15th edition of the European Volunteer Capital Competition

Municipalities that apply to become the European Volunteering Capital 2028 will receive European-wide recognition for their excellence in supporting volunteering through policies, strategies and programmes. The initiative highlights both existing good practices and future-oriented plans that demonstrate ambition, quality, and sustainable development in the field of volunteering.

Beyond recognition, participation in the competition is designed to create a wider impact. Candidate municipalities are encouraged to inspire and motivate other local authorities to improve their own support systems for volunteers. In doing so, the initiative aims to strengthen volunteering structures across Europe and promote a shared culture of solidarity and civic engagement.

A key element of the programme is the opportunity to improve impact measurement. Candidates will gain access to a dedicated toolkit that allows them to assess and monitor the effectiveness of their volunteering policies and initiatives in a more systematic way.

Once accepted, municipalities join the European Volunteering Capital Candidates Community (EVCCC), a network of cities and regional authorities with a shared commitment to strengthening volunteering and solidarity. This community of practice fosters collaboration, exchange of expertise, and long-term learning between participants.

By participating in the EVCapital 2028 process, municipalities are also able to better connect their local volunteering strategies with the wider European context. This helps to align local actions with European values while improving the overall quality, visibility, and impact of volunteering across participating regions.

Additional information:
More information about the initiative, including the application form and eligibility requirements, can be found at the following link.