Voluntary ecological year

Have you completed your compulsory schooling and want to get actively involved in nature conservation and environmental protection in the interests of sustainable development? Then the voluntary ecological year might be something for you.

Anyone between the ages of 15 and 27 who wants to actively work for a more intact environment, the sustainable use of our resources and for society can take part in the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) or - with no age limit - the Federal Ecological Volunteer Service (ÖBFD).

There are many opportunities to get involved in one of the ecological voluntary services, e.g. working in

• in ecological agriculture and forestry
• with nature and environmental protection groups
• with nature and environmental protection associations
• in environmental departments of local authorities and commercial enterprises
• in youth organizations and educational institutions

offered.

Places of assignment include nature conservation institutions and associations, organic farms and wineries, forestry offices, forest kindergartens, educational and research institutions as well as certain companies. In principle, it is also possible to do ecological voluntary service abroad.

In addition to their work at the placement locations, the volunteers take part in accompanying educational seminars (at least 25 seminar days). In the seminars, which the volunteers help to shape in terms of content and methodology, various ecological topics are explored.

The weekly commitment is 38.5 hours and there are 26 or 27 days of vacation per year.

Information and everything you need to know about the application process can be found on the sponsors' websites at:

As a rule, applications must contain the following information:

• Name
• address
• date of birth
• Desired placement(s)
• Brief justification for participation in the FÖJ

You must also enclose the following documents with your application:

• Curriculum vitae in tabular form
• Copy of your last school report
• two photographs

Prerequisites for participation are

• Completion of compulsory full-time schooling (usually from the age of 16)
• no more than 27 years of age in the FÖJ, or older in the Federal Ecological Volunteer Service
• The entitlement to child benefit continues to exist within the framework of the statutory regulations during the FÖJ.

To take part in the FÖJ, you must apply to an organization.

The FÖJ begins on August 1 of each year and ends on July 31 of the following year.

In the FÖJ and ÖBFD (for under 27-year-olds) there is monthly pocket money (€186) as well as allowances for accommodation (€186) and meals (€103) or accommodation and/or meals are provided by the place of assignment.