The Symposium “Recognising Youth Volunteering: From Experience to Impact”

This year marks an important milestone: European volunteering is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, EU-funded youth volunteering has created a strong and positive impact. While much has grown and improved, there is still untapped potential, especially in how we recognise and value volunteering. The symposium will bring together practitioners, policy actors, and experts to explore how youth volunteering in Europe can be better recognised and how learning gained through volunteering can be validated.

During the conference two thematic strands will be tackled:

The first focuses on recognition of youth volunteering: what recognition looks like across countries, what enables or limits it, how stronger recognition can increase inclusivity, visibility, and the contribution of volunteering to young people’s development, community wellbeing, and social cohesion.
The second strand addresses validation of learning outcomes: how competencies gained through volunteering can be documented, assessed, and recognised, and how this strengthens quality, impact, and employability. Discussions will examine tools and systems such as Youthpass, micro-credentials, digital wallets, and links to the European Qualifications Framework.

Format of the symposium:
• 3rd of Nov: arrival | start of event with common dinner
• 4th of Nov: full day setting the scene in the morning + recognition | afternoon:
recognition / late afternoon/evening: make the connection between recognition
and validation
• 5th of Nov: 9 - 13.00: validation of learning | departure

Objectives

Aim and objectives of the event:
The aim of the Symposium is to identify promising pathways to strengthen recognition,
improve validation practices, and ensure that every young person’s contribution and
learning experience is valued.

Objectives
• Build a shared understanding of recognition and validation
• Identify gaps, barriers, and enablers
• Develop actionable recommendations

Additional objectives
• Strengthen inclusivity and quality of volunteering
• Discuss recognition and validation in the light of societal challenges

Composition of the team

Team consists of:

National Agency Ireland (Host), SALTO European Solidarity Corps RC (Coordination), National Agency Finland, National Agency Germany, SALTO Training & Cooperation, Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), Volunteer Centre Ireland plus 2 facilitators & 1 rapporteur. 

Unless specified otherwise, the hosting NA or SALTO of this offer will organise the accommodation and covers the costs for accommodation and food.

Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries, Partner Countries Neighbouring the EU

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This project is financed by the participating National Agencies (NAs) of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme. The participation fee varies from country to country. Please contact your National Agency or SALTO Resource Centre (SALTO) to learn more about the participation fee for participants from your country.

Please contact your NA or SALTO in order to know whether they would support your travel costs. If yes, after being selected, get in touch with your NA or SALTO again to learn more about the overall procedure to arrange the booking of your travel tickets and the reimbursement of your travel expenses.