Public Sponsored Volunteering Programs in Germany

The Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) and the Voluntary Social Service Year (FSJ) are two examples of public sponsored volunteering programs in Germany. FSJ is open to individuals under 27 who have completed compulsory schooling, while BFD is available to individuals of any age who have finished compulsory schooling. Volunteers engage in social welfare, health care, ecological assignments, and more, receiving pocket money and social insurance benefits. The programs are funded by the federal government and also welcome foreign volunteers with the necessary permits.

• Volunteering
• Germany
• Public Service
• BFD
• FSJ

yves Follow

Uploaded on Jul 19, 2024 | 1 Views

Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

Presentation Transcript

1. The Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) and the Voluntary Social Service Year (FSJ) Two examples for public sponsored volunteering in Germany

2. Year of education and orientation FSJ is open to all people who have completed compulsory schooling and have not reached the age of 27. BFD is open to people of any age who have completed compulsory schooling. Approx. 30 % of BFD-volunteers are older than 27 years. A service-period usually last 12 month, not less than six, not more than 24. The standard is fulltime (40 hours per week), part-time with more than 20 hours per week is possible under specific circumstances. Very important: Compulsory seminars of 25 days in 12 months with the aim of teaching social skills and building a sense of responsibility for the common good. 1

3. Fields of assignment Social assignments: Social welfare, health and oldage care institutions, disability welfare Hospitals and emergency (medical) services Institutions for the welfare of children and youth Ecological assignments (then named F J , mainly same framework): Environmental protection and education in sustainability Landscape and forest management, protection of water bodies Others: culture, sports, integration, civil protection and disaster relief 2

4. Pocket money and social insurance Voluntary service is no employment and must be labour-market neutral. Volunteers receive pocket money as an acknowledgement for their commitment (maximum 423 Euros per month in 2022), but no payment . Board and lodging can be provided in kind, although reasonable expenses may also be paid instead. All volunteers of BFD, FSJ and F J are subject to the statutory social security system (contributions to health, long-term care, unemployment, pension and accident insurance are borne by the project agencies or assignment projects). 3

5. Federal funding Federal budget approx. 350 million euros per year: FSJ (also F J): Funding is up to 200 per month and volunteer place which exclusively goes towards the training and guidance provided by youth volunteer services. BFD:Funding per month and volunteer place is up to 450 . All formats: Additional 100 per month possible for more intense training and guidance of volunteers with special needs . 4

6. Incoming: Foreign volunteers in Germany Foreign volunteers (incomers) are welcome to do voluntary service (BFD/FSJ/F J) in Germany. Volunteers must possess a residence permit entitling them to work in Germany. There is no need for a work permit. Under the German Residency Act, volunteers from abroad can generally be granted such a residence permit specifically in order to participate the volunteer services if they are in possession of an agreement with a place of assignment. 5

7. Todays challenge: My short presentation: Your questions: 6