FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V.

What FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. does

FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. is a non-profit registered association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1960 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, operating as a federally recognized Bildungsräger for voluntary social service programs in the Archdiocese of Cologne. The organization's core offering consists of two parallel programs: the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ) for young people aged 16-27, and the Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) for all ages, including a specialized BFD Ü27 track for adults over 27. Each program combines supervised practical work in a social placement institution with mandatory educational seminars delivered at Bildungsstätten across the diocese, supplemented by international placements through a partnership with IN VIA International.

The business model is entirely publicly funded: the BMBFSFJ (Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth) provides the framework funding that covers volunteer Taschengeld (590 EUR/month plus a D-Ticket), full social insurance contributions, and the organization's own operating costs as a recognized Bildungsräger. BAFzA serves as the federal regulatory counterpart for BFD agreements. FSD charges no fees to volunteers and does not generate commercial revenue; it operates as a mediating Trägerorganisation matching volunteers with a network of Catholic-affiliated placement sites (kindergartens, schools, disability and elderly care facilities, hospitals, hospices, migration and homelessness services) across Düsseldorf, Köln, Bonn, and surrounding areas. The organization has no proprietary technology product; its digital infrastructure consists of off-the-shelf administrative tools (Freiwillig 24, Sodys), a public website, and standard social media channels for volunteer recruitment.

The governance structure is anchored by three founding Träger organizations: the Erzbistum Köln, the Diözesan-Caritasverband, and the BDKJ (Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend). A board of three Vorstand members (Christof Kriege, Barbara Pabst, Dr. Sebastian Appolt) oversees operations, with Heike Rieder serving as Geschäftsführerin. The organization runs a lean team of approximately 20 staff, including 11 Bildungsreferent*innen who personally recruit, counsel, place, and accompany volunteers throughout their 6-18 month service periods. In November 2023, FSD received quality certification from the Katholische Trägerkonferenz and supported the 'Freiwilligendienst stärken' petition, which collected over 100,000 signatures and achieved the highest vote in the Bundestag Petitions Committee.

Name

FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V.

Legal name

Freiwillige soziale Dienste im Erzbistum Köln e.V.

Website

https://fsd-koeln.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. is a Cologne-based non-profit Bildungsräger founded in 1960 that recruits, places, and pedagogically accompanies FSJ and BFD volunteers (ages 16+) in Catholic social institutions across the Archdiocese of Cologne, funded by the BMBFSFJ and governed by the Erzbistum Köln, Diözesan-Caritasverband, and BDKJ.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Voluntary Social Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Short-Term Academic Program Providers (Multi-Discipline) (EDAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Voluntary social services
• Social year program
• Volunteer placement
• Educational seminars
• Non-profit organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government funding (BMBFSFJ): FSJ and BFD programs are funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ). The ministry provides the framework funding that covers the cost of volunteer allowances, social insurance contributions paid by placement institutions, and the organization’s own operations as a recognized educational carrier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. places individuals into voluntary social service programs — the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ), the Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) including the BFD Ü27 for adults over 27, and international voluntary service in cooperation with IN VIA — at social institutions within the Archdiocese of Cologne. The organization accompanies these placements with mandatory pedagogical Bildungsseminare (and Begleitseminare for BFD Ü27) delivered by dedicated Bildungsreferent*innen, with online application handled through the Freiwillig 24 platform.

