Throughout the year VERA 2024 activities were supported by an increasing collaboration with the European Parliament.

 

Throughout the year the VERA 2024 activities were supported by a strong collaboration with the European Parliament (EP) through meetings of the European Parliament Volunteering Interest Group. CEV also implemented together with 10 MEPs “job shadowing” days with 13 volunteers. By shadowing the volunteers in their activities, the MEPs involved are better suited to support, advocate and value volunteering in their daily work at the EP and by spending time in the EP the volunteers understand better the connection between EU policy-making and volunteering.​

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• Michaela Cauchi, VO Home volunteer, spent the day at the EP with MEP Cyrus Engerer (S&D) and he went to VO Home away in Malta, otherwise known as Salesian Youth Center, and gave an inspiring speech to the Salesian youths, encouraging them to face challenges with bravery and perseverance.

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• Guillem Recanses, Spanish Volunteering Platform (PVE) volunteer, spent the day at the EP with MEP Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (GUE/NGL) and she went to Plataforma del Voluntariado de España (PVE) office to shadow for a day witness first hand their important activities promoting and supporting volunteering across Spain.

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• Katarina Slovakova, Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisation (Slovakia) volunteer, spent the day at the EP with MEP Michal Wiezik (RENEW Europe) attending the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Petitions and students' study visit from Slovakia. The MEP went to Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations office to shadow for a day in her
  volunteering activities.

 

• Dominik Dujčák, Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisation (Slovakia) volunteer, spent the day at the EP with MEP Miriam Lexmann (EPP) attending the Committee on International Trade and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. The MEP went to Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisation and shadowed Dominik for a day in his volunteering activities.

 

• Annachiara Banzoli, Amici del Villaggio Association (Italy) volunteer, spent the day at the EP with
  MEP Achille Variati (S&D) and visited the Committee on Transport and Tourism and Committee on
  the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The MEP went to Amici del Villaggio Association
  and shadowed Annachiara for a day in her volunteering activities.

 

• Mariana Marques, Confederação Portuguesa do Voluntariado - CPV (Portugal), & Maria Nunes, Eugénio de Almeida Foundation - FEA (Portugal), volunteers, spent the day at the EP with MEPs Paulo Cunha (EPP), Sérgio Humberto (S&D) and Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP). The MEP Sérgio Humberto went to Evora and shadowed Maria Nunes - FEA for a day in her volunteering activities.

 

• Susana Magalhaes and Mafalda Fernandes from the Maia Municipal Volunteer Centre (Portugal) spent the day at the EP with MEP Sérgio Humberto (S&D) attending the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Transport and Tourism.

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• Aleksandra Kot and Karolina Kapustynska, Estrada Rzeszowska (Poland) volunteers spent the day at the EP with MEP Dariusz Joński (EPP) attending the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the Committee on Petitions.

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• Lisa Hallinan and Leo Loughney, Mayo Volunteer Centre (Ireland) volunteers spent the day at the EP with MEP Maria Walsh (EPP) attending the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

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• MEP Irena Ioveva (RENEW Europe) shadowed Sophia Luttmann, Slovenska Filantropija (Slovenia) volunteer, for a day in her volunteering activities and discusses with Sloveska FIlantropija’s staff Erasmus+ and ESC Programmes funds.

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​​​Contact Kristijan Gjorgjieski at kristijan.gjorgjieski[at]cev.be to know how to participate in this initiative.