IJAB

What IJAB does

IJAB – Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V. is Germany's federally mandated national coordination body for international youth work and youth policy cooperation, headquartered in Bonn and operating since 1967 as a registered association (e.V.) and corporation under public law (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts). The organization is funded primarily by the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) through the Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes (KJP), and serves municipal youth offices, child and youth welfare institutions, registered youth associations, youth exchange practitioners, and international expert/policy audiences across Europe and selected non-European countries (China, Japan, Türkiye, USA, UK).

IJAB's product portfolio centers on a multilingual content and tools platform: the five-language Infosystem Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (German, English, French, Russian, Hebrew), the bi-annual 'beyond' specialist magazine (~1,200 readers per issue), the Forum Jugendarbeit International publication series (14 editions since 1996), the Forschungsdatenbank research database, the i-EVAL evaluation tool for youth exchanges, and the Nachweise International certification tool. It also delivers training products (DIY²-Labore, online courses on youth exchange and inclusion, mobility guide training, funding workshops), Eurodesk mobility counseling (via rausvonzuhaus.de and wege-ins-ausland.org), advisory services for municipalities, and historical-political education programs (jugend.erinnert). The underlying technology is conventional web publishing and digital content infrastructure rather than proprietary AI or platform software.

IJAB's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial: most publications and the 'beyond' subscription are distributed free of charge, while a small set of Forum Jugendarbeit International editions carry a €12.50 protection fee plus shipping. The organization's go-to-market is through direct professional network engagement, content distribution via its own bestellservice ordering platform, and partner-network distribution via bilateral youth offices (DFJW, DPJW, DGJW, Tandem, ConAct) and EU-level bodies (JUGEND für Europa, Eurodesk, Council of Europe). No commercial revenue, investor backing, or private capital is involved; IJAB is governed by a Vorstand and Mitgliederversammlung under public-law non-profit structures.

Name

IJAB

Legal name

IJAB – Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.

Website

https://ijab.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IJAB is Germany's federally mandated non-profit coordination body for international youth work, funded by the BMFSFJ, operating multilingual information platforms, publications, evaluation tools, and training programs for youth welfare offices, associations, and practitioners across Europe and partner countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Youth Work Coordination and Youth Policy Advisory Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), International Affairs (9721), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

Keywords

• International youth work
• Youth exchange programs
• Youth policy cooperation
• Youth work training
• Youth welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IJAB serves as Germany's central coordinating body for international youth work and youth policy cooperation, delivering multilingual information platforms (Infosystem Kinder- und Jugendhilfe), specialist publications (Fachmagazin beyond, Forum Jugendarbeit International book series, Datenreport), evaluation and certification tools (i-EVAL, Nachweise International), professional training programs (DIY²-Labore, online courses on youth exchange and inclusion, funding workshops), and mobility counselling services (Eurodesk). It supports municipal youth welfare offices, youth associations, and international partners with research, advisory services, and resources to enable international youth exchanges and professional cooperation.

Product overview

IJAB operates as a product portfolio consisting of multiple interconnected platforms, publications, and tools for international youth work. The core offerings include: the Infosystem Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (multilingual online platform explaining Germany's child/youth services system); the Fachmagazin beyond (semi-annual professional magazine); the Forum Jugendarbeit International (publication series); and the Forschungsdatenbank (research database). Supporting tools include i-EVAL (evaluation tool for youth exchanges), Nachweise International (certification tool), and Eurodesk mobility counselling services. Training products include DIY²-Labore, online courses on youth exchange and inclusion, and language animation services. IJAB also provides portals like Youth Work Translator and the data report on international youth work. The portfolio is complemented by research programs like jugend.erinnert on historical education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infosystem Kinder- und Jugendhilfe in Deutschland A multilingual online platform that explains the German child and youth services system in an accessible and commented form, designed for national and international expert dialogue in youth services, youth work, and youth policy. Available in German, English, French, Russian, and Hebrew with customizable favorites lists and downloadable PDFs and PowerPoint presentations.
• Fachmagazin beyond (Internationale Impulse für die Jugendarbeit) A semi-annual professional magazine (formerly IJAB journal) providing international impulses for youth work, covering developments in international youth work and youth policy cooperation with contributions from practice, politics, and science. Provided free of charge via subscription.
• Forum Jugendarbeit International (publication series) A specialist book series published since 1996 reporting on priorities, work and discussion results, concepts, and experiences from international youth work and youth policy, featuring contributions from in-country and foreign practitioners, experts, and researchers. Available for order at a protection fee of 12.50 euros plus shipping costs.
• Forschungsdatenbank (Research Database) A research database offering references to publications, articles, downloadable documents, and websites related to international youth work and intercultural learning in youth and specialist encounters.
• i-EVAL – Begegnungen evaluieren (Evaluation Tool) An online and offline evaluation tool for evaluating international youth exchanges and encounters, enabling structured self-evaluation by organizations running international youth programs to assess and document learning outcomes.
• Nachweise International (Certification Tool) A tool for making international engagement visible through documentation and certificates for participants in international youth work.
• DIY²-Labore (DIY² Labs) Interactive online and in-person training laboratories focused on developing skills and competencies for international youth work, covering awareness and youth work topics as part of IJAB's professional development offerings.
• Onlinekurs Jugendbegegnung (Online Course on Youth Exchange) An online course on youth exchange, providing training for professionals working with international youth encounters.
• Onlinekurs Inklusion (Online Course on Inclusion) An online course focused on inclusion in international youth work, addressing how to make youth exchange accessible to all young people.
• Eurodesk-Mobilitätsberatung (Eurodesk Mobility Counselling) Mobility counselling services under the Eurodesk network, providing information on opportunities for young people to go abroad, including dedicated portals rausvonzuhaus.de and wege-ins-ausland.org. IJAB serves as the Eurodesk contact point for Germany.
• Youth Work Translator A terminology translation tool that translates specialist terminology related to youth work between languages.
• Datenreport Internationale Jugendarbeit (Data Report) A data report presenting statistics and analyses of the international youth work field in Germany.
• jugend.erinnert (Historical Education Program) An educational program on German war crimes in Greece, promoting historical-political education through international youth work in collaboration with the German-Greek Youth Office (DGJW).

