Solidarité Proposal - more detail

CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Solidarité Background
• The Solidarité Organigram
• How Solidarité Could Work
• Solidarité Projects
• Questions
• Answers
• Strategy
• How You Can Help
• The Benefits, Advantages & Selling Points
• Political and Policy Rationale
• Political and Policy Reports and Speeches
• Two Significant Factors
• Resource Rationale
• Reasons Solidarité Can Work
• Volunteering
• How Solidarité Could Operate
• Final Points

The Solidarité Proposal
is a Proposal for
a programme of inter-institutional
humanitarian & social awareness
activities for the staff and trainees
of the European Union Institutions.

Feeling good about ourselves, as individuals
and as organisations is fundamental to our
productivity and leadership…
connecting with others and with values is
intrinsically linked to achieving that
It also leads by example and inspires society.

To help achieve this…
The vision of the Solidarité Proposal is for a
joint inter-institutional
human resources programme of the
European Union Institutions which
combines corporate citizenship and
the facilitation of staff and trainees in
benevolent humanitarian and social activities.

Steps to reach this vision and alternatives are
offered in the Proposal.

The Solidarité Proposal encourages
staff and trainee involvement
in benevolent humanitarian & social activities
via staff training through community
engagement and in one’s free time.

Solidarité is about doing good deeds
to help others and making a positive
difference in our world.

It could:
- make humanitarian and social actions
accessible…
- welcome the contribution of each person’s
skills and gifts
- engage with those less fortunate
- develop awareness, and
- foster the spirit of social consciousness and
action amongst the staff and trainees of the
European Institutions.

It could facilitate and unite
staff and trainees of the European Union
Institutions to do good deeds to help others
and make a positive difference in our world –
believing that every small action makes a
difference.

Solidarité …
“A union or harmony of interests, purposes, or
sympathies among individuals in a group -
fellowship of responsibilities and interests”

The Solidarité Proposal outlines the mission
of a programme - to support and provide
opportunities for staff and trainees of the
EU Institutions to:
• Do practical humanitarian volunteer work in our communities
• Increase awareness of humanitarian and social issues, and
• Raise resources to help humanitarian and social problems

It proposes to do this in 2 main ways:
1. Staff training through community engagement
2. Supporting and facilitating service in free time

Four Concrete Actions
.
Eropean
Commitee of
the Regions,
.
Court of
Auditors...etc
.
European
External
Action
Service
Vacation Solidarité
.
Staff voluntary
activity on their
holidays
Plus many other positive actions ranging from supporting transition into active retirement
to creating links with the Erasmus programme
DG Community Days
.
A DG's staff & families
invited to volunteer
together on a
community project
a few hours a year
.
European
Parliament
.
Council
of the
European
Union
Solidarité Volunteering.
.
Staff & Trainees involved
in positive social
activities together
in their own time
.
European
Commission
.
European
Economic
and Social
Committee
Solidarité
Solidarité Days
.
Staff training through
community engagement
and helping others

As such, a Solidarité human resource
programme would
be operated from a secretariat
developed, owned and operated jointly
by the Commission, Council and Parliament
in a common and unified manner,
underpinned by policies and procedures.

• Lead civil and international society by example
• Provide significant contributions to staff morale
and teamwork
and
• Have personal, professional, institutional, corporate
responsibility and broader social benefits.
A Solidarité human resource programme
would:

Where could a Solidarité programme Exist?
Solidarité could exist as an inter-institutional Secretariat
in conjunction with the Human Resources /
Administration DGs of each Institution.

The proposed Solidarité Code of Ethics
The practices, values and standards of behaviour required
of all participants in performing activities.
Solidarité would assist those who have queries regarding
the application and interpretation of the Mission Statement
and Code of Conduct.

Background
The program prepared for Solidarité was developed based on
“Traineeship Solidarité”; an informal program inherited by new
Commission trainees each Traineeship period.
Traineeship Solidarité began on the 1998/99 Traineeship
intake and since then (over twenty eight Traineeship periods)
it has carried out over seventy different types of Projects,
some handed on from Traineeship to Traineeship, and has
raised hundreds of thousands of Euros for charity.

Commission en direct, no 120 du 25 février au 3 mars 1999

Commission en Direct, no 122
du 11 au 17 mars 1999

Commission en Direct, numéro 408 – 30.06 > 06.07.2006

Commission en Direct, numéro 565 - 23.07 > 09.09.2010

Traineeship Solidarité although operating at 20%
of its potential has had public acclaim, longevity
and consistency – operating since 1998.
The Solidarité program proposed herein has
developed the approaches, operations, past work,
regulations, transparency and checks and balances
of Traineeship Solidarité and international best
practice and attempted to maintain the ethics and
character of an interpersonal human resources
program.

Commissioner’s Involvement “Traineeship
Solidarité” include
Commissioners Hans Van den Broek (External Relations)
Emma Bonino (ECHO and Consumer Affairs)
Poul Neilson (Development and ECHO)
Neil Kinnock (Administration)
Stavros Dimas (Environment)
Andris Piebalgs (Energy)
Jan Figel (Education and Culture)
Androulla Vassiliou (Education and Culture)
Also Presidents Manuel Barosso and Hans-Gert Poettering
and
Her Majesty, the Queen of the Belgium

How Solidarité Works
External Action Service
.
Economic &Social Committee.
Committee of the Regions
.
Court of Auditors... etc
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage
.Solidarité Secretariat

Under the Solidarité proposal:
Solidarité is a humanitarian activities and social awareness human resources
program operated by the European Union Institutions. It facilitates and
encourages the involvement of their staff and trainees in humanitarian and
positive social activities through staff training and volunteering.
It facilitates formal staff training through community engagement and the
involvement of staff and trainees in positive, benevolent humanitarian and social
activities in their own time.
External Action Service.
Economic &Social Committee
.
Committee of the Regions.
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage

Its Mission is to support and provide opportunities for the staff
and trainees to:
• Do practical humanitarian volunteer work in our communities
• Increase awareness of humanitarian and social issues, and
• Raise resources to help humanitarian and social issues

The Solidarité Secretariat ( ) is an inter-institutional office that
provides general coordination and an administration base for Solidarité.
External Action Service
.
.
.
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage
Solidarité Secretariat

The Secretariat’s members ( ) are a team of EU Institution staff and trainees that have
specific Responsibilities and Roles for the overall daily management and organisation of
Solidarité.
They operate in conjunction with Institutional departments, rules and processes and use the
Solidarité Regulations; the Solidarité Website; and the communications mechanisms and
networks of the EU Institutions to help organise, maintain and promote Solidarité activities to
staff and trainees.
.
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage

Solidarité activities ( ) are accessible activities aiming to fulfil the
Solidarité Mission. They involve socially and personally uplifting actions
ranging from Units or individuals working together in soup kitchens,
visiting the elderly and organising collections of unwanted clothes from
EU Institution staff and giving them to the poor, to cleaning a forest or
organising a film festival which raises awareness or resources for those
in need - be they people that have stepped on landmines in Asia or
refugees in Brussels.
They may involve:
Solidarité Days - staff training through community engagement
Solidarité Volunteering - ongoing voluntary activities of staff and
trainees
DG Community Days - a DG inviting its staff to do a low-skill community
project together for a few hours one Saturday per year, and,
Vacation Solidarité - staff voluntary activity at EU funded and other
projects around the world whilst on vacation

Many Solidarité activities are organised in cooperation with
Non Governmental Organisations or International
Organisations.
Many Solidarité activities have a Project Leader. Project
Leader roles (and Assistant Project Leader roles) are
undertaken on a voluntary basis by any EU Institution staff
and trainees who desire to manage and organise specific
activities. The Project Leaders (and any Assistant Project
Leaders) often run their activities with others as a Project
Team. Activities are supported and assisted by the
Secretariat.

