WHAT IS SAVE?
This is the time in your life when you have the energy, the intelligence, and the heart to make a difference.
S.A.V.E. is for volunteers who see a need in the streets of Paris, in their own neighborhood, or in the world at large, and as a result, have a desire to do something about it.
In 2021, Covid had changed the world and the S.A.V.E. Program emerged from Serve The City Paris to make an even greater difference, by providing a program for young adults that leveraged the ‘skills, passion and know-how’ of our volunteers living in, or visiting Paris.
Serve the City Paris is now the largest English speaking NGO in France, spending over 10 years working on humanitarian, environmental, political and sociological initiatives for Paris and beyond. This knowledge combined with the knowledge shared by other Serve the City International chapters found in over 40 cities worldwide, has allowed the S.A.V.E. Program to the tools and knowledge needed to equip S.A.V.E. participants to create change.
The social culture and infrastructure in Paris provides access and opens doors for change, and it is a excellent test market for projects and programs that can help other large cities around the world facing similar challenges.
The S.A.V.E. Program comprises of four key principles: Service. Action, Values, and Empowerment. SAVE members capture knowledge through interactive workshops, gain experience through volunteer activities, and develop projects ( ‘Capstone projects’) through collaboration with other S.A.V.E. Program participants.
By gaining knowledge, taking action, and collaborating with others, S.A.V.E. participants take a step further in their time volunteering with Serve The City Paris, to make an even bigger impact in Paris or in their own local community.
We invite you to join the SAVE program while you are in Paris. Whether it’s a long term or a short term stay, you can make a difference in the challenges of our cities we face every day.
THE SAVE PROGRAM KEY PRINCIPLES
Each of the four SAVE principles helps steer the program to guide and facilitate the development of volunteers. Each principle is a key ingredient in the success of helping volunteers create impact and change in our communities.
SERVICE
Service is giving back to the community. At its core, the S.A.V.E. is about serving others with compassion and dedication. Through hands-on volunteering, participants will engage in activities that directly support marginalized communities, including food distributions, refugee assistance, sustainability for cities, or community outreach programs. Service is not just an action — it’s a mindset of contributing to the well-being of those in need.
ACTION
No good social impact initiative is purely theoretical. Learning about social issues is important, but real change comes from action. The S.A.V.E. program goes beyond theory, empowering participants to take meaningful steps toward solutions in the field. Whether it’s through advocacy, volunteering, or launching a community initiative, S.A.V.E. encourages individuals to actively participate in activities in the field.
VALUES
There is preparation and direction behind
every great idea or action. Behind this is
idea or action, is a compass of values that
orient our direction. When we are able to
reflect upon our value structure, even when
we are unsure how to proceed, our values
help us to act meaningfully in the projects
in which we participate. Then we are much
more effective in the projects we engage in.
In all SAVE activities and workshops, we
discuss, and most importantly, carry out
the very values we as volunteers possess.
EMPOWERMENT
Equipping You to lead CHANGE initiatives. The S.A.V.E. Program isn’t just about helping others; it’s also about empowering you as a volunteer. Through interactive workshops, a common-minded community, and the opportunity to design and engage in a social impact project, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and network needed to become a leader in social change. Whether you pursue a career in an NGO or simply want to be a more engaged citizen, this program will help equip you with your future endeavors.
Examples Of Capstone Projects Created By S.A.V.E. Program Participants