Quantifiable outcome

• The 'beyond' specialist magazine reaches approximately 1,200 readers per issue across youth offices, child and youth welfare facilities, ministries, and international organizations.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ)coreOthersThe Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth is IJAB's primary funding body and mandate-giver. IJAB operates under the Children's and Youth Plan of the Federal Government (Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes, KJP) which is administered by the ministry. The ministry also funds the Information System for Child and Youth Services.
• Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-French Youth Office is one of the key bilateral youth offices with which IJAB collaborates on youth exchange programs, joint publications, and policy development between Germany and France. IJAB publishes articles and coordinates activities with DFJW.
• Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk (DPJW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-Polish Youth Office collaborates with IJAB on bilateral youth exchange between Germany and Poland, contributing to publications and programs that address accessibility and inclusion in international youth work.
• Deutsch-Griechisches Jugendwerk (DGJW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-Greek Youth Office works with IJAB on youth exchange programs between Germany and Greece, including historical-political education projects such as 'jugend.erinnert' on German war crimes in Greece.
• Stiftung Deutsch-Russischer Jugendaustausch (Foundation for German-Russian Youth Exchange)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThis foundation collaborates with IJAB on the Russian-language version of the Information System for Child and Youth Services, contributing to the multilingual outreach of this resource.
• ConAct – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Israelischer JugendaustauschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConAct, the Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange, partners with IJAB on the Hebrew-language version of the Information System for Child and Youth Services and on bilateral youth policy cooperation.
• JUGEND für Europa – Deutsche Agentur für das EU-Programm Erasmus+ JugendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJUGEND für Europa is the German National Agency for the EU Erasmus+ Youth programme. IJAB collaborates with JUGEND für Europa on peer-learning activities, publication contributions, and policy developments related to EU youth programs including the European Solidarity Corps.
• Eurodesk Brussels Link / Eurodesk NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJAB serves as the Eurodesk mobility counseling contact point for Germany, providing young people with information on international exchange and mobility opportunities through the Eurodesk network, with portals such as rausvonzuhaus.de and wege-ins-ausland.org.
• Tandem – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Tschechischer JugendaustauschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTandem coordinates German-Czech youth exchange and collaborates with IJAB on cross-border youth work initiatives and professional development for youth workers.
• European Youth Policy Cooperation and International NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJAB maintains partnerships with international networks and cooperations across China, Japan, Türkiye, USA, and the United Kingdom, facilitating bilateral youth policy cooperation and youth exchange programs with these partner countries.
• European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJAB collaborates with the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy, contributing to the YouthWiki platform and sharing information on youth policy developments across Europe.
• Council of Europe / European Youth CentrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIJAB cooperates with the Council of Europe on youth policy developments, including the 4th European Youth Work Convention and multilateral youth policy initiatives, and participates in the European Youth Week and other CoE youth programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutsch-Griechisches Jugendwerk (DGJW): Bilateral German-Greek youth exchange organization, structurally a peer of IJAB. Jointly operates historical-political education projects (e.g., 'jugend.erinnert' on German war crimes in Greece) with IJAB.
• ConAct – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Israelischer Jugendaustausch: Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange. Operates a comparable coordination-and-information mandate for bilateral youth exchange and is a partner on IJAB's multilingual platform (Hebrew version).
• Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk (DPJW): Bilateral German-Polish youth exchange agency funded by both governments. Mirrors IJAB's mandate structure for a specific bilateral corridor and collaborates closely with IJAB on joint publications and program accessibility.
• Tandem – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Tschechischer Jugendaustausch: Bilateral German-Czech youth exchange coordination center. Another structurally comparable German coordination body for international youth work, operating under a similar public-law funding model and partnering with IJAB on cross-border initiatives.
• Eurodesk Brussels Link: European youth information network for mobility and exchange opportunities. IJAB serves as Germany's Eurodesk contact point, so the two are operationally intertwined; structurally comparable as providers of youth-mobility information and counseling services.
• JUGEND für Europa: German National Agency for the EU Erasmus+ Youth programme. Directly comparable to IJAB as a federally-mandated German youth-work coordinating body with strong EU program orientation, although focused specifically on Erasmus+ Youth administration rather than the broader international coordination mandate IJAB holds.
• Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW / Franco-German Youth Office): Bilateral German-French youth exchange agency, structurally similar to IJAB as a government-funded coordination body for international youth work, but focused narrowly on the Franco-German bilateral relationship. A core strategic partner of IJAB and one of the most comparable organizational models.

Broad incumbents

• SALTO-YOUTH (European Commission's SALTO Resource Centres): EU-funded network of resource centres supporting Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps quality and training. Comparable to IJAB in providing training, tools, and resources for international youth work practitioners across Europe.
• European Youth Forum: Platform of European youth organizations representing young people's interests to EU institutions. Comparable to IJAB in its international youth-policy coordination role, though its primary lens is youth advocacy rather than youth-work practitioner support.
• Council of Europe – Youth Department: Pan-European intergovernmental body coordinating youth policy across 46 member states. Operates at a higher jurisdictional level than IJAB, but is directly comparable in its focus on youth work standards, training, and policy coordination (e.g., European Youth Work Convention).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IJAB