Cooperation in our Incoming programs

Which governmental funded programs do we have? Who do we work with? What could we achieve until now? Which are our goals for the future?

What is South-North Component?

Since 2013 the South-North Component offers young adults from the Global South to volunteer in German organizations and by doing so, to grow personally in an informal learning process through personal interaction, reciprocal intercultural exchange and the transfer of knowledge and experience. The overall goal is to strengthen civil society and especially the partner organizations in the South, which benefit as returned volunteers tell others about their experience and continue to be active in civil society. As the program pursues these goals, attention is given at all levels to gender equality.

The South-North Component is implemented by the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD – Bundesfreiwilligendienst) run by the the Federal Office for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Engagement Global is the central department in charge of the hosting organizations.

All hosting organizations have to be accredited by the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society (Bundeamt für Familie und zivilgesellschaftliche Aufgaben - BAFZA). Also the host organization has to be approved by weltwärts.

Who are our partners in the South-North-Component?

Each year many young German adults are sent by VIA e.V. to volunteer in several countries of the Global South. By offering the same opportunities to young people from these countries we can achieve a real reciprocal exchange. Within the South-North Component we are currently collaborating with partners from Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Columbia, Peru and Mongolia.

Tasks of the partners in the Global South:

Our partners are in charge of the preselection of the volunteers. Due to their abilities and interests the application documents are then forwarded to suitable host organizations in Germany which give the final approval.

Preparation, supervision in Germany and after the return

The partners as well as our coordinators support the volunteers throughout the whole voluntary service. Also our German volunteers assist in the preparation of the applicants from the Global South. They give German classes and speak about the German culture. This way the applicants learn in a practical and fun way and also get a clear understanding about their expected tasks and living situation in Germany.

During the pedagogic seminars the volunteers have the possibility to speak about their experiences in Germany with other volunteers and develop strategies on how to react and cope in/with challenging situations during the voluntary service.

Upon their return to the home countries, volunteers are assisted by the partners of the Global South in order to develop perspectives, regarding the implementation of their experiences to their local reality. This support highlights possibilities for the civil and developing engagement.   

The partner organizations in the Global South have the following tasks in particular:

• Publicizing the program among the target group in a non-discriminatory and gender-sensitive manner
• Selecting applicants, with equal attention being given to women and men
• Offering pre-assignment orientation and post-assignment follow-up workshops and encouraging alumni to become involved in civil society
• Staying in touch with volunteers and assisting them with administrative matters, for instance visa application
• Once the volunteer is selected, the main communication will be between the VIA program coordinator in Germany and the volunteer. The partner will be informed about the process in cc in the email correspondence.

Together we develop a binding plan in which the sending partner organization shows what tasks they have planned to prepare the volunteer before and after their services. Sending organizations need to have gender expertise, or be willing to acquire gender competence.