Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH

What Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH does

Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH is a German non-profit limited liability company (gemeinnützige GmbH) headquartered in Wernau, Baden-Württemberg, that operates as a recognized carrier (Träger) for voluntary service programs in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The organization administers four core programs — the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ, voluntary social year), Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ, voluntary ecological year), Bundesfreiwilligendienst 27+ (BFD 27+, federal voluntary service for adults), and Europäischer Freiwilligendienst/European Solidarity Corps (EFD/ESK) — placing more than 1,600 volunteers per year across roughly 1,500 social, ecological, cultural, and church-based placement organizations (Einsatzstellen) in Baden-Württemberg. Sub-products include MOSAIK (international volunteers), FSJ vario (flexible-entry FSJ), and AusbildungXtra (vocational training bridge). Operations are delivered through four offices (Wernau headquarters, Ravensburg, Ulm, Rottweil) with six regional teams; 37 employees support pedagogical accompaniment including introductory, intermediate, and concluding seminars.

The organization's revenue model is built entirely on public funding from federal (BMFSFJ), state (Baden-Württemberg ministries for social affairs and for environment/climate/energy), and European (ESK/EU) sources, with volunteer Taschengeld capped at approximately €450 per month as of September 2024. There is no fee charged to participants. Governance rests with the Diözesancaritasverband Rottenburg-Stuttgart and the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart as joint shareholders; Olivia Longin has served as Managing Director (Geschäftsführerin) since July 13, 2020. The technology stack is conventional SaaS — Personio for applicant tracking, CleverReach for newsletters, Zoom/LogMeIn/Blue Jeans for video, and a Consent Manager Provider for GDPR compliance — with no disclosed AI/ML components. The legal entity was formed in 2012 from the BDKJ Fachstelle Freiwilligendienste to manage sustained growth; the program portfolio traces its roots to 1961.

Name

Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH

Legal name

Freiwilligendienste in der Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://freiwilligendienste-rs.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH is a Wernau-based non-profit carrier administering FSJ, FÖJ, BFD 27+, and EFD voluntary service programs, placing 1,600+ volunteers annually across ~1,500 social, ecological, and church-based placement organizations in Baden-Württemberg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Voluntary Service Programs

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Unpaid/Volunteer-Linked Work Placement Programs (EDAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Voluntary service programs
• Social service year
• Ecological volunteering
• Youth civic engagement
• Volunteer placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wernau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies and Public Funding: As a recognized non-profit carrier for voluntary services, the organization is funded through federal and state government subsidies. Förderer include the Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Integration, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Environment, Climate and Energy Management, and the European Solidarity Corps (ESK/EFD). These public funds cover the costs of pedagogical accompaniment, seminar administration, and organizational operations. Volunteers receive a means-tested allowance (Taschengeld) funded through the same public framework.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH administers and places volunteers in structured voluntary service programs — the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), Federal Voluntary Service for adults 27+ (BFD 27+), and European Voluntary Service (EFD/ESK) — across social, ecological, cultural, and church-based institutions in Baden-Württemberg. The organization delivers pedagogical accompaniment through introductory, mid-year, and concluding seminars, handles all administrative coordination for volunteers and host placement organizations (Einsatzstellen), and operates a network of approximately 1,500 placement sites offering more than 2,800 positions annually.

Product overview

Freiwilligendienste DRS gGmbH operates as a coordinated portfolio of four primary voluntary service programs administered through a centralized nonprofit structure. The core offerings—FSJ (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr), FÖJ (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr), BFD 27+ (Bundesfreiwilligendienst for adults 27+), and EFD/ESK (Europäischer Freiwilligendienst/European Solidarity Corps)—are delivered through both the main organization and dedicated satellite websites (ich-will-fsj.de, ich-will-foej.de, ich-will-bfd.de, ich-will-efd.de). Additional offerings include MOSAIK for international volunteers and FSJ vario for flexible entry. The organization places over 2,800 volunteers annually across approximately 1,500 social and ecological institutions in Baden-Württemberg, supported by four regional offices in Wernau (headquarters), Ravensburg, Ulm, and Rottweil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MOSAIK - internationale Freiwillige: International volunteers program under the Freiwilligendienste DRS umbrella.

