Volunteering Equality Rights Action
VERA

Throughout the year VERA activities were supported by an increasing collaboration with the European Parliament.
Meetings of the European Parliament Volunteering Interest Group were held throughout 2023-2024.
 

MEPs got closer to the volunteering field by job shadowing a volunteer during a normal day of activities. By wearing the shoes of volunteers, MEPs involved will be better suited to support, advocate and value volunteering in their daily work at the European Parliament.


 

• Two young volunteers, Yannis Chepchie and Maia Dăncesc, who took part in the Brussels programme between 13–17 October 2025. For three full days, the participants engaged in a richblend of institutional visits, thematic discussions, cultural activities, and networking events aimed at deepening their understanding of the European decision-making process and the values that guide it The highlight of the experience took place on 18th October 2025, when the delegation had the privilege to spend a full day at the European Parliament, job shadowing MEP Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament. This unique experience provided a directinsight into the daily work of an MEP, the complexity of parliamentary duties, and the way European legislation takes shape through collaboration, debate, and civic consultation.
  
   

• The first activity took place on 13 June 2025 in Capannori, a long-standing reference point for community-led Zero Waste policies in Italy. During a public event organised by Zero Waste Italy, MEP Ignazio Marino joined volunteers and local stakeholders from several regions for an evening focused on practical, replicable solutions. He observed how volunteers and municipal partners support door to door separate collection, explain pay as you throw incentives, and sustain behaviour change through community education such as school talks and neighbourhood meetings. He engaged as both guest and learner, asking about data use in local monitoring, how feedback reaches residents, and what evidence is most persuasive when advocating non-incineration alternatives.
  
  The second activity brought volunteer Chiara Tacconi on 16 October 2025 to the European Parliament for a day of job shadowing with MEP Marino’s office. The day began with an orientation to the office workflow, and continued with a policy session on the petition by Marche a Rifiuti Zero ETS (MRZ, Zero Waste Marche) to the Committee on Petitions (PETI) regarding the Marche Regional Waste Management Plan. At MEP Marino’s request, Policy Advisor Carlo Diana outlined a clear procedural route, including the supplementary materials that could strengthen the file, how to structure comparative scenarios, and how to frame the analysis so PETI members can quickly grasp the circular economy implications.
   

• On 30 September 2025, volunteer Natalia Sánchez Rodríguez, from the AD-HOC Association for the Care of People with Addiction Problems in Baza (Granada, Spain), spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, from the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats). Natalia had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament for the first time and to take part in several meetings organised by the team. She was also able to visit the city and meet with the CEV team. A short interview with her was conducted as well, which can be accessed through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2YUveBeaes 
  
  The visit of MEP Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez to Natalia’s organisation is planned for before February 2026. Due to scheduling constraints, it was not possible to organise the visit in 2025, but we have the MEP’s full commitment for next year.
   

• On 23 and 24 September, Giovanna Franchin, President of M.O.I.C.A. Vicenza – Donne Attive in Famiglia e Società – APS, had the opportunity to take part in the work of the European Parliament in Brussels, thanks to the availability and support of MEP Cristina Guarda. During her stay, she was able to follow the parliamentary sessions, meet staff and representatives, and gain a closer understanding of how European policies that directly or indirectly affect the world of volunteering are shaped
  On 29 november, MEP Cristina Guarda took on the role of “volunteer for a day” at M.O.I.C.A. Vicenza APS, joining the association during a typical day of activities. Welcomed by the volunteers, she was able to observe and experience first-hand the different facets of their commitment: from listening to and supporting women and families, to organising initiatives for empowerment and social inclusion, to the many small but significant tasks that keep the association’s daily work going.
   

• On 24 September 2025, Maryrose Francica had the privilege of spending a full day job shadowing MEP Thomas Bajada in  Brussels. The experience provided me  with unique insights into the daily work   of a Member of the European  Parliament and the opportunities that  arise through EU policymaking and   stakeholder engagement.  The day began with attendance at an   event entitled “Water Resilience:  Building a Water-Smart Economy”,  hosted by Business Science Poland.  MEP Bajada participated as a panel speaker, contributing alongside Ms.  Veronica Manfredi, Director for Water Resilience at DG Environment, European Commission. The discussion  highlighted the pressing challenges Europe faces in securing sustainable water management and the role of policy and innovation in creating a resilient, water-smart economy. Following this event, they proceeded to the European Parliament, where she was able to observe  two committee meetings. The first focused on Human Rights, providing a deep perspective on  ongoing efforts to safeguard fundamental freedoms worldwide. The second was dedicated to  the establishment of the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028–2034, including the  proposed repeal of Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888 (CULT/10/03658). Witnessing  the debates and exchanges in these meetings demonstrated the importance of long-term vision  and careful legislative planning within the EU framework. Another highlight of the day was the opportunity to meet with a delegation from the Special  Olympics Malta, headed by Ms. Anna Calleja. The delegation’s presence at the Parliament was  a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity, equal opportunities, and European  support for initiatives that empower individuals with intellectual disabilities.
  On 17 September 2025, MEP Thomas Bajada (S&DGroup) went to the Women Elevation Malta office in Marsa and volunteered.
   