.
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage
Staff and trainees ( , ) from all the EU Institutions can share their ideas, time,
skills and energy to be involved in humanitarian and positive social activities (be
that for example, whilst on vacation in other countries volunteering at EU funded
projects, helping organise the collection of clothes in the office for the poor, or
simply donating any of their clothes).
Sometimes former staff and former trainees and family and friends can get
involved in Solidarité activities.

.
.
Council of the
European Union
European
Commission
European
Parliament
Solidarité
Activities
Stage
Solidarité
Stage StagesStage
The Secretariat is also responsible for the provision of information about
Solidarité to new staff and to each new Traineeship of the EU Institutions.
The information to all new trainees ( ) organises involvement in Solidarité by
each future Traineeship. Institution Traineeship Offices assist this liaison.
Traineeship

The Cycle of Solidarité Projects/Activities
ORGANISE
&
PROMOTE
THE PROJECT
RECEIVE.
1. Project Guidelines
2. Access to Website
3. Other Electronic Files
4. Project Folder
SOLIDARITÉ
SECRETARIAT
The Cycle
of
Solidarité
Projects
NEW PROJECT LEADERS
.
/ NEW TRAINEESHIP
UPDATE.
1. Project Guidelines
2. Solidarité Website
3. Other Electronic Files
4. Project Folder

Solidarité Projects, Activites,
Promotions and funding Criteria
All Projects, volunteer work and humanitarian or social
issues can be supported, carried out, funded or promoted by
Solidarité if they are compatible with, and in accordance with:
i. The Solidarité Mission Statement, Philosophy and Regulations
ii. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
iii. The European Union Treaties
iv. EU Institution policies, activities or projects
v. Common sense and consensus at Solidarité Assembly Meetings

Solidarité undertakes Projects and activities to help
others and make a positive difference in our world
representing the core values of the EU and
corporate social responsibility,
run by or involving EU Institution staff and trainees
both as part of formal staff training through
community engagement and in their own time.

Sometimes activities/projects are organised in
cooperation with Non Governmental
Organisations or International Organisations.

Solidarité activities/projects range from the socially
engaging, artistic and entertaining to the challenging,
confronting and sporting:
visiting the elderly
cycling or dancing together to raise awareness of a cause
organising or participating in a socially uplifting choir
working together in a soup kitchen or arranging collections of
unwanted clothes from EU Institution staff and giving them to
the poor

Staff & trainees from all the EU Institutions may
participate actively in Solidarité activities/projects
for example:
by assisting a soup kitchen or visiting the elderly as part of
Solidarité staff training through community engagement
or by helping organise the collection of unwanted
clothes in a Solidarité Project in their own time
in addition, they may simply contribute anytime they
like
for example,
by simply donating any of their unwanted clothes

ConvivialConvivial
Get to know refugees, exchange ideas and opinions & have fun.
Convivial is a unique and social NGO co-managed by refugees supporting
other refugees and asylum seekers offering friendship & cultural exchange.
• Personally give friendship and support and help others rediscover a feeling of belonging
• ‘Café Philo’ is a monthly social gathering with a discussion theme
• Gather a Convivial football team to play with you in your tournaments
• Conference on asylum and immigration issues
• Join the ‘House of Europe’ tent at Convivial’s International Refugee Day fête

Clothes / toys / book Collection
Solidarité undertakes a collection of clothes and/or games and books
from EU Institution buildings to give to the poor (usually once a year).
Literally truckloads of clothes, books or toys have been collected in
the past.
The items are either given away or sold at low prices and with the
money gathered in the sales, different projects are sponsored.

Le Petit Chateau
• 'Dimanche en Vie' or 'Levende Zondag' - lots of activities or outings for the children!
• Teaching computer classes to adults
• Helping with homework, arts and crafts, picnics and games
• Organising outings and accompanying groups of people on excursions
Le Petit Château hosts about 800 refugees and asylum seekers.

Le Petit Chateau
“Dimanches en Vie”
Trips, circus shows, merry go rounds, break-dancing, collage
making, pizza baking, roller skating, and smiles all round!

• Organise Fair Trade awareness activities in the EU Institutions.
• Lobby for the introduction of fair trade products in the EU Institutions’
internal services (cafeterias, vending machines etc).
• Promoting Fair Trade Products
• Fair Trade Tea and Chocolate Tasting at several national parties
• Evening Conferences with External Speakers
Fair Trade Project

Soup Kitchens & Elderly HomesSoup Kitchens & Elderly Homes
Provide a meal and friendship for the homeless and people of
disadvantaged backgrounds.
The tasks involve helping to prepare the meal, setting the tables, serving
the meal, and cleaning up etc.

Activities creates tangible individual, community and
intra and inter Unit, Directorate, Department and
Institution team-building, networking, strategic
planning, communication, professional development
and organisational and leadership benefits.

For practical reasons, hands-on volunteer work
is by and large focused on local communities in
the vicinity of those involved
(unless specifically organised as otherwise),
awareness-raising and resource raising
activities focus on both local and worldwide
interests.

Activities are designed to be accessible and work
with clear objectives, in a transparent and practical
way and in a socially and financially responsible
manner and may involve assisting a variety of
NGOs and International Organisations.

Most activities have a Project Leader who is a staff
member or trainee, depending on the activity.
Project Leader positions are filled on a voluntary
basis by any EU Institution staff and trainees who
desire to manage and organise specific Solidarité
activities - whether they be projects undertaken by
volunteers as part of staff training through
community engagement
or their free time.
Where activities are undertaken as part of staff
training through community engagement they are
assisted and administered, or led by the Secretariat.

Cloakrooms
Solidarité may organise the cloakroom at relevant EU Institution social
functions, events and Trainee parties where possible to raise money and
awareness for those in need.

Dance ClassesDance Classes
Dance for a good cause…
Through your dancing you raise awareness and funds for a specific need,
…be that victims of landmines; and to raise awareness about the politics and
causes of landmines - through simply getting people together to dance…
sign petitions, have a short presentation and simply help others – sound like a
good reason to dance?!

• BeginnerBeginner
• IntermediateIntermediate
• AdvancedAdvanced
• Salsa Nights – Rock n Roll performancesSalsa Nights – Rock n Roll performances
Help us organise them or just come alongHelp us organise them or just come along
with friends and dancewith friends and dance

Cooking classes
Raise money & awareness for specific causes through cooking!
1. Cooking Lessons : giving cooking lessons in people's homes (EU Officials)
2. Dinner Parties : cooking teams organising dinner parties for EU Officials
3. Cooking for Crises : Getting together and baking a large quantity of healthy
cookies & cakes & selling them in response to humanitarian emergencies

Most existing activities have a ‘Project Guideline’,
which explains the Project and gives practical steps
for organising the Project.
Project Leaders update the Guideline so that it can be
passed on to future Project Leaders for that Project.
Hence Guidelines are prepared and passed on, based
on the expertise and experience of others – all within
a supportive system.

The Half Marathon
Train and participate as a huge team for a cause.
Help others, raise awareness and money for a cause through sponsorship on
a per kilometre or total distance basis - ask friends, family, businesses and
colleagues to sponsor you to complete the 20km in Brussels!
Walk or run, wear the shirt, promote a cause, push wheelchair-bound folks
as part of a team.
Collect money and/or raise awareness of a cause if you like.
Organise a pre-event pasta night.
Improve your own health & well being!

