Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH

What Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH does

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH is a non-profit (gemeinnützige GmbH) subsidiary of the Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross), specifically under the DRK Nordrhein regional association, headquartered at Kruppstraße 108, Düsseldorf. The organization coordinates government-funded volunteer service programs in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, primarily the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ), the Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD), and the specialized Projekt FSJP track focused on care-sector placements. It also mediates international placements through the Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD) in Europe (Greece, Finland, Malta, Norway) and the weltwärts program in Latin America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia).

The business model is structurally non-commercial: funding flows from the Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) and the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), with volunteers receiving a "Taschengeld" (pocket money allowance), social insurance, pedagogical accompaniment, and mandatory seminars. The organization matches applicants with one of several "Einsatzbereiche" (placement areas) including rescue services and Fahrdienst, hospitals and clinics, senior care, child and youth services, schools, and disability services. The internal team is small (6 employees), which constrains annual placement throughput and indicates a lean coordination function rather than a scaled service delivery operation.

Go-to-market is community-led: the organization recruits volunteers through direct outreach, a dedicated website (freiwilligendienste-freiwerk-drk.de), phone/email support, and active presence on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok under the @drkfreiwerk handle. There is no proprietary technology platform; the website serves as the primary information and application channel. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the operating model is tied to public-sector funding policy cycles rather than commercial sales dynamics.

Name

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH

Legal name

DRK Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH

Website

https://freiwerk-drk.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DRK Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH is a non-profit German Red Cross subsidiary based in Düsseldorf that coordinates government-funded volunteer service programs (FSJ, BFD, and international placements) for young people and adults across North Rhine-Westphalia and partner countries in Europe and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer and Social Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Training Grants (Public Health) (HLAJALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disaster Preparedness, Risk Reduction & Early Warning (DRR) (BPAGAAAB), Government Public Health Grantmaking & Program Offices (HLAJALAA)

Keywords

• Voluntary social service
• Federal volunteer service
• International youth service
• Humanitarian placement programs
• Nonprofit volunteer agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded voluntary service programs: DRK FreiWerk operates publicly funded volunteer service programs (FSJ and BFD). These are supported by government funding from the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Familie (BMFSFJ) and the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ). The organization facilitates placements and provides pedagogical support rather than selling commercial products or services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DRK FreiWerk is a non-profit placement agency that recruits, prepares, and places volunteers in social, medical, ecological, cultural, and humanitarian service positions under four federal programs: Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ), Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD), Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD), and weltwärts. The organization operates in the Düsseldorf, Niederrhein, Ruhrgebiet, and Bergisches Land regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, with international placements in Europe (Greece, Finland, Malta, Norway) and Latin America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia).

Product overview

DRK FreiWerk is a volunteer service organization offering a unified platform of voluntary service programs. The core offerings consist of FSJ (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr), BFD (Bundesfreiwilligendienst), and international volunteer services (IJFD and weltwärts). These programs connect volunteers with placement opportunities across various social sectors including rescue services, hospitals, senior care, child and youth services, schools, and disability support facilities. The organization provides accompanying seminars, pedagogical support, and placement mediation services. Duration ranges from 6 to 18 months with year-round entry flexibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ) A federal volunteer social year program for young people (typically school leavers up to 26 years) to engage in social, medical, ecological, cultural, or sporting placements for usually 12 months. Placement includes pocket money, social insurance, and 25 seminar days.
• Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) The Federal Voluntary Service program open to all age groups (not limited to young adults), typically lasting 6 to 18 months in social, ecological, or other non-profit placements. Available part-time (over 27 years) for greater flexibility.
• Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD) International Youth Volunteer Service enabling young adults under 26 to complete a volunteer service abroad in social, ecological, or cultural projects, typically lasting 6 to 18 months.
• weltwärts The German federal development-oriented volunteer service program placing young adults in partner countries of German development cooperation, typically lasting 12 months in Latin America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia) and other Global South destinations.
• International Volunteer Placements in Europe Volunteer placements in European countries (Greece, Finland, Malta, Norway) under European/international youth service frameworks, typically 6-12 months.
• Regional Volunteer Placements in NRW Domestic volunteer placements across the Düsseldorf, Niederrhein, Ruhrgebiet, and Bergisches Land regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, primarily under FSJ and BFD programs, in social, medical, and other non-profit organizations.
• Volunteer Education Seminars Mandatory educational seminars (25 days per volunteer year) accompanying all federal volunteer programs, covering political education, social skills, and reflection on volunteer experiences.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)coreOthersFederal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - provides funding and regulatory oversight for international voluntary service programs, particularly the weltwärts program enabling placements in developing countries.
• Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ)coreOthersFederal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth - provides funding and regulatory oversight for FSJ and BFD voluntary service programs in Germany.
• IJFD International Partner Organizations (Greece, Finland, Malta, Norway)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner organizations facilitating International Youth Voluntary Service (IJFD) placements, enabling volunteers to serve in various capacities across these countries.
• weltwärts Partner Organizations (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development-focused partner organizations in Latin America facilitating weltwärts program placements that combine social engagement with development policy learning.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (BBE): National umbrella network covering civic engagement policy and stakeholder coordination relevant to the FSJ/BFD regulatory and funding environment in which FreiWerk operates.
• DRK Generalsekretariat Berlin: National German Red Cross headquarters coordinating all regional DRK entities including FreiWerk gGmbHs; provides program oversight, ministry interface, and shared brand infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Diakonie Deutschland - Freiwilligendienste: Protestant welfare organization's volunteer service programs offering parallel FSJ/BFD placements in social and healthcare settings; directly comparable mission, program structure, and target cohort.
• AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen e.V. Long-standing German provider of intercultural youth exchange and international voluntary service programs with overlapping weltwärts/IJFD sending organization activities.
• Caritas Freiwilligendienste: Catholic welfare organization's volunteer service arm running FSJ and BFD placements across Germany; competes directly for the same young volunteer pool and ministry-approved placement slots.
• DRK Baden-Württemberg FreiWerk gGmbH: Sister DRK FreiWerk entity operating FSJ/BFD volunteer placements in Baden-Württemberg under identical federal program structure; directly comparable service portfolio, funding model, and target audience.
• Kolping Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste: Catholic association offering approved FSJ, BFD, and weltwärts placements with similar pedagogical accompaniment and placement matching; competes for youth volunteers in social engagement.
• Internationaler Bund (IB) Freiwilligendienste: Major nationwide provider of FSJ, BFD, and international voluntary services (weltwärts, IJFD); competes for similar volunteer applicants and partner Einsatzstellen.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@drkfreiwerk
• Facebookfacebook.com/DRK.Freiwilligendienste
• Instagraminstagram.com/drkfreiwerk
• TikToktiktok.com/@drkfreiwerk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsches-rotes-kreuz-nordrhein-freiwerk-ggmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Nordrhein FreiWerk gGmbH