Junge Menschen stehen in Reihen hintereinander und gucken in eine Richtung. Ein junger Mann steht in der Mitte hebt die Hände. Andere lächeln. Eine Frau filmt.

Together we celebrate.

Our Community

Did you know that you are one of more than 50.000 community members? And guess what? Our community keeps growing every day! The weltwärts Community is a hub for all those who have done a volunteer service - North-South or South-North, regardless of their sending organization or placement.

From us - For us

grenzenlos e.V. - the association behind the community

For the past 25 years, former international volunteers have come together at grenzenlos to drive change. Alumni engagement has played a key role in ensuring that weltwärts volunteers are well supported and thoroughly prepared before and after their service. The introduction of the South-North component was also actively co-designed by grenzenlos. Today, the association advocates for quality and critical volunteer services, transformative education, and the promotion of alumni engagement.

Now it's time to put our plans into action. Grenzenlos e.V. is tasked with driving forward the development of the community by providing information, organizing events and networking. “From all of us for all of us” is the motto here - if we are active together, we can achieve more. Because #TogetherIsMore.

What can you expect?

Exchange and connections

Experience the power of a community where you can share your experiences, thoughts and challenges with others.

Learning and growing together

Find new opportunities to delve deeper into topics, gain qualifications and continue learning together.

Inspiration & Support

Here you can use the collective treasure trove of experiences and contribute your own - for a community that inspires and motivates.

Get involved

Take part in exciting projects and events or contribute your own ideas - whether on site or digitally, everyone will find their place here.

Our vision: a fairer world for all

We strive for a just world where a good life is possible for everyone. As a community, we see ourselves as part of a network that works towards social justice, sustainability and transcultural understanding. The weltwärts community is a place where alumni can share their experiences and insights and together contribute to positive social change.

Eine Gruppe junger Menschen sitzt im Freien. Eine junge Frau sitzt im Schneidersitz, hebt die Hand und lächelt.

Our core values

Openness & diversity

Different perspectives are not only welcomed, but are of vital significance to us. Openness, empathy and respect for different life realities and cultural backgrounds are our basis. Everyone is invited to contribute their own individual experiences and perspectives.

Empathy & understanding

We foster a supportive and respectful environment. Listening to each other, sharing experiences and understanding the realities of others' lives fosters a community that strengthens us all.

Sustainability & justice

Our actions are aligned towards the goal of creating sustainable structures and enabling fair opportunities. We sensitize our members to social challenges such as discrimination and work together for a fairer world.

Find your place in the community

Being part of this community means feeling empowered and connected - for the common journey and the issues that continue to accompany us. Involvement in the weltwärts community can be diverse and flexible. Whether as a listener, co-creator or leader - everyone can find a role here that suits their own capacities and can change again and again. Because we support each other. This way, the community remains a place that motivates and at the same time offers space for new ideas and initiatives.

Ein Mann hebt die Arme und formt mit den Händen ein Herz.

Join the Quiz!

Your path starts here. Find out now which commitment suits you best!

How would you like to continue?

Das Portraitfoto zeigt einen jungen Mann in einer Jeansjacke. Er guckt in die Kamera und lächelt.

For me, the weltwärts community means being part of an international community of like-minded people who want to make a difference.

Bongani Justice Makhubela, former South-North volunteer, about the weltwärts community

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Community Fund

Former South-North volunteers often don’t get the same chances for support, training, or networking as former North-South volunteers. We want to change that! That’s why grenzenlos is building a Community Fund – to give former South-North volunteers outside of Germany easy, no-stress access to funding for projects, training, and local community events. Every little bit helps. Join in and become part of a global community based on solidarity.

How you can support the Community Fund

Bring your own project to life

Are you a former South–North volunteer living outside Germany and looking to stay engaged after your volunteer service? Whether it’s launching your own project, taking part in a training, or hosting a community event in your region – the Community Fund tries to back you up.

Become a community member

Give back!

With as little as €1 per month, you can join grenzenlos as a community member and support the initiatives, training, and networking of former South–North volunteers worldwide.

Wear the Community T-Shirt

The Community Shirt is more than just clothing – it’s a statement of solidarity. Order yours through the Support Trägt shop and show that you’re part of a global community. Every purchase contributes directly to the Community Fund.

Grezenlos Website Grafiken (4)Shop Community now

Support through your reading

grenzenlos e.V. partners with buch7, the social and sustainable bookshop. When you order via our link, part of the purchase price flows straight into the Community Fund.

Get wiser & support us

Connect online in the Worldwide-Network

... and find other (former) volunteers, exciting information and projects

The Worldwide-Network (WWN) is the digital platform that connects current and former volunteers from every corner of the world – spanning continents from Indonesia to Germany, Brazil, and across Africa. Do you find yourself asking questions like, "What comes after my voluntary service?" or "How can I make the most of my experiences?" These are common concerns for many. In our community, we have a wealth of experiences to share and learn from.

The various spaces in the WWN enable you to start projects, share resources, or simply engage in discussions on global topics with others. You’ll find regional spaces (e.g. Africa or Berlin), thematic spaces (e.g. on sustainability), and a job/internship board. These spaces are your areas to reflect on experiences and develop new ideas together.

If your journey after weltwärts has already taken you further, you can share your insights and knowledge with others in the WWN. In the "Paths after Voluntary Service" space, we support each other by sharing information and experiences on study programs, time abroad, career entry, or volunteering. Together, we inspire and encourage one another.

Insights

What’s next after your voluntary service? What options are there and what experiences have other alumni gained? Read more about paths after voluntary service here - and get inspired!

Our Team

We are the grenzenlos e.V. team behind the weltwärts community.

Porträtfoto von Verena Müller-Fried, einer jungen Frau mit gewellten hellbraunen Haaren und einem türkisfarbenen Rollkragenpullover. Sie lächelt in die Kamera. Im unscharfen Hintergrund sind Häuserfassaden und kahle Bäume zu sehen.

Verena Müller-Fried

Coordination, networking & communication

Portraitfoto von Amelie Makanzo, einer jungen Frau in einem bunten Strickpullover mit braunen, schulterlangen Haaren. Der unscharfe Hintergrund zeigt kahle Bäume und eine Straßenfassade.

Amelie Makanzo

Events & Community-Building

Portraitfoto von Frederik Hornung, einem jungen Mann mit braunen Haaren und Bart in einem beigen Pullover. Der unscharfe Hintergrund zeigt kahle Bäume und eine Straßenfassade.

Frederik Hornung

Development of fund & financing structure

Portraitfoto von Sonja Sassenberg, einer jungen Frau mit dunkelblonden Haaren und einem rostroten Rollkragenpullover.  Der unscharfe Hintergrund zeigt kahle Bäume und eine Straßenfassade.

Sonja Sassenberg

Communication, fund & structure development

Portraitfoto von Michaela Frint, einer jungen Frau mit einem braunen Dutt und einer dunkelblauen Bluse. Sie lächelt. Der unscharfe Hintergrund ist hell und zeigt eine weiße Fensterfront.

Michaela Frint

Finance & Controlling

Contact us!

Do you have a specific question, want to get involved or just want to say hello? We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Stay informed!

Want to stay up to date? Our newsletter informs you about current events, news and stories from the community.

Yes, please send me the newsletter from the weltwärts Community and grenzenlos e.V. I agree that the weltwärts Community and grenzenlos e.V. may send me regular information about news and events. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time without any problems.