The Solidarité Party
Party for a cause…
Having fun and helping people at the same time.
The idea is to use the party or event to raise awareness of and money for
humanitarian and social issues and to raise the profile of Solidarité whilst having
a great time.
There is so much energy to socialise and to meet others in the EU Institutions
that can be brought out for a unifying and community-building purpose that
promotes positive energy and happiness.

1. Is this proposal, which aims to touch, move and inspire
both staff and the widest community and which has
corporate social responsibility, staff morale and public
relations benefits, a good idea?
2. Is it realistic?
3. What practically is the idea for such a proposal and is it
well researched and high quality?
4. Can and should the Solidarité proposal ideas be part of
the culture and social responsibility of the EU
institutions in line with their founding values?

1. 1
2. 1
3. 1
4. 1
5. Can the Solidarité proposal ideas be an organised,
emotionally uplifting and accountable part of a modern
human resources program for staff and trainees of the
EU Institutions?
6. Can and should the Solidarité proposal be part of the
curriculum of the Traineeship programmes of the EU
Institutions?
7. If a yes to the previous points, what are the steps to put
it forth to be set up, owned and operated by the
Institutions?

The general response is that this is a very
good, value-adding and feasible idea,
provided that:

• There is a very good proposal researched and prepared;
with sound practical and operational apparatus and
content
• That the proposal can be scrutinised, adapted and
developed by the Institutions for use accordingly

• There is excellent information - presenting the idea, and
outlining the proposal’s content, purpose and benefits
and providing suggested means through which to
implement the program
• There is a team within the Institutions, to present the
proposal, to strategically lead, advocate and push for it,
and
• There is high level political support.

The Proposal prepared:
• Offers realistic and achievable steps
• Offers a range of alternatives
• Allows for potential political considerations for decision
makers and,
• Identifies synergies with existing policy and priorities

The Proposal provides supporting evidence for clear and
long-term benefits, spin-offs for others and opportunities for
diversification etc
The Proposal shows the value added at community,
industry, political and environmental levels and presents
benefits under existing circumstances
It translates community values into actions

The Proposal work towards the ‘common good’.

No previous attempt has been made of this nature at the
EU Institutions
It considers what opposition might emerge and has
attempted to prepare answers ready where possible

We have done research and attempted to apply it
specifically to the EU Institutions for their benefit.
We are ready to present the key messages with
supporting materials.

1. Present a Proposal for a Solidarité inter-institutional
human resource program which includes a status,
mandate, long-term structure and rules for its
support and operation to the EU Institutions.
2. Lobby senior people in the EU Institutions and any
significant individuals and organisations seeking
‘support for the idea of humanitarian activities and
social awareness human resources activities for the
staff and trainees of the EU Institutions and an inter-
institutional Working Group /Task Force to
investigate the Proposal.’
Get powerful, concrete support and commitment for this.

• 2
• 1
3. Based on the Proposal, for the Task Force to
recommend a structure, practical rules and a list of
necessary tasks for the support and operation of the
Solidarité Proposal ideas.
4. For the Institutions to review and take appropriate
action for implementation in their Departments and
with the each other based on these
recommendations and to deliberate upon and adopt
any rules as necessary.
Get support from across the political spectrum,
including all Political Group Presidents in the European
Parliament.

• 2
• 1
The Proposal represents current research and new
thinking in the field of modern human resources
programs to boost morale and productivity.
The Proposal has a Reference File of over 150
supporting documents of ready answers and
information fort the Task Force’s use.

By being part of the team to formally present the Proposal
To make suggestions on the Proposal
To sign a letter of support
To gather more support
To share the proposal ideas
To lead a pilot activity

THE BENEFITS,
ADVANTAGES &
SELLING POINTS

Solidarité provides an effective way of
deploying EU values and leadership
within larger perspective of CSR and
Institutional responsibilities in way which:
1. Shows astute, responsive and far-sighted
bureaucratic and political leadership
2. Creates and supports cross-sectional networks and
reinventing ways of doing things

3. Allows Units and Directorates to work together
across sectors and lines, sharing the resources,
problems and the answers to them
4. Builds and shows inter-Institutional cooperation
5. Adds political and practical credibility to the
Institutions by representing a state-of-the-art
management framework

7. Shows the EU Institutions can efficiently do
symbolically and practically what they are
suggesting for the world
8. Is positive for the external identity of the
Institutions – giving positive public relations
where the people in global institutions provide an
example of the society and world the Institutions
wish to shape and represent
9. Incorporates staff morale, addresses de-
motivation and depression, and therefore boosts
productivity

10. Broadens experience of staff and trainees,
develops character and gives lives extra meaning
through involvement in humanitarian and social
activities.
11. Supports and creates healthy work-life balance:
has spouse, family and friendship benefits and
contributes to job satisfaction and team building;
creating motivated, enthusiastic and fulfilled staff
12. Provides personal and professional development
of leaders and policy makers in truly global
institutions

13. Concrete staff development, corporate social
responsibility with community and civil
governance benefits
14. Maintains humanity at the heart of the
Institutions... trusting that this will increase
people’s productivity
15. Brings the EU Institutions closer to the citizens
because it is a project from within and by the
people inside the institutions.

16. Visibly puts staff and trainees in touch with
European citizens, experiencing and learning
about the reality of life for many citizens
17. Brings ‘the compassionate and human face of
Europe to marginalised groups’
18. Builds social capital
19. Addresses contemporary needs of work/life
balance and productivity – companies from IBM
to car manufacturers are implementing such
modern human resources programs

20. Builds partnerships between work, citizens and
civil society… and engages the trust of citizens
21. Is an internal and external example of
multicultural international institutions leading the
way hands on
22. Combines, unites and strengthens various one-
off individual actions and group actions by staff
and trainees and gives a common ground and
opportunity to launch a concrete program
embracing all such actions

23. Enhances and represents the fundamental EU
values:
• Equality
• Respect for human dignity
• Respect for human rights
• Tolerance and non-discrimination and
• Mutual understanding between citizens
from diverse cultural, linguistic and socio-
economic backgrounds.

• Positive contribution to the
EU Institutions, staff, local
communities, humanitarian
concerns, and individuals.
• The many benefits of
Employer Supported
Volunteering Programs.
• Benefits for professional
development.
Overall, the Solidarité proposal provides:

• Benefits for personal
development.
• A visible, unifying, integrating,
inspiring, non-political, non-
denominational, team-building
and morale-building program.
• Leadership by example.

BENEFITS, ADVANTAGES AND SELLING POINTS OF SOLIDARITÉ ELABORATED

1 Positive contribution to the
European Union Institutions
• Self Esteem Benefits
• Political and Policy Benefits
• Accessibility Benefits

Self Esteem Benefits
1. Solidarité type activities are proven to have extremely
positive impacts on those involved, especially for their
self-esteem
2. Self esteem is one of the most important things anyone
has because it affects everything they do
3. Institutions are as good as their people. The happier
and more unified the staff; the better the work of the
institution.
4. Improved overall staff morale and pride in the Institution
leads to more productivity, cooperation and better staff
retention

Political and Policy Benefits
1. Offers excellent example to other organisations of the
European Year of Volunteering 2011
2. As per the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme 2007-2013;
it brings the compassionate and human face of Europe
to marginalised groups, engaging European citizens,
and enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding
between citizens from diverse cultural, linguistic and
socio-economic backgrounds, potentially contributing to
inter-cultural dialogue.
3. European Institutions will have a more meaningful and
clear ‘face in the community’

4. European values will be fostered within local
communities and projects
5. Develops solidarity and promotes tolerance among
people; reinforcing social cohesion in the EU
6. Fosters mutual understanding between people from
different countries
7. Provides non-formal and informal learning opportunities
with a European dimension and opens up innovative
opportunities in connection with active citizenship

8. As per the “Youth in Action” programme for 2007-2013,
it (particularly for trainees) promotes young people’s
active citizenship in general and their European
citizenship in particular
9. Few administration costs
10. Cost-effective staff development opportunities that help
individuals develop a broad range of skills and increase
in confidence

Accessibility Benefits
1. It satisfies proximity and accessibility criteria for
involvement by providing easily accessible activities.
2. Ease of accessibility to an activity or information is one
of the key factors in both people getting involved and
the continuity and success of any activity, organisation
or product.