Product overview

FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. is a non-profit educational organization (Bildungsträger) that operates as a unified service offering two interconnected voluntary service programs: the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ) for individuals aged 16-27, and the Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) available for all ages including a specialized BFD Ü27 program for those over 27. These programs are complemented by educational seminars held at various Bildungshäuser (educational centers) throughout the Archdiocese of Cologne, and international volunteer placements through the IN VIA International partnership. The organization serves as a mediating body between volunteers and placement institutions (Einsatzstellen) in social facilities across the Cologne Archdiocese region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Petition ‘Freiwilligendienst stärken’ collected over 100,000 signatures and achieved the highest vote in the Bundestag Petitions Committee (2023)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IN VIA InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSD Köln cooperates with IN VIA International for international voluntary service placements. IN VIA International coordinates placements abroad in Europe (Belgium, UK, Ireland, Italy), North America (Canada, USA), Latin America (Argentina, Chile), Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), and Oceania (New Zealand). FSD Köln refers eligible volunteers aged 18–28 to IN VIA International for international service. IN VIA International handles the international program including pre-departure preparation and accompaniment abroad.
• Erzbistum KölncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Erzbistum Köln (Archdiocese of Cologne) is one of three founding organizational sponsors (Träger) of FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. It provides institutional backing, access to church facilities and networks, and supports the placement of volunteers in church-affiliated social institutions.
• Diözesan-CaritasverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diözesan-Caritasverband (Diocesan Caritas Association) is one of the three founding Träger organizations of FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. It is the central Catholic welfare organization in the diocese and provides a wide network of social institutions where volunteers can be placed.
• BDKJ (Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BDKJ (Federation of German Catholic Youth) is one of the three founding Träger organizations of FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V. It is the umbrella organization for Catholic youth associations in Germany and contributes to youth networks and placements for voluntary service.
• BAFzA (Bundesamt für Familie und zivilgesellschaftliche Aufgaben)coreOthersBAFzA is the federal authority responsible for the BFD (Bundesfreiwilligendienst). FSD Köln coordinates BFD agreements through BAFzA, which provides the regulatory and funding framework for the BFD program. For BFD volunteers, the agreement is signed between BAFzA and the volunteer, with FSD Köln and the placement institution as co-signatories.
• BMBFSFJ (Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend)coreOthersThe Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) is the overarching government ministry that funds and sets the framework for both FSJ and BFD programs across Germany. FSD Köln operates as a recognized educational carrier under this federal program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Malteser Deutschland: Catholic aid organization operating FSJ/BFD programs with emphasis on social and medical placements. Competes with FSD Köln for volunteer candidates in NRW and shares the Catholic welfare network, with overlapping placement sites in hospitals and care facilities.
• Deutscher Caritasverband: Germany's largest Catholic welfare organization and one of FSD Köln's three founding Träger (via Diözesan-Caritasverband). Operates parallel FSJ/BFD programs nationally through diocesan Caritas associations, with the same curriculum framework, BMBFSFJ funding model, and social-institution placement sites.
• Internationaler Bund (IB): Large non-profit operator of FSJ/BFD and other youth social programs across Germany. Places volunteers in social institutions under the same federal framework and competes directly with FSD Köln for NRW-based candidates and placement partnerships.
• BDKJ (Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend): One of FSD Köln's three founding Träger organizations and the umbrella body for Catholic youth in Germany. Operates interconnected FSJ programs and provides youth network access that overlaps with FSD Köln's recruitment channels.
• Kolpingwerk Deutschland: Catholic social organization operating FSJ/BFD programs with strong regional presence in NRW. Competes for similar volunteer demographics and placement sites, with comparable pedagogical accompaniment and Bildungsträger status under BMBFSFJ.
• AWO Bundesverband: Arbeiterwohlfahrt is a major German welfare organization operating FSJ/BFD programs through regional AWO associations. Directly competes with FSD Köln for volunteer candidates and placement sites in NRW and operates under the same BMBFSFJ framework.
• Diakonie Deutschland: Protestant counterpart to Caritas and one of Germany's largest welfare federations. Runs parallel FSJ/BFD programs through regional Diakonie associations with the same federal funding model, placing volunteers in social institutions including hospitals, nursing homes, and disability services.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): German Red Cross operates one of the largest FSJ/BFD carrier networks in Germany, placing volunteers in hospitals, nursing, and social services under the same federal funding framework. Strong brand recognition among youth creates direct competition for candidates in the Archdiocese of Cologne.
• IN VIA Katholische Mädchensozialarbeit: FSD Köln's existing partner for international placements and a fellow Catholic FSJ/BFD Träger. Operates parallel domestic programs with special focus on young women and gender-sensitive social work, providing a directly comparable service offering in the same ecosystem.
• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe: Protestant-affiliated aid organization running FSJ/BFD programs with focus on social and medical placements. Operates as a recognized Bildungsträger under the same BMBFSFJ framework and competes for both volunteers and Einsatzstellen across Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fsdkoeln
• Facebookfacebook.com/fsd.koeln
• Instagraminstagram.com/fsd.koeln
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fsd-im-erzbistum-k%C3%B6ln-e.v.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about FSD im Erzbistum Köln e.V.