Programmes

Internationaler Youth Volunteer Service (IJFD)

With the IJFD, you can get involved in a non-profit project worldwide. Possible projects are in the social, ecological and cultural sectors, in the sports or educational sector, as well as in the preservation of historical monuments. In theory, a deployment is possible from the time you have completed full-time compulsory schooling (usually 15-16 years) up to the age of 26. However, only a few organisations currently send underage volunteers. The duration of the deployment abroad is 6 to 18 months. Since the volunteer service is partially funded, you are often asked to build up a circle of supporters to cover the remaining costs.

weltwärts – the development policy volunteer service

With the weltwärts volunteer service, you work for 6-24 months (usually 12 months) on a development cooperation project in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe or Oceania. There are placements in many areas: education, health, environmental protection, sport. If you want to take part in weltwärts, you must be between 18 and 28 years old. You also need basic knowledge of the language of the host country and a secondary school or high school diploma with completed vocational training, a university of applied sciences entrance qualification or a general university entrance qualification. You should also be interested in other cultures and development policy commitments. It is usually desirable that you are already involved in Germany or have built up a circle of supporters.

kulturweit – the cultural-political volunteer service

At kulturweit you can choose between two areas. You can either support German partner organisations in foreign cultural and educational policy (e.g. German schools, Goethe Institutes) for 6 or 12 months, or get involved in the field of sustainable development in nature and the environment for 6 months. Service is possible for young people between the ages of 18 and 26 with very good German language skills. The countries of deployment are in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe and the CIS states. The costs incurred are subsidised.

German-French Voluntary Service

This voluntary service, sponsored by the Franco-German Youth Office, allows you to do charitable work in France for 10 to 12 months. Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 with their main residence in Germany can take part. Depending on the type of voluntary service, a certain level of French language skills may also be required. You can find opportunities in the areas of culture, the environment, social affairs, school, university and sport.

Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) and Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) abroad

The Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) is a voluntary service that you can do both in Germany and abroad. You can take part from the time you have completed your full-time school obligation (usually from the age of 15-16) until your 27th birthday. However, you should be at least 18 years old to work abroad. The FSJ/FÖJ is possible for 6 to 18 months. The service is partially funded. So you have to cover a certain proportion of the costs yourself. However, only 30-40 FSJ/FÖJ positions are available abroad each year.

Workcamps – short-term volunteer services

Work camps are short-term volunteer services where you live with an international group for 2-4 weeks and work on a non-profit project in the social, ecological or cultural field or help with renovation/construction projects. Accommodation and meals are provided and leisure activities are often financed. You only have to pay a small participation fee and cover your travel costs. Work camps are possible both worldwide and in Germany. For most projects abroad, you must be at least 18 years old.

More information and organisations active in this field

Out of home

Information about stays abroad from Eurodesk Germany

International Volunteer Year

Databases for volunteer service placements of non-profit organisations

AKLHÜ – Opportunities for volunteers

Job market with offers for people of all ages who would like to work abroad as part of international volunteer services

Worldwards

Information about Worldwards

Conference of the International Youth Community and Youth Social Services

Information about work camps.

Interesting links

Last Minute Markt

If you want to go abroad at short notice, you can still find vacancies in the last-minute market that are (partially) funded.

Opportunities for U-18s

Many volunteer services are often only available to people aged 18 and over. Here you can find out which programs are still suitable for you.

Returnee work. Back in Germany – and then?

If you have already completed volunteer work, there are many ways in which you can continue to use your experience and further your education.