© Stadt Bocholt
Volunteer project manager Finja Schmeink together with Christian Tewiele, Head of Senior Citizens, Care, Pensions and Volunteering at the City of Bocholt

14. July 2025Honorary office

"Generation engagiert": New programme makes it easier to start volunteering

Initiative for people between the ages of 16 and 25

Inspiring young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to volunteer - that is the aim of "Generation engagiert". The city of Bocholt's new programme starts in August 2025 at the volunteer agency and is aimed at young adults who want to get involved in society - without any previous experience.

The project emphasises practice over theory. In interactive workshops, participants will learn how to organise projects, manage a budget and put ideas into practice. Excursions to local initiatives such as the food bank or the Maker Space are also intended to inspire and at the same time enable participants to build up a local network.

The first micro-projects are then to be realised independently in small groups. The range of these projects is deliberately kept open. From waste collection campaigns and tutoring programmes for refugees to social encounter formats such as a senior citizens' café - there are no limits for the participants.

"We want to show young people how easy and fulfilling volunteering can be", explains project manager Finja Schmeink, who works as a volunteer at the volunteer agency. What counts is motivation, not previous experience. "We also want to send out a clear signal: Youth engagement is the engine for a vibrant city of tomorrow," adds Christian Tewiele, Head of the Senior Citizens, Care, Pensions and Volunteering Division of the City of Bocholt and Head of the Volunteer Agency.

To kick things off, the volunteer agency is organising a kick-off event at the end of August. Participants can get to know each other, gather initial ideas and form project groups. Expert input from mentors and a social programme with snacks and drinks should make it easier to get started and lay the foundations for successful collaboration.

The Bocholt Volunteer Agency provides further information on this project on its website www.wir-fuer-bocholt.de . Interested parties can register for the kick-off event by sending an e-mail to ehrenamt(at)bocholt(dot)de. The exact date will be set in consultation with those interested.