Voluntary ecological year

Anyone between the ages of 15 and 27 who wants to actively work towards a more intact environment, sustainable use of our resources and for society can take part in the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) or - with no age limit - the Federal Ecological Volunteer Service (ÖBFD).

There are many opportunities to get involved in one of the ecological voluntary services, e.g. working in

• in ecological agriculture and forestry
• with nature and environmental protection groups
• with nature and environmental protection associations
• in environmental departments of local authorities and commercial enterprises
• in youth organizations and educational institutions

offered.

Places of assignment include nature conservation institutions and associations, organic farms and wineries, forestry offices, forest kindergartens, educational and research institutions as well as certain companies. In principle, it is also possible to do ecological voluntary service abroad.

In addition to their work at the placement locations, the volunteers take part in accompanying educational seminars (at least 25 seminar days). In the seminars, which the volunteers help to shape in terms of content and methodology, various ecological topics are explored.

The weekly commitment is 38.5 hours and there are 26 or 27 days of vacation per year.