County Clare in the running for European Volunteering Capital 2027

Representatives of Clare County Council and Clare Volunteer Centre travelled to Brussels this week for the presentation of the candidacy certificate for the European Volunteering Capital 2027 title, a key part of the bidding process.

If successful in the bid, County Clare would become an internationally recognised centre for excellence in policies and programmes supporting volunteers and volunteering.

Previous European Volunteering Capitals include Barcelona, Lisbon, London, Berlin and Gdansk. In 2017, Sligo became the first and only Irish location to be awarded the title.

The Clare EV Capital 2027 candidate certificate was presented to the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy and representatives of the Clare delegation by Director of CEV, Gabriella Civico in the presence of Philip Grant, Chief Operations Officer of the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union.

Speaking in Brussels, Cllr Murphy, said, “Getting this far in the process recognises Clare's longstanding commitment to fostering a thriving volunteer culture, and if we are successful in our bid, it will place the county alongside Europe's most distinguished volunteering destinations.”

Manager of Clare Volunteer Centre, Sharon Meaney, added, "We are immensely proud to represent Ireland on the European stage. Our success to date reflects the dedication of thousands of volunteers who contribute their time, skills and passion to make County Clare a better place for all. Being a candidate for European Volunteering Capital 2027 demonstrates that County Clare's volunteer community stands among Europe's finest.”

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As a candidate for the European Volunteering Capital 2027, County Clare will join the European Volunteering Capital Candidates Community (EVCCC), a unique network of municipalities sharing expertise in strengthening and celebrating volunteering and solidarity.

The European Volunteering Capital Competition, launched in 2013 during the European Year of Citizens, is an initiative of the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV). The European network comprises 60 organisations dedicated to the promotion of, and support for, volunteers and volunteering at European, national, and regional levels.

Brendan Boyce, Integration Support Coordinator for Clare County Council, noted that Clare's candidacy highlights the county's comprehensive approach to volunteer support, including robust training programmes, innovative community initiatives and strategic partnerships that strengthen the volunteer sector.

“Working in partnership with Clare Volunteer Centre, Clare County Council is constantly exploring new and innovative approaches to community engagement and raising volunteer participation across the county. Coming this far in the process brings significant Europe-wide visibility and positions the county as a leader in volunteering excellence.”

The presentation to the judging panel will take place during the CEV Autumn Volunteering Congress on October 16 in Brussels. The winner will be announced on December 1 at a ceremony in Barcelona.

For more information about the European Volunteering Capital Competition, visit the Centre for European Volunteering at www.europeanvolunteercentre.org.