European Senior Organisation Senior volunteering within a European context

European Senior Organisation Steven Vanden Broucke Madrid, 28th of September 2011

ESO Founded in Vienna 2001

ESO: Founding fathers and 1st members Austria Germany Belgium Finland Luxembourg Netherlands Sweden Malta Romania Slovania Czech Republic Croatia Norway Hungary

ESO: lead by Former president: Karl Blecha Former Secretary General: Hilde Hawlicek Both member of Pensionisten Verband Österreichs (PVÖ)

ESO 2011 till… Head office transfered: S-Plus, Belgium President: Mark Elchardus Secretary General: Jan Moens

Current members Belgium Austria Czech Republic Croatia Finland Germany Hungary Malta Netherlands Poland Slovakia

ESO: Goals To continue and disseminate the fundamental ideas of the Party of European Socialists (PES). To aid in achieving the goals and programme of the PES within the scope of its operation. To promote and safeguard the social, cultural and economic interests of senior citizens in Europe.

ESO: Goals To improve the social position of senior citizens in Europe. To this end, the ESO adopts a clear position regarding themes on ageing, intergenerational solidarity, medical care, consumer protection, social security and economic protection (pensions and annual allowances), and communicates this position, in whatever form it deems suitable. To strengthen senior citizens' participation and active involvement in society. To represent and defend the interests of senior citizens in European governing bodies, in particular the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council.

ESO: prerequisites to guarantee a ‘new social Europe’, 12 demands A social-democratic Europe - An active Europe in peace, freedom and justice for all people. - An European stability-pact, a all-embracing financial market regulation and central supervision of the financial market. An Inclusive Europe - Active participation of older people by co-determination and recognition of their achievements in society. - To overcome age discrimination and realisation of solidarity and justice between generations. - Promotion of work and employment for older persons, strengthening of employment rights and a human migration policy. - Extensive fight against poverty and social exclusion.

12 demands A stable Social Security - Fundamental right of an old age in material security, secured purchasing power of the pensions through new forms of financing, a.o.through contribution assessment based on value added. - No ‘two-class-medicine’-medical care independent of age and status. - High quality affordable long term care, unform standards for a human care. Promoting Life Long Learning - Better access to knowledge, education, further training, culture and information.

12 demands A consumerfriendly Europe - Strenghtening of consumer protection and food safety. Seniorfriendly mobility and accomodation - Securing mobility and new dwelling forms for senior citizens

Senior volunteering in EU: defenition All forms of voluntary activity, whether formal or informal. Volunteers act under their own free will, according to their own choices and motivations. Volunteers don’t seek financial gain. Volunteering = journey of solidarity A way for individuals and associations to identify and address human, social or environmental needs and concerns. Often carried out in support of a non-profit organisation or community-based initiative.

Senior volunteering in EU: how common is volunteering? 2010 Eurobarometer: 1 in 10 adults involved in volunteering (= to 100 millions Europeans) However difference in participation ratio: - > 50 % of adults volunteer in Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark - < 20% of adults volunteer in Greece, Potugal, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Lithuania Most active: adults aged between 30 and 50 years. Numbers of younger and older volunteers rising.

Senior volunteering in EU: challenges for volunteering Johns Hopkins University study of 8 industrialised countries and the experience of EY2011 Identified 7 potential obstacles to volunteering

Senior volunteering in EU: potential obstacles Lack of clear legal framework: 1 in 5 Member States have no clear legal framework and rules for volunteers and volunteering. Lack of national strategies for promoting voluntary activities: creating strategies to cover following aspects: training, holiday benefits, social security, entitlement to unemployment benefits for cross-border volunteering activities, accomodation and reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses. Financial constrains : volunteering is not cost free. Organisations based on voluntary activitiy often face a lack of sustainable funding, and competition for available funds is fierce.

Senior volunteering in EU: potential obstacles Mismatch between supply and demand: increasing trend to professionalise the volunteering sector causes a certain mismatch between the needs of volunteering organisations and the aspirations of new volunteers. Lack of recognition: skills gained through volunteering are not always sufficiently recognised.

Senior volunteering in EU: potential obstacles Tax obstacles: Member States apply different tax treatments to volunteers’ income/allowances and to the reimbursement of the expenses sustained during their service. Insufficient data: Better comparable data on volunteering in the Member States can help identify best practices and improve policy making.

Senior volunteering in EU: added value Volunteering contributes to the Europe 2020 growth strategy, by helping people learn new skills and adapt to changes in the labour market. Voluntary sector contributes up to 5% of GDP (Johns Hopkins University) E.g. Belgium 2001, non-profit organisations covered a production activity of almost 12 billion Euro.

Senior volunteering in EU: social and cultural dimension Volunteering is a creator of human and social capital. Helps shape European society. Linked to European Union policy areas: lifelong learning, rural developement and sport. Contributes to active citizenship Fortifies social cohesion Enables solidarity between people

Senior volunteering in EU: roles of volunteering (Belgian report of Volunteering across Europe) Identifying role: identifying weak points in society – discovering new needs. Volunteering sector becomes involved in issues which have not been addressed by policymakers and governments. Additional role: stresses the added value of volunteering. Makes sure that there always be a ‘human approach’ to problems and solutions. Personal development role: offer learning processes for people involved. Volunteering sector can contribute to educational (both in/formal) processes Social role: can be carried out byanyone, regardless of background, level of education, etc. Offers a broad spectrum of activities. Democratic role: gives people access to society. Seen as a major source of social capital for society: ensure social cohesion, networks and cooperation between people; organisations contribute as they are seen as facilitators of democracy.

Senior volunteering in EU: values of volunteering For organisations: volunteers perform activites with a ‘human face’. Enable organisations to extend their services. For volunteers: feeling of being wanted, being someone, being useful to others. Developing new skills, getting into contact with others, etc. For the beneficiaries: contacts based on commitment, participation and common values. For society: binding factor in society, pathway to integration. Volunteering translates the fundamental values of justice, solidarity, inclusion and citizenship. For the profit sector: possibility to discover, extend and develop skills, attitudes and competences which are needed in the workplace.

Thank you