2 Provides the many benefits of Staff
Training Through Community
Engagement
service to others is a unifying, team-building and inspiring group
action with staff and broad social benefits

Studies show that engaging in employee volunteering
has many benefits for employers, employees,
government and the community as a whole.
Benefits may include:
1. Increased pride in the Institutions and loyalty by staff
2. Better employee attendance, recruitment and
retention
3. Boosted employee satisfaction, team building and
innovation
4. Increased self-confidence, skill development and
knowledge base of employees

5. Enhanced workplace relationships - unique
opportunities for staff to work with people from
different areas and levels of their Unit, Department
or Institution
6. Team building - activity tailored to improve how
different Units or teams work together
7. Improved staff morale, motivation, team spirit and
initiative; a happier workplace environment
8. Enhanced reputation - provides a positive image for
the Institutions
9. Improved visibility - heightened and positive
recognition by citizens, other organisations etc

10. Wider community awareness about the Institution’s
objectives
11. Transformed relationship between the Institutions
and the local community
12. Social inclusion
13. Support of local community groups leads to strong
staff engagement
14. Helps employees value the opportunity to support
the community in which they live and work
15. Improved trust

3 Beneficial for Professional Development
1. Provides effective and meaningful network of energy,
skills, contacts, communication and cooperation
between staff and trainees of different Units, DGs and
Institutions, and between the Institutions and other
organisations
2. Great way to meet other people in other Units, DGs
and Institutions and to enhance communication,
understanding and cooperation
3. Such networks are productive and help to welcome
new staff, new MEPs and their staff and new trainees

4. Enhances communication and cooperation between
the Institutions themselves and between the
Institutions and other organisations
5. Facilitates motivated, enthusiastic and fulfilled staff
and trainees who would then contribute more in their
offices and Units
6. Provides a positive role for retired officials and ex-
trainees
7. Promotes a healthy work-life balance

9. Expands interests and opportunities and enhances
networking, cooperation and interaction - key features
for the effectiveness of an organisation.
As such, supporting Solidarité would help staff and
trainees feel like they belong to something beyond their
work or their particular Traineeship period: they would
feel that they are practically connected to the voluntary
community, social and humanitarian work and
consciousness of the staff and trainees of the EU
Institutions who have gone before them and who will
come after them.
This is a key factor in positive association, belonging
and commitment to an organisation or institution.

4 Beneficial for Personal Development
1. Unites people of uncommon backgrounds under
common values
2. Positive for self esteem and staff morale and therefore
overall productivity
3. Staff with a positive self-esteem is obviously beneficial
for an organisation. Feeling good about one’s self
means happier, more effective staff and a boost to
overall staff morale in general. This is beneficial for
productivity; a better Institution; a better Europe; a better
world.

4. Individuals that help others are more content and are
more likely to be contented workers
5. A way to gain new skills and build understanding and
cooperation for humanitarian and social concerns
6. Provides a creative outlet and opportunity to de-stress
and network with other staff and trainees in a
meaningful way
7. Provides an easily accessible way for individuals to
give something back to society

8. Provides a unique experience
9. Gives people the chance to get involved easily in
activities outside the line of work of their DG or
Institution
networking, cooperation and interaction - key features
of effectiveness for an organisation.
As such, it helps staff and trainees feel like they
belong to something beyond their work or their
Traineeship period – being practically connected to:
the community; to social and humanitarian work; and
to the consciousness of the staff and trainees who
have gone before them and who will come after them.
Positive association as such is a key factor for
belonging and commitment to an organisation.

11. Provides practical individual involvement and ownership
to share a common vision and to do something for that
vision
12. One of the most frequent personal benefits that
volunteers express is ‘a more balanced outlook on life’.
(As such, more and more European companies are
mobilising volunteer efforts and also letting employees
plan volunteer programs at work.)
13. Provides opportunity for staff to merge their working life
with interests outside work

14. Provides the possibility for family and friends to be
involved and to cross the chasm between work life and
home life
15. A person’s personal life is never unrelated to their
professional life. Solidarité allows links between
personal and professional life.
16. There is a beauty in involvement for both the receiver
and the doer. It gives and offers a lot. The benefits not
always measurable. Many believe it is worth it.

5 Broadens the experience of
staff and trainees
1. Provides an extra element to work and Traineeships
networking, cooperation and interaction, which are all
key features for the effectiveness of an organisation.
3. Is an active and creative activity in line with the
objectives of the European Union
4. Gives people the chance to get involved easily in
activities outside the line of work of their DG or
Institution

5. The Commission Traineeship alone is the longest
running and one of the largest and most significant
programmes of its kind in the world.
Trainee involvement in Solidarité is an opportunity
for the administration to enshrine the legacy and
promotion of humanitarian and social consciousness
in one of the most unique and continuous leadership
and policy making assemblies in the world. This
opportunity is without parallel around the world.

6 Unifying ,integrating, inspiring, non-
political and non-denominational
1. Demonstrates use of the skills and good-will of staff
who work for hundreds of millions of European
citizens (and beyond)
- thus representing, hands-on, small acts in line with
the core values of the European Union, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all
major world religions (tolerance, democracy,
respect for human rights and peace).
2. May provide a spiritual dimension to the workplace
for those that can benefit from this

3. Provides rewarding and stimulating opportunities to
both help others and to bond and learn with one’s
colleagues
4. Places such activity into the main-stream psyche by
opening doors to and providing ownership of, these
opportunities
5. Brings together the intelligence and talents of
individuals from several disciplines and countries:
A powerful creative network capable of insight, goodwill
and wisdom to an extent larger than the sum of its parts
- beneficial for staff morale, individual morale and those
in need
6. Unifies people and makes people happy

7 It leads by example
1. To European citizens, to European civil society, to
European countries, to other International
Organisations and to the world
2. What gets achieved has multiplier effects for
promoting and living shared values
3. Is representative of the people and serves the
greater purposes of the European Union

4. Is a service for and by the people running Europe -
representing, hands-on, all the core values of the EU -
it is an example of the values of the European Treaties
in practice
5. Is therefore an enhancement to:
• the external identity of the EU Institution
• staff development and staff morale
• the development of future leaders and policy
makers doing Traineeships at the EU Institutions

8 Social Capital
The actions proposed trough the Solidarité Proposal are a
creative and mediating force that helps
to build healthy, sustainable communities that
respect the dignity of all people.
It brings to life the noblest aspirations of humankind;
the pursuit of peace, freedom, opportunity,
safety and justice for all people.
Such action is a fundamental building block of civil society.

