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.
Latest news
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?
Aachen Volunteer Agency
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
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 years of help, support and effort of Aachen's volunteers.
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".
Financial matters & subsidies
Municipal subsidies
The city of Aachen supports the commitment of associations with financial resources.
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.
The so-called "Übungsleiterfreibetrag" has been € 3,000 per year since January 1, 2021. The lump sum for voluntary work is €840 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.
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.
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."
DSEE funding programs
Funding opportunities via foundations
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), there are a variety of funding opportunities via foundations that support projects in the areas of nature conservation, local heritage and cultural preservation, social innovation, education and many others. TheNRW Foundation, for example, supports projects in the areas of nature conservation, local history and cultural preservation, while the NRW Social Foundation focuses on social innovation. There are also foundations that specialize in specific topics such as environment and development or integration.
"2000x1000€" Promotion
The state government launched the first measures to implement the engagement strategy in 2021. This includes the "2,000 x 1,000 euros for engagement" funding program. Under this year's funding theme "Digital into the future - engaged with AI and Co.", projects on digitalization or the use of AI in your engagement are funded. Applications for the 2026 funding period can be submitted from March 2 to November 1, 2026.
Eligible measures can be projects that promote digitization or the use of AI in your commitment and volunteering, such as switching to digital file management in the association, setting up your own website for your initiative or starting organizational and association development with the help of AI.
For example, expenses for consumables and work materials, expenses for advertising the planned campaign (e.g. posters or flyers), rental costs for premises rented especially for the measure and fee costs (e.g. for a lecture or workshop) are eligible for funding. Hardware for the implementation of the planned project can also be funded. The expenses to be listed must be incurred in direct connection with the measure and be important for its successful implementation.
If you have any questions about the application process in Aachen, please contact our colleagues in the Committed and Cooperative City team at ehrenamt@mail.aachen.de or call 0241 432-7238.
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.
More
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.
More
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.
More
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.
More
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.
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
Catholic Church in the Diocese of Aachen
The Diocese of Aachen offers non-denominational events for associations and volunteers.
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.
More
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.
More
Committed City" network
© iStock.com / Alessandro Biascioli
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.
Press releases
Further topics
- City network citizen-oriented municipality
- Guide to civil society
- German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering
- Portal of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for civic and entrepreneurial engagement
- German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB)
- Academy for Volunteering Germany
- Cooperation Foundation
- RWTH Commitment and leisure
Contact us
Search results are loaded
No departments found.