Products and services

• Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ) — Voluntary Social Year A one-year volunteer service program for young people (typically after completing full-time schooling) who work in social institutions such as kindergartens, hospitals, care homes, and welfare organizations. Includes pedagogical accompaniment through introductory, mid-year, and concluding seminars.
• Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) — Voluntary Ecological Year A one-year volunteer service program for environmental and nature conservation work, with volunteers placed at ecological institutions, farms, forest kindergartens, and nature conservation centers.
• Bundesfreiwilligendienst 27+ (BFD 27+) — Federal Voluntary Service for Adults 27+ The Federal Voluntary Service for adults aged 27 and above, allowing mature volunteers to serve in social, ecological, or cultural institutions without an age limit.
• Europäischer Freiwilligendienst (EFD/ESK) — European Voluntary Service The European Solidarity Corps program enabling volunteers to serve abroad in European partner organizations, funded by the European Union.
• MOSAIK — Internationale Freiwillige A specialized program for international volunteers, facilitating cross-border volunteer placements and cultural exchange within the organization's service offerings.
• FSJ vario A flexible variant of the Voluntary Social Year allowing short-term and flexible entry options for volunteers and placement sites outside the regular September start dates.
• AusbildungXtra An auxiliary program providing additional training and orientation support, linked as an external resource for vocational training assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,600 volunteers engage annually through the organization's programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caritasverband für die Erzdiözese Freiburg e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Joint provider for FSJ, BFD, and BFD 27+ in Catholic sponsorship throughout Baden-Württemberg. FWD DRS covers the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart area; the Freiburg Caritas covers the Baden region. Together they manage approximately 2,600–2,800 voluntary service starts per yeargang.
• Diözese Rottenburg-StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding shareholder alongside the Diözesancaritasverband Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The organization's Catholic identity and mandate are rooted in the diocese.
• Landesarbeitskreis FSJ Baden-Württemberg (LAK FSJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization representing all 38 FSJ carriers in Baden-Württemberg. Works on quality assurance, public relations, and political advocacy for FSJ in the state.
• Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ)coreOthersPrimary federal government funder of FSJ, BFD, FÖJ, and ÖBFD programs. Provides funding that enables the organization's operations and the voluntary allowances paid to participants.
• Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration Baden-WürttembergcoreOthersState-level funder of voluntary services in Baden-Württemberg, co-sponsoring the programs alongside the federal ministry.
• Ministerium für Umwelt, Klima und Energiewirtschaft Baden-WürttembergcoreOthersState environment ministry provides specific funding for the Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) program, supporting ecological voluntary service placements.
• Europäisches Solidaritätskorps (ESK/European Solidarity Corps)coreOthersEuropean Union funding body that supports the Europäischer Freiwilligendienst (EFD/ESK) program, enabling international voluntary placements.
• Bündnis für Demokratie und Menschenrechte Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of approximately 130 civil society organizations in Baden-Württemberg working against extremism and for democracy, human rights, and social cohesion. FWD DRS is a member.
• Koordinierungsstelle Inklusion und Diversität in den FreiwilligendienstenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination office promoting inclusion and diversity in voluntary services. Organizes training events (Einsatzstellenwochen) for placement organization staff.
• Mutter-Teresa-StiftungminorOthersFunds the 'anhalten - innehalten und weitergehen' project under the Stabsstelle spiritueller Bildung und christliche Unternehmenskultur.
• Eurodesk Germany / rausvonzuhaus.deminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean youth information network platform. FWD DRS is registered as a sending organization for the European Voluntary Service under the rausvonzuhaus.de portal.
• Buchdienst WernauminorOthersLocal bookseller providing literature and greeting cards procurement for the organization.
• BAG katholische Freiwilligendienste (Catholic Carrier Group at Federal Level)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal-level coordination body of Catholic voluntary service carriers (with BDKJ and Caritas). Shapes voluntary service policy and standards nationwide. FWD DRS participates in conferences and policy development.
• Liga der freien Wohlfahrtspflege Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFWD DRS provides a delegate for the Liga's area of volunteering, civic engagement, and voluntary services at the state level.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aktion Mensch e.V. Large German social welfare organization funding and supporting inclusion-oriented voluntary services, with overlap in BFD/FSJ placement universe and parallel public-funding model.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) Freiwilligendienste: National Red Cross society operating one of the largest FSJ/BFD carrier networks in Germany. Significantly larger scope across social welfare, with voluntary services as one of many program lines.

Direct peers

• Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Bundesverband: National welfare association operating an FSJ/BFD carrier network focused on social welfare placements, particularly in care and youth services. Directly competes for the same volunteer demographic.
• BDKJ Bundesstelle Freiwilligendienste: Federal-level Catholic youth organization that originated the Freiwilligendienste DRS predecessor (BDKJ Fachstelle Freiwilligendienste, spun off into gGmbH in 2012). Operates quality certification standards applied to FWD DRS and represents the BDKJ half of the Catholic carrier group.
• Internationaler Bund (IB) Freiwilligendienste: Large nationwide carrier for FSJ, BFD, FÖJ, and EFD across multiple German states. Comparable scope and program mix; competing for the same public funding pots and volunteer pool, though operating beyond Baden-Württemberg.
• Caritasverband für die Erzdiözese Freiburg e.V. Co-provider of FSJ, BFD, and BFD 27+ across the Baden-Württemberg state; operates under identical Catholic carrier structure and quality certification framework. Direct strategic partner covering the complementary Baden region.
• Kolpingwerk Deutschland gGmbH: Catholic voluntary service carrier under the Kolping network; operates FSJ, BFD, and EFD placements with similar Catholic/quality-certification framework and membership in the federal Catholic carrier group.
• Volunta gGmbH (Diakonie Württemberg): Major Protestant (Diakonie) carrier for FSJ, BFD, and FÖJ in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. Operates the same voluntary service portfolio under a competing confessional network with comparable scale and federal/state funding model.
• Malteser Freiwilligendienste: Catholic-affiliated carrier offering FSJ, BFD, and EFD across Germany with comparable program portfolio, quality standards, and ecclesiastical sponsorship. Member of the BAG katholische Freiwilligendienste.

Others

• European Solidarity Corps (EU): EU-level program funder that channels EFD/ESK placements to FWD DRS and other German carriers. Acts as a funding ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but shapes the international voluntary service landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freiwilligendienstedrs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freiwilligendienste-drs
• Instagraminstagram.com/freiwilligendienstedrs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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