Participants will be able to engage in informal and enlightening discussions as a part of the ECVER community gathering around a shared, common interest in volunteer evidence and research in Europe, followed by a lunch offered by CEV with support from the University of Exeter. The session will be structured around 3 guided open conversation tables.

1) Following the successful launch of the Voluntaris Special Edition we will look ahead to the next steps called for in the journal’s concluding chapter, including questions such as:

 What shared concepts are needed to underpin a clear or consistent legal framework for volunteering involvement in Europe? How can we reach an inclusive and co-ordinated research and practice-oriented effort to understand volunteer involvement? Can experiences in one country provide lessons to another, are historical paths too entrenched, or is there a unified, European path? Facilitator: Dr Karin Biermann, Co-convenor, ISTR - Research on Volunteering Affinity Group

2) Join this table to discuss proposals for new research to investigate the impact of volunteering on the volunteers, and how those impacts align with Strategic Development Goals, in collaboration with a network of European volunteer organisations and programmes. Facilitator Dr Stuart Fox Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Exeter (UK).

3) In 2026 (International Volunteer Year) CEV will publish the first State of European Volunteering Report (SEVR). 

This groundbreaking work will mark a benchmark milestone in understanding volunteering in transnational perspective and for advancing measurement methodologies. Participants will be able to have a preview of first findings, share advice and input on the challenges faced and contribute to testing the indicators used. Facilitator: Dr. Ksenija Fonović, Co-convenor, ISTR - Research on Volunteering Affinity Group