750,000 Thuringians volunteer

Created: 11/29/2022, 4:17 p.m

A homeless man holds a mug of tea.

© Christophe Gateau/dpa/symbol image

Participation, community spirit, fun - these are reasons why many people in Thuringia do voluntary work in their free time.

But it doesn't always have to be a club.

Erfurt - A growing number of Thuringians are volunteering in clubs, initiatives or foundations.

Their number has risen significantly over the past 20 years to around 750,000, said Social Affairs Minister Heike Werner (SPD) in Erfurt on Tuesday.

The spectrum for voluntary commitment is wide.

It ranges from fire brigades and civil protection, sports clubs, parents' representatives and educational opportunities, nature and animal protection to the many facets of cultivating traditions and social work.

With almost 41 percent of residents over the age of 14 who do voluntary work, Thuringia is at the top of the eastern German states and above the national average with the so-called commitment rate of almost 40 percent, said Werner.

The work of the volunteers is highly appreciated, but it is not a stopgap for the missing state infrastructure.

The volunteers “use their free time for other people.

In this way, you make a contribution to social cohesion,” said the minister.

Her motivation is also fun, being able to help shape something and a sense of community.

The voluntary foundation, founded 20 years ago, provides support for the many clubs and initiatives and can also award grants.

According to Werner, she has almost 3.6 million euros available from the state budget this year.

Aid for clubs that have been badly hit by the energy crisis is also planned in the near future.

Only Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia have such a foundation, said their managing director Niels Lange.

She puts one focus on informing Thuringians about the possibilities of voluntary work and helping them with bureaucratic hurdles.

Data would indicate that 47 percent of people in the Free State have a basic interest in volunteering, but do not know where this is possible.

"That's another 510,000," says Lange.

Many clubs are currently dealing with a generation change and the use of digital aids for club work.

There is also a trend away from offices.

"Increasingly, people do not want to take care of an office, but of individual projects," said the managing director of the voluntary foundation.

That would be taken into account.

In general, voluntary work has to adapt to this trend.

dpa