Voluntary services

Here you will find information about various volunteer services in Hessen.

What is voluntary service?

In voluntary service, you work specifically for a particular institution and support it with its daily needs. Voluntary service is usually limited to a fixed period of between 6 and 18 months. Depending on your age group, you can apply for different volunteer positions. The list below provides an initial orientation.

Federal Voluntary Service

The aim of the Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) is to enable as many people as possible to get involved in the community. Further information about the Federal Volunteer Service can be found at Bundesfreiwilligendienst.de (opens in a new tab)

The BFD is aimed at people of all ages who are no longer required to attend school.

You can findvolunteer positions in social, ecological and cultural areas as well as in the fields of sport, integration and civil protection and disaster control. You can find volunteer positions in Hesse via the volunteer position search (opens in a new tab).

Voluntary social year

In addition to social commitment, the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) also focuses on personal and professional orientation. For this reason, a total of 25 seminar days are completed during the FSJ, during which FSJ participants can get to know each other and exchange ideas.

The FSJ is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 27 and usually lasts one year. In Hesse , the FSJ starts between August and October. It is therefore advisable to apply early.

You can findplaces of assignment and further information on the FSJ information pages (opens in a new tab).

Federal Ecological Voluntary Service and Voluntary Ecological Year

The Federal Ecological Volunteer Service (ÖBFD) and the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) offer the opportunity to get involved in environmental and climate protection .

People up to the age of 27 can take part in the FÖJ. The ÖBFD is aimed at people of all ages who are no longer required to attend school.

You can find nearbyvolunteer positions via the volunteer position search (opens in a new tab). Depending on your age, you will receive suggestions for an ÖBFD or an FÖJ.

Federal Voluntary Service in Culture and Voluntary Social Year in Culture

The Federal Voluntary Service in Culture (BFDK) and the Voluntary Social Year in Culture (FSJK) are aimed at anyone who would like to help shape cultural work in Hessen. You can find more information on the website of the Landesvereinigung Kulturelle Bildung Hessen e.V. (opens in a new tab)

People up to the age of 27 can take part in the FSJ Kultur. The BFD Kultur is aimed at people of all ages who are no longer required to attend school.

Places of employment include music and adult education centers, cultural centers, alternative cinema, music and theater initiatives, archives, independent radio stations, youth art schools, museums, foundations and festivals. You will find a detailed list in the job search (opens in a new tab). Depending on your age, you will receive suggestions for a BFD Kultur or a FSJ Kultur.

International Youth Volunteer Service

The International Youth Volunteer Service (IJFD) enables you to do voluntary service abroad and gain intercultural, socio-political and personal experience.

The IJFD is aimed at people under the age of 27 and usually lasts one year.

Placements can be found in the social sector, in culture, sport and heritage conservation, in the ecological sector, in peace and reconciliation work and in the promotion of democracy. You can find a list of contact points and sponsors of the places of assignment in the download area of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (opens in a new tab).