Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG)

What Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG) does

Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG) is a registered Catholic scouting association (e.V.) in Germany, founded in 1928 and recognized as a Träger der freien Jugendhilfe. It delivers age-tiered youth-development programming across six stages — Biber (under 6), Wölflinge (6–9), Jungpfadfinder (9–12), Pfadfinder (12+), Rover (15+), and Leiter (18+) — through a federated network of local groups (Stämme) organized under diocesan associations (Diözesanverbände). Program delivery is executed almost entirely by adult volunteer leaders; the federal office (Bundesamt) in Mönchengladbach employs only 28 paid staff who provide coordination, advocacy, and safeguarding support.

The association's technology stack is operationally minimal: the public website is built on Drupal CMS, and member records are managed through the NaMi membership platform. The federal office supports flagship events such as kunterBLAU 2026 and the planned Bundessommerlager 2029, maintains international youth-exchange partnerships with counterpart organizations in France (via DFJW), Israel/Jordan/Palestine, South Africa, Bolivia, and Rwanda, and operates supplementary programs such as the Friedenslicht aus Bethlehem distribution and the Pfadfinder-Stiftung (DPSG Foundation).

DPSG's revenue model blends membership dues, federal grants via the Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes (KJP), international exchange funding from DFJW, DPJW, ConAct, Tandem, and DRJA, and donations routed through the DPSG Foundation and the affiliated Nangu Thina e.V. for Fairtrade Scouts. The 2025 publication of an independent Aufarbeitungsstudie on historical abuse, the roll-out of mandatory prevention standards for international events, and the gender-inclusive rebrand to "Deutsche Pfadfinder*innenschaft Sankt Georg" indicate that safeguarding and inclusion are current strategic priorities alongside traditional program delivery.

Name

Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG)

Legal name

Deutsche Pfadfinder*innenschaft Sankt Georg

Website

https://dpsg.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG) is a German Catholic scouting nonprofit, founded 1928, that delivers age-tiered youth-development programs (ages 0–18+) through a volunteer-led network of local Stämme and diocesan associations across Germany, supplemented by international exchanges and a Pfadfinder-Stiftung.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Scouting Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth scouting programs
• Membership association services
• International youth exchange
• Volunteer leadership training
• Nonprofit youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Mönchengladbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: DPSG generates revenue through membership fees paid by its members (children, youth, and adult leaders). The organization also maintains a member management system (NaMi) for tracking membership and related services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DPSG operates as a Catholic nonprofit scouting association delivering age-tiered youth development programs (Bibergruppe, Wölflingsstufe, Jungpfadfinderstufe, Pfadistufe, Roverstufe, and Leiter*innen leadership), supported by international exchange programs, global justice initiatives, and an online membership management portal (NaMi). Members join through locally organized volunteer scout groups and pay recurring membership dues that sustain program delivery.

Product overview

Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG) is a German Catholic scouting organization offering a unified youth development program structured across six age-based levels: Bibergruppe (under 6), Wölflingsstufe (6+), Jungpfadfinderstufe (9+), Pfadistufe (12+), Roverstufe (15+), and Leiter*innen (18+ leadership). The organization provides membership management through the NaMi platform, international exchange programs, and global justice initiatives. Unlike commercial product companies, DPSG operates as a nonprofit youth organization with programs focused on outdoor activities, leadership development, and international cooperation rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bibergruppe (Beaver Group) Entry-level scouting program for children under 6 years old, introducing them to scouting concepts and community before transitioning to the Wölflingsstufe.
• Wölflingsstufe (Cub Scout Stage) Scouting program for children from 6 years old, focused on discovering and shaping their everyday environment through age-appropriate activities.
• Jungpfadfinderstufe (Young Scout Stage) Young scout program for children from 9 years old, centered around adventure, exploration activities, and team building.
• Pfadistufe (Scout Stage) Scout program for members starting at age 12, featuring adventurous and challenging activities and leadership development.
• Roverstufe (Rover Stage) Senior scout program for members from age 15, focused on personal development from youth to adulthood, self-discovery journeys, community service, and international engagement.
• NaMi Membership Management System Online self-service portal where DPSG members can manage their membership profile, access insurance information, download documents, and handle administrative tasks. First-time access is requested via membership number and date of birth.
• International Youth Exchange and Global Justice Program International solidarity program focused on global development, peace advocacy, and cross-cultural understanding through partnerships with international scout organizations, funded in part by German federal and bilateral youth exchange bodies (BMFSFJ, DFJW, DPJW, ConAct, Tandem, DRJA).

