A broad-based engagement landscape makes our city vibrant and worth living in! The Committed and Cooperative City team is your first point of contact for anyone who wants to get involved in society - whether as an association, company, educational institution, initiative, charitable organization or private individual. With expertise and passion, we support you in shaping your commitment in the best possible way, bring people and projects together and accompany you on your way to volunteering.
Become active
Many people want to get involved for the common good - our urban society thrives on this. Today, companies are looking for new forms of local involvement that go beyond pure sponsorship, educational institutions want support for activities that go beyond the fixed curriculum, and initiatives and associations are looking for new supporters and reliable partners. Everyone benefits from good networking, but how do I find the right engagement partner?
The Aachen Volunteer Agency offers personal advice on volunteering in the social sector by prior appointment or in an open consultation hour on the last Tuesday of every month at the Bürger*innentreff.
Volunteer pass
City of Aachen
Volunteer pass
In many associations and institutions, volunteers work with great dedication. In our city, this voluntary work is an indispensable building block, without which many projects in a wide variety of areas would be unthinkable. The volunteer pass is a recognition of volunteer work. It is intended as a small thank you for the many years of help, support and effort of Aachen's volunteers.
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Become a sponsor
In order to make and maintain the Aachen Volunteer Pass and thus volunteering in Aachen more and more attractive, we are constantly looking for new cooperation partners who would like to say THANK YOU as a "sponsor".
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Financial matters & subsidies
Fines: Source of funding for clubs
The payment of fines does not always benefit the state treasury, but often also charitable organizations. The prerequisite for this is that the charitable organization is registered with the courts and public prosecutor's offices of the state.
This registration is carried out centrally on the NRW justice portal for the justice system in NRW by the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor General's Office. A list of charitable institutions for whose benefit fines can be imposed is being compiled there.
Trainer/volunteer allowance
People often ask about the difference between the lump-sum allowance for exercise leaders and the lump-sum allowance for voluntary work. Both lump sums are annual tax allowances in accordance with Section 3 EStG.
Since January 1, 2021, the so-called "Übungsleiterfreibetrag" has been 3,000 euros per year. The lump sum for voluntary work is 840 euros per year.
The requirements for both include, among other things, that the activity is part-time, i.e. it does not take up more than a third of a comparable full-time job. The activity should also serve to promote charitable, benevolent or church purposes.
When claiming the allowance, it should be noted that the volunteer allowance may not be claimed for the same activity in addition to the exercise leader allowance.
Both benefits may be claimed if different activities are involved, regardless of whether they are carried out in the same association or in the same institution.
Reimbursement of loss of earnings for voluntary work
Under certain conditions, it is possible to be reimbursed for loss of earnings for voluntary participation in a youth leisure activity, provided the employer grants unpaid special leave for this purpose. However, reimbursement is not paid by the sponsors of the measure, but is refinanced by the Rhineland Regional Association.
Support from the state of NRW "Heimat-Scheck"
The Ministry of Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Digitalization of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia generally funds up to 1,000 projects annually with 2,000 euros each.
Good evening, Aachen" fund
The new "Guten, Abend Aachen" fund supports events and campaigns that contribute to the creative and cultural revival of the evening hours in Aachen's city center.
Municipal subsidies
The city of Aachen supports the commitment of associations with financial resources.
2000x1000€ - "You+We=One. North Rhine-Westphalia against loneliness"
Eligible measures can be projects that are directly aimed at people affected or threatened by loneliness, such as the creation of meeting places or offers to get people talking to each other again. Further training for committed individuals is also conceivable in order to raise awareness of the issue of loneliness and develop strategies against loneliness for their own club life. Measures against discrimination, bullying and for tolerance and integration can also strengthen togetherness and thus contribute to the prevention of loneliness.
The funding program is expressly aimed at commitment against loneliness in all age groups and target groups.
Information and helpful tips on the funding procedure can be found at www.engagiert-in-nrw.de.
The current funding phase 2025 has not yet started. As soon as there is news, the Engaged and Cooperative City team will inform you on this page.
If you have any questions about the application process in Aachen, please contact the Engaged and Cooperative City team at ehrenamt@mail.aachen.de. For further information, please call Ms. Meurer on 0241-432-7238.Crowdfunding - "Many create more!"
With the crowdfunding platform "Many create more!", Aachener Bank offers a legally compliant way to jointly finance projects for the common good.
"Supporting people, taking responsibility and working together in a spirit of partnership. These cooperative values are the guiding principle for our actions. They give us the strength to break new ground, find innovative solutions and thus successfully shape the future. For us as a bank, but also and above all for the people in the region." - viele-schaffen-mehr.de/aachener-bank
Rights and obligations
Data protection
Your commitment to the community is valuable - as is the protection of personal data. Here you will find information on how to act in compliance with data protection regulations.
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Legal aspects of voluntary work
Am I insured? What obligations do I have? What legal regulations apply to my commitment? Here you will find helpful links to legal questions.
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Taxes in voluntary work
Here you will find helpful links to external sources of information on tax benefits, lump sums and important obligations for volunteers.
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Certificate of good conduct
If you would like to start a voluntary position, for example in child and youth welfare, in the care sector, in sport or in the emergency services, it is quite possible that you will be asked for a certificate of good conduct.
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Further training
German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering
Every week, the DSEE events offer information tailored to the needs of volunteers on all aspects of association work, commitment and volunteering.
engaged-in-NRW.de
All further training and qualification programs funded by the State Chancellery.
Training program for volunteers and clubs
In the coming months, the committed and cooperative city of the Department of Citizen Dialogue and Administrative Management, in cooperation with the Aachen Adult Education Center, will once again be offering a number of training courses that may be of interest to you as a volunteer. Participation is partly free of charge for you because the committed and cooperative city of Aachen bears the costs incurred, even if you are not yet in possession of an Aachen volunteer pass.
If you are interested, please register in good time at the VHS Aachen, telephone 0241-47920, stating the course number. The team of the committed and cooperative city cannot accept your registration.
You can look up the courses with discounts in the current VHS program. We will inform you about individual training courses here in due course.
City Sports Association
The Stadtsportbund Aachen e.V. regularly offers an extensive and needs-oriented program through its educational branch of the Landessportbund.
Church children and youth work
Training for volunteers in church children's and youth work
Proof of honorary office
Youth leader card (JuLeica)
The youth leader card is intended for volunteers involved in youth work. The minimum age is 16 years. With the JuLeica, holders identify themselves as qualified and document their active voluntary work as youth leaders. At the same time, they are entitled to certain services and benefits. The local youth welfare office is responsible for issuing the JuLeica.
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Proof of commitment NRW
People who do voluntary work have also acquired skills that are important outside of civic engagement. With the NRW certificate of commitment, the state government, together with the organizations supporting voluntary social work and with employers' and business associations, has created a means of documenting and recognizing skills acquired in voluntary work. The certificate can also be useful for professional development.
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Committed City" network
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In Aachen, civil society, politics, business and science are working together to create a vibrant engagement landscape - for greater cohesion, active recognition and a sustainable quality of life.
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