Some 29 million people in Germany are actively engaged in their communities as volunteers. Everyone can do something to help others.
Volunteering is possible everywhere – in sport, culture and education; in social services and environmental projects; in neighbourhood services and local politics; and in clubs and neighbourhood initiatives. Fire brigades, relief organisations and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) too rely on volunteers.
Volunteering is democracy in action: volunteers take responsibility and work on behalf of causes they believe in. They contribute to society. Active individuals bring people together and make our democracy stronger.
Recent and current crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of climate change and the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine clearly show that challenges like these require government and civil society to work together.
Volunteers deserve our respect. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community supports volunteer and civic engagement intensively and in many different ways.