Weltwärts

Weltwärts is a German government-funded international volunteer program designed to support development cooperation while fostering intercultural learning among young people. The program is overseen by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and has been implemented since the early 2000s through a network of civil society organizations. It places German volunteers in partner countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe to contribute to development projects in collaboration with local host organizations.

Participation is open to young people typically aged 18 to 28 who apply through one of the coordinating sending organizations. Placements generally last six to twelve months and involve work on projects aligned with the needs of the host communities, such as education, health, livelihoods, environmental protection, or capacity building. Volunteers receive practical support including a stipend or allowance, travel costs, accommodation and meals, and health and liability insurance. Pre-service training, language support, and ongoing supervision are often part of the program to prepare volunteers and aid integration.

Funding and governance are provided by BMZ and implemented through a consortium of non-governmental and youth organizations. The program emphasizes mutual learning, professional development, and intercultural exchange, along with reporting and evaluation to assess contributions to partner projects and participant outcomes.

Weltwärts has faced criticism, including concerns about costs, the voluntarism model, and questions about long-term impact and local ownership. Proponents argue it yields practical development help, cross-cultural understanding, and skills development for participants, with reforms aiming to address concerns and improve effectiveness.