Aims and impact
Through weltwärts, Germany’s federal government provides funding for a development volunteer service. In addition to development activities by young people, the focus of the programme is global learning for the participants and strengthening of partnerships between civil-society organisations from Germany and countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania and Eastern Europe.
The interaction and experiences gained through weltwärts build participants’ global awareness and highlight what they themselves can do to help make life on our planet more equitable for everyone. Through their work on the ground and educational activities to help them reflect on what they have experienced, the young people gain an understanding of what development cooperation is. They learn that each and every one of us can make things happen. Numerous returnees from the programme continue to participate in civic engagement activities over the long term. In addition, weltwärts strengthens the participating organisations in their day-to-day work and their ability to take joint action. The weltwärts volunteer service and weltwärts Exchange Projects thus promote the implementation of the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Objectives
- Young people gain an awareness of future issues in the area of development and the concept of our One World.
- They act as multipliers, passing on the sustainable development message to those around them.
- Young people’s interest in development-related areas of work and engagement is stimulated.
- They learn how to interact with people in different countries, cultures and ways of life.
- The participants form a robust returnee network and cultivate partnerships in line with SDG 17.
Objectives
- weltwärts promotes the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Existing partnerships are expanded, civil-society structures strengthened.
- Civil-society stakeholders receive training and benefit from their interaction with volunteers.
- The participating organisations enhance their potential to take joint action.
- Participation structures are established and expanded in the areas of youth work, youth education and development cooperation.
