Regulation (EU) 2021/888 establishing the European Solidarity Corps Programme

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2021/888 - formally adopted by the European Union on 20 May 2021 - setting up the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Programme) for the period 2021-2027. This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

The Programme is aimed at increasing the opportunities for young people to engage in solidarity activities. The draft law extends the scope of the ESC and incorporates a new humanitarian aid strand, which was previously a stand-alone programme. It repeals Regulation (EU) No 375/2014 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1475.

The draft law was originally tabled by the European Commission on 11 June 2018 in the framework of the wider package of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on 26 November 2018. The plenary of the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on 11 March 2019.  The positions did not cover financial provisions, subject to wider political negotiations.

The Commission adopted revamped proposals on the MFF 2021-2027 in May 2020. Following political agreement within the European Council in July 2020, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an informal agreement on the overall financial provisions in November 2020. Formal endorsement was delivered in December 2020, which was followed immediately by a political agreement on this draft law. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 20 May 2021 and published in the Official Journal on 8 June 2021.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: Briefing, April 2019: European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2019)640136

EPRS: At a Glance, May 2021: European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)690600

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Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2018)440: Proposal for a Regulation establishing the European Solidarity Corps programme https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2018:440:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2018)317: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Ex-ante evaluation https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2018:317:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2018)318: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive summary of the ex-ante evaluation https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2018:318:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2018)319: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Concept note: Main actions implementing the European Solidarity Corps https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2018:319:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on European solidarity corps programme 2021–2027 (2018/0230(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2018/0230(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: The European Solidarity Corps Programme 2021-2027 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-promoting-our-european-way-of-life/file-mff-european-solidarity-corps-2021-2027

Official Website of the European Solidarity Corps https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en

European Commission: Press Release, 11/06/2018: Commission proposes €1.26 billion to reinforce the European Solidarity Corps https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_4035

European Commission: Memo, 11/06/2018: The European Solidarity Corps beyond 2020: Questions and Answers https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_18_4032

European Parliament: Press Release, 12/03/2019: Parliament expands scope of the EU Solidarity Corps programme https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190307IPR30760/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 11/12/2020: European Solidarity Corps 2021 - 2027: the Council and the European Parliament strike a provisional agreement https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/12/11/european-solidarity-corps-2021-2027-the-council-and-the-european-parliament-strike-a-provisional-agreement/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/12/2020: New volunteering programme for young people in Europe and beyond agreed https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201207IPR93216/

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)210: Communication concerning the position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation establishing the European Solidarity Corps programme https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:210:FIN

European Parliament: Press Release, 19/05/2021: MEPs approve the EU’s new volunteering programme https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210517IPR04112/

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