Income Voluntary Service

Schüler*innen Helfen Leben (SHL) is Germany’s largest youth-led charity, best known for organising the Solidarity Action Day. On this day, tens of thousands of students swap the classroom for a job of their choice and donate their earnings to support youth and education projects in Southeast Europe, the Syria region, Jordan, and Ukraine. The goal: more equal opportunities, more youth participation, more solidarity.

Through presentations and workshops in German schools, SHL also raises awareness about the realities young people face in these regions. The Solidarity Action Day empowers youth to take action, stand up for social issues and make a real difference.

Why become an Income Volunteer?
As an Income Volunteer, you become part of a motivated team that believes in youth power and real change. For one year, you support SHL in a wide range of activities—from project work to communication, event planning and teamwork across borders. You’ll grow personally and professionally, gain valuable skills, and experience what it means to be part of a youth-led movement.

A program that crosses borders!
Since 2014, young people from Southeast Europe have been joining our team in Neumünster as Income Volunteers. They quickly became an essential part of everything we do.
 
In 2018, SHL opened a second office in Lübeck. On behalf of our European umbrella organisation SAME Solidarity Action Day Movement in Europe, we work to spread the idea of the Solidarity Action Day across Europe and connect young people from many countries. This team is supported by two additional Income Volunteers who help grow and shape this European Youth Movement.

What to expect during your voluntary service in Germany:
 •Be part of an international team of young people                                                            •Live in a shared apartment with other volunteers                                                              •Spend 13 months in Germany, contibuting to a meaningful cause                                  •Receive monthly pocket money                                                                                          •Travel with your colleagues to seminars and a 10-day project trip to Southeast Europe                       

Additional Information for Volunteers:

•We cover costs of health insurance, visa, and other necessary expenses related to the voluntary service                                                                                                                                 •One round-trip journey to your hometown is covered at a freely chosen time during your service                                                                                                                                         •Depending on the office location (Lübeck or Neumünster), a good command of German and/or English (B1 level) is required (no certificate needed). We support language learning before and during the voluntary service                                                                                          •According to German regulations, volunteers must have their permanent residence outside Germany, and German may not be their native language