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• France (French Scout Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG maintains a bilateral partnership with French scouting organizations through a German-French commission (Deutsch-Französische Kommission), facilitating international exchanges and joint programs for youth and leaders.
• Near East Scout Partners (Israel, Jordan, Palästina)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG runs a 'Middle East Friendship Week' program bringing together scouts from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Germany for peace-building, cultural exchange, and shared adventure in Berlin. This initiative reflects the organization's commitment to peace education and inter-cultural dialogue.
• South Africa (South African Scout Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG maintains a partnership with the South African Scout Association as part of its international friendship program, facilitating exchange and solidarity between German and South African scouts.
• Bolivia (Bolivian Scout Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG has established a partnership with the Bolivian Scout Association as part of its global justice and international solidarity initiatives.
• Rwanda (Rwandan Scout Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG maintains a partnership with Rwandan scouts, including encounter trips and exchange programs that allow members to engage in international youth work and global justice activities.
• Nangu Thina e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNangu Thina e.V. collaborates with DPSG on the Fairtrade Scouts campaign, promoting fair trade and responsible consumption within the scouting community.
• Bundesarbeitskreis Internationale Gerechtigkeit (BAK InGe)coreOthersThe Federal Working Group on International Justice (BAK InGe) is an internal body within DPSG that develops educational materials and campaigns on global justice topics, including the Fairtrade Scouts initiative.
• Friends of DPSG (Freundinnen & Freunde)minorOthersFreundinnen & Freunde (Friends of DPSG) is a supporting organization that promotes and supports the work of DPSG.
• DPSG Foundation (Pfadfinder-Stiftung)coreOthersThe Pfadfinder-Stiftung (Scout Foundation) supports the DPSG's charitable activities through funding and financial backing for programs, scholarships, and organizational development.
• German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPSG receives funding through the Kinder- und Jugendplan des Bundes (KJP), a federal youth support program administered by the BMFSFJ, for international youth exchange measures and related activities.
• Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW / OFAJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW) provides funding and support for German-French youth exchanges organized by DPSG, with application deadlines three months before project start.
• Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk (DPJW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-Polish Youth Office (DPJW) provides funding for German-Polish youth exchange projects involving DPSG members, with application deadlines on January 16 and April 15 each year.
• ConAct – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Israelischer JugendaustauschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConAct serves as the coordination center for German-Israeli youth exchange, providing funding and support for exchange programs between DPSG and Israeli scout organizations, with an application deadline of August 31 of the preceding year.
• Tandem – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Tschechischer JugendaustauschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTandem provides funding and coordination for German-Czech youth exchanges in which DPSG participates.
• Stiftung Deutsch-Russischer Jugendaustausch (DRJA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation for German-Russian Youth Exchange (DRJA) funds and supports exchange programs between DPSG and Russian youth organizations.

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Scout Association (UK): The UK's national scout association, one of Europe's largest scout organizations; comparable to DPSG in delivering age-staged scouting from Beavers/Cubs/Scouts/Explorers, volunteer-led local groups, and structured international exchange programs.
• Boy Scouts of America / Scouting America: Largest scout organization in the United States with comparable age-staged Cub Scouts/Scouts/Venturers structure and similar volunteer-led local council model, though serving a different geography.

Regional players

• Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs (PPÖ): Austrian national scout association operating the same Baden-Powell-based program structure with age-staged groups, diocesan-style regional associations, and similar public funding model; directly comparable as a national scouting federation in a German-speaking neighboring market.
• Fédération Française du Scoutisme: French national scout umbrella coordinating multiple associations including Catholic scouts (SGDF) that have a bilateral partnership with DPSG; comparable in operating national scout federation infrastructure and youth exchange programs.

Direct peers

• Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder (VCP): German Christian (ecumenical) scout association offering the same scout program framework as DPSG, including age-staged groups from children to Rover levels, and competing for the same member families through local Stämme and federal funding.
• Associazione Guides e Scouts Cattolici Italiani (AGESCI): Italian Catholic scout association offering the same Baden-Powell-based, faith-based scouting program with co-educational structure and age-staged groups; directly comparable as the largest Catholic scout association in Europe serving similar families.
• Scouts d'Europe: Federation of traditional Catholic scout associations across Europe including Germany; directly comparable to DPSG in shared Catholic identity, Baden-Powell program, and European federation structure serving similar faith-based families.
• Bund der Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder (BdP): The largest secular German scout association, directly comparable to DPSG as it operates the same age-based scouting program structure across Germany with member dues, local groups, and diocesan-equivalent regional associations, differing primarily in its non-religious identity.

Others

• Ring deutscher Pfadfinder*innen (RdP): Umbrella association of the German scout associations including DPSG; comparable as it represents the national scouting infrastructure DPSG participates in, coordinating international representation through WOSM.
• Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ): Umbrella of Catholic youth organizations in Germany including DPSG; comparable as the parent-style federation channeling public funding and representing Catholic youth interests politically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dpsg
• Facebookfacebook.com/dpsg.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-pfadfinderschaft-sankt-georg
• Instagraminstagram.com/dpsg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg (DPSG)