Solidarité type action plays a crucial role across the
European Union.
According to the Universal Declaration on Volunteering;
In this era of globalisation and continuous change, the world is
becoming smaller, more interdependent and more complex.
Solidarité type action, either through individual or group action:
1. Sustains and strengthens human values of community,
caring and serving
2. Complements but does not substitute for, responsible
action by other sectors and the efforts of paid workers

3. Promotes family, community, national and global
solidarity
4. Helps solve social, cultural, economic and
environmental problems
5. Builds a more humane and just society

6. Leads to the direct involvement of citizens in local
development which can help to promote civil society
and democracy
7. Empowers local groups to transform their lives
through acquiring skills and competences gained
from acting alongside others with diverse educations,
skills and backgrounds
8. Is a response to the spiritual call to all people to
serve.

9. Is a means of social inclusion and integration. It
contributes to a cohesive society, creating bonds of
trust and solidarity and thus, social capital.
10. Is one of the ways in which people of all nationalities,
religions, socio-economic backgrounds and ages can
contribute to positive change.
11. Is a tool to stimulate active and responsible European
citizenship, which is central to European ideals and
values of democracy, solidarity and participation.

12. Is a powerful source of reconciliation and
reconstruction in divided societies
13. Provides informal and non-formal learning
opportunities and is therefore an instrument in the
life-long learning strategy within the European Union

14. Is a way of developing the corporate social
responsibility agenda through the creation of
innovative partnerships between businesses, public
authorities and volunteer centres
15. Has a powerful effect on the inclusion and
empowerment of traditionally excluded social groups

POLITICAL AND POLICY
RATIONALE

Solidarité has political, policy, resource
and value-based rationale, justification,
precedent and background.

This section provides justification for
taking this opportunity in terms of
corporate social responsibility (CSR)
and volunteering precepts, reports,
research and speeches espoused
by the Institutions since 1983.
Including such things as:

1. The European Parliament ‘Resolution on
volunteering’ 1983
2. The Council of Europe Policy Recommendation on
Social Cohesion and Quality of Life 1991
3. The European Commission ‘European Declaration of
Enterprises against Exclusion’ 1994
4. The Communication of the Commission on Promoting
the Role of Voluntary Organisations and Foundations
in Europe 1997

5. The Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee
on Voluntary Organisations and Foundations in
Europe 1998
6. The Treaty of Amsterdam, Declaration 38 on
voluntary service activities 1999
7. The Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee
on the role and contribution of civil society
organisations in the building of Europe 1999
8. The Communication from the Commission ‘Towards
a Europe of All Ages - Promoting Prosperity and
Intergenerational Solidarity’ 1999

9. The Treaty of Nice 2000
10. The ‘Communication from the Commission
Concerning Corporate Social Responsibility’ 2002
11. The ‘Opinion of the European Economic and Social
Committee on Voluntary Activity: its role in European
Society and its Impact’ 2006
12. The European Parliament ‘Resolution on Corporate
Social Responsibility: a new partnership’. 2007

13. The ‘Europe for Citizens programme’ 2007-2013
14. The European Parliament resolution on the role of
volunteering in contributing to economic and social
cohesion 2008
15. The European Parliament resolution on the ‘Renewed
Social Agenda’ 2009
16. The European Parliament Resolution on active
dialogue with citizens 2009

17. The proposal ideas have been steadily shared
throughout the EU Institutions and over 30 successful
pilot activities have been carried out, mainly
consisting of ‘Solidarité Days’ (staff training though
community engagement’ by European Commission,
Council of the European Union and European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee
of the Regions Units/Directorates.

18. Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) references
19. The European Year of Volunteering 2011
Other EU steps on CSR and volunteering can
be seen in the Solidarité Proposal’s Reference
Document ‘EU and International Volunteering
Policy & Action’ in the Volunteering Reference
Folder of the Solidarité proposal.

Support for the investigation of the Solidarité proposal was
formally given by:
20.A joint letter of support co-signed by the Chairpersons
of each of the 7 Political Groups of the European
Parliament. To see a copy, http://www.solidariteproposal.eu/sites/solidariteproposal.eu/files/Solidarite-proposal-Group-Chairs-letter-
Signatures.pdf

also formally given by:
21.The European Parliament Education and Culture
Committee 2012 report ‘Recognising and promoting
cross-border voluntary activities in the EU’, see points 66 and 67
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bREPORT%2bA7-2012-0166%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=
22.The European Parliament Employment and Social
Affairs Committee in the report ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility: promoting society’s interests and a route to
sustainable and inclusive recovery’, See point 56
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-50

also formally given by:
23.The European Economic and Social Committee
opinion of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and
Citizenship in the Communication on EU Policies and
Volunteering in 2012. (point 4.8, Voted unanimously in the specialized section.)
24.The proposal was formally referred to as a valuable
idea in the 2012 Annual Report on the Human Resources
of the Secretariat and Staffing Policy of the Economic and
Social Committee.

POLITICAL AND POLICY
REPORTS AND
SPEECHES

This section provides excerpts and
quotes from political and policy
reports and speeches by the EU
Institutions, on
THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
LEADERSHIP AND FEELING EUROPE
EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERING
INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION
MODERN HUMAN RESOURCES

THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING

Commission media statement introducing the
European Year of Volunteering, 2009
“For the Commission, volunteering is an active
expression of civic participation
which strengthens common European values
such as solidarity and social cohesion.
Volunteering has a great, but so far under-exploited, potential for the
social and economic development of Europe.
The Commission expects that the European Year of Volunteering
will lead to an increase in volunteering
and to greater awareness of its added value, and that it will
highlight the link between voluntary engagement at local level and its
significance in the wider European context.”

Commission media statement introducing the
European Year of Volunteering, 2009 cont’d
“The aim is to involve all levels – European, national,
regional and local.”
2006 ‘Opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee on Voluntary Activity: its role in
European Society and its Impact’
‘urges the European Commission to contribute to a
strategy for strengthening the European dimension of
voluntary activity and recognised that volunteering should
be supported by all levels of governments’.

The European Parliament Education and Culture
Committee report ‘recognising and promoting cross-
border voluntary activities in the EU’, June 2012:
66. Supports a formal examination of the ‘Solidarité
proposal’ for an inter-institutional human resources
programme in the EU institutions to facilitate the
involvement of the institutions’ staff and trainees in
volunteering, humanitarian and social activities, both as
part of staff training and volunteering in their own time;
67. Highlights the fact that the proposed programme is
cost saving and highly value-adding and would help to
implement EU policies and programmes;

The Commission's short justification on the
Proposal for The European Year Of Volunteering:
It “should be implemented in close cooperation with the
Member States, the EU Institutions and with civil society
organisations at the different levels.”

The European Parliament Resolution on active
dialogue with citizens 2009
“Notes that a European Year on Volunteering would be an
ideal opportunity for the EU institutions to
connect with citizens”
The European Parliament resolution on the
‘Renewed Social Agenda’
“Notes that a European Year of Volunteering would be an
ideal opportunity for the EU to
connect with civil society organisations”

Part of former Commission President Barosso’s
communication strategy
“…connecting with you by 'going local' …a move away
from monologue, replacing it with genuine dialogue
between the institutions and the citizens”.

