Volunteering Ireland has been appointed as the National Coordinating Body for Ireland by the European Commission with the support of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. As the national volunteer development agency, Volunteering Ireland is an independent membership-based organisation and is a peak body for all organisations involving volunteers in their work, providing a representative voice for volunteering in Ireland.

EYV2011 provides a vitally important opportunity to focus on the incredible work that is done by volunteers in Ireland and across Europe and to put in place structures and supports that enables volunteering at every level. In these challenging times community participation, social solidarity and voluntary action have a powerful role to play in our efforts to overcome the impact of recession, ensuring that those most affected have the help and supports they need.

Key to the success of EYV2011 will be collaboration. To this end, Volunteering Ireland has brought together an impressive group of key stakeholders to establish the EYV2011 National Steering Group. Drawn from voluntary organisations, arts and sporting bodies and
Governmental Departments, the steering group has been extremely successful and has come up with many exciting ideas for the year.

A range of activities have been planned which will be led by the National Coordinating Body and by various voluntary groups around the country. Kicking off with an official launch of EYV 2011 in February, a media campaign (including broadcast and print) will run throughout the year which will highlight the stories of volunteers. A website www.eyv2011.ie is being set up and will provide information on the events, activities and outcomes for the year. Volunteering Ireland is recruiting well known personalities who are involved in volunteering to be Ambassadors for the year.

There are plans for a photo exhibition conveying volunteer stories that will tour the country. Furthermore, there will be an EYV 2011 Roadshow travelling around Europe throughout the year which will come to Dublin from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th August 2011. The Roadshow will be an opportunity for the general public to learn about volunteering across Europe and an opportunity for voluntary organisations to become knowledgeable on best practices in volunteer management.

A key initiative for EYV2011 will be the launch of Ireland Involved Online. Ireland Involved Online is an integrated web platform which will be used by The Community & Voluntary Sector, the general public and businesses. The website’s aim is to streamline and improve volunteer management for these three sectors

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