The French government is seeking to expand its “Civic Service” programme for young people that was on Friday described as “a victim of its own success”, reports FRANCE 24.
The voluntary system, open to young people aged 16 to 25, is seen as a successor to compulsory military service which was phased out in France in 1996.
Volunteers, who are paid 570 euros a month, do their service for six to 12 months on work ranging from helping the homeless to preparing the commemorations for the centenary of the First World War.
Some 35,000 youths signed up for 2014, and French President François Hollande has stated that he wants to see that figure grow to 100,000, which would represent around 15 percent of that age group in France.
Getting there won’t be easy. Youth Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem announced this week that an extra 100 million euros had been allocated to the programme (which will cost the taxpayer 140 million in 2014)over the next three years, but this is not nearly enough to reach Hollande’s targets.
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.