Incoming Program - Federal volunteer service in Germany

The Friends isn't a regular business. The work atmosphere is very comfortable and stands out from regular organizational structures. We have a high degree of freedom to the way we structure our work, which is particularly attractive to me. Our volunteers respond very positive to the informal atmosphere in which the seminars are carried out. Because we arrange voluntary services in German facilities since 2006, we have a great deal of experience in this field.

The volunteers need to be very steadfast in order to engage with the, sometimes complicated, circumstances at their placement site and not to give up too quickly. They should also keep in mind that they lay the ground for the next generations of volunteers and therefore they should be willing to cooperate in with their respective organization.

Active communication is a key subject. Volunteers have to learn to address difficult situations in order to resolve them. Especially volunteers from a cultural background in which this is not practiced, are faced with difficulties.

From within, the Friends will have to uphold their identity as an association while reacting to political changes from without, in order to cope with changing requirements. It is our goal to keep in touch with former volunteers in order to maintain a worldwide network of volunteers, through which new projects can be initiated in their respective home countries.