Engagement and volunteering
Many people in Germany and France are dedicated to understanding, exchange and friendship with the neighbouring country. This commitment is an important cornerstone of Franco-German relations and an essential element of a strong civil society. That is why the FGYO supports commitment and voluntarism in the form of relevant programmes, funding, training and methods.
Low-threshold and diverse: Funding by the FGYO
The FGYO supports various types of projects while keeping the requirements for this support as flexible and low-threshold as possible. The FGYO works with several thousand partners. This results in a wide range of topics for sponsored encounters, all of which share a common feature of intercultural exchange.
Among other things, the FGYO supports exchange projects by:
- Sports clubs
- Cultural associations
- Non-profit organisations and associations
- Town-twinning arrangements
- Universities and student bodies
- Vocational schools
These cooperation arrangements often result in long-term projects that, over time, become independent and are in a position to waive FGYO support altogether. Other partners work with the same organisation over and over again and build long-term relationships in the process – in the context of town twinning, for example. But organisers of exciting projects can also apply for one-off funding.
"Trinational projects and application procedures"
The FGYO makes an effort to share the findings of Franco-German youth encounters for the benefit of other regions and neighbouring countries. This is also why the FGYO is increasingly funding trilateral projects, for example with countries in Central and Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe or with the countries of the Mediterranean.
The FGYO attaches great importance to supporting people who dedicate themselves to Franco-German relations. This is also why the application for funding is kept as uncomplicated as possible. Projects that comply with the funding guidelines and are in keeping with the guiding principles of the FGYO have favourable chances of receiving funding.
Methods and training
To strengthen voluntarism and promote the quality of exchange programmes, the FGYO also offers assistance towards the further training of volunteers. The transfer of methods or even entire training programmes, such as BAFA-Juleica or basic training as intercultural youth leaders, help motivated volunteers provide better educational and conceptual guidance for exchange programmes.
In this way, they improve intercultural learning and help strengthen the personal development of all involved while advancing the idea of Europe.
The FGYO Junior Ambassadors
The FGYO Junior Ambassadors volunteer for 12 months to raise awareness of the work and funding opportunities of the FGYO. There are some 100 Ambassadors who provide information about exchange offers, either on location in the regions or online. This is how they contribute to greater visibility for the FGYO and boost awareness of its work. Their efforts also serve to motivate young people to take part in intercultural projects.
Shaping relations with ‘Generation Europe’
The ‘Generation Europe’ network gives young people an opportunity to actively shape Franco-German relations in a European context. Network members enter into direct dialogue with experts and stakeholders in politics, business, culture and civil society. As members of ‘Generation Europe’, they also broaden their intercultural skills and strengthen their professional qualifications. Every year marks the beginning of a new cohort. The objective is to build an alumni network that will make sustainable contributions to the future of Franco-German relations.
The Franco-German Volunteer Service
Young people can volunteer for educational and social projects with associations, clubs, institutions, schools and universities or regional authorities in the partner country. The Volunteer Service lasts between 10 and 12 months. The FGYO assists with the search for partner organisations and associations and organises training courses for the volunteers.
