Policy framework

There is no coordinated national initiative or a framework for recognising competences gained through volunteering. 

Existing arrangements  

The Youth Pass is gained after the European Voluntary Service (EVS) and centrally organised through Erasmus+ programme. All the accredited hosting organisations are required to issue a Youth Pass to an EVS volunteer.

Regarding the recognition of young people skills gained by voluntary work, the RS Law on Higher Education provides the possibility of obtaining of credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) through volunteering in the community, if the respective activity is carried out according to the Law on Volunteering.

The volunteering laws in RS and FBiH also define the “Volunteer ID” – a document that keeps track of volunteer activities and skills gained. In both RS and FBiH there are established rules on issuing those voluntary IDs.

The RS Ministry for Family, Youth and Sport delivers the annual awards for an outstanding volunteer and one volunteering organiser on 5 December, the International Volunteer Day. The same Ministry provides annual financial support in the form of small grants for voluntary activities planned and implemented by secondary school students’ councils.