At least 16 OECD members including Canada, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the European Union have put in place civic service or youth volunteering programmes. While there is significant variation in their features, these programmes aim to promote young people’s civic engagement and active citizenship. The Canada Service Corps in Canada, the Civic Service in France, the Universal Civil Service in Italy, Me Volunteer in Luxembourg and the European Solidary Corps provide opportunities for young people to become active citizens and contribute to their communities, while fostering social diversity, inclusion and solidarity. They allow young people to practice leadership, develop new skills and grow networks.
Civic service and youth volunteering programmes – Canada, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the European Union
Abstract
The duration and time commitment of volunteer and civic service placements vary widely, sometimes offering full-time or part-time alternatives. Placements focus on a variety of themes including reconciliation, preserving the environment, promoting civic and democratic engagement, strengthening youth resilience and inclusivity. In addition to placements with civil society organisations, Canada offers micro-grants up to CAD 5 000 for young people to lead their own community projects, proposing concrete solutions to issues of concern in their community. The European Solidarity Corps similarly offers support to local youth-led solidarity projects, in addition to individual or team-based volunteering placements. By removing professional and academic requirements for participating in the programme, the French Civic Service takes a non-discriminatory approach to engaging young people to promote social diversity. In France, Italy and Luxembourg, each young participant is accompanied by a tutor and receives training on civic engagement and democratic citizenship, as well as personal and professional skills. In the Italian, Luxembourgish and European programmes, young people are also provided with the opportunity to pursue placements abroad.
In 2021-23, the European Solidarity Corps provided nearly 40 000 volunteering opportunities for young people, with 35% of participants being people with fewer opportunities and 65% women. In Italy, approximately 120 000 young people participated in the Universal Civil Service between 2019 and 2021, while Canada delivered over 40 000 service opportunities to youth across Canada since the programme’s inception in 2018. During the 2021/22 school year, 478 new full-time volunteers committed themselves to the Luxembourgish programme. In 2022, 144 000 young participants were provided placements in France. Participants of civic service and volunteering programmes gain skills, knowledge and self-confidence to take part in other service opportunities, youth-led initiatives and active citizenship. According to the evaluation conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada, the programme facilitates the participation of diverse youth in inclusive and accessible youth-led projects with a social or environmental impact. The programme has also been effective in engaging Indigenous and under-served young people in its activities. The 2021 French Civic Service Agency’s evaluation highlights that the programme contributes to forging diversity, with 74% of the volunteers who stated having encountered individuals from different social backgrounds during their placement. According to the report, the Civic Service is a way to gain work experience (33% of respondents), contribute to the well-being of the society (24%) and an opportunity to become socially involved (20%). An evaluation conducted by French Centre for Studies and Research on Qualifications reveals that one year after completion, 49% of participants had jobs, 20% were job-seeking and 20% pursued further education. The positive impacts were more marked among young people from vulnerable backgrounds.
Further reading
Camera dei Deputati (2017), Relazione Sull’organizzazione, Sulla Gestione E Sullo Svolgimento Del Servizio Civile Universale; Dipartimento per le Politiche Giovanilie il Servizio Civile Universale (n.d), Cos’è il Servizio Civile; Dipartimento per le Politiche Giovanili e il Servizio Civile Universale (n.d.), Ufficio per il Servizio civile universale; European Commission (n.d.[401]), European Solidarity Corps Performance; European Youth Portal (n.d.), European Solidarity Corps; Government of Canada (2024), About the Canada Service Corps; INJEP (2021), Évaluation du service civique Résultats de l’enquête sur les parcours et les missions des volontaires; Le Gouvernement du Grand-Duché du Luxembourg (2024), Moi, Volontaire; Prime Minister of Canada (2018), Prime Minister launches Canada Service Corps; Ministère de la Culture (n.d.), Civic Service; Service Civique (2024), Service Civique.
This practice also supports the implementation of provision II.4 of the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People.
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