Here is a short article on the similarities and differences between BFD and FSJ
You may also read on where to apply for FSJ/FÖJ and BFD.
Similarities
- Take between 6 and 18 months (in special cases up to 2yrs)
- For both men and women
- Are volunteer activities with pocket money of only up to €336 per month
- They might offer accommodation (this depends on where you’re stationed)
- Can both be applied from Kenya
Differences
| BFD | FSJ | |
| Meaning | Bundesfreiwilligendienst | Freiwilligen Sozialen Jahr |
| Age Limit | Between 16 and 99 yrs old | Between 16 and 26 yrs |
| Recurrence | Can only be done once | Can be repeated every 5yrs |
| Working Hours | Fulltime | Fulltime, Part-time for those over 27 |
| Sponsor | Bundesrepublik Deutschland | Charitable Institutions “Wohlfahrtsträger” e.g. AWO, Diakonie |
| Offered in | Only in offered in Germany | Also offered outside Germany |
| Fields offered | Kinder- und Jugendhilfe, Wohlfahrts-, Gesundheits- und Altenpflege, Behindertenhilfe, Kultur und Denkmalpflege, Sport, Integration, Zivil- und Katastrophenschutz, Natur und – Umweltschutz | Kinder- und Jugendhilfe, Jugendarbeit, Wohlfahrtspflege, Gesundheitspflege, Kultur und Denkmalpflege, Sport, Natur- und Umweltschutz |
| Benefits | Very few Universities recognize the BFD nor give any benefits to students who had done it before they start their studies | Most universities do have a bonus system for Students who want to undertake a social course and had done the FSJ before they start their studies at the Uni. |
| Seminars | Upto 25 days for applicants aged below 26; for applicants older than 27, seminars are only offered on request | 25 days of trainings or seminars |
