Future Capital What is a Future Capital project? A Future Capital project enables ex-volunteers to pass on the experience and skills acquired during their European Voluntary Service to the local community and other young people. It also provides opportunities for supporting an ex-volunteer's professional and personal development. Future Capital is open to all young people residing in one of the program countries who have completed their EVS, either at a host organization based in another program country or in a third country.

Where can projects take place?

Future Capital projects may take place in any of the Program countries (see section B.2), but not in third countries.
 

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Which types of project can be supported?

A Future Capital project should aim at multiplying the impact of the experience that volunteers have acquired during their European Voluntary Service and must not simply be a continuation of an EVS project. A Future Capital project must be created and implemented by the volunteer personally.

Three different types of Future Capital project are eligible for support:

•  Starting up a professional activity
  This means starting up an activity which may be professional in the non-profit or profit-making sector.
•  One-off projects
  The purpose of such a project is to organize a particular event or activity, or produce a particular product or outcome, within a specified period of time.
•  Personal development projects
  These are projects under which the participants receive additional formal or non-formal training to obtain official recognition of the skills acquired during their EVS

Who can apply?

Future Capital is open to young people legally residing in one of the Program countries who have completed their European Voluntary Service. They must apply within two years after completing it.

What help is available for preparing and implementing a project?

In setting up a Future Capital project, volunteers might need help, advice or input from others. In this regard, assistance can be obtained from their EVS sending organization, which is responsible for providing a follow-up service for volunteers after their return, and also from the host organization, particularly if the project is to take place in the host country. Volunteers are also free to make contact with other organizations that are active in the field in which the project is planned. The National Agencies, which receive the applications, have advisers who can also help or refer applicants to other persons able to provide assistance.

The National Agencies may arrange training for young people wishing to launch a Future Capital project, to help them manage the project effectively and advise them on how to go about finding resources to supplement the Community grant. Please contact your National Agency for detailed information.

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What are the general project criteria?

The following criteria must be taken into account when planning a Future Capital project:

•  Duration
  A project cannot be financed for more than one year and the application must submitted within two years after the end of the EVS project. There is no minimum duration.
•  Links to EVS
  The content must show a clear link between the Future Capital project and activities performed during European Voluntary Service.
•  Priorities
  Since the objective of Future Capital is to encourage projects which are of benefit to a local community and to other young people, such projects will be regarded as top priority.
•  New activity
  The project cannot just be a continuation of European Voluntary Service project activities.
•  Source of funding
  The Future Capital grant cannot replace other sources of funding available at European, national, regional or local level. This is especially important with regard to personal development projects.
•  Ineligible activities
  University courses and languages courses are not eligible as personal development projects.

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How is a project financed?

Funding from the YOUTH program for a Future Capital project is based on a fixed amount.
The amount awarded will depend on the priority status of the project, which will be determined in accordance with the criteria below. Projects classified as Priority 1 will be awarded a maximum amount of € 5 000. For the other priorities, the maximum amounts are € 3 750 (priority 2) and € 2 500 (priority 3). The maximum grant might vary depending on the country in which the activity will take place. However, it can never exceed the amount applied for.

The priority status will be determined according to the following:

•  Priority 1
  Projects of benefit to other young people or a local community.
   
•  Priority 2
  One-off or personal development projects.

How to apply?

The application should always be submitted in the country where the Future Capital project will take place. Application forms can be requested from the National Agencies or downloaded from the Commission's and other websites (see downloads). Applications should be submitted by the deadlines indicated in section B.5. Please contact the National Agency in your country for assistance with filling in the forms, or see Filling Advice for Future Capital.

Two volunteers may jointly carry out a Future Capital project. In this case, each volunteer must apply individually, indicating that the two applications are linked.

What are the contractual obligations?

In signing the contract, the volunteer undertakes to carry out the project as presented and to communicate to the National Agency any changes or difficulties encountered.

If the project is not implemented as originally agreed, or if it is not actually carried out at all, the National Agency will cancel the agreement and may require full or partial reimbursement of the sum paid.

The European Commission or the National Agency may carry out on-site visits to check that all contractual obligations are being properly fulfilled.