This project, Supporting Communities, Encouraging Potential NI 2016, will host 13 long term EVS volunteers on placements in Northern Ireland. The volunteers and Sending Organisations are from Italy, Cyprus, Belgium, Germany, France, Latvia, Czech Republic and Poland . Placements will be for 12 months starting between February and September 2015 and will build on previous experience of hosting EVS volunteers. The volunteers will be based in 7 different hosting projects: - Volunteer Now where the 2 volunteers will help encourage more people to volunteer (including young people) and will support volunteer involving organizations and initiatives to develop volunteering opportunities and best practice- FabLab Belfast (ACT) which is a digital fabrication laboratory (using 3D printers, laser cutters and other hardware and software). The volunteer will assist the staff in engaging with local groups and individuals to explain the concept of FabLab and to encourage users to think of products to design and make- Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid, where the volunteers will be supporting children and women who have suffered domestic violence. 3 volunteers will be based in different Refuges in Belfast and Lisburn and their activities will be primarily Refuge based and primarily child focused, although the volunteers will also be involved in creche and group work outside Refuge and possibly in direct contact with the women.- The Black Box, Belfast where the volunteer will support the outreach work with people with learning disabilities and other activities within the public venue. The volunteer will work alongside the Outreach Officer and help with organising events such as the Black Moon club night by and for people with learning disabilities and Creating Connections for older people with a learning disability.- the 2 Bryson EVS volunteers will supports Minority Ethnic groups and families under stress. Within the BME part of the role, the volunteers will support Irish Traveller and Roma communities, including children and young people. Involvement in the Family work will include supporting the staff with individual and group work with children and with parent(s).- The Crescent Arts Centre, where the volunteer will facilitate involvement in the arts and introduce creative activities to local communities through the outreach and centre based programme of events and activities- 3 volunteers will be hosted in North Down YMCA supporting BME communities and local children, young people and families. This will include helping in the creche, supporting centre based and off site youth work and engaging BME groups (especially the Polish community) in activities.The volunteers will gain new skills and competences which will help increase employability, will develop their linguistic abilities and will undergo personal development. They will help local communities to gain new knowledge and experience of the project activities, as well as a greater European awareness through their contact with young Europeans. It is hoped that there will be increased health and wellbeing for all involved in the activities.