Visa Année Diaconale

Volontariat International au Service des Autres

VERSION FRANÇAISE

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Becoming a volunteer
    • Our missions
    • Testimonials from former volunteers
    • Volunteering programmes and types of mission
    • VISA-AD support for volunteers
    • Apply online
  • Host a volunteer
    • Testimonials from host organisations
    • Volunteering programmes and types of mission
    • Support from VISA for organisations
    • Apply to host a volunteer
  • Visa-AD
    • Who are we?
    • Our history
    • News
    • Support us
    • Contact
    • Our partners
Home > Visa-AD > Becoming a volunteer > Volunteering programmes and types of mission > Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD)

Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD)

IJFD

IJFD is a volunteering programme created in Germany in 2011. It enables young Germans to take part in activities abroad in areas such as culture, sports, civil protection and the environment. The IJFD is the opportunity to take a gap year, to explore a new culture and learn useful skills for personal and professional development as well as for social integration.
VISA-AD partners with the IJFD scheme and hosts young Germans wanting to get involved in France. As with all volunteering schemes, the recruitment process looks at the motivation, personality and the ambitions of the individual volunteer.

Who is it for?

  • All German citizens from 18 to 26.
  • What is it?
  • A philanthropic community service mission lasting 8 to 12 months, with a working week of 24 to 35 hours.
  • When?
  • Usually from September to June
  • Where?
  • In France as part of a VISA-AD member organisation, working in the following areas: socio-medical, education or culture.

How?

First, you must contact our partner, DIJA, in Germany. Young people will be asked to fill out an application form and then invited to take part in an information and orientation weekend in February. VISA-AD will also be there for support and to identify a programme that matches their interests.

After these considerations and after an interview with VISA-AD, your application is presented to the host organisation, who will approve it, or not. Neither the application nor the interview is a trap, the main idea is to get to know the young person and their motivations and to help them in their choice of mission.

What are the benefits?

  • Recognized legal status
  • Support throughout the mission (supervisors, training, volunteer sessions, coordinators)
  • Pocket money of €150 per month
  • Accommodation and food for the entire period
  • 2 days off per month of mission and 2 days off per week
  • Full German social security coverage in France (sickness, maternity, workplace accidents)
  • A training course provided by VISA-AD, done in sessions throughout the volunteer journey (15 days in total), plus two training sessions provided by our partner in
  • Germany prior to departure and after the return (10 days in total)
  • Support for the duration of the mission (supervision, training, volunteer sessions)
  • Cover of travel expenses (between the mission location in France and home in Germany)

Details specific to VISA-AD

  • 95% of young people complete their missions (compared to the 75% national average).
  • 3 training sessions during the mission to complement the informal, on-the-job learning.
  • A designated coordinator for the duration of the mission to oversee each volunteer.
  • A Young Person’s SNCF Railcard is available to encourage travel.
  • Meet young people from all walks of life and experience volunteering communally.
  • Support in your choice of mission for a “tailor-made” mission.
  • Volunteers are encouraged to design a personal project in the host organisation, which empowers their independent work.
  • VISA-AD acts as mediator in case of a problem between the host organisation and the volunteer.
  • Exclusive partnership with the l’Institut de l’engagement. Our goal is to enhance the volunteer experience to make it possible for the volunteers to fulfil their projects at the end of their year.
    Testimonials from former volunteers

About Visa-AD

Working in volunteering since 1959; l’association Volontariat International au Service des Autres – Année Diaconale (the association of International Volunteering in Service to Others – Diaconal Year) supports young people in their Service Civique and in the European Solidarity Corps.

Based in Strasbourg, it develops long term volunteering missions in the field of social action, education, solidarity and health, in France and Europe.

Its work links associations in need of volunteers with young people aged 18 to 30 who want to get involved.

Find us on Facebook

VISA Année Diaconale

Subscribe to our newsletter!

News

Over 400+ projects, one will fits you !

Are you under 26 but still don't have 3 PhDs? You don't speak 10 languages fluently or have 14 years of experience?! … [Read More...]

Conference: Volunteering: a journey of engagement for young people in Europe

On the 7th December 2019, a large conference organised by VISA-AD will take place at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, … [Read More...]

Support the work of VISA-AD

Supporting VISA-AD allows young people to carry out philanthropic missions for 6 to 12 months, and guarantees them support for the duration of their personal project.

Copyright © 2025 · Visa-Année Diaconale · Mentions légales · Legal notice & Privacy policy

Our website employs cookies to improve your user experience. If you continue on this website, you will be providing your consent to our use of cookies.OkRead more