Launch of the Youth Voluntary Work Scheme (YVWS)

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector has launched the Youth Voluntary Work Scheme (YVWS) for youths for the third year running through €200,000 in government financing. The launch of the scheme was done in the presence of the Hon Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties.

This scheme grants the opportunity to youths and volunteers to undertake a voluntary work experience with a number of voluntary organisations, where they are also given a stipend to support them in their daily mobility.

Minister Helena Dalli said that after last year’s pilot project regarding voluntary work in Africa was a success under the Overseas aspect of the scheme, this year’s scheme will be extended to other countries outside of the EU, including Asia and South America.

With the aim of providing support and guidelines for youths wanting to volunteer abroad, the Malta Council for the voluntary sector launched its first publication in the form of a handbook for overseas volunteering. This publication shall be made available to all volunteers going on a voluntary experience outside Europe, not only for those who are going abroad under the YVWS.