“Policy Power-Up” Conference in Brussels on digital volunteering and policy development

On the 29th of October, the international “Policy Power-Up” Conference took place in Brussels, bringing together around 30 participants onsite and approximately 200 online in a hybrid format. The event focused on how digital volunteering is reshaping inclusion, participation and civic engagement across Europe.

The conference gathered policymakers, youth organisations, researchers and digital innovators, creating a strategic space to discuss policy frameworks, implementation and innovative practices linked to digital volunteering.

The event opened with a keynote video address by Irena Joveva, Member of the European Parliament, who highlighted volunteering as a positive force within a rapidly changing digital landscape. She emphasised the importance of actively shaping how technology is used, ensuring it empowers people and supports inclusive and democratic participation.

Throughout the conference, high-level contributions were shared by representatives of the European Parliament, the European Volunteer Centre (CEV), the European Students’ Union and the Network of European Voluntary Service Organisations, among other key European stakeholders.

The “Policy Power-Up” Conference marked an important step towards a more sustainable, inclusive and structured digital volunteering ecosystem, strengthening dialogue between public policy, youth work and digital innovation.

The E-volunteering project is co-funded by the European Union.