Back to base conference

Over the last four years, nearly 300 EU aid volunteers from across Europe participated in humanitarian aid and civil protection projects around the world as part of the EU aid volunteers initiative pilot phase.

The deployed EU aid volunteers supported the delivery of needs-based humanitarian aid, and contributed to the building of capacity and resilience of the local communities. Projects focused on disaster risk reduction activities in disaster-prone countries. Activities undertaken ranged from disaster mapping and testing early warning systems for flood management to training local communities on new water and sanitation technologies and providing expertise on project management.

The Back to base conference marks the official closing of the pilot phase of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative.

Former EU aid volunteers and representatives from sending and hosting organisations will gather to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of volunteerism to the humanitarian effort. Throughout the conference, discussions will focus on current themes in the humanitarian field and the future deployment of EU aid volunteers as of 2016.

The conference will also be an opportunity for former EU aid volunteers to tell their stories, share their personal experiences from the field and provide tips for future volunteers.

EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylianides, will close the event.