‘The Role of Volunteering in Contributing to
Economic and Social Cohesion’ by the European
Parliament Regional Development Committee
“Promoting volunteering through Community policies,
supporting voluntary action using EU funds, and
recognising and committing to voluntary activity at EU level
helps to establish direct links between citizens, their
communities and the Union”

‘The Role of Volunteering in Contributing to
Economic and Social Cohesion’ by the European
Parliament Regional Development Committee, cont’d
• Firms should help fund initiatives to promote and enhance
volunteering, as part of their CSR strategies
• Volunteering contributes to building a European identity
rooted in shared values of democracy, solidarity and
participation
• Volunteering promotes mutual understanding between
people in society and across Europe and stimulates active
and responsible European citizenship - central to European
ideals

The European Parliament resolution on the role
of volunteering in contributing to economic and
social cohesion 2008
recognised the role of volunteering in the social inclusion
of people and integration of communities

• Over 100 million Europeans volunteer
• Eurobarometer: almost 80% of people felt voluntary
activities are an important part of democratic life in
Europe. 2006
The ‘Manifesto on Volunteering in Europe’
"promoting a socially cohesive society, fostering
meaningful learning policy or the development of an
active European citizenship".

“Volunteering… puts one of the most important
European values – that of solidarity – into
action…(it) can help build communities and
reduce alienation.”
“Volunteering promotes intergenerational
solidarity, intercultural dialogue and social
cohesion, which are all part of the EU’s values
and objectives as laid down in the Treaties.”
Marian Harkin MEP

“to strengthen the cohesion of the Union… We
cannot talk about solidarity without ensuring
the social… cohesion of the Union.”
European Voice, April 2005

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
1. Have placed greater emphasis on the links between voluntary
actions, Corporate Social Responsibility and solutions to global
concerns
2. Through intergovernmental institutions, global summits, and
international partnerships, a range of legislation, resolutions
and support for volunteering have emerged

3. The EU statement to the United Nations General
Assembly on the “Outcome of the International Year
of Volunteers and its follow up” 2002
“Voluntary work promotes social participation, active
citizenship, and strengthens civil society. It can help
maintain and improve society's stability and cohesion.
Whatever its form, volunteering builds trust and
solidarity. It has proven to be a means of
reconciliation and reconstruction. When the
underprivileged and the prosperous join together in
voluntary activities, in-novative partnerships can be
created and bridges built between all sectors of
society.”

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The ‘Communication from the Commission
Concerning Corporate Social Responsibility, A
Business Contribution to Sustainability’ 2002
outlined steps to integrate CSR in all EU policies

The European Parliament ‘Resolution on
Corporate Social Responsibility’
underlined the importance of the EU-budget lines for
projects such as those involving employee community
engagement, and called on the European Commission
to fulfil its commitment to develop policies to
encourage the staff of EU Institutions to undertake
voluntary community engagement.

The Communication from the Commission,
A Renewed EU Strategy 2011-14 for Corporate
Social Responsibility
October 2011
The Communication from the Commission,
Communication on EU Policies and
Volunteering: Recognising and Promoting
Crossborder Voluntary Activities in the EU
September 2011

President Barroso, in a speech for CSR Europe,
entitled “Putting Corporate Social Responsibility at
the Heart of our Vision”
said that corporate social responsibility is central to
European policy, and in the global financial circumstances,
was even more crucial than ever.
“I want Europe to be a global leader in corporate social
responsibility. A pole of excellence for the world. I want us to
lead by example – articulating a vision for business where
profit is not the only goal.”
“I truly believe that corporate social responsibility is crucial
for modern European enterprises seeking to meet today's
challenges.”

Addressing the ‘Renewed Social Agenda’
resolution
“It is my experience that more and more people are losing
faith and trust in institutions. The EU represents a huge
institution and we have a massive responsibility to ensure
that active dialogue is core to what we do.”
MEP Marian Harkin

The Europa website states:
“A feeling of belonging to the European Union will develop... through
its tangible achievements and successes.
“A sense of belonging together and having a common destiny cannot
be manufactured. It can only arise from a shared cultural awareness,
which is why Europe now needs to focus its attention not just on
economics but also on education, citizenship and culture.”
“We are not bringing together states, we are uniting people”,
said Jean Monnet in 1952.
Unifying people and “raising public awareness about the EU and
involving citizens in its activities is still one of the greatest challenges
facing the EU institutions today.”

“People don't feel ‘Europe”
Irish musician and activist, Bono

Commission President Romano Prodi said his
administration aimed
“To introduce an era of change, to make it stronger
and more in touch with the citizens of Europe”.
He notably asked
“What are the consequences if the aims and actions of
the organisations that built the EU’s historic and
singular achievements in the last half of the twentieth
century are not believable in public opinion and
particularly to a younger generation?”

STAFF TRAINING THROUGH COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
Refered to in some reports as EMPLOYER SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERING

“Employer Supported Volunteering is one of the most
tangible, effective and visible initiatives supporting a solid
and active CSR Programme.”
HUBU (Human Business). www.hu-bu.org
Supported by the Institutions and their
administrations, ESV is an effective way of deploying
EU values and leadership within the larger
perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility and
Institutional responsibilities.

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL
COOPERATION

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION
The Solidarité proposal provides something common to
the Institutions as an inter-institutional program where the
Institutions are shown fully committed to working in
partnership.
In his speech as President-designate to the Plenary Session
of the European Parliament, José Manuel Barroso advocated
that Parliamentary support to the Commission gave
‘victory for European democracy’…

President Barosso confirmed that the Commission
“…wants to have a close relationship with this Parliament; a
Commission that with your support and partnership can drive
forward a European agenda that can make Europe matter to its
citizens.”
“Whatever our priorities and objectives, we can do more by
acting together than separately.”
There is “a responsibility… to work together; a responsibility to
forge a relationship built on mutual respect and shared
confidence in Europe’s future; a responsibility to deliver results
which make a difference to the lives of Europeans.”

The Treaty of Nice’s chapter on solidarity
brings together social and economic rights including 'the
right to reconcile family life and professional life’, tjhis is a
goal, in practice, of the Solidarité Proposal in that family
and friends may partake in certain Solidarité activities.
‘In an age where corporations are pouring money into
staff motivation courses, counselling and stress
management, the idea of feeling part of the whole rather
than a clog in the machine, is surely a better way to
motivate and inspire people.’
Ricardo Semler, ‘Seven Day Weekend’

The shared purpose described in EU reports and
speeches since 1983 need leaders and
administration to own it and shape it.
The idea of the Solidarité Propsoal has support.
The Solidarité Proposal is an opportunity to forge a
unique value-adding social model.
CONCLUSION TO POLITICAL AND
POLICY REPORTS AND SPEECHES

The Solidarité Proposal is
That the EU Institutions formally endorse and incorporate
the purpose, operations and activities of a Solidarité human
resource program cooperatively across jurisdictions under
common institutional rules, processes and guidelines and
under the auspices of any relevant institutional bodies.

1. The Solidarité activities should be operated
internally by the EU Institutions.
2. Ownership of Solidarité activities and
freedom to develop projects creatively would
be possible by those involved.

1. Why should a Solidarité human resource
programme exist within the EU Institutions?
1. People need to believe in their Institutions; true
inspiration, encouragement and revival can occur in
society when institutions of our national and
international life lead the way.
2. “we must reconnect the Union with the people”
President Barroso, Plenary Session of the European
Parliament.
3. It provides confidence and integrity to the program.

