The European Year of Volunteering 2011 - Funding opportunities to develop and implement activities under the national work programme for England

The period for applications to this scheme has now passed, content is maintained for information purposes only.

Information and announcement on the grant recipients.   

Background

2011 has been designated as the European Year of Volunteering within the European Union. The purpose of the Year is to support the efforts of member states and civil society organisations to create conditions which are conducive to the development of volunteering across Europe.  Member states are required to develop a national work programme. The Office for Civil Society has identified national priorities which support the Government’s Big Society Vision, and is seeking partner organisations to support the development and implementation of activities within England.

This will be achieved through a mixture of short, small contracts and grant funding.  The three contracts on offer are:

1st Contract:  Employer Supported Volunteering Lead

During the Year OCS wishes to promote and develop good practice within the private, public and voluntary and community sector in relation to the development of effective employer supported volunteering (ESV) programmes. A contract is available for a partner organisation with experience in this field to lead on activity in relation to this role.

2nd Contract: Volunteer Management Lead

OCS is also seeking to identify, share and develop good practice and resources relating to effective volunteer management. A contract is available for a partner organisation with experience in this field to lead on this role.

3rd Contract: Opening the Door to Volunteering Lead

Finally OCS wishes to use the Year to promote and share good practice in opening the door to volunteering opportunities to those traditionally less likely to volunteer, including those from socially excluded groups. A contract is available for a partner organisation with experience in this field to lead on this role.

If organisations would like to bid for one of these contracts suppliers should refer to the www.supply2.gov.uk website, or email eyv2011@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk for more details.  All three of these contracts are being tendered separately.  Organisations can apply to run one or more of these contracts, depending on their particular situation and levels of expertise. 

Grants for organisations to lead on key issue focused themes

One of the priorities to be addressed in England during the year is to encourage and enable individuals to make a contribution within their communities and help solve social issues by volunteering. rant funding is available for 5 civil society organisations or consortia of organisations, to develop and deliver a programme of activities under five themes which have been identified within this priority. The themes would focus during two spotlight months. The five identified themes are:

• Young people and children – March and April 
• Environment – May and June
• Sport – July and August
• Culture and the arts – September and October
• Health and social care – November and December

Activity would support the development of volunteering within the theme across England and recipients will be required to work with a range of organisations working within the relevant field at national, regional and local level.

A grant available for an organisation to lead on sharing learning

A grant is available for a civil society organisation to lead on sharing the learning emerging from activities undertaken. This organisation will work with lead organisations to support the identification of key learning points and the sharing of these with OCS, across government and the wider voluntary and community sector.

To receive a specification with details of how to apply for one of the grants please email eyv2011@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk specifying which you are interested i