Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) – Karsten Nendel Foundation

The Karsten Nendel Foundation in Saarland offers young people between the ages of 16 and 26 a practice-oriented Voluntary Ecological Year in the Itzbach Valley near Rehlingen-Siersburg. As an officially recognized placement site, it provides a twelve-month commitment (optionally six to eighteen months) in the fields of nature conservation, environmental education, and landscape management. Participants gain intensive insight into the ecological enhancement of extensive grassland areas and acquire valuable experience in an institution dedicated to promoting biodiversity, climate protection, and sustainable resource use. During the project, special emphasis is placed on developing practical skills as well as networking with local authorities, educational institutions, and environmental stakeholders.

The voluntary service includes a variety of activities: caring for and feeding ruminants (sheep, goats, and cattle), constructing and maintaining pasture fences, clearing overgrown areas, and creating and managing meadows and small habitats are part of the daily work. Additionally, beekeeping methods are taught, and environmental education projects for schools and visitors are conducted. The goal is to contribute to social cohesion and the strengthening of democratic processes through active participation by taking responsibility for nature and the environment. Interested private individuals from the Saarland region find in this program a unique opportunity to combine practical environmental experience with personal development.