How to register to participate in a cohesion stay in 2023? Is the SNU compulsory? Dates of stays, registrations, duration… What you need to know.
Last year the universal national service involved 32,000 people. Registrations for cohesion stays for the year 2023 are accessible on the site www.snu.gouv.fr. Volunteers will be able to participate in cohesion stays: in February or April (depending on their school holiday zone), then in June and July. How to register for cohesion stays, what are the dates and who is concerned by the SNU? We take stock.
At what age is Universal National Service aimed?
The SNU takes the form of a one-month civic service between 15 and 17 years old at the time of the cohesion stay, and of a longer commitment, on a voluntary basis between 16 and 25 years old.
What are the dates of cohesion stays in 2023?
In 2023, cohesion stays will take place on different dates depending on the school zones:
- 1st stay in zone A: from April 9 to 21, 2023
- 1st stay in zone B: from April 16 to 28, 2023
- 1st stay in zone C: from February 19 to March 3, 2023
- 2nd stay all zones: from June 11 to 23, 2023
- 3rd stay all zones: from July 4 to 16, 2023
On the program: physical, sports and cohesion activities, autonomy, knowledge of public services and access to rights, citizenship and national and European institutions, culture and heritage, discovery of commitment, defence, national security and resilience and sustainable development and transition ecological. The SNU accommodation centers can each accommodate around 200 volunteers and around 30 managers and tutors. As for the households, single-sex living units, they welcome 10 to 15 volunteers, which allows them to receive volunteers with disabilities and/or with special needs. Within each household, a tutor is in charge of collective cohesion, monitoring daily activities and leading the daily “household councils”. On average, an adult supervises 8 young people during cohesion stays. The twelve days of the cohesion stay are marked by the importance of republican rituals and opening and closing ceremonies are organized at the beginning and at the end of each stay.
Is Universal National Service compulsory?
The cohesion stay (phase 1) and the performance of a mission of general interest (phase 2) are intended to become compulsory for an entire age group. But in the meantime, these first two phases are carried outt on a voluntary basis“ says the government website.
► The first phase lasting 12 days from 15 years old. It includes a “cohesion time”: that is to say “15 days in accommodation, centered on values, know-how and interpersonal skills“. This year, the SNU is offering three cohesion stays for 15-17 year olds which are particularly suitable for high school students in 2nd class which is not an exam class.
► Then, young people can achieve, in the following year, their mission of general interest (MIG) lasting 12 days or 84 hours with associations, local authorities, institutions or public bodies, or even with corps in uniform. It must fall under one of the following 9 themes: citizenship, culture, defense and memory, education, environment and sustainable development, health, security, solidarity and sport.
► The second phase, lasting 3 to 12 months, is linked to culture, solidarity, citizenship, education, health, sport, international action, defence, security, etc. A commitment that gives rise to financial compensation for the young person: facilities access to the permit, university credits, possible compensation….
What is the duration of Universal National Service?
Until now, the civic service mission had to take place during at least 24 hours a week which was difficult to reconcile with higher education. From now on, she will “calculated on average over all the months of mission carried out (what) will allow a modulation of the hours worked per week, according to the schedule of the young volunteer“.
Universal national service: what remuneration?
The increase in the Civic Service allowance of 108 euros, initially planned for scholarship holders in levels 5, 6 or 7, will be extended to all scholarship holders. This amount is in addition to 580 euros per month collected by the volunteers.
What do we learn during universal national service?
The Universal National Service is aimed at young people aged 15 to 17 at the time of the cohesion stay.
| First phase | Second phase (depending on the chosen service) |
|---|---|
| Perform first aid actions | To be involved in the army, the police, the gendarmerie, the fire brigade or civil security |
| To navigate with a compass | To engage in supporting people |
| To report a dangerous situation by radio | To engage in the preservation of heritage |
| To discover the different forms of commitment | To engage in the protection of the environment |
| To participate in a collective project in connection with associations or communities | To engage in school tutoring |
What are missions of general interest?
Let us recall that an experiment was launched in June 2019 for 2,000 young people aged 15 to 16 and was extended in 2020 to 40,000 young people. Some young volunteers, on a mission of general interest with the Red Cross were able to perform a mission for food and clothing aid “Through collection and sorting activities, assistance with the management of the vestibule, participation in destocking and clearance sales, reception of the public“, specifies the ministry. “At the end of their mission of general interest, if they wish, each volunteer can choose to commit themselves until they are 25 years old to participate in the construction of a more united nation while developing skills that are peculiar to him. From 3 months (minimum) to one year, this commitment can relate to defense and security, support for people, heritage preservation, the environment, etc. (civic service, volunteer firefighter, reservist, etc.)“, specifies the government.