4. The Solidarité Proposal’s unique place and value as an idea
and activity would not be developed and maintained operating
outside the Institutions, as a non-governmental organisation
for example, as it would remove the purpose of the
programme from the very people it is hoping to involve and
the very reason it aims to exist.
5. Outside the Institutions it would be an external stakeholder
like any other stakeholder
Cont’d

6. Within the EU Institutions it would show EU leaders
leading by example and provide exceptional rewards as
a significant contributor to staff morale and public image
7. Within the EU Institutions it provides a positive
experience (both personal and communal) of universal
values and the satisfaction of key human drives
Cont’d

2. Why ownership of Solidarité and freedom to
develop projects creatively by those
involved is important
1. Supporting and developing the Solidarité proposal
ideas is significantly about developing a modern
human resources policy that supports staff
involvement in meaningful pursuits.
Social research tells us there are key psychologically
and socially motivating factors as to why activities are
successful and why we get involved in them. All of
these motivating factors or ‘drives’ we believe are
inherent, available and nurtured in the Solidarité
structure - freedom and ownership are a big part of
this.

2. There is arguably, a shortage of rewarding and
stimulating opportunities afforded to both help others
and to bond and learn with one’s colleagues.
Through common involvement, ownership and
responsibility in Solidarité, staff morale at the
Institutions (the biggest asset of an organisation) is
boosted. What gets achieved as a result then has
multiplier effects for both those helped and the helpers.
develop projects creatively by those involved is
important cont’d

3. “there is no question of volunteers on the one hand and
professionals on the other. The two are not mutually
exclusive: neither group can function without the help
of the other. Both groups, professionals and volunteers,
are part of the social model that Europe exemplifies, of
civil society, in which the citizen too has an important
voice. That is the famous partnership principle.”
Lambert van Nistelrooij, speaking on behalf of the
Committee on Regional Development, during Parliamentary
tabling of the Committee’s report, ‘The Role of Volunteering
in Contributing to Economic and Social Cohesion’
develop projects creatively by those involved is
important cont’d

The Proposal and operational steps require
very few relative resources.
What they do require more significantly
is the political will and the belief that
supporting and developing a
Solidarité human resource programme
is a good, and workable, idea.

Resources allocated to many other areas of
EU Institution life include resources of:
1. Units dedicated to staff promotion and career services
2. The Central Staff Committees; the vicinity of 50
elected staff who work on staff conditions and
statutory roles such as insurance and promotions
3. Employee Union Secretariats
4. The Parent’s Association

5. Former staff members in the Institutions
6. Training and professional development
7. ‘Away Days’
8. Cercles des Loisirs and clubs such as the EU Cycling
Club.
9. Resources provided by the EU Institutions to the
informal ASBLs within the Institutions (such as Europe
Tier Monde, Femmes d’Europe and ADEK)

Of note; according to a report by the European Parliament Regional
Development Committee, ‘The Role of Volunteering in Contributing to
Economic and Social Cohesion’[1], “Volunteering is good for you, your
community, your region's economic development and your national
economy. It also helps build the ‘social capital’ that public policies need
to succeed. Over 100 million EU citizens volunteer, and every €1 spent
on supporting them generates a return of between €3 and €8 - a
contribution that should appear in national accounts”.
[1]2007/2149(INI) A6-0070/2008, Regional P)olicy 22-04-2008, and media statement
‘Volunteering empowers you’ REF: 20080418IPR27072 and Plenary sessions, 26/02/2008,
Committee on Regional Development
In the chair: Gerardo Galeote (EPP-ED, ES)

We live in an environment of information overload, time
shortage and relatively low social morale…
it is common therefore, that people want to do things to
help others but do not know what, or how to do it.
If people have ideas or a passing desire to do something,
but think that it is too much work,
too far away,
do not know where to start,
have their self-image negatively attached to what they do
or if they feel they have to take too many risks,
they will almost always not do it.

Beyond a fundamental drive to love and be loved and the
primary physiological human needs to breathe, eat, drink,
sex and have water and shelter and then, safety and
security –
social research tells us that there are key psychologically
and socially motivating factors deciding
why we behave as we do.
All of these motivating factors or ‘drives’ we believe are
inherent, available and nurtured in the Solidarité structure.
This is a key reason we believe Solidarité can work.

1. To Bond
2. To Acquire and to ‘expand’
3. To Learn
Summarised, these motivating factors, or ‘drives’, are:

4. To Defend - values, others, self
5. To Belong - acceptance, encouragement
6. To be Acknowledged
7. To be involved Socially - friendship and exchange

8. To have Ownership - freedom, independence, power,
expression in life
9. Accessibility - the time/distance ratio of activity
10. To have the power of an idea that matches their values
11. To have support - a supportive infrastructure and
critical numbers of others involved

12. Adventure
13. To Give - altruism, spiritual dimension
14. Other drives include: Status, Loyalty, Order and
Organisation and Physical Activity

“In all its different forms, volunteering plays a
crucial role across the European Union”
‘The Manifesto for Volunteering in Europe’
The European Volunteer Centre www.cev.be

‘The Manifesto for Volunteering in Europe’
Volunteering :
• Is a means of social inclusion and integration. It
contributes to a cohesive society creating bonds of trust
and solidarity and, thus, social capital.
• Is one of the ways in which people of all nationalities,
religions, socioeconomic backgrounds and ages can
contribute to positive change.

• Can be a tool to stimulate active and responsible
European citizenship, which is central to European
ideals and values of democracy, solidarity and
participation
• Is a powerful source of reconciliation and reconstruction
in divided societies
• Provides informal and non-formal learning opportunities
and is therefore a crucial instrument in the life-long
learning strategy within the European Union

• Is an important component of the strategic objective of
the European Union of becoming “…the most
competitive and dynamic, knowledge-based economy in
the world…” adopted by the Member States at the
European Council in Lisbon 2000.
• Volunteering and the creation of innovative partnerships
between businesses, public authorities and volunteer
centres is a way of developing the corporate social
responsibility agenda
• Is a real community investment and plays an important
role in finding solutions to societal issues

• Volunteers help to improve the quantity and quality of
services and to creatively develop new services. In this
way volunteering can contribute to the creation of new
employment opportunities.
• Has a powerful effect of on the inclusion and
empowerment of traditionally excluded social groups

Volunteer action is a creative and mediating
force that:
• Empowers people to exercise their rights as human
beings and thus to improve their lives
• Hugely benefits the organisation from which the
volunteers come
• Helps solve social, cultural, economic and
environmental problems

• Builds a more humane and just society through
worldwide cooperation
• Leads to the direct involvement of citizens in local
development which can help to promote civil society
and democracy
• Empowers local groups to transform their lives
through acquiring skills and competences gained
from volunteering and working alongside others with
diverse educations, skills and backgrounds

• Is a response to the spiritual call to all people to
serve, and
• Gives not-for-profit organisations the benefit of extra
assistance provided by motivated and enthusiastic
people who have volunteered their services and want
to learn.
• Is unifying, generating cross-sectoral partnerships

• Contributes to social inclusion - it is good for the
community
• Is a means of lifelong learning and greater
employability
• Offers huge economic value

There has been a shift in motivation to be involved in
volunteer work over the last three decades from altruistic
reasons to benefits to the individual themselves.
Many people consider their participation in ‘volunteer type’
activities to be as much a hobby as a volunteer activity.
One of the most frequent personal benefits of volunteering
that volunteers express is ‘a more balanced outlook on life’.
Hence…“More and more European companies are
mobilizing volunteer efforts and also letting employees plan
volunteer programs at work.”
(Dr Marijke Steenbergen, executive director of ‘Civiq’, Netherlands)
Motivational Shift in volunteering

The vision of the Solidarité Proposal
is inter-institutional activities of the European
Union Institutions which combines corporate
citizenship and the involvement of staff and
trainees in benevolent humanitarian and social
activities.

