The Ministry of Youth and Families recently announced that the BFD has won many hearts since it was introduced in July 2011. There are currently 39,100 people undertaking the BFD in the whole country. The federal government had only organized for 35,000 positions but all these are currently filled. There are currently 60,000 applicants awaiting free positions to take part in BFD.
BFD was introduced to replace the civil service, but unlike the civil service it is voluntary and pays much much less at €348 monthly, civil service used to pay €1146 monthly.
You can read all articles in what BFD is, and where to apply here: BFD Articles.
You might also want to compare BFD to FSJ/FÖJ.