Students aged between 12 and 17 and the schools of Moldova can compete in an international contest of volunteering projects that takes place in 14 European countries, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the Academy of Central European Schools (ACES). This year's theme of the contest is “ Let's build connection bridges in society – be volunteer in your community!”. The activities for the international school partnership project should include concerts at hold people's homes, support provided by students to schoolmates who encounter difficulties in studying, participation in environment protection or anti-discrimination initiatives. The contest is organized by the Academy of Central European Schools for the fifth time. The objectives of the European Volunteering Year 2011 are to increase visibility of volunteering activities and to make known those involved in them. The projects must be submitted by April 30. An international jury will assess them and select the best projects that will be awarded a scholarship. Created by ERSTE Foundation in 2006, the ACES offers opportunities for young people from Central Europe to develop friendship across borders and to take part in international school projects. About 16,000 students and 2,000 teachers from Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia took part in the contests held so far.