Active citizenship - European Federation for Intercultural Learning

Fostering active citizenship through volunteerism and intercultural learning experiences is a strategic priority of two-fold importance for EFIL and its Member Organisations. Firstly, volunteers are the cornerstone and invaluable carriers of both the mission and operations. Secondly, volunteering experiences at local and international levels contribute to empowering individuals to act as informed and responsible active citizens and be the drivers of changes towards social cohesion in increasingly diverse societies.

Within these efforts, EFIL is focusing on the following three specific strategic objectives under the Strategic Plan 2026-2028.

We promote the social impact of volunteering for intercultural learning

EFIL promotes the social impact of volunteering for intercultural learning, as prevalent within EFIL Member organisations. EFIL will showcase research, provide and promote recommendations for furthering these specific forms of volunteerism as a driver of societal change and impact in local communities both in terms of intercultural learning and active citizenship. The results of these efforts will also serve the objectives under the area of Public dialogue, to contribute and call for improvement of policies and practices for a better access, inclusivity, and institutional recognition of volunteerism in Europe. Also, under the area of Intercultural Learning, EFIL as a network will utilise knowledge-informed approach for better incorporation of active citizenship development into offered learning opportunities.

We promote and strengthen cross-border volunteer collaboration

EFIL will continue nurturing its community of volunteers with clear learning journeys that encompass opportunities at local, national and international level. This cross-border and cross-organisational collaboration among volunteers is aimed at nurturing the sense of belonging to a community sharing a purpose, encouraging mutual learning for personal and organisational development, and contributing to the motivation for and visibility of social impact of the volunteer work. The collaboration will include exchange of ideas and experiences among volunteers of Member Organisations, as well as provision of structural interaction and collaboration among their volunteers and with volunteers of other like-minded organisations.

Member Organisations develop their volunteer networks further, building on EFIL initiatives

Member Organisations will continue developing their volunteer networks by utilising opportunities offered by EFIL to develop coherent volunteer development journeys , with a focus on nurturing active citizenship at the local level. EFIL will continue supporting its Members in this effort by providing opportunities for exchange of good practices, including on policy-based and volunteer-led governance.

Fostering active citizenship among our volunteers

Discover all the opportunities for volunteers fostering their active participation through active citizenship education, intercultural learning, and mobility opportunities.

PEACE - Active citizenship

We work to promote active citizenship and young people’s sense of initiative as well as intercultural dialogue, recognition of diversity and promotion of tolerance. With that purpose, EFIL organises the PEACE Programme (Peace through Exchange and Active Citizenship Education Programme), a secondary school trimester exchange programme which aims at empowering and enabling young people to become active citizens.