We are a non-profit organization, offering voluntary services in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.

These voluntary services are organized on behalf of the non-profit organization Jugend Eine Welt and the Salesians of Don Bosco. The cooperation with our partner organizations allows us to share knowledge, benefit from their valuable expertise and engage in a global network. VOLONTARIAT bewegt is led by the executive director who oversees a team of permanent staff members. In order to ensure the direct and professional supervision of our volunteers, we maintain close contact to our project partners around the world and to our big community of former volunteers.

The supporting organizations

VOLONTARIAT bewegt is a joint initiative of Jugend Eine Welt and the Don Bosco Salesians.

The non-governmental organization Jugend Eine Welt – Don Bosco Aktion Österreich supports Don Bosco projects worldwide. Key areas of activity are the financial support of projects abroad, development education in Austria and fundraising for domestic projects. For this purpose, the association co-operates amongst others with the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

www.jugendeinewelt.at

The Salesians of Don Bosco are a Roman Catholic congregation with a strong focus on children and youth. They manage projects in 130 countries around the world, design and implement educational, technical and vocational programmes and coordinate community centres for youth at risk. In Austria, the Salesian projects entail parishes with oratories, student homes and dormitories, an educational center and a school.

www.donbosco.at

Our Vision:

• A voluntary service is a contribution to the protection of the rights of children and young people around the world.
• A voluntary service is an active learning process and an enriching experience.
• A voluntary service is the starting point for lifelong activism and the commitment for a sustainable and just world.
• A voluntary service is putting the spirituality and pedagogy of Don Bosco into action.
• VOLONTARIAT bewegt is a lobbying organisation for civil society and for sustainable voluntary services abroad.

What is a voluntary service?

VOLONTARIAT bewegt offers one-year voluntary services in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The volunteers are between the ages of 18 and 35 and engage in social projects catering to children and youth. In addition, the voluntary service can serve as a substitute for the compulsory military service for young Austrian men.
Over 500 young Austrians have embarked on one of our voluntary years. By living solidarity in practice with youth at risk in countries of the global South, they have gained practical experience and skills for their future lives.

The voluntary service at a glance – From the application to the follow-up

Application

The application process consists of two steps: Submitting an online application form and participating in an information and assessment meeting. A responsible and informed decision of all stakeholders is very important to us.

Preparation course

The preparation course consists of four modules and is intended as a stimulus for the personal preparation. This is where the foundation for a fruitful voluntary service is laid.

During the voluntary service

For the period of one year our volunteers live in a Don Bosco project and work with youth at risk. Mutual and lifelong learning is at the heart of this program.

Debriefing

The experiences and impressions gained during the voluntary service are reflected and processed during the debriefing phase. The learning process takes time and needs space and support from our experienced staff members.

Commitment after the voluntary service

Engaging in active citizenship and advocacy for development cooperation can take many different forms for our former volunteers. The flame of voluntary service and lived solidarity continue to burn in Austria.

For further information please consult our German sites.

Contact:

E-Mail: info@volontariat.at
Phone: +43 676 766 60 76