This report captures the outcomes of discussions held at the CEV Spring European Volunteering Congress 2026 in Maia, Portugal, the European Volunteering Capital 2026, where over 100 delegates from Centre for European Volunteering (CEV) member organisations, Portuguese municipalities, the European Volunteering Capital Candidates Community (EVCCC), and other public authorities concerning Europe’s response to the IVY 2026 Global Call to Action.
The report is structured around three of the Global Call to Action's core pillars and presents Europe's collective response to each:
- Recognition: Calls for systemic recognition of volunteering, an age-inclusive and universal approach to validation of learning, better and more ethical data collection, and meaningful involvement of volunteers in decision-making.
- Support: Highlights sustainable funding, stronger legal and policy frameworks, reduced bureaucratic burden, and the protection of civic space as foundational conditions for volunteering to thrive.
- Safeguarding: Includes wellbeing, burnout prevention, clear standards, and shared responsibility across the whole volunteering ecosystem.