Millennium Volunteers

UK organization for people aged 16–24 years old, the aim of which is to encourage young people to volunteer to work within their community and so gain experience and skills at the same time as making a positive contribution. Organizations from the voluntary sector, local government, and further and higher education run MV projects on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), which funds the projects. There are a variety of projects, for example, helping with reading in schools, coaching sports, or building an inner-city garden.

Young people are encouraged to take part in the design and carrying out of the voluntary activities, and as part of the initiative a youth forum has been set up to give advice. After completing 100 hours of work, volunteers are presented with a certificate, and an award of excellence when, over a period of a year, they volunteer 200 hours of their time.