weltwärts – experience germany with the dvhl (18-28 years)

• are between 18 and 28 years old
• are dedicated to help other people or support the community
• will soon be finishing school, vocational training or university

• spend a year in Germany
• enjoy the company of other volunteers
• contribute to a social organisation
• take part in intensive accompanying seminars
• get to know new cultures and traditions
• encounter many different people and make new contacts

Weltwärts is a volunteer program run by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and is intended to give young people around the world the opportunity to spend a year in another country, get to know new cultures and broaden their own perspective. The program works in two ways. In the Süd-Nord component, young German volunteers spend a year in countries of the Global South. The Süd-Nord component invites young adults from the Global South to Germany.

The goals of the Süd-Nord component are intercultural exchange and the networking between countries of the Global South and the Global North as well as the personal development of the volunteers and the strengthening of the civil society, which benefits from the engagement of returning volunteers in their home countries.

• A monthly budget of approx. 350 euros for leisure time and food
• Accommodation
• Coverage of flight costs
• Health, liability and accident insurance
• Support with the visa application as well as covering the costs of the visa
• 25 seminar days
• Educational support and guidance throughout the entire volunteer service
• Language courses (if required)

We offer weltwärts Süd-Nord for young people (aged 18 to 28) who want to spend a year in Germany and engage socially in Cologne before starting their career. The DVHL’s voluntary service is recognised and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The DVHL also provides its own financial contribution and the volunteer projects contribute a monthly sum to the costs of the voluntary service. We would like to clarify that living and travelling in Germany can be expensive. We would therefore like to point out that the pocket money may not be sufficient for travelling or other special expenses. We therefore advise you to save up some money for the year and/or wish for money for special expenses (e.g. trips) on birthdays or other occasions.

If you are considering a volunteer service program in Germany, we are looking forward to your application.

Here you will find suggestions and ideas for the your letter of motivation.
Key questions for writing a letter of motivation

The personal reference(s) can be written by (grand)parents, siblings, friends, acquaintances from leisure activities (e.g. sports club), teachers and other people who have known you for some time and can assess you well. Here you will find suggestions and ideas for the content of a personal reference.
Key questions for writing a reference

The application deadline for a weltwärts volunteer service is 31^st of January for a volunteer service starting the summer of the same year.

Once we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation that we got your application. The selection process will be organised by the Schmidt-Schule. As soon as all volunteers have been selected, we will invite you to an online meeting via Zoom. Here we will introduce you to the volunteer service program and the projects you’ll be working in during your year in Germany. It will also allow us to get to know each other better.

Before you leave, preparatory seminars will be provided by the Schmidt-Schule. The volunteer service then begins with the departure and a following seminar in Germany, which takes place directly after your arrival. Afterwards, your voluntary service will begin at your project.