There are estimated to be more than 100 million volunteers throughout Europe, and volunteering is an activity on the rise.

It has been widely reported that the current economic downturn is leading to a sharp rise in volunteering, mostly attributed to people making the choice to give time to the charities they want to support rather than money.

So it's timely that - in a move that has been firmly applauded by volunteering networks - the European Commission has now announced that 2011 will be its official "Year of Volunteering."

The event will see volunteering promoted throughout the European Union in an investment with a planned budget of around €15million (£13million.)

Markus Held, director of the European Volunteer Centre, which co-ordinated a recent campaign to secure the year after the date was threatened by setbacks, said he was delighted by the confirmation.

"The commission has responded to the voice of its citizens," he was quoted as saying in Third Sector magazine. "We believe the decision brings the commission closer to the people of Europe and their real concerns."

You can read more about the campaign "Towards a European Year of Volunteering" on the European Volunteer Centre website or by visiting Third Sector Online.