• On June 4th 2025, Volunteer Jana Mlynarcikova from the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Veronika Cifrova Ostrihonova (Renew Europe Group). Jana had the opportunity to attend the LIBE and FEMM meeting on female genital mutilation and the LIBE meeting with Commissioner McGrath. Jana also had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament. We have made a short interview with Jana, you can find it here. On 20th May 2025, MEP Veronika Cifrova Ostrihonova (Renew Europe Group) volunteered in a hospital in Bratislava with Together with Courage Foundation. 
   

• On 19 February 2025, the volunteers Pasquale Ciurleo, national president of EPLI (Ente
  Proloco Italiane), and Oronzo Rifino, Regional President of the EPLI Puglia, are at the European
  Parliament, invited to participate in the cultural promotion activities held by MEP Valentina
  Palmisano. Many MEPs also participated in these activities. In Italy, on May 25, 2025, MEP Valentina Palmisano participated in an event in Puglia to bringtogether and include national and regional volunteers. She was invited by volunteers PasqualeCiurleo, national president of EPLI (Ente Proloco Italiane), and Oronzo Rifino, RegionalPresident of the EPLI Puglia. The event demonstrated a strong participation of volunteers inpromoting social culture and enhancing the local area. Many disabled volunteers and localauthorities were present.
   

• On 21 February 2024, Volunteer Katarina Slovakova from the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Michal Wiezik (RENEW Europe Group). Katarina had the opportunity to attend the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI). We have made a short interview with Katarina, you can find it here and the report here. On 26 March 2024, MEP Michal Wiezik (RENEW Europe Group) went to the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations in Banska Bystrica (SK) and spent a day volunteering. MEP Wiezik participated in a discussion on how the EU can contribute to the implementation of green measures at the local level. He emphasised the importance of volunteer activities in climate and environmental protection and expressed interest in connecting the topic of volunteering with his expertise in ecology.

 

• On 21 February 2024, Volunteer Michaela Cauchi from the VO Home away from Home Centre spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Cyrus Engerer (S&D Group) and this exchange was facilitated by the Malta Council for Voluntary Sector (MCVS). Michaela had the opportunity to attend a conference which the MEP organised about HIV, about finding treatments, the statistics and much more information relating to HIV and AIDS. She also attended the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). We have made a short interview with Michaela, you can find it here and the report here. On 12 January 2024, MEP Cyrus Engerer (S&D Group) went to the VO Home away from Home in Malta, otherwise known as Salesian Youth Center and shadowed Michaela Cauchi during one day of volunteering. MEP Engerer also gave an inspiring speech to the Salesian youths, encouraging them to face challenges with bravery and perseverance.  

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• On November 29 2023, Volunteer Jana Mracnova from the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Michal Wiezik (Renew Europe Group). Jana had the opportunity to attend the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety for an exchange of views with Dr Sharon McGuinness, Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Jana also had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament. We have made a short interview with Jana, you can find it here and the report here. On 8 December 2023, MEP Michal Wiezik (Renew Europe Group) went to the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations event in Banská Bystrica and volunteered. 

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• On 28 November 2023, Marta Herrera Morello from the Spanish Volunteering Platform spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Mónica Silvana Gonzalez (S&D Group). Marta followed, together with the Spanish MEP, Committee on Development (DEVE) meeting, Delegation for relations with Mercosur (DMER) meeting and coordination meeting in preparation of the plenary session to happen in Strasbourg. We have made a short interview with Marta and the MEP, you can find it here and the report here.

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• On 6 September 2023, Beatriz Coelho, Pista Magica volunteer, spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D Group). She followed an S&D coordination meeting regarding the upcoming plenary session in Strasbourg, as well as experienced the day of the daily work of an MEP at the EP. Find Beatriz's videos here and the report of these activities here. On December 19 2023, MEP Maria Manuel Leitão Marques (S&D Group), Vice-chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, spent a day volunteering in the project “VoluntariaMente” in Valongo, northern Portugal, organised by the CEV Member Pista Mágica. 

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• On 26 April 2023, Viktor Kollar, Slovenska Filantropija volunteer, spent the day at the European Parliament with MEP Irena Joveva (RENEW Europe), Co-Chair of the European Parliament Volunteering Interest Group. He followed the voting processes and accompanied her to l meetings on youth active citizenship as well as the event “The migratory experience adopting a three-generational perspective”.  Find Viktor's videos here and the report of these activities here. On 21 February 2023, Viktor Kollar, volunteer, went to MEP Irena Joveva (RENEW Europe), Co-Chair of the European Parliament Volunteering Interest Group local office in Ljubljana, spending a day of job shadowing. On 12 January 2023, MEP Irena Joveva (RENEW Europe), co-chair of the European Parliament Volunteering Interest Group,  spent a day volunteering teaching the Slovenian  to refugees, majority of them from Ukraine, organised by the CEV Member Slovene Philanthropy. "I'm glad that I can be a part of your stories. Your lives are anything but easy, and your willingness to learn is enviable," Joveva said. One of the volunteers from Slovenian Philanthropy will also have the opportunity to spend a day shadowing MEP Joveva in her work.

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