Quality Challenges in EVS Projects Study Results

In January 2014 the Young Initiative Association Romania conducted a study regarding the views upon the quality of European Voluntary Service (EVS) projects of the organizations that are promoting such activities. Accredited organizations from the European Commission`s EVS Database were contacted and invited to fill the online survey.

The highlights of the study results were:

• 40% of the respondents have organized more than 7 EVS projects, while 30% organized only 1 project. These are the highest occurrences, indicating strong extremes and a temperate middle ground;
• 76% of the EVS projects have fewer than 6 volunteers, most of them having between 2 and 5 volunteers;
• 31% of the organizations consider their EVS experiences have been good and very good, while 56% would appreciate their experiences as “medium”. 12% of the respondents considered their experiences as bad;
• 35% of the respondents value their EVS knowledge as high or very high, while 51% consider it average and above average;
• 76% of the organizations consider that their projects could have been better organized if they had access to best practices and an info kit before starting the project, while 20% are not sure;
• 73% of the respondents think that the current availability, quality and accesibility of resources for improving their EVS projects is average and below average and should be improved; Only 10% consider it to be high and very high;
• The most difficult situations encountered by the respondents in EVS projects are finding partners, ensuring visibility and disseminating the results of their projects;
• 98% of the respondents think that it`s important and very important for their organization to improve the quality of their EVS projects;
• The preferred method of sharing experience and good practice is considered to be real-time international meetings (47%), while online sharing comes on the last place (26%);

The study was made on 84 organizations from 24 countries. With 1 exception, all respondents hold an EVS accreditation. The survey was made between January 20th – 31st. The results are not statistically representative for the population group and should be used only for guidance and reference.

Find out more information about the Young Initiative Association here and check the Call for Partners for a future Erasmus+ Seminar for EVS-accredited organizations here.