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What is a Future Capital project?
A Future Capital project enables ex-volunteers to pass on the experience and
skills acquired during their European Voluntary Service to the local community
and other young people. It also provides opportunities for supporting an
ex-volunteer's professional and personal development.
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Where can projects take place?
Future Capital projects may take place in any of the
Program countries (see
section B.2), but not in third countries.
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Which types of project can be supported?
A Future Capital project should aim at multiplying the impact of the experience
that volunteers have acquired during their European Voluntary Service and must
not simply be a continuation of an E. V. S project. A Future Capital project
must be created and implemented by the volunteer personally.
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Three different types of Future Capital project are eligible for support:
 | Starting up a professional activity
This means starting up an activity which may be professional in the non-profit
or profit-making sector. |
| One-off projects
The purpose of such a project is to organize a particular event or activity,
or produce a particular product or outcome, within a specified period of time. |
| Personal development projects
These are projects under which the participants receive additional formal
or non-formal training to obtain official recognition of the skills acquired
during their E. V. S. |
Who can apply?
Future Capital is open to young people legally residing in one of the
Program countries who have completed their European Voluntary Service. They
must apply within two years after completing it.
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What help is available for preparing and implementing a project?
In setting up a Future Capital project, volunteers might need help, advice or
input from others. In this regard, assistance can be obtained from their E. V.
S sending organization, which is responsible for providing a follow-up service
for volunteers after their return, and also from the host organization,
particularly if the project is to take place in the host country. Volunteers
are also free to make contact with other organizations that are active in the
field in which the project is planned. The National Agencies, which receive
the applications, have advisers who can also help or refer applicants to other
persons able to provide assistance. |
The National Agencies may arrange training for young people wishing to launch
a Future Capital project, to help them manage the project effectively and
advise them on how to go about finding resources to supplement the Community
grant. Please contact your National Agency for detailed information (see
Annex).
What are the general project criteria?
The following criteria must be taken into account when planning a Future
Capital project:
| Duration
A project cannot run for more than one year and must start within two years
after the end of the E. V. S project. |
| Links to E. V. S
The content must show a clear link between the Future Capital project and
activities performed during European Voluntary Service. |
| Priorities
Since the objective of Future Capital is to encourage projects which are of
benefit to a local community and to other young people, such projects will be
regarded as top priority. |
| New activity
The project cannot just be a continuation of European Voluntary Service
project activities. |
| Source of funding
The Future Capital grant cannot replace other sources of funding available at
European, national, regional or local level. This is especially important with
regard to personal development projects. |
| Ineligible activities
University courses and languages courses are not eligible as personal
development projects. |
How is a project financed?
Funding from the YOUTH program for a Future Capital project (see section
E.5) is based on a fixed amount.
The amount awarded will depend on the priority status of the project, which
will be determined in accordance with the criteria below. Projects classified
as Priority 1 will be awarded a maximum amount of € 5 000. For the other
priorities, the maximum amounts are € 3 750 (priority 2) and € 2 500 (priority
3). The maximum grant might vary depending on the country in which the
activity will take place. However, it can never exceed the amount applied for. |
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The priority status will be determined according to the following:
| Priority 1
Projects of benefit to other young people or a local community, including
one-off projects, or those starting up a professional activity encouraging
local development. |
| Priority 2
One-off or personal development projects which are integrated into a
specific project aiming at increasing employability. |
| Priority 3
Personal development projects which are connected with the experience acquired
during European Voluntary Service. This could, for example, involve obtaining
formal certification of skills acquired during E. V. S. |
How to apply?
The application should always be submitted in the country where the Future
Capital project will take place. Application forms can be requested from the
National Agencies or downloaded from the Commission's and other websites (see
Annex). Applications should be submitted by the deadlines indicated in section
B.5. Please contact the National Agency in your country for assistance with
filling in the forms.
Two volunteers may jointly carry out a Future Capital project. In this case,
each volunteer must apply individually, indicating that the two applications
are linked.
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What are the contractual obligations?
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In signing the contract, the volunteer undertakes to carry out the project as
presented and to communicate to the National Agency any changes or
difficulties encountered.
If the project is not implemented as originally agreed, or if it is not
actually carried out at all, the National Agency will cancel the agreement and
may require full or partial reimbursement of the sum paid.
The European Commission or the National Agency may carry out on-site visits to
check that all contractual obligations are being properly fulfilled. |
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