1. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Contribution for the conference "Volunteering in Europe: more than a challenge!" on 5-6 October in Vienna
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

2. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
Introduction
Long tradition of regulated voluntary services in Germany
Connections to the changes which have occurred in compulsory military service and alternative civilian service
From a niche sector into an established institution
Since 2011 (suspension of compulsory military service) upgrading and extension
Now around 100,000 places
Voluntary services subject to state interference
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

3. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
1. Youth voluntary services regulated by law
2. Other youth volunteering programmes
3. Federal Voluntary Service
Voluntary Social Year (since 1964; 50,000 places)
Voluntary Ecological Year (since 1993; approx. 2,500 places)
International Voluntary Service (since 2011; approx places)
European Voluntary Service (since 1998; approx. 1,000 places)
weltwärts (development policy) + kulturweit (international cultural policy) (since ; between 2,000 and 3,000 places)
non-regulated voluntary services
Since 2011; 60% young people +
40% over the age of 27
Approx. 35,000 places
Organised by the Federal Office for Families, has tasks related to civic society
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

4. Volunteering as a way of connecting engagement and education
The assumption of social responsibility facilitates learning + education
Youth voluntary services in this transitional phase of their lives = fitting to volunteering
Education not only as vocational education, but as a comprehensive educational process: personal, vocational, social, intercultural, self- efficacy
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

5. Taking stock: upgrading and expansion
Transfer of the funding from alternative civilian service to voluntary services
Expansion of all voluntary services: approx. 100,000 places
New International Voluntary Service
60% women and 40% men
New facilities and organisations (tables, ambulance service, disaster relief etc.)
Public and political upgrading
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

6. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
Ambiguities I
Voluntary services as a key instrument of the state's policy on volunteering
€200 million from the federal budget (of which €167 million for the Federal Voluntary Service)
Tendency towards their instrumentalisation as low-cost services
Problem: labour market neutrality
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

7. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
Ambiguities II
Voluntary services as a tool for state interference with civil society
A Federal Office as the main holder of responsibility for the administration and management of the Federal Voluntary Service
Weakening of civil society organisations
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

8. Voluntary services between the state and civil society
Perspectives
Strengthening volunteering as a way of connecting engagement and education
Facilitation of comprehensive educational processes
Education for civil society and democracy
Organised by civil society
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Voluntary services between the state and civil society

9. Thank you for your attention
Contact:
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Gisela Jakob
Volunteer coordination in organisations and at local authorities