As the volunteer agency Saale-Holzland-Kreis, we promote voluntary commitment in the district. Volunteering is a prerequisite for an open and diverse society. The work of volunteers is unpaid, creates meaning, contributes to the quality of life in the district and promotes the further development of democratic civil society. Civic engagement cannot be a substitute for government services, which is why we advocate cooperation between full-time employees and volunteers.

Our values

The basis of the work and actions of the volunteer agency Saale Holzland-Kreis are the values of the Bürgerstiftung Jena Saale-Holzland:

• We stand for an open and democratic civil society, for diversity and tolerance. We are committed to our Basic Law, to human dignity, respect and diversity.
• We believe that volunteering is a unifying element between nationalities, cultures, religions and social classes. Therefore, we welcome all people who want to actively participate in our city - regardless of gender, origin, ancestry and skin color, of faith, social status or sexual identity.
• We trust in our fellow human beings and stand for cohesion in our society. Solidarity and a willingness to help are our top priorities.
• We are committed to the dignity and fundamental rights of all people as the basis of our constitution, as well as to the civil rights of freedom and participation that are indispensable for a vibrant, democratic community.
• We want to bring together people who want to help shape our democratic society on the basis of these fundamental values. For us, this also means that we do not support discriminatory, anti-democratic, racist and exclusionary positions of any kind.

(Source buergerstiftung-jena.de)

Our work

Promoting civic engagement in all its diversity is the core concern of our work. As an advisor, we provide our expertise to associations, public welfare organizations and institutions on all issues related to volunteerism, association culture and funding opportunities. We actively support people who want to volunteer in finding a suitable activity and accompany them in their commitment. In order to bring people from all areas of society together, the volunteer agency participates in existing networks in the SHK or creates new ones. An active culture of recognition and appreciation of volunteer work is important and is therefore actively promoted by the volunteer agency.