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- 1. Understand the target group<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2. Attract volunteers: channels & approach<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3. Retain volunteers in the long term<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4. Find volunteers with vostel.de<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe most important facts at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Entry mostly via short-term commitment, but often willingness for more<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The main motivation is to help shape society and solve problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clear, activating invitations to tender are decisive for the motivation to get started<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digital channels play the central role in acquisition<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Appreciation and reliable communication strengthen long-term loyalty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n1. Understand the target group<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who are the young volunteers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/junge-freiwillige-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYoung volunteers are not a homogeneous group. Their expectations, experiences and opportunities vary considerably depending on their background and stage of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The target group includes, among others:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pupils<\/strong> who would like to gain their first experience in voluntary work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trainees<\/strong> who get involved alongside their training<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Students<\/strong> looking for practical experience and meaningful projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Career starters<\/strong> who want to do something meaningful alongside their job, but whose time budget is often limited<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- People between two phases of life<\/strong> who are looking for a meaningful activity for the transition period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Newcomers and expats<\/strong> who have come to Germany as refugees, au pairs, international students or to work and are looking to make connections here and contribute to society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The latter group in particular is often neglected, although it makes up a not insignificant proportion of committed young people. On vostel.de, for example, they make up more than 50% of those registered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commitment initially mostly one-off or short-term<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of what stage of life they are in, many initially get involved on a project-related or temporary basis. However, this does not mean that they are not interested in longer-term commitments. Our vostel volunteer survey<\/a> with 1,000 participants even shows a clear tendency towards long-term commitment if the conditions are right. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/short-long.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIt is crucial to have the opportunity to get to know the organization and the work before making a longer-term decision. We therefore recommend that organizations initially offer low-threshold “entry-level projects<\/strong>” that are limited in time and provide an initial insight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What motivates young people to get involved?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By far the most common motivation is the desire to actively help shape society and contribute to solving social or societal problems. Over 60% of respondents in our survey cited this as the main reason for their involvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/main-reason-volunteering-1-1024x341.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen looking for a volunteer position, young volunteers therefore pay particular attention to what vision an organization pursues, what contribution it makes to society and how the work of volunteers actually contributes to this. A clear, authentic vision is therefore a decisive factor in recruitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two examples of clear visions:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
- Trainees<\/strong> who get involved alongside their training<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pupils<\/strong> who would like to gain their first experience in voluntary work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2. Attract volunteers: channels & approach<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vostel.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kanal-1024x341.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n