Activities of Charles GOERENS related to 2023/2018(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation of the current European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027
Amendments (7)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises the importance of volunteering in humanitarian aid operations in, notably solidarity activities, traineeships or job opportunities to promotinge European values, along with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence; and based on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid which provides the framework for EU responses to humanitarian crises;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high number of young people interested in the humanitarian aid strand, with over 42 000 expressions of interests received by May 2023; strongly supports as effectively as possible the efforts to increase engagement among young people, notably those most disadvantaged in society, including those with disabilities and with fewer opportunities; calls for concrete action to ensure these young people are included in a meaningful way, such asin particular by offering training and language, insurance, administrative and post-activity support to participants as well as the validation of the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through their European Solidarity Corps experience; stresses in this regard the importance of targeted communication campaigns and the, appropriate design of compulsory training programmes and the subsequent placementswhich should also include details of feedback received from participants or participating organisations, as well as subsequent placements and the facilitation of the transition into the labour market;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to maintain the importance of adequate training, security and protection of volunteers which should be subject to regular information sharing and risk assessment especially in areas considered to be unstable;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the lengthy volunteer selection procedure, in particular with regard to waiting times for mandatory in-person training, which could lead to candidates dropping out and losing interest; underlines that the selection procedure shall be carried out respecting the principles of non-discrimination, gender equality and equal opportunities; underlines that humanitarian operations require an adequate traininglearning and training phase in line with humanitarian aid principles and linked to projects in which volunteers will be involved;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to allow organisations already holding a label certified under the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and signatories to a framework partnership agreement (FPA) between NGOs and DG ECHO at the Commission may be eligible for a simplified procedure for obtaining the label required by the new project;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that most applicants are between 19 and 23 years old; invites the Commission to remove the age limit to allow more experienced candidates to participate without significantly affecting youth engagement in humanitarian operations; insists that the initiative should be accessible for any EU citizen or long-term resident of 18 years or over with proven skills and experience in the field of humanitarian aid, including for local volunteers from third countries;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that around two thirds of the selected projects for 2023 are development-centred; calls for a more balanced humanitarian-centred approach for future selections of projects addressing specific challenges for the benefit of individuals or communities in need of solidarity efforts from society; calls on the Commission to consider the possibility of revising the regulation to allow volunteering in safe zones of conflict- affected countries, subject to clear security and safety protocols and background checks or other measures with a view to ensure volunteers’ safety and the fulfilment of the duty of care for volunteers during all stages of the solidarity experience.