The European Civic Service Project, an innovative collaboration between Collectif pour un Service Civique Européen (CSCE) and Unis-Cité, was launched as a successful experiment in 2020 and involved our organization, CreativePlus NGO, along with other organizations from Greece, Malta, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Spain. This initiative is based on the idea of offering young people in Europe opportunities for civic engagement and mobility, thereby contributing to the development of a more united and solidary society.

Founded in 1994, Unis-Cité is recognized as the pioneering organization in youth service in France. It inspired the creation of the National Civic Service program, which enrolls approximately 90,000 young people annually. CSCE, established in 2018, aims to promote the global development of youth service in Europe by integrating national civic service schemes with the European Solidarity Corps.

Project Objectives:

The experiment conducted by the two organizations had as its primary goal the increased access of young people to European mobility. The project proposed a unique model, allowing young people to participate in volunteer service for several months in their home country and then in another European country. This approach, dubbed the “Erasmus in youth service,” was well received, given its positive impact on participants.

The project was also recognized at the European level, being included in one of the major announcements of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, between January and July 2022. President Emmanuel Macron announced the intention to create a “European Civic Service,” which would function as a second pillar of European mobility alongside the Erasmus program. This service will offer all young Europeans the opportunity to engage in long-term volunteer activities, for a minimum of six months.

Impact and Benefits of the Civic Service:

The partners involved in this initiative are convinced that the European Civic Service will meet the needs of contemporary societies by bringing citizens together and restoring the sense of common belonging in Europe. Through concrete experiences, young people can develop essential skills such as adaptability, teamwork, and intercultural competencies, all of which contribute to shaping active and engaged citizens.

Benjamin Sibille, Founder and CEO of Collectif pour un Service Civique Européen (CSCE):

“Invented in Germany and Austria after World War II as a mandatory alternative to military conscription, civic service has evolved since then and could be described as follows: a commitment of general interest, consisting of missions typically assigned by the state, public administration, and NGOs, which are non-profit but can be described as actions for public benefit, with the general aim of serving society while also fostering self-development—this involves the use of pedagogical tools and a curriculum that enables skill acquisition. Usually, but not necessarily, it is restricted by age limit to young people and is purely voluntary to ensure maximum efficiency in missions. Beyond these particularities, Civic Service is above all a state of mind at the societal level: one that trusts youth to make tomorrow better and invests in them, one that trusts citizens to strengthen democracy through their active involvement: a true European ideal.

The First Pilot Experiments in Our Country’s Network:

Thanks to the networking and lobbying action of the European Grand Tour project in 2022, we were able to test, together with actors from the associative network in Romania, a first pilot experience involving four national youths and four European volunteers in Bucharest. The hosting base was the European Solidarity Corps, used in both the ‘in-country’ and ‘abroad’ versions. This allowed the young volunteers to work together full-time. National volunteers could leave after the local involvement phase in Bucharest.

While awaiting the generalization of national volunteering in Romania, we will continue to experiment with forms of paid and continuous involvement for young people. In 2024, we intend to engage young Romanians to work together with French NEET youths on missions of general interest across Romania (30 French and an equivalent number of Romanians). At the same time, the volunteers will be involved in building cultural events for an innovative collaboration project between Romanian and European cities.

The European Civic Service represents a valuable opportunity for young people to engage in communities and contribute to building a more united Europe. This initiative not only supports the personal development of young people but also strengthens social cohesion and solidarity among European citizens. With a focus on inclusion and diversity, the project promises to inspire a new generation of leaders who will actively contribute to Europe’s future.