Whether as a football coach, choir member or paramedic, many people in Rhineland-Palatinate dedicate their free time to volunteering. "The number of volunteers has increased significantly over the past 20 years," says Birger Hartnuß, head of the state government's Office for Volunteering and Civic Participation in Mainz. According to the latest volunteer survey, a representative study conducted by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs in 2021, 42 per cent of all citizens over the age of 14 do voluntary work. There are many options for those looking for a suitable opportunity.
How do I find the right volunteering role?
There are 30 volunteer agencies and platforms across the country. "People can discuss their interests and skills with counsellors to find out what suits them best," explains Hartnuß. These agencies are also familiar with organisations and initiatives that people may not know about. A complete list of volunteer matching agencies can be found here. Those who prefer to search on their own can browse the database on the website. Rhineland-Palatinate has more associations per capita than the national average – 10 per 1,000 inhabitants – especially in rural areas. In addition to traditional areas such as sports, fire brigades and carnival organisations, newer areas such as school support and international solidarity have emerged.
Where can I get advice?
Supporting volunteers and associations is part of the day-to-day work of Hartnuß and his colleagues in the Volunteers Office. "We provide information on funding opportunities, insurance issues, digitalisation, networking and recruiting new members," he explains. Speaking of insurance: Volunteers are automatically covered by the state's accident insurance if they have no other coverage, such as through an association or organisation.
What is the Volunteer Card?
For the past eleven years, this card has been available to citizens who do a lot of voluntary work. Anyone who spends an average of at least five hours a week volunteering for free is eligible. The card offers discounts throughout the country, such as reduced admission to castles, theatres and swimming pools. Applications for the card can be found on the central volunteer portal (link below).
Do I have tax advantages from volunteering?
Anyone who receives an expense allowance for their commitment benefits from the so-called voluntary work allowance: they can keep up to €840 a year tax-free. There is an even higher exemption for volunteer trainers, lecturers and carers – the so-called trainer allowance – which is €3,000 per year.
Will volunteering help me in my career?
Most employers view volunteering as a positive asset when evaluating applicants. It is therefore a good idea to include it in your CV. A useful document is the "Certificate of Commitment and Skills". Volunteers can request a blank certificate from the initiative "Wir tun was" (We’re doing something) and have it filled out by an authorised representative of the organisation they support.
How do employers support volunteering?
Many companies provide opportunities for employees to volunteer and even allow time off for volunteering. In some regions, companies work with volunteer fire brigades, for example. New initiatives are also emerging. According to volunteering expert Hartnuß, more and more companies are supporting democracy-related initiatives. One example is the growing alliance "Demokratie gewinnt" (Democracy Wins), which was founded in 2017 and in which the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim is a member.
What funding opportunities are there for associations?
Setting up an association for a specific volunteering activity – if one does not already exist – can bring advantages. Associations benefit from tax relief, can issue donation receipts and are eligible for government funding. There are many funding programmes, often for specific purposes. For example, the Ministry of Education provides funding for prevention work in schools, while the State Chancellery supports projects that promote democracy.
More on the topic: Further information can be found on the state government's central volunteer portal.
