FSJ: Voluntary social year after school

What is an FSJ (voluntary social year)?

A voluntary social year (FSJ) is a voluntary service for young people after school. Your child can volunteer in a non-profit or charitable institution. This voluntary service can be completed in various areas. Depending on which facility it has chosen, it is then assigned various tasks, for example going for a walk with the residents of the retirement home, helping with the distribution of food, helping to set up the new playground for the kindergarten, distributing flyers for the next party in the youth center and much more .

Where can you do an FSJ?

Your child can do the FSJ in a wide variety of facilities of their choice. FSJ positions are often offered, for example, in hospitals, old people’s homes, sports clubs, kindergartens, all-day schools, children’s homes, in the community, at theatres, in museums or workshops for the disabled.

Seminar days in the FSJ

During the one-year service, the volunteers attend a total of 25 seminar days, which are usually divided into an introductory seminar, several intermediate seminars and a final seminar. These further training measures, in which the participants of the FSJ are pedagogically supervised, are obligatory. After all, they should not only work during the voluntary social year, but also be able to learn something and take something with them.

Usually the seminars are offered for different topics, for example a volunteer in the ecological field has different seminars than one who works in the old people’s home. In the seminars, experiences are exchanged and discussed, but topics such as society, finding a career, politics and the environment can also be content of the seminars. Interesting trips are often taken together, sightseeing organized and group games organized. When and where the seminars will take place will be announced by your child’s supporting organization shortly before the start of the FSJ.

FSJ: working hours and remuneration

The FSJ usually lasts twelve months, but at least six and a maximum of 24 months. During this time, the young people work full-time in a specific facility. The exact working hours vary depending on the location. In general, however, 40 hours per week should not be exceeded. The young people are entitled to 24 days of vacation in twelve months of service and the FSJ is counted towards the pension scheme.

As remuneration, the volunteers receive pocket money averaging 150 euros per month. Depending on the job and the supporting organization, this amount can vary; however, no more than 330 euros may be paid. In addition, meals, accommodation and reimbursement of travel expenses are sometimes included. The child benefit will continue to be paid during the FSJ and the provider or facility will assume the social security costs for the duration of the FSJ, so your child will have health and nursing care insurance during their working hours. In addition, it receives an FSJ ID card, with which it can get discounts like a student ID card.

Who can do an FSJ?

Every young person in Germany who is no longer required to go to school can complete a voluntary social year. The volunteers must be between 16 and 26 years old and have an interest in social, cultural or ecological commitment. Other important characteristics for an FSJ are the ability to work in a team, mental and physical resilience, flexibility and adaptability. A specific school-leaving certificate is not required and citizenship and religious affiliation are also irrelevant for the application. Participants should also be willing to take part in multi-day seminars with overnight stays.

Voluntary social year abroad

Your child can also complete their FSJ abroad if they also want to get to know a foreign culture and language. However, an FSJ abroad can be quite expensive, because you usually have to bear the costs for your child’s travel yourself. The funds provided by the state for wages and accommodation are often not sufficient for all the costs incurred, for example those caused by the visa, vaccinations, foreign insurance and meals. Most organizations planning an FSJ abroad therefore rely on sponsors and donations. In most cases, the young people have to recruit a small circle of sponsors from their circle of relatives, friends and acquaintances in advance of the trip, who will cover the costs of the stay abroad with donations.

If your child would like to do an FSJ abroad, it should do so at an early stage, because many young people find this idea attractive. That is why there are usually more applicants than places and the organizations have their own selection procedures to select the most promising applicants. It should therefore apply in good time and prepare well for the job interviews or selection meetings.

Apply for an FSJ

If your child would like to apply for an FSJ, it is best to first find out which supporting organizations are in your area. Well-known organizations that offer an FSJ are, for example, the German Red Cross (DRK) , the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) , the German Sports Youth , the Paritätische Gesamtverband or the Internationale Bund (IB) . You can also find out about job offers for an FSJ from the Federal Volunteer Service .

Most sponsoring organizations have a special application form that your child can fill out. If this is not the case, simply send a classic letter of application with a CV and photo. In the application for the FSJ, they should definitely explain their reasons for wanting to participate, present their special skills and knowledge and name the desired location. Classically, an FSJ starts at the beginning of September, so it should send its application in March at the latest. If you apply early, you can increase your chances of getting the place you want for your FSJ.

What are the advantages of an FSJ?

An FSJ not only looks good on your CV because it points to your child’s social commitment and interpersonal skills, but also has other advantages. An FSJ is a good start to working life, especially if your child is still unsure about which career path they would like to take after school. Many young people use this year to decide what they would like to do later and gain some useful social experience along the way. Even if your child wants to start studying, an FSJ is not a waste of time, because the central office for the allocation of study places (ZVS), today called the Foundation for University Admissions, counts an FSJ as a waiting semester.

Not only through the practical experience, but also through the work with other people and the further training during the FSJ, your child can actively continue their education. It gains insight into a new professional field and experiences what it is like to help other people and to actively engage in society. The gratitude they experience when they stand up for or engage with others is a valuable experience. This may also open up perspectives for his future career. Many young people decide after their FSJ for a job in the social sector.