It would be a program that facilitates and unites
staff and trainees of the EU Institutions to do
good deeds to help others and make a positive
difference in our world - believing that every
small action makes a difference.
It would make humanitarian and social actions
accessible, welcome the contribution of each
person’s skills and gifts, engage with those less
fortunate, develop awareness, and foster the
spirit of social consciousness and action at the
EU Institutions.

NOTE
The inter-institutional Solidarité program described
herein does not exist.
A proposal, the Solidarité Proposal, which attempts to
provide a long-term structure and rules for its support
and operation is ready to present to the EU
Institutions.
A program to run it has been prepared.
It is hoped that a formal inter-institutional Task Force
can review the Proposal and Program and report to
the Institutions.
If you feel that this program is valuable,
please support it.

As outlined in the Solidarité Proposal,
the status of Solidarité would ideally
formally incorporate the following:
1. Solidarité is a program of inter-institutional
humanitarian activities and social awareness
human resources activities for the staff and
trainees of the European Union Institutions.

2. It is owned and operated jointly by the EU
Institutions with the highest level of support,
endorsement and involvement, and run as a formal
inter-institutional service from an inter-institutional
Secretariat; controlled by and answerable to the
Administration of each Institution in a common and
unified manner, underpinned by policies and
procedures.
3. Its daily operations are managed by a Steering
Committee with members from each of the
Institutions.

4. It undertakes activities to help others and make a
positive difference in our world representing the
core values of the EU and corporate social
responsibility, run by or involving EU Institution staff
and trainees both as part of a formal staff training
through community engagement programme and in
their spare time.

5. Solidarité activities range from the socially engaging,
artistic and entertaining to the challenging, confronting
and sporting: for example, visiting the elderly; cycling
together to raise awareness of a cause; organising or
participating in a socially uplifting choir; working together
in a soup kitchen or arranging collections of unwanted
clothes from EU Institution staff and giving them to the
poor.
Sometimes activities are organised in cooperation with
Non Governmental Organisations or International
Organisations.
Staff & trainees from all the EU Institutions may
participate actively in Solidarité activities (for example, by
assisting a soup kitchen or visiting the elderly as part of
staff training through community engagement or by
helping organise the collection of unwanted clothes in a
Project in their own time) in addition, they may simply
contribute to the Projects anytime they like (for example,
by simply donating any of their unwanted clothes).

6. Project activity creates tangible intra and inter unit,
Directorate, Department and Institutional team-
building, networking, strategic planning,
communication, professional development and
organisational and leadership benefits to
employees, Units, Departments and the
Institutions.

7. Solidarité uses the communications mechanisms
and networks of the EU Institutions in order to
network, distribute information and to assist
organisation.
8. It has a formal link to the Traineeship programs of
the EU Institutions.

9. It serves the greater purposes of the European
Union and is deeply instilled with the core values of
the EU. It aligns with EU Treaties, universal values,
corporate citizenship, social ethics and institutional
principles of reform, concern for good governance,
transparency and proximity to citizens.
10. Solidarité belongs to every current staff member
and trainee of the EU Institutions. It is not a Non-
Governmental Organisation, it is not a political
group and it is not formally aligned with any
organisation outside the EU Institutions.

11. It supports and provides easily accessible
opportunities for the staff and trainees of the EU
Institutions (and as appropriate, retired staff, former
trainees, family and friends) to combine their
energies to do simple good deeds to help others
and make a positive difference to our world. It
encourages the use of each person’s skills and gifts
for this purpose, under the principle that every
small action makes a difference in more ways than
one. It is an idea, structure and activity based on
altruism and friendship which tries to make
ourselves better people and the world a better
place.

12. Through supporting and helping to provide the
above opportunities, Solidarité also hopes to foster
a spirit of humanitarian and social consciousness
and action within and amongst the leaders and
policy-makers gathered at the EU Institutions.
13. It entails constructive corporate social responsibility
returns for the Institutions and society at large, is
an important component of the professional, social
and personal development of staff and trainees and
provides positive human resources outcomes.

14. Solidarité aims to set an example; contribute to
social capital, social cohesion and community
engagement; have personal, professional, staff
morale, institutional, corporate responsibility and
broader social benefits; and continually inspire,
represent and serve the purposes of the European
Union, its values and citizens.

15. It is guided by the Solidarité Regulations and the
Solidarité Mission Statement.

A significant dimension of this status is the fact that
Solidarité’s values are inter-linked and representative of
the values of the European Union and that it entails staff
and trainees of the EU Institutions representing,
promoting and living - ‘hands-on’ - the core values, the
social responsibility and the goodwill which creates
global peace and solidarity and which built the
European Union.

It is a corporate social responsibility initiative which is
also considered to be an idea and activity profitable to
the development of current and potential future leaders
and policy makers working at or undertaking
Traineeships at the EU Institutions.
As such, beyond the humanitarian and social
contribution it provides for those in need, Solidarité is an
integral part of the life and culture of the European
Union Institutions.

• Solidarité activities could entail a light structure within
current organisational structures
• It could be an expression of CSR as advocated by
the Institutions themselves
• It could cater to a multitude of CSR factors ranging
from staff morale to involving a transition path for
retirees into active retirement

• The corporate social responsibility potential of the
activities could include an emphasis on activities in
quieter workload periods or indeed in times of stress
• There is room for coordination flexibility within each
Institution
• There is room for an emphasis on training, team
building and doing something stimulating together to
improve interaction, leadership, management and
interpersonal skills

• It could allow participation days for older employees
to step into active retirement and involvement in
terms of civic governance in their communities
• It could allow ‘release time’ to individuals for
approved activity (similar to unions giving release
time), ‘Employer Supported Volunteering Community
Leave’ and ‘Vacation Leave’… the list goes on - the
goal is to find the methods, roles and functions to suit
the Institutions.

• It could provide a support to staff social clubs within
the Institutions engaged in fundraising and or
community work
• It could represents, ‘hands-on’, the social
responsibility behind the values specified in European
Treaties
• It could give a human touch to work for staff and
between the Institutions and the people they serve

• The EU Institutions and their staff help to shape the
policies and lives of people in Europe and around the
world
People need to believe in their Institutions. A
Solidarité human resource programme could provide
excellent visibility of the very people shaping policies
affecting hundreds of millions of people, uniting and
doing small acts to make a difference through their
own choice.
• It could be an example to other international
Institutions and organisations

• It could have significant public relations benefits
• It could create opportunities for project participation
with key organisations or stakeholders
• It could create opportunities for family and community
participation

Michel Platini, President of UEFA, football’s European governing
body, gave a fine parallel example of the Solidarité benefits at
the celebrations of the EU’s 50th birthday, 2007.
The best of European football was on show in Manchester when
a European All Stars team met Manchester United in a friendly
match. All proceeds from the event went to a charity. Platini said:
“Football brings people together. In a continent so proud of its
cultural diversity, football offers a common language. It helps to
integrate different communities. At its best, our sport conveys
some of Europe's basic values: the rule of law, respect for
others, freedom of expression, teamwork and solidarity.”
Solidarité aims for the same benefits and more, that Michel
Platini outlined for football.

Through a Solidarité programme, the EU Institutions could
internally create and encourage human resource activities
which in turn not only give a personal, and public,
demonstration of the Institution’s interests, thoughts,
priorities and values... yet also ignite and sustain them as
well.

For More Information
David Barnes +32 (0)471 630 581
+61 (0)406 585 848
david@solidariteproposal.eu
Patricia Camisao +32 (0)479 269 658
patricia@solidariteproposal.eu
Last updated 26/05/2015

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