The European Voluntary Service is one of the Actions of the Youth in Action program promoted by the European Commission, the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, for young people aged 18 to 30 who are legal residents in one of the countries of the European Union.

The program offers the possibility to perform volunteer work for a period ranging from 2 to 12 months, in one of the 27 EU member countries, in the three European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) or in all states that have signed an agreement with the EU in the youth sector. The European Voluntary Service (EVS) seeks to develop solidarity and to promote tolerance among young people firstly to enhance social cohesion in the European Union, as well as to promote active citizenship and better mutual understanding among young people.

The project, completely financed by the European Commission and partner organizations, includes:
-round-trip transportation costs
-room and board
-linguistic preparation
-education on the project and work to be performed
-insurance
-tutor within the project
-monthly pocket money

The activities of the European Voluntary Service span a wide range of areas: the environment, the arts, culture, social care, youth, civil protection, development co-operation, cultural heritage and sports.

Each project anticipates a partnership between: the volunteer, the sending organization and host organization and possible coordinating organization.

In the case of Italian volunteers, IBO Italy is the sending organization. In the case of foreign volunteers, IBO Italy is the coordinating organization or the host organization.