The Confederation of European Senior Expert Services, known as CESES, is an international not-for-profit association of 17 organisations from the member states of the European Union. The first such legal entity of its kind in Europe, it encompasses the skills of over 25,000 volunteers. Combining the vast resources of these organisations, CESES offers professional, voluntary, short-term assistance and advice to enterprises and institutions.
CESES was founded in 2000 and since then has grown to the most important European-wide grouping of experienced volunteers, encompassing the skills and expertise of over 25,000 experts, covering all sectors of the economy, and who make themselves available for our European and overseas, voluntary, assignments.
CESES members each bring unique people, expertise and sector knowledge to the table, herewith combining resources and strengths of senior expert organizations, who for many years have successfully worked on advisory assignments in Europe and worldwide.
We believe intergenerational cooperation and sharing of expertise enrich our society and raise living standards in Europe and in the developing world, thereby also fostering international trade relations with Europe.
CESES assignments in Europe focus on intergenerational projects to share experiences, our assignments outside of Europe cover education, health, non-profit organisations, small and medium-size enterprises, industry and agricultural associations, and cooperatives in developing economies and economies in transition. As we concentrate specifically on these sectors and enterprises, CESES not only avoids overlapping with other aid organisations, but supports a clientele which to date has fallen between established commercial and humanitarian aid projects. We are proudly unique in our structure, motivation, and expertise.
The Confederation of European Senior Expert Services is primarily financed through the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the Senior Experts Nurturing Talent 2023-2026 Framework Partnership. The projects and assignment activities undertaken by our membership are financed by contributions from clients, wherever possible, and sponsors (business and private), as well as public funding from governments and international institutions. We thank the public and private sponsors for their support in co-financing projects when the beneficiaries are not in a position to financially support themselves.
As an EU confederation allying European member organisations CESES is committed to close cooperation among members in order to reach common goals, to exchange best practice and to learn from each other. CESES does not intend to go into competition with members.
CESES and its member organisations actively put the huge potential of voluntary experts and executives who are either retired or taking some time off work to use in society. We facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience and promote solidarity between people from different generations, cultures and nations. We strengthen societal, economic and social development and thereby contribute towards raising the standard of living.
CESES and its member organisations are committed to upholding the principles of free democracy and the free economic and social order. We see entrepreneurial initiative as a driving force for sustainable development. We value fairness and respect above all, and always seek to maintain an open, trusting dialogue.
We act responsibly towards society. We comply with European Union and international legal standards.
We are committed to the close Cooperation of European Senior Expert Organizations in order to help people to help themselves.
Our member organisations assist and advise organisations and SMEs on request, offering a wide and proven experience in all sectors. Their senior experts share their experience, knowledge and professional experience on a voluntary basis.
Our members are:
50Plus - Athens, Greece.
AGIR - Association Générale des Intervenants Retraités pour des Actions Bénévoles de Coopération et de Devéloppement abcd (Paris, France)
ASEP - Austrian Senior Experts Pool (Wien, Austria)
AVe - Association Volontaires Experts (Paris, France)
BSC - Belgian Senior Consultants (Brussels, Belgium)
ECTI - Professionnels Seniors Bénévoles a.r.u.p (Paris, France)
ISES - Italian Senior Expert Service (Torino, Italy)
LSC - Luxembourg Senior Consultants a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg)
NESTOR - NESTOR Partners ry. (Helsinki, Finland)
OTECI - Office Technique d'Etudes et de Coopération Internationales (Paris, France)
PUM - PUM Netherlands Senior Experts (Den Haag, The Netherlands)
SECOT - Seniors Españoles para la Cooperación Técnica (Madrid, Spain)
SEC - Senior Expert Contact, Swiss Contact (Zürich, Switzerland)
SENIOR EXPERT AUSTRIA - Jugend eine Welt, Senior Expert Austria (Wien, Austria)
SENIORES - Seniores Italia, Partner per lo Sviluppo (Rome, Italy)
SES - Senior Experten Service, Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (Bonn, Germany)
VSP ODV - Volontari Senior Professionali Organizzazione di Volontariato (Torino, Italy)
