VIE/VIA and other volunteering
International internship AT A COMPANY (VIE) OR AN ADMINISTRATION (VIA)
Description
International internships ("Volontariat international" or VI) offer participants an opportunity to take part in a scientific research, technical, sales, or other type of project in a French company or administration abroad, so long as certain conditions are met.
Assignments can be for an internationally ranked government-accredited French company (VIE), or for an administration (VIA).
The International internships may include required time in France but more than half of the contract time must be served abroad.
Conditions
Cumulative criteria:
- Be 18 to 28 years old at the time the contract is signed. Contract start date must not exceed the signatory’s 29th birthday. Past this time, no exceptions can be made;
- Be a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) country;
- Have completed the national service requirements for the country of which you are a resident (for example in France, have participated in France’s Defence and Citizenship Day "JDC");
- Enjoy full rights as a citizen and have no criminal record;
- Be a student or graduate seeking work.
Duration
An international internship (VI) contract lasts between 6 and 24 months and has an average duration of 17 months. It can be renewed once for up to 2 years. It must include at least 183 days abroad.
Renewal can be requested from the managing organization one to three months before the end of the contract.
Remuneration // Compensation
International internship program participants receive monthly compensation that includes social protection depending on country and no distinction is made based on degree level. Compensation amount is €715 and includes an additional monthly stipend abroad determined by the country where the contract will be served.
To learn more (pages in French):
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10040
Applications: https://www.civiweb.com/FR/offres.aspx
Downlad the applicants' brochure (in English)
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY VOLUNTEER (VSI) CONTRACT
Description
The international solidarity volunteer (VSI) program is governed by the French law of February 23, 2005, the purpose of which is to “complete a project abroad for the common good relating to cooperative development or humanitarian aid.” The contract includes a community service component done abroad (French law of March 10, 2010). A VSI agreement is contractual and mutually engages a sending organization and a volunteer. As of March 2015, 29 organizations are accredited by the government to send VSI participants.
Conditions
The VSI program is for individuals of legal age who are single or members of a couple (some organizations only accept couples if both individuals have their own project), and are free from any nationality requirement or age limit.
Areas of involvement include teaching, health and social services provision, information and communication, sustainable development, project management, and local and public administration.
Project types:
- Aid in developing the professional skill sets of local residents in such areas as teaching and training, project management, financing proposals, internal and external communication, the use of specific techniques or technologies, and so on.
- Aid in developing an international mindset (networking).
A VSI contract must be served outside of the European Economic Area.
Duration
Projects last between 6 and 24 months.
Remuneration // Compensation
The French government finances participating organizations in the following ways:
- A fixed contribution to social protection costs and volunteer management
- A fixed aid for pre-departure training costs and volunteer return
- A relocation allowance (subject to conditions, paid directly to the volunteer)
- A fixed professional reintegration payment (subject to conditions, paid directly to the volunteer)
Accredited organizations guarantee the following costs for volunteers:
- A monthly stipend (at least 100 euros, excluding food and housing)
- Comprehensive health and social protection
- A retirement provision
- Round trip travel to the project location
- Pre-departure preparation and return assistance
- A relocation stipend (with a minimum stay duration)
- At least two days of vacation per project month if the contract duration is greater than or equal to six months.
The hosting partner:
- This organization contributes to all or some of the following costs: travel, health insurance, volunteering stipends, housing, training costs, and so on.
Volunteers may be asked to contribute financially, particularly if their stipend is not considered to be adequate. If the host organization cannot afford to finance the volunteer, the volunteer must contribute.
To learn more (page in French):
EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS
Description
The European Solidarity Corps is the new volunteering programme funded by the EU for all the young Europeans aged 18-30. European Solidarity Corps projects are available in every country member of the European Union, whether to intervene during natural disasters, the migration crisis or simply the care of the weakest – like disabled or poor people.
Duration
Volunteering projects last from one month up to one year.
Conditions
- Every young European aged between 18 and 30 can join the ESC.
- The programme is entirely funded by the EU: travel, food and accommodation.
- You can find volunteering opportunities, as well as jobs, internships and traineeships.
Application
You must be registered on the portal of the European Solidarity Corps (PASS) to participate in volunteering projects and / or initiate your own solidarity project.