Division 1 Self-assessment and references for hosting organisations

The self-assessment by hosting organisations shall cover all the standards and procedures, where an applicant hosting organisation must have a policy or practice in place, to fulfil the necessary requirements regarding candidate volunteers and EU Aid Volunteers. The organisation shall state, for each requirement of each standard and procedure, whether:

1. (a)

   the minimum requirement is covered in its policy/practice and/or it commits itself to implementing it;

2. (b)

   relevant staff are aware of this and put it into practice; and

3. (c)

   there are any specific needs for further work/action to address gaps.

The self-assessment shall also include answers to the following questions in relation to safety and security and to volunteer management:

1. (a)

   How does the hosting organisation ensure the safety and security of the international volunteers it hosts?;

2. (b)

   How are the volunteers managed and supported during their stay?; and

3. (c)

   In what areas (if any) of the standards and procedures is the hosting organisation presently strengthening its capacity?

The reference shall cover what is required from a hosting organisation during an EU Aid Volunteer's deployment and seek the experience of the referee in relation to the necessary requirements of each standard and procedure where they are in a position to provide information. In particular, it shall:

1. (a)

   specify the experience of their organisation in relation to the minimum requirements of the relevant standards and procedures to be applied by the hosting organisation (compliant/non-compliant);

2. (b)

   justify/explain each of their assessments; and

3. (c)

   specify needs, if any, for further work/action to address gaps.

To promote simplification, the Commission shall identify the standards and procedures where the applicant hosting organisation needs to take no action if the latter is a humanitarian aid partner of the Commission which has signed a framework (partnership) agreement in force.