The Federal Government's Fourth Engagement Report is out. What does it say, and what does that mean?

The Bundestag’s fourth report on civic engagement shows that not everyone has the same opportunities to volunteer. What obstacles exist—and what can be improved?

About 29 million people are involved in volunteer work.
Different forms of engagement:

• informally in self-organized groups and initiatives
• formally as “volunteers” in clubs and associations
• increasingly also online

However: Income, education, and background strongly influence who becomes active. ¹ The report analyzes barriers and offers recommendations for greater participation.

The report identifies 13 “barriers” that make access difficult. ² For example:

• Lack of time or ^money3
• Complicated ^bureaucracy4
• Lack of ^{appreciation5}
• Exclusionary ^structures6
• No access to spaces or ^networks7

Organizations representing, for example, migrants, queer people, or people with disabilities offer protection and empowerment.
They need targeted support and stronger connections with existing structures. ⁸

According to the report, new formats are needed, such as:

• “Power-sharing” models → A group shares its time, money, space, or knowledge with marginalized groups. These groups are allowed to decide for themselves how to use these resources. ⁹
• New funding approaches → Viewing civic engagement not only as a useful volunteer activity, but also as a means of political participation and democratic ^{involvement10}

Many activists face hostility.
The report calls for:

• Protection plans for ^volunteers11
• ^Strengthen political education12
• Measures against anti-democratic strategies

• Repeal laws if they unintentionally hinder civic engagement.
• Reform nonprofit law: provide greater legal certainty for politically active organizations and protect them from abuse by anti-democratic groups. ¹³

Better track and prosecute crimes against activists.

Financial barriers exclude many people.
The report recommends:

• Fair compensation for ^volunteers14
• Social security for ^volunteers15

 

Fourth Engagement Report of the German Federal Government