissioner, directly contribute to the key objectives of EU policies such as “social inclusion, employment, education, skills development and promotion of citizenship”. However, “there is no clear legal framework for volunteering activities and skills volunteers gain are often not sufficiently recognised”. The Commission is committed to overcoming these obstacles to volunteering, particularly across borders. The Commission has proposed to create a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps by 2012. Preparations are already under way for a framework for assistance from European volunteers in the humanitarian aid operations of the European Union. In order to increase the recognition of skills gained through volunteering activities the Commission is developing a European Skills Passport that will ensure recognition of professional qualifications across borders”. The Commission outlines ways for the EU and its Member States to start fully exploiting the great potential offered by volunteering activities. Single Market Forum in Krakow. Getting qualifications recognized in another Member State, retiring abroad and complex taxation issues, tax barriers, getting patent protection, access to finance for enterprises, consumer protection for online purchases are some of the weaknesses of the single market, according to a survey presented by the EU Commission on September 26 along with figures collected by Eurobarometer on the Single Market in the Eyes of the People. The European Commission has also compiled “the 20 most frequently encountered problems faced by EU citizens and businesses when travelling, moving or working abroad”. The legal, operative and informative barriers, causing the slowdown of the Single Market – a pillar of European integration – will be addressed in a Forum scheduled to take place in Krakow next October 2-4, promoted by the Polish EU presidency, by the EP and Commission. ” Parlamento e dalla Commissione. “The Forum will bring together citizens, stakeholders and public authorities to examine the state of the Single Market”. Removing obstacles. As regards the single market, the Eurobarometer survey shows that European citizens are “generally satisfied” with the possibilities that the Single Market offers in terms of a bigger choice of products (74%), more jobs (52%) and fair competition (47%)”.On the other hand, “the Single Market is perceived as only benefiting big companies (62%), worsening working conditions (51%) and not benefiting poor and disadvantaged people (53%)”. 28% of those interviewed are considering working abroad in the future. Findings also show that many Europeans are not aware of the Single Market and its benefits (35%). Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Michel Barnier said: “European citizens and businesses have brought important issues to our attention. They have told us where the Single Market is not working properly. At the Forum” in Krakow “we will examine these obstacles in depth and hopefully agree on the best ways to remove them”.