Conservative MEP s are behind a campaign that would see the EU officially recognising the importance of volunteering by enabling and supporting a European Year of Volunteering.
The campaign has already received a boost when fellow MEPs gave their full support to the plan in Strasbourg.
Our Volunteers are often unsung heroes. They make an immeasurable impact on people's lives, not only to those who they help but also to those who are inspired to volunteer themselves after seeing their actions.
In tough economic times like these volunteering becomes all the more important. We are keen to raise awareness on the benefits of volunteering. This is more than just giving our volunteers in the UK a pat on the back, we want to create a European year of Volunteering where a properly funded initiative by the EU could encourage volunteers to come forward and also create a network for volunteers across Europe as a whole.
We passed the first hurdle thanks to the significant support of the members of the European Parliament. We want to get this off the ground as soon possible. All volunteers deserve our thanks, support and encouragement.