The UK Government has given a cautious welcome to an EU-funded project which aims to get young people to volunteer in Europe's rural environment.
Launched by the Commission in December 2016, the European Solidarity Corps aims to encourage young people to contribute to society by volunteering in a wide range of projects of general interest such as education, health, provision of food and environmental protection.
Several activities are related to rural development and environment, where actions could include anything from the protection of vulnerable landscapes to helping prevent natural disasters by cleaning woodland to prevent forest fires.
The Commission is supporting Solidarity Corps activity in this area with €3.3 million through its environment and climate change and rural development funding programmes
A cautious tone
However, the UK Government has been cautious in its tone.
The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, has extended a cautious welcome to the Commission’s outline of the European Solidarity Corps.
He explained that the Government “believes that encouraging young people to volunteer and get involved in all forms of social action develops vital skills for life and work, and also has a positive impact on local communities”.
However, he continues: “The UK Government is not actively promoting or endorsing the Solidarity Corps.
“The Government will continue to monitor how the scheme develops, particularly the criteria for becoming a host organisation and how well aligned it is with other (local, national and international) volunteering programmes.”
The Minister adds that it is unclear how the ESC will be distinguished from the European Voluntary Service programme, or how it will complement UK youth volunteering programmes such as the National Citizen Service.
He also notes that the occupational strand as described by the Commission is not compatible with the legal definition of an Approved English